Bosnia and Herzegovina Adventure Travel Guide: Ideas and Inspiration
PureTravel Says: "Bosnia Herzegovina is a near landlocked country that offers visitors plenty of fun, recreation and adventure all neatly rolled up with the small country. With over 50% of the landmass given over to forest, some of which is Medieval, you’ll relish the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings. The lakes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park will entice you as will the stunning Darian Alps."
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Holiday Highlights
History & Culture - The capital city of Sarajevo has recovered from the troubles of the 1990s and is now a vibrant city full of vitality and of course and abundance of history and culture displayed in its architecture. There is a wealth of history left by Ottoman-Turks and Austria-Hungarians including mosques, churches, cathedrals and municipal buildings. Visit the art galleries, the Eternal Flames which commemorates WWII and the Jewish Museum which focuses on the Jewish history. There is also the Latin Bridge with its history of how Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated and thus started WWI. There are two cultural properties listed on The UNESCO World Heritage List; Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad and the Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar.
Water Rafting - Rafting in Bosnia is a growing sport and one popular location is the Neretva River which travels 100km from the Adriatic Sea. It’s about 220km long, extending to Herzegovina and Croatia. The upper parts have some good Class waters although they can be cold. A local specialist tour operator will be able to advise you on the best places for rafting whilst in Bosnia.
Walking & Trekking - Bosnia is about fifty percent forested which offers great opportunities for walking and trekking on the trails. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a heavily forested area and there are more than 15 lakes, mostly all fed by the White and Black Rivers. The right trek, then, can take you past waterfalls, dense forests, rivers and lakes, not to mention hundreds of species of birds. If you’ve ever wanted to get away in a forest with the feel of the Middle Ages, then Bosnia is locked in transition from earlier days. Moreover, if you want and need mountains on your next trekking holiday, be sure to hit up the Darian Alps (Dinarides). The Darian Alps carry on from the Julian Alps, you’ll find the stony mountains here in Bosnia a contrast to the greenery all around. The best chances for hiking crosses over from the east of the country to the central areas all the way over to the west.
Mountain Biking - There are numerous places to go biking and mountain biking with trails lined with spruce, fir and beech amongst the Alpine freshness and Mediterranean vegetation. You will see eagles, owls and more than 120 species of birds, with chance encounters with brown bear, lynx, wildcat and wolf. This is one of the only places in Europe where it is still possible to spot such animals in the wild. The Plitvice Lakes National Park offers some of the best of these rare encounters. In and around Prenj is also a popular mountain biking region.
Fishing - Fishing here is amazing although seasonal. If you are a fan of fly fishing, then you’ll be happy among the mountain streams or small coastline. The best places to fly fish is the upper north and west division of the country. The Pliva River tops the list of must-dos, but others include the Una, Klokot, Ribnik, Sanica and Unac Rivers. There’s more grayling than rocks, more trout than food to feed them, both brown and rainbow careen through the clear waters. The lakes, additionally, can be fished at certain times of the year. Your tour operator can obtain permits from tourist offices or hotels.
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When To Go
Bosnia is quite a wet and mountainous country. The summers are hot and the winters are cold so good time to visit could be in the spring and autumn. The least amount of rain falls around July and August with 50mm average.
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Top Tips
- Check the latest travel advice prior to travel.
- Check your visa and entry requirements.
- Use a specialist tour operator whose local knowledge will be invaluable.
- Don’t venture off trail as there are still unexploded landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina, another good reason to use a knowledgeable guide pre-booked through a trusted tour operator.
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Classic Itineraries
- Sarajevo culture and history
- Mostar’s Ottoman Quarter
- Neretva River
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Prenj
- Darian Alps
- Pliva River (Fishing)
- Raft on Una River at Bihac
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UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar
- Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad
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Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
1 March - Independence day
1 May - Labour Day
9 May - Victory Day
25 November - Statehood Day
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