While Croatia is crowded with tourists in the summer, Bosnia and Herzegovina is rarely even mentioned. Many people know about the conflict that took place here in the nineties. However, twenty years later, this country is one of the most exciting destinations in Europe, CNN reports. Here are ten reasons why you should visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- BiH’s thrilling capital – Sarajevo
Nearly three quar
ters of the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina were destroyed or damaged during the war. However, Sarajevo is now again the thrilling capital that it used to be. The west and east meet here – visitors often feel like they are in Vienna at one moment and in Istanbul in another.
The spirit of the Sarajevo Ottoman past can be felt on the narrow streets around Baščaršija. Copper-covered domes throw shadows on narrow craft streets. At the same time, grandiose legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is present in the streets around Ferhadija. While there are still some traces of the near past – facades with traces of gellers and cemeteries on the surrounding hills – Sarajevo is a city that thrives with life.
- Stunning nature
While traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will fall in love with its stunning landscapes. Dramatic rocky mountains, with canyons of turquoise blue rivers and rapid waterfalls are present throughout the country. Despite the fact that BiH has only 25-kilometer-long sea shore on the Adriatic Sea, which is very little in comparison with the seaside of Croatia and Montenegro, this country has advantage in terms of epic canyons and valleys.
- Historical towns
Although you can spend days and weeks exploring Sarajevo, other towns and cities are also worth visiting. Mostar is one of the most spectacular BiH cities, with ultimate Ottoman architecture and the famous Old Bridge. The bridge was destroyed during the aggression on BiH in 1993, but it has been reconstructed. Now, it is 24 meters high on its highest point and skilled Mostar divers jump from it into the ice cold Neretva River. Počitelj is also a town that you should visit. It is a small town in south Herzegovina, founded during the Ottoman Empire. Jajce, a city in the northwest of Bosnia, is a stunning town crowned with a medieval fortress and a dramatic waterfall.
- Hearty and hospitable people
Although memories of the horrors of the recent conflicts are still fresh, Bosnian people will give their best to host the foreigners. Bosnian families offer liters of coffee and tons of food to their guests, until they cannot eat and drink anymore. visitors will notice how people are always willing to help.
- Bosnian customs of drinking coffee
Coffee is the backbone of social life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At first, Bosnian coffee resembles the Turkish one, but the local population insists that it is entirely different. Ground coffee is mixed with hot water in a cezve. Then it is mixed until the cream appears and then it is poured in fildzans (traditional coffee cups) and served with a sugar cube that is usually dipped into coffee in order to reduce its bitterness. While Bosnian coffee reflects the Ottoman tradition, there are coffee shops where Western Europe traditions are being practices and where strong espresso with cookies is served. It seems like Sarajevo has thousands of coffee shops where guests can sit, relax, and observe the world around them.
- It is cheap
Sarajevo is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe and prices outside Sarajevo are even lower. You can eat out for the price of three to five BAM (2-3 USD). In comparison with the neighborly Croatia, where prices are similar to those in Western Europe, that is ridiculously cheap. However, visitors tend to spend all their money on local bazaars.
- Great for shopping
Bosnia and Herzegovina provides great opportunities for shopping. Not only the prices are low in comparison with the rest of Europe, but the quality is also unbelievable. Handmade copper items, handmade embroidery, traditional carpets, wicker items and jewelry are some of the traditional specialties. On the streets of Baščaršija you can buy unique pens made of bullets fired during the siege of the city 20 years ago.
- Ethnic and religious diversity
Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been known for trade, and therefore it has very diverse population. Nowadays, you can hear the call for Islamic prayer at the same time as church bells. In the center of Sarajevo, you can find a mosque, synagogue, Catholic and Orthodox church next to each other.
- The country of adventures
Adventure enthusiasts will find their joy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian mountains are not only fantastic for hiking and climbing, but also for rafting, paragliding and mountain cycling. Although, one must be careful not to go off the track, because some parts are still covered in mines left from the war.
- Food
From crunchy, flaky pita filled with white cheese to a juicy roast, Bosnian cuisine is humble but delicious. Ingredients are produced locally. It is difficult to surpass a healthy portion of Shopska salad with soft, fresh baked bread.
(Source: hayat.ba)
