It’s hard to believe there are parts of Europe that still feel wild and undiscovered but the jagged mountains that run the entire length of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain largely unknown by the average British tourist.
But the country has so much more to offer than the mountains. There is the excellent weather in the summer months, beautiful countryside, cute coastline and amazing city culture, not to mention the prices that make its glitzy European neighbours look like a rip-off.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is actually one country, sometimes known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and informally as Bosnia. It is in Southeast Europe, and is situated on the Balkan Peninsula.
Many come for Sarajevo to see the capital city’s fascinating confluence of East and West. Here, Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians and Catholics once lived in harmony and you can see all their imprints on the skyline – minarets, domes and campaniles.
This little land barely has a coastline but it does have the resort town of Neum that actually touches the Adriatic Sea.
It’s a little known fact, but amidst Croatia’s famous 1,800 kilometers of coastline you can also find a baby Bosnian riviera (approximately 22 kilometres in length, the second shortest coastline of a country in the world behind Monaco) around the town of Neum, about an hour north of Dubrovnik, if you are travelling by car from Bosnia’s glamourous big sister Croatia.
This tiny resort can get super crowded in the summer months, particularly down around the hotels but just across the bay around the Klek Peninsula, there are some more quiet spots. Alternatively just head straight for the hills of the Dinaric Alps where there is a strong possibility you may be one of the only foreigners around.
Bosnia is also a prime destination for the active holidaymaker who might want to try mountain biking down limestone peaks and whitewater rafting through craggy canyons. Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984, so there are basically slopes in every direction.
Or you can head a bit inland to medieval Mostar, known for its sweeping stone bridge, hilltop fortresses like Ostrožac Castle, and one waterfall after another. Or how about a hike through the spectacular Sutjeska National Park?
And in beautiful second-city Mostar, walk over the iconic bridge at the start or end of day, when the day-trippers have departed, and you can imagine yourself back in Ottoman times. But for a real taste of Europe as it once was head out into the countryside of Bosnia and Herzegovina where in small, isolated villages like Lukomir, shepherds still tend their flocks.
In the countryside you’ll also find an amazing abundance of fresh water: turquoise waterfalls, lakes and rivers such as the raging Una. With forest that still cover 50% of the country and national parks such as the Unesco-listed Hutobo Blato Bird Reserve, Bosnia & Herzegovina is also paradise for hikers and nature-lovers.
And after an active day you can relax with a glass of wine from one of the excellent wineries.
Yet despite all these attractions, and Euronews describing it as “spectacular”, the country remains little visited and is seriously underrated.
“There’s a less hurried way of life in Bosnia” says Emma Heywood of Balkans-based travel company Undiscovered Balkans.
“Isn’t that what holidays are all about? Learning to embrace the ‘ćejf’ (cheyf) as Bosnians call it: those moments of small pleasures.”
There are poignant reminders of its recent past, too. 2025 marks 30 years since the end of the Bosnian War and its influence lingers.
Emma adds: “It’s raw, real and breathtakingly beautiful. You’ll leave Bosnia with complete admiration for the overwhelming resilience and humour of its people.”
Locals or tourists in the know realise they can experience this part of the world for much cheaper accommodation and food prices than neighbouring European holiday destinations like Croatia. Prices here can be nearly half of those that you find across the border and therefore some of the cheapest on the Adriatic north of Albania.
Budget airlines Ryanair and Wizzair operate direct flights from the UK.
For example, next month there is an outbound direct flight with Ryanair departs from London Stansted on Mon, 3 Mar, arriving in Sarajevo International. Inbound direct flight with Wizz Air UK departs from Sarajevo International on Sat, 8 Mar, arriving in London Luton. Price includes taxes and charges. From £36.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
