Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina is once again becoming a popular place to visit and has come a long way since the mid-1990s atrocities. With an InterRail Global Pass unearth this Balkan country’s history and culture.
Sarajevo: Turning around
Not so long ago Sarajevo was known only as being a war zone, where people were suffering unimaginable horrors. Now the city is back to business and tourists are flocking over. The capital has so much history to be dug into and the warmth of the people make it very welcoming. Visit the famous Latin Bridge – the location of Franz Ferdinand’s assassination and the site from which World War I spawned. There are also a number of mosques scattered around – make sure you catch the fine Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. More things to do in Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s train station is a 30-minute walk from the centre of the city or alternatively take a bus.
Mindblowing beauty
One of the most heavenly sights in Bosnia-Herzegovina (and in Europe!) is the Kravica waterfall, located along the Trebižat river. The crystal water from the river appears to spill out of the blanket of green forest that surrounds it, tumbling into a turquoise pool! For more breathtaking beauty visit Sutjeska National Park – one of Europe’s remaining primeval forests. The river Sutjeska scuplts its way through the four great mountains of this area – including Bosnia-Herzegovina’s highest, Maglić (2386m) which makes for a challenging hike.
Tours for the Kravica waterfall and Sutjeska National Park can be booked from Sarajevo to include transport to the sites.
Adrenaline overload
Bosnia-Herzegovina is a fantastic place for river-sports and the whitewater rafting is some of the best in Europe. Go to the popular town of Bihać for year-round rafting and canoeing along the Una River. The country also offers great winter sports – it was host of the 1984 Winter Olympics after all. It has excellent slopes, gorgeous scenery and it’s much cheaper than more well-known ski destinations. Jahorina, Bosnia’s second tallest mountain, offers a range of slopes from beginner runs through to expert. Hiking is possible during the rest of the year.
Bihać can be reached by train from Sarajevo. Jahorina can be reached by bus from the centre of Sarajevo.
For the culturally curious
Mostar, the capital of the Herzegovina region breathes a flawless charm. The main focal point of the city is the sixteenth-century Ottoman bridge that arches over the sapphire waters of the river Neretva, known as Stari Most (Old Bridge). Sadly the bridge was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak war, but has since been (painstakingly) rebuilt. Surrounding this area are a number of mosques – the oldest and most sacred in the area is Karadoz-Bey Mosque, a splendid example of Muslim architecture of that period.
The Old Bridge and Karadoz-Bey Mosque are a 20-minute walk from the main train station in Mostar.
Baščaršija Nights
This is the biggest festival in Sarajevo displaying the richness of Bosnian culture and includes a range of music, theatre, dance and folklore.
The event is held at venues across Sarajevo.
Sarajevo Jazz Festival
This annual jazz festival features well-known jazz artists from across the globe.
The event is held at venues across Sarajevo.
Ikari Bridge Jumping
Each year in July Mostar’s old bridge, Stari Most, turns into a big diving stage. During the spectacular Ikari Bridge Jumping, divers compete for the title of this high diving competition.
Mostar can be reached by train from Ploče. The Stari Most is in walking distance of the train station.
Rastok
This three-day music festival showcases a selection of bands from across the country with a mix of rock, metal and reggae.
