Bosnia & Herzegovina
Experience an unique culture and astonishing nature. Plus great food!
01
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is filled with great food spots. The two most famous local snacks are pita (puff pastry with filling) and cevapi (minced meat sausage). I recommend going to Buregdzinica Bosna for the pita and Petica for the cevap.
For a more restaurant feeling go up the hill to Park Princeva to get an awesome view and good food!
What to do
⦿
Svrzo's House
A small museum showing how traditional Bosnian homes looked like in the past.
⦿
Zuta Tabija
A bastion in the hills with the perfect overlook over the city.
⦿
Bascarsija
Center of the old city, filled with small shops, coffee houses and restaurants. Very charming
⦿
The Olympic Bobsled track
A 20-minute taxi ride to the outskirts of the city where you can see the relic from the 1984 Winter Olympics
Where to eat
Sarajevo is filled with great food spots. The two most famous local snacks are pita (puff pastry with filling) and cevapi (minced meat sausage). I recommend going to Buregdzinica Bosna for the pita and Petica for the cevap.
For a more restaurant feeling go up the hill to Park Princeva to get an awesome view and good food!
Where to stay
It can be a bit pricey to stay in Sarajevo during the summer months, but it's worth staying in the center of the city to avoid going up and down hills.
A very posh place is the Hotel Europa, while an affordable 3-star place is Hotel Konak.
For an outdoor nature experience try the Pino Nature Hotel.
Daytrips from Sarajevo
Prokosko Lake
Above the city of Fojnica and on the mountain Vranica you will find this mountain lake oasis, 1670 m above sea level. The locals offer good food and coffee, and it's the perfect place for long walks and fresh mountain air. The mountain cabin architecture is also worth mentioning.
Lukomir Village
Visit one of the highest altitude and most remote villages in the entire country. At an altitude of 1,495 m this spot shows how old nomads used to live in spectacular surroundings.
I recommend booking a tour in Sarajevo.
The roads are not suitable for a rental car.
02
Mostar
Mostar comes from the Bosnian name "mostari" meaning "bridge gourds" and that's what this city is most famous for. The Stari Most (Old Bridge) built by the Ottomans in the 16th century is one of most famous landmarks in the country. During the Balkan war the bridge (and the city) were demolished but it has been reconstructed in 2004.
The city is extremely touristy and I would recommend just spending a few hours here, seeing the bridge and the surrounding shopping streets.
What to do
⦿
Neretva Canyon
One of the most beautiful drives in Bosnia is this canyon, which connects Mostar to Sarajevo.
⦿
Small shopping streets
I recommend walking around the bridge and enjoying the small souvenir shops.
⦿
Stri Most (Old Bridge)
Simply one of the most beautiful places from a distance. The best photos can be taken from the garden of Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque.
Where to eat
I have personally had not had really good food in Mostar due to my short stays, but the few places I went were pretty descent and affordable. It's what you would expect from a top tourist destination.
Where to stay
If you want to stay in the area, go check out this awesome glamping place!! Cool tents, good food and right on the river!
Daytrips from Mostar
Blagaj House
30 minutes out side of Mostar you will find an interesting Dervish monastery. It is situated under the cliff next to the source of river the Buna. Very picturesque.
Kravice waterfall
The temperature in Mostar can sometimes reach highs of 45 degrees Celsius, so a nice cold dip in the water is much needed. I suggest going to the Kravice waterfalls, which is not very touristy. This oasis offers a nice day of swimming and climbing under the waterfall.
03
Travnik
This is my home town - I was born here and have family here. This is why I want people to experience what I love about this city.
t's not very touristy but has some cool things to offer. The city has a lot of mosques and an old fortress that is worth a visit.
The food is awesome, and you have to try the Travnik cevapi, said to be the best in Bosnia.
There is a laid-back mood downtown, with locals sitting on sidewalk cafés. It almost has a small village feel to it.
I would recommend spending maybe one night in the city and a couple of nights on the mountains of Vlasic, a 20-min drive from Travnik.
You can experience the great nature of the mountains in the video further down this page.
What to do
⦿
City Center
Around here you will find small and old tombs and historical monuments of the old “Vezirs”, meaning high officers, dating to the Ottoman Empire.
⦿
Road to Mt. Vlasic
My favorite place in Travnik is the surrounding mountain of Vlasic. Everyone should visit this place at least once in their lives! Please watch the video below for a preview.
⦿
Stari Grad Fortress
Built around the 15th century, this is one of the most preserved and visible landmarks here. There is a nice cafe at the fortress with a grand view.
⦿
Colored Mosque
In downtown Travnik, you will find the old so-called “colored mosque,” with a nice facade detailing and small shops below.
Where to eat
Throughout the region, Travnik is best known for two specialties: cevapi (small beef sausages) and cheese.
I like the Karalic cevapi, and one of the best ways to try the cheese is ordering it at Vlasicka kuca with some ustipci. (You could also buy it directly from the farmers on the mountain).
For other traditional Bosnian food, try the Kastel na Hendeku.
Where to stay
There are no big hotels in the city, so I would recommend you find a room or an apartment. The owners could also give you great local tips on what to do and where to eat. Try the new hotel l Hotel Vezir Palace it’s right next to the old fortress.
Alternatively, you could stay in the mountains, which will be about 20 mins outside of town. You will enjoy the beautiful nature and can make day trips down to the city for sightseeing.
More tips & tricks here...
Follow us – @mybalkan.co
Wrong or no access token.
I hope that you found great inspiration for your next trip. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Best Regards
Tarik Arnautovic
Follow myBalkan:
– Facebook
– Instagram
Most of the images from the site are from my private collection. Few of the hotel images are from booking.com and some of the food ones are from the respected restaurants’ websites.
Used fonts : Google font Unna + Roboto.
Designed and curated by Tarik Arnautovic – 2020
Thanks to Aika Zikibayeva for copy help.