Best Things to Do in Bosnia and Herzegovina

1) Tunnel of Hope

When Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, Bosnian Serbs wanting to create a new Bosnian Serb state laid siege to the city of Sarajevo in late April of 1992. The half-mile Sarajevo War Tunnel was constructed with shovels and pickaxes.

Completed in July, 1993, it was a secret lifeline until the end of the conflict in February, 1996. For nearly three years the tunnel was used for access to telephone lines, oil supplies, food and electricity. Twenty yards of the tunnel have been preserved as a museum. 

2) Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide 1992-1995

Opened in 2016, the museum houses a permanent display of material from the International Criminal Tribunal of the Former Yugoslavia; photographs; documents; personal items; simulations; video testimonies and documentary films that tell the story of the civilian deaths and crimes that were committed during the Bosnian War.

3) Mostar Bridge - Mostar

Located in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mostar Bridge was established as an Ottoman frontier town in the 15th and 16th centuries. It’s known for its old Turkish houses and old bridge, Stari Most, that straddles the Neretva River. The original bridge was built during a nine year period beginning in 1557 by Mimar Hayruddin.

He was to build the bridge or die. Upon its completion, it was the widest man-made arch in the world. After destruction in the Bosnian War, the bridge was reconstructed in 2004. As a symbol of reconciliation, international cooperation and the coexistence of diverse ethnic, religious and cultural communities, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. 

4) Vjetrenica Cave

In the southern Dinaric Alp region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vjetrenica Cave is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The cave is over four miles in length although geologists surmise that it could extend all the way to the Adriatic Sea, over seven miles away. The name comes from Vjetar, meaning “wind”, after the strong air currents at the cave entrance that have become the subject of myths.

Remains of eight fossilized animals have been found in the cave including a complete skeleton of an Ice Age leopard and it is one of the most biologically diverse in the world with over 200 species, many of them unique to underground habitats. Also hydrologically active, a system of lakes and rivers and a staggering gallery of stalagmites and other formations leave most who visit the cave in awe. 

5) Blagaj Tekija

Just outside of Mostar, Tekija hugs an imposing cliff.  It’s been described as mystical, majestic, and soulful. The peaceful 600 year old monastery sits on the edge of the Buna River at its source which flows from a karstic cavern beneath the cliff. The monastery was founded during the height of the Ottoman Empire and used by Dervishes, a Muslim Sufi religious order.

6) Stjepan Grad

While in Blagaj, the fortress is another must-see if only for the panoramic vistas of Blagaj and the River Buna below, but its history will give you a great appreciation for the people that once occupied the area.

While Stjepan Grad is an early medieval, medieval or Ottoman period fort, there are fort remains on each of the summit’s highest points, one of which is thought to be prehistoric. Stjepan Grad was configured for the terrain and the palace within its walls impressively protected by an outer forecourt, a forecourt and a gatehouse. 

7) Medjugorje

Just to the southwest of Mostar, the small town of Medjugorje close to the Croatian border has attracted millions on pilgrimage to Apparition Hill. Our Lady of Medjugorje, also called the Queen of Peace, is the name given to the Virgin Mary by those who believe she appeared on the hill in 1981. While Pope Francis made the claim in 2017 that the apparition deserves more study, he is dubious of subsequent reports. 

8) Kravice Falls

Also located southwest of Mostar, the falls are a popular swimming and picnic area for good reason. A series of twenty waterfalls on the Trebizat River drop 82 feet into the lake below. The dense forest surrounding the falls is lush and inviting for the many that dive into its waters, especially in summer. 

9) Radimlja Necropolis

The most concentrated area of stecci, or medieval tombstones, in Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Radimlja. There are 133 of them, with an estimated 60,000 said to exist throughout the region and another 10,000 in bordering countries. They were constructed during the 11th through 15th centuries and began disappearing during the Ottoman Empire. The site has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage designation. 

10) Hercegovacka Gracanica

This Serbian Orthodox Monastery located above the southernmost city of Trebinje, was built in 1999 to honor the wish of famous Servian poet, Jovan Ducic. Go to see the beautiful exterior and interior of the monastery but also, the best views of Trebinje, the Trebisnjica river and Arslanagica bridge.