Bosnia & Herzegovina: All important travel tips at a glance
Spain? No! Italy? No! No more Hola and Ciao in the first place! Now it’s Zdravo, Merhaba, Shalom and Bog! Bosnia & Herzegovina has made it to the top of Instagram – and if you’ve been here before, you won’t be surprised. Lela’s World gives you the most important travel tips to make your adventure in this heart-shaped country unforgettable.
The travel portal Tripscout, which evaluates social networks for travelers, presented its “Most Engaging Destination Awards” in April. This was based on an analysis of likes, comments, reposts and follower growth on official tourism profiles. The result: Bosnia & Herzegovina led all of Europe with more than 2.4 million likes on its official tourism profiles. Ahead of Spain. Ahead of Italy. Ahead of all others.
But Bosnia & Herzegovina is so much more than Sarajevo and Mostar – even if it’s no coincidence that these two cities are taking hearts by storm on Instagram.
🌍 One country, two climate zones, endless nature
Bosnia & Herzegovina is located in south-eastern Europe and comprises two regions: Bosnia in the north and Herzegovina in the south. And the two could hardly be more different.
The climate is divided into three parts: Mediterranean in the south with hot summers and proximity to the coast. The interior has a mountain climate with warm summers and cold winters. The north is characterized by a temperate continental climate. In concrete terms, this means that if you want mountains in summer, the center is the place to be. If you are looking for warmth and a Mediterranean feeling, head south to Herzegovina.
The country is criss-crossed by mountains, the highest peak being the Maglic at 2,386 meters. In the southwest lies a narrow Mediterranean coastline of just 20 kilometers. Yes, Bosnia also has the sea – but very few people know that.
🌤️ Climate & best time to travel
Bosnia & Herzegovina is a year-round destination – depending on what you are looking for.
The climate is divided into three parts: Mediterranean in the south with hot summers, mountainous in the interior with warm summers and cold winters, and temperate continental in the north. This makes the country a real surprise: you can have snow on the mountain and sun on the river in the same vacation.
🌸 Spring (March – May)
Spring is beautiful – everything is in bloom, nature is awakening, the rivers are full of water after the snow melts and are a beautiful turquoise blue. From May, the temperatures are around 22-28°C, and it is already pleasantly warm from April. In Sarajevo it is around 12-15°C in April, in Mostar already 17-20°C. Few tourists, good prices, ideal conditions for hiking and city trips. Definitely one of the best months to travel.
☀️ Summer (June – August)
The high season – and for good reason. The average temperature in Sarajevo in summer is around 20°C, in the south around 26°C. In Herzegovina, around Mostar and Trebinje, temperatures regularly reach 35-38°C in July and August – pure Mediterranean midsummer feeling. In the mountains, on the other hand, it remains pleasantly cool even in August. If you want to raft down the Una or Neretva rivers, you’re in the right place. The only downside is that Sarajevo and Mostar are full.
🍂 Fall (September – November)
Insider tip. September and October are often even better climatically than midsummer – pleasantly warm, less busy, beautiful colors in the mountains. Sarajevo is at its best in October, with temperatures around 15-18°C during the day. Mostar stays at 20°C and above until the end of October. From November it gets wetter and cooler, but the country then has its own quiet charm.
❄️ Winter (December – February)
Bosnia in winter is greatly underestimated. In the mountainous regions, temperatures can drop to -20°C, in Sarajevo the average in January is around -1°C. On the other hand, the ski resorts around Sarajevo – Bjelašnica and Jahorina, both Olympic mountains from 1984 – often have meters of snow at prices that would make Western European skiers weep. Ski passes and accommodation here cost a fraction of what you pay in Austria or Switzerland. Mostar and Herzegovina are milder in winter – around 5-8°C during the day – and almost deserted. If you want to experience the Old Bridge without the tourist crowds: January is the answer.
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Briefly summarized:
| Travel time | Recommended for |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-May) | Nature, hiking, city trips |
| Summer (June-Aug) | Rivers, rafting, festivals, mountains |
| Fall (Sept-Oct) | Quiet exploration, best temperatures |
| Winter (Dec-March) | Skiing, cheap travel, Mostar without the crowds |
🛂 Visa & entry
EU citizens and anyone with an Austrian, German or Swiss passport do not require a visa. Entry is possible with a passport, temporary passport, identity card and children’s passport. Travel documents must be valid for at least three months when leaving the country and for longer when entering the country.
German, Austrian and Swiss nationals may stay for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period without a visa.
If you come from another country, you can check whether a visa is required on the official website of the Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs according to your citizenship: mfa.ba
✈️ Arrival: Airplane, bus, train
Airplane
Bosnia & Herzegovina has four international airports:
- Sarajevo (SJJ) – the largest and most important. Lufthansa flies non-stop from Munich, Eurowings from Cologne, Austrian from Vienna. Flight time from Vienna around 1 hour, from Munich around 1.5 hours.
- Tuzla (TZL) – has established itself as an important base for low-cost carriers, especially Wizz Air, with low-cost connections to many European destinations.
