Last Updated on 15 December 2025 by Johan

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Balkan country in Southeastern Europe. It borders Croatia to the north and west, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast. The country has a short Adriatic coastline at Neum, which provides access to the sea. Its landscapes combine the Dinaric Alps, fertile valleys, and Mediterranean scenery. The country is divided into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and the autonomous Brčko District. Together they include 143 municipalities, each with its own local government.

Explanation of the name: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The name Bosnia comes from the Bosna River, which flows through the central region. Historians trace the word to ancient Indo-European roots meaning water. Herzegovina was added in the 15th century when Stjepan Vukčić Kosača took the title Herceg, meaning Duke. His lands became known as Herzegovina, or “land of the duke.” The Austro-Hungarian Empire united the two names in 1878, and the country has been officially called Bosnia and Herzegovina ever since.

History: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Romans built roads and fortresses here in the first century BCE. In the Middle Ages, Bosnia became a kingdom ruled by native bans and kings. The Ottomans conquered the land in 1463 and introduced Islamic culture, mosques, and bridges. Austria-Hungary occupied the region in 1878 and modernised its infrastructure.

After World War I, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later Yugoslavia. Following World War II, it became a republic within socialist Yugoslavia. Independence in 1992 led to war, which ended with the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995. Today Bosnia and Herzegovina is a democratic state with a diverse population of Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs.

Tourist information: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo is the capital and cultural heart of the country. The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina houses archaeology and ethnology collections. The Historical Museum focuses on 20th‑century history. The War Childhood Museum offers interactive exhibits about children’s experiences during war. The Sarajevo Tunnel Museum preserves the wartime tunnel used during the siege.

Konjic lies southwest of Sarajevo. Its Stara Ćuprija Bridge is a restored Ottoman bridge that links the town’s cultural heritage.

Sutjeska National Park is located near Tjentište. It contains the Perućica primeval forest and the Tara River Canyon, the deepest in Europe.

Mostar is home to the Old Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rebuilt in 2004. Blagaj Tekke is a 16th‑century Sufi monastery built into cliffs above the Buna River. The Museum of Herzegovina displays regional history and culture.

Kravice Waterfalls near Ljubuški are 25 metres high and popular for swimming and picnics.

Jajce has a central waterfall that flows into the Vrbas River, making it one of the few urban waterfalls in Europe.

Trebinje’s Old Town is known for stone houses, Orthodox monasteries, and wine culture.

Neum is Bosnia’s only coastal town and offers Adriatic beaches and seafood cuisine.

Una National Park near Bihać features turquoise rivers, waterfalls, and rafting routes.

Culinary destinations

Bosnian cuisine blends Ottoman, Mediterranean, and Austro‑Hungarian traditions. Popular dishes include ćevapi, grilled minced meat served with flatbread, burek pastry filled with meat, sarma stuffed cabbage rolls, and begova čorba chicken soup. Bosanski lonac is a slow‑cooked meat and vegetable stew. Herzegovina produces wines such as Žilavka and Blatina. Livno is famous for Livanjski sir cheese. Desserts include baklava and tufahije, apples stuffed with walnuts.

Cycling and walking routes

Cyclists enjoy trails through the Dinaric Alps. The Buna River loop near Počitelj is popular. Walkers can hike the Trebević Peak Trail above Sarajevo, visit Skakavac Waterfall, or explore Lukomir, Bosnia’s highest village. These routes combine nature with cultural heritage.

Seasonal activities

Spring brings rafting on the Una and Neretva rivers. Summer is ideal for swimming at Kravice and hiking in Sutjeska. Autumn offers vineyard tours in Herzegovina. Winter transforms Jahorina and Bjelašnica mountains into ski resorts.

Local events in 2026

The Sarajevo Film Festival takes place in August 2026. Concerts by Matija Cvek are scheduled in Sarajevo and Mostar in February. A football match between FK Željezničar Sarajevo and HŠK Posušje is planned for April. The general election will be held in October 2026.

Fun things for children

Families can visit Sarajevo Zoo, enjoy swimming at Kravice Waterfalls, or join ski schools at Jahorina. Cycling paths in Banja Luka and Trebinje are suitable for family rides. The War Childhood Museum offers interactive exhibits for young visitors. Local festivals often include music, crafts, and food stalls that appeal to children.

More information on our website:

More information:

• Hercegovina.ba - Site maintained by the Tourist Community of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton offers information and photo galleries about a dozen destinations in this Southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Tourism Bosnia – tourismbih.com (official tourism information, attractions, national parks)
• Visit B&H – visitbih.ba (events and cultural highlights)
• Discover Bosnia and Herzegovina – discoverbih.com (destinations and UNESCO sites)