National holidays
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| January 2 | New Year’s Day 2 |
| March 1 | Independence Day |
| May 1 | International Workers' Day |
| May 2 | International Worker’s Day 2 |
| May 9 | Victory Day |
| November 25 | Statehood Day |
Optional holidays
| January 7 | Orthodox Christmas |
| --- | Orthodox Good Friday |
| --- | Good Friday |
| --- | Orthodox Easter |
| --- | Easter |
| --- | Orthodox Easter Monday |
| --- | Easter Monday |
| --- | End of Ramadan |
| --- | Feast of Sacrifice |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day |
| November 21 | Dayton Peace Agreement Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
The heart-shaped country is trying hard to put aside the remnants of war and devastation that ended many years ago and turn heads to a gorgeous country dotted with magnificent landscapes, mountains, rivers and their canyons, waterfalls, traditional rural areas and a fast developing capital of Sarajevo. It is not exaggeration to say that the country is one of Europe’s wildest and most beautiful travel destinations.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar and Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge in Visegrad; three national parks: Sutjeska, Kozara, and Una; and three nature parks: Hutovo Blato, Blidinje and Bardaca will provide food for your soul.
The richest heritage of the country lies in the mixture of histories, religions and traditions that have co-existed in the area for centuries and that can clearly be seen in architecture and still living customs of the people. It is nearly impossible to decipher the multitude mystical influences that have merged within this tiny Balkan country.
What is known is that man has settled these pristine lands for over 10,000 years, from the indigenous pagan Illyrian and Thracian tribes, to Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, and later Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian invaders. All of these cultures have left a remarkable piece of their beliefs and rituals that formed this country into one of the most religiously diverse nations in Europe.
National holidays
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| January 2 | New Year’s Day 2 |
| March 1 | Independence Day |
| May 1 | International Workers' Day |
| May 2 | International Worker’s Day 2 |
| May 9 | Victory Day |
| November 25 | Statehood Day |
Optional holidays
| January 7 | Orthodox Christmas |
| --- | Orthodox Good Friday |
| --- | Good Friday |
| --- | Orthodox Easter |
| --- | Easter |
| --- | Orthodox Easter Monday |
| --- | Easter Monday |
| --- | End of Ramadan |
| --- | Feast of Sacrifice |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day |
| November 21 | Dayton Peace Agreement Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
Electricity
The plug of choice is 220 Volts, AC, 50 Hz, two-pin socket supply.
Money
The official currency is convertible marks divided into 100 fenings. In December 1998, coins were introduced in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 fenings. Coins of 1, 2 and 5 marka were introduced later. In 1998, notes were introduced in denominations of 50 fenings, 1 mark, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 marks. 200-mark notes were added in 2002, whilst the 50-fening, 1 and 5 mark notes were later withdrawn from circulation. All current notes are valid throughout the country.
Credit cards
Larger cities will take credit cards, especially MasterCard and Visa but make sure to have enough change when travelling to smaller towns and countryside.
Religion
Muslims constitute 45% of the population, Christian 52%, and other groups 2%.
Safety
Walking the streets of any town or city at any time is relatively safe, however, the best advice may be to employ your common sense.
Smoking
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has banned smoking in public buildings since 1 September 2007. There is no ban on smoking in the Republika Srpska (Serbian Republic).
Visas
Bosnia and Herzegovina can only be entered with a valid passport. EU, American and Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the country.
Highlights
Mostar
The old town Mostar has an enticing quality, particularly on Neretva River, which often leads one to sit for hours and just soak up the sights, sounds and views of the famous Old Bridge. Unlike most tourist places in the world, café and restaurant owners will never ask you to leave even if you've been sipping Bosnian coffee for hours. The old town hides countless coppersmiths and artists at work as well as several fascinating jewellery shops.
Sarajevo
The breathtaking endless hills and towering mountains around Sarajevo have, in a sense, always isolated the city, creating a timeless world, which has always kept its doors open to the rest of the world. Although Sarajevo is a capital city typified by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it also possesses a unique ambience that seeps into the soul and captivates you with proverbial tradition of hospitality.
Počitelj
Počitelj represents one of the few urban ensembles in Bosnia and Herzegovina that were preserved in their integrity to the present times. It was developed through the several phases of the history beginning with the medieval period. Its significant strategic role from the 13th to 17th century gave its inhabitants the power to build one of the most important, and best preserved ensembles within the city walls in the region.
Blagaj
Blagaj is situated at the spring of the Buna river and a historical tekke (tekija or Dervish monastery). The Blagaj Tekija was built around 1520, with elements of Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style and is considered a national monument. Source of the Buna river is the biggest karst spring in Europe. It is a treasure trove of history and nature, of former Bosnian culture and green river.