- Banja Luka (BNX) – offers regular connections to Belgrade and several European cities, among others.
- Mostar (OMO) – mainly in the summer season with charter flights from various European cities, especially from Italy.
Train
The train network is manageable, but has its charm – and is currently being expanded. The most beautiful route of all: from Sarajevo to Mostar, along the River Neretva. In summer, this train continues to Ploče on the Croatian coast.
New since summer 2025: The Railways of the Federation of BiH have introduced the first tourist train on the Sarajevo-Vareš line, which runs through 20 tunnels and over 11 bridges and crosses the Stavnje river valley – a line that has been disused for decades.
The Interrail Global Pass is also valid in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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Bus
The bus is the means of transportation in BiH – cheap, widely branched, but sometimes very lengthy. There are connections from Sarajevo to over 91 cities throughout the country. All information on bus connections can be found on the official tourism website: tourismbih.com
🚗 Arrival & traveling by car
Bosnia & Herzegovina is easily accessible by car from Austria, Germany and Switzerland – the route leads via Slovenia and Croatia. Those coming from the south should travel via Montenegro or Serbia.
Important information for entering the country by car:
- The green insurance card must be carried – it is valid throughout the country.
- A valid driving license is sufficient; German, Austrian and Swiss driving licenses are recognized.
- Most of the highway is subject to tolls, payable in cash or by credit card.
On the road in the country: Bosnia & Herzegovina is a paradise for road trips – provided you are prepared for a few special features. The roads lead through dramatic mountain landscapes, narrow river valleys and enchanted villages. Navigation systems are not always reliable: Not all suggested routes are actually passable. It is better to rely on well-maintained main roads and get local information.
A few rules you should know:
- The blood alcohol limit is 0.3 – there is an absolute ban on alcohol for novice drivers and people under the age of 21.
- Winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to April 1.
- Two police officers are always present during traffic checks. In case of violations, immediate payment on the spot is possible – in case of non-payment, the driver’s license will be temporarily confiscated.
- Picking up a hitchhiker? Better not – especially at border crossings this can be seen as smuggling.
- Vehicles with foreign license plates are a preferred target for break-ins. Never leave valuables in the car, park in guarded parking lots if possible.
If you discover Bosnia & Herzegovina by car, you will be rewarded: the landscape is spectacular, the roads outside the cities often empty – and the next unforgettable image awaits around every bend.
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⚡ Bosnia & Herzegovina with the e-car
Yes, it works – and how! Anyone who thinks a road trip through Bosnia & Herzegovina in an electric car is a challenge will be pleasantly surprised.
The charging network is growing rapidly – there are now over 500 charging stations across the country. The majority are AC chargers (alternating current), but DC fast chargers are catching up rapidly and there are more every day.
Road trip tip: If you travel by electric car, you travel slower and more consciously – and that’s exactly what makes the difference in Bosnia. Spontaneously spending the night in a mountain village, standing barefoot by a glacial river or experiencing the tranquillity of a national park – sustainable travel makes all of this even more precious.
And another piece of good news: the real range often significantly exceeds the official WLTP value, especially when driving on country roads, mountain passes and in national parks.
The detailed guide with all charging stations and first-hand tips is available directly on Lela’s World: 👉 lelaswelt.de – With the e-car through Bosnia & Herzegovina
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💶 Currency
The national currency is the convertible mark (BAM). The fixed exchange rate is 1 euro = 1.95583 BAM. So if you exchange 100 euros, you will get just under 196 BAM – and get very far in Bosnia.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are increasingly accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and stores. It is better to have cash with you at markets and in smaller stores.
🏨 Accommodation
The choice has grown significantly in recent years. From affordable hostels, cozy guesthouses and apartments to boutique hotels and international chains – there is something for every budget:
- Budget (hostel/simple guesthouse): from approx. 15-25 euros per night
- Middle class (3-star hotel, apartment): approx. 40-80 euros
- Upscale offer (4-5 stars): from approx. 90 euros upwards
If you look beyond Sarajevo and Mostar, you will often find particularly charming accommodation at very reasonable prices in smaller towns and in the countryside.
🔒 Security
Bosnia & Herzegovina is a safe country for tourists. The crime rate is low, petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs particularly in places frequented by tourists – so take the usual precautions as you would anywhere else.
The complete and up-to-date travel and safety information is available directly from the Federal Foreign Office: 👉 auswaertiges-amt.de – Bosnia & Herzegovina
However, there is one piece of advice: in some parts of the country, especially away from main routes and areas frequented by tourists, mines and unexploded ordnance still pose a danger. You should not leave paved roads and marked hiking trails.
Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of those countries that you have to see once – before the rest of the world discovers it for itself. And Instagram shows: The rest of the world is in the process! Lela’s World knows places in Bosnia & Herzegovina that hardly any tourists have ever set foot in – and that are sometimes unknown even to locals. Extraordinary destinations that are just waiting to be discovered. Follow Lela’s World and find out more!
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