31 Bosnia and Herzegovina

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General Tips

Best experienced by walking through neighborhoods and bazaars. Visit Bascarsija (old bazaar) in Sarajevo for authentic cultural immersion. The Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo is a must-visit historical site. Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar is iconic - explore the old town around it. Blagaj has a Dervish monastery (Tekija) beside a turquoise spring - short drive from Mostar. Try local cuisine: cevapi, baklava, and Bosnian coffee from a dzezva. Experience sevdalinka traditional music and diverse religious sites. Sit in a tiny tea house to absorb the local atmosphere.

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Currency and Payments

The official currency is the Convertible Mark (BAM or KM), pegged to the Euro at approximately 2 KM = 1 EUR. Bosnia is predominantly a cash economy. While some businesses accept credit cards, always carry BAM cash for buses, trams, small shops, and restaurants.

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SIM Cards and Connectivity

Getting a SIM card is very easy. Visit an Eronet, BH Telecom, or m:tel stand and you can get a tourist SIM with 20 GB of data for around 20-30 BAM. No passport registration is required in most cases. Wi-Fi is widely available in cafes and hotels.

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Tipping Culture

In restaurants, a 10% tip is appreciated for good service. In cafes, bars, and taxis, rounding up the fare is common practice. For example, if a taxi fare is 12.50 BAM, rounding up to 13 BAM is standard.

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Getting Around

Buses connect all major cities. The Sarajevo to Mostar route takes about 2.5 hours by bus. Trams operate within Sarajevo. Taxis are affordable but agree on the fare or ensure the meter is running. Buses and trams require cash payments.

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Electricity and Plugs

Bosnia uses Type C and F plugs with 230V/50Hz, the same standard as most of continental Europe. Travelers from the US, UK, or Asia will need a plug adapter.

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Landmine Awareness

Some rural areas still have landmines from the 1990s conflict, particularly in mountains and forests off main paths. Always stick to paved roads, marked trails, and populated areas. Do not walk into abandoned or unmarked areas in the countryside.

1

Sarajevo's Living History

📍 Sarajevo

Walk through Bascarsija, the old Ottoman bazaar, where coppersmiths still hammer trays by hand and the smell of cevapi fills the air. Visit the Tunnel of Hope, the underground passage that kept Sarajevo alive during the 1990s siege, and see the Latin Bridge where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Enjoy Bosnian coffee brewed in a dzezva at a traditional cafe.

2

Mostar and the Old Bridge

📍 Mostar

Travel to Mostar and watch divers leap from the iconic Stari Most, the reconstructed 16th-century Ottoman bridge arching over the emerald Neretva River. Explore the cobblestone old town with its mosques, Turkish houses, and artisan shops selling hand-hammered copperware. Take a short drive to Blagaj to see the Dervish monastery built into a cliff beside a turquoise river spring.

3

Travnik's Ottoman Heritage

📍 Travnik

Drive to Travnik, the former seat of Ottoman viziers in Bosnia, and visit the medieval fortress overlooking the town and its minarets. Walk through the colorful old town to see the Multi-Colored Mosque and the birthplace museum of Nobel Prize-winning author Ivo Andric. Sample Travnik's famous white cheese and somun bread at a local restaurant before departing.