Bosnia & Hercegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a mountainous Balkan country best known for Sarajevo's Ottoman bazaar and the rebuilt Old Bridge in Mostar.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a mountainous country in the western Balkans, bordered by Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. Sarajevo, the capital, places the Ottoman bazaar of Baščaršija beside streets of Austro-Hungarian buildings from the decades of imperial rule. In Mostar, the Old Bridge crosses the Neretva River. The original bridge was destroyed in 1993, during the Bosnian War, and reopened in 2004 after a rebuild.
Most trips cover Sarajevo and Mostar, about 130 kilometers apart by road, then add Trebinje in the south or Banja Luka in the north. Plan at least a week to see the main towns without rushing. Travelers who want history, local food and mountain scenery will find plenty to fill that time. Sarajevo works well as a first base, and Mostar's old town is compact enough to walk in an afternoon. The best months run from late spring to early autumn.
Five things to know before Bosnia & Hercegovina
- Check the rule for your passport
UK, Canadian, Australian and German passports can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within six months, and Spain's ministry quotes 90 days for Spanish citizens. Keep your passport valid for at least three months past departure. Visa checker
- Get stamped and registered
Border guards compare entry and exit stamps with the visa-free limit, and a missing stamp can mean a fine. Hotels usually register guests with the police; in a private apartment, ask the host who files it.
- Plan the Sarajevo to Mostar leg
The railway timetable lists two trains each way on the Sarajevo to Čapljina line, which stops at Mostar. Buses and cars cover the rest of the day, so compare them before you fix the date. Sarajevo to Mostar
- Stay on paved roads and marked paths
UK advice says landmines and unexploded weapons from the 1992 to 1995 war remain in less populated and rural areas. Do not step off roads and paved areas without an experienced guide. Insurance
- Allow time at the Croatian border
UK advice says the EES may add waiting time at EU borders, so build slack into a day trip between Trebinje and Dubrovnik or any crossing into Croatia. Trebinje
Bosnia & Hercegovina travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Baščaršija, the center and where to base yourself.
Read the guideMostarThe Old Bridge, the bazaar and day trip or overnight.
Read the guideTrebinjeA calm Herzegovina town, 28 km from Dubrovnik.
Read the guideBanja LukaKastel fortress and Vrbas rafting in the north.
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules by passport, checked against official pages.
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, intercity buses and mountain roads between towns.
Read the guideMoney and costsMarks, cards and where cash still rules.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hiking, rural roads and health care.
Read the guide
Destinations in Bosnia & Hercegovina
When to go
- Best
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold
- MarchCool
- AprilMild, spring
- MayWarm, green
- JuneWarm
- JulyHot, sunny
- AugustFilm festival
- SeptemberWarm, clear
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, wet
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Bosnia & Hercegovina
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Bosnia & Hercegovina
10:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today1°0°100%Monday: Rain. High 1°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue1°-1°78%Tuesday: Snow. High 1°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Wed1°-1°39%Wednesday: Snow. High 1°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu3°0°0%Thursday: Drizzle. High 3°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri6°-2°0%Friday: Fog. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat8°-1°6%Saturday: Clear. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun9°2°25%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 25%.
Updated 07:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.752 BAM
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- JulBaščaršija NightsSarajevo
- AugMladifestMostar
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Before you go to Bosnia & Hercegovina
Bosnia & Hercegovina FAQ
Do I need a visa for Bosnia & Hercegovina?
Not on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian, German or Spanish passport for a short visit. The UK, Canadian, Australian and German governments quote 90 days (within a 6-month period for UK, Australian and German passports), and a US stay is listed visa-free by an embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Check your passport in the visa checker.
Is Bosnia & Hercegovina safe to visit?
UK advice lists pickpocketing in tourist areas of Sarajevo and other cities, thefts from cars near Sarajevo, and landmines in rural areas, and says terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. Keep to roads and marked paths and read your government's advice before you go.
How do I get from Sarajevo to Mostar?
By train on the Sarajevo to Čapljina line, which stops at Mostar and runs twice a day each way on the 2025/2026 timetable, or by bus or car. The Sarajevo to Mostar guide compares all four ways.
Can I pay in euros in Bosnia?
The official currency is the convertible mark, which is fixed to the euro, and prices are in marks. Do not count on euros in shops and cafés; withdraw marks from ATMs for everyday spending.
When is the best time to visit Bosnia & Hercegovina?
May, June and September suit city sightseeing in Sarajevo and Mostar. Summer is hot in the south, and winter brings snow to Sarajevo and the nearby mountains.