Bosnia and Herzegovina offer travelers a warm visit to the meeting grounds of some of Europe’s most long-standing empires, including the Hapsburgs and the Ottomans – in fact, a total of six civilizations make their history felt in the country through gorgeous architectural variety and exciting cultural celebrations. Though a relatively small European country, Bosnia-Herzegovina is home to an exciting and unique array of outdoor activities, nightlife, and some of southeastern Europe’s best music festivals. Automobile hire is an efficient, cheap, and comfortable way to be at your most intimate with this Balkan state.
The most ideal time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina is May, June, and September, particularly for comfortable hiking and other outdoor adventures. February and March are also an excellent time to visit for lovers of winter sports.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official languages are Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian, and you’ll encounter road signs in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. If you don’t read Cyrillic, it’s recommended you bring a Serbian-English dictionary along to help you navigate, particularly in the Republic of Srpska. A good number of Bosnians speak English, German, and/or French.
The official currency is the mark, which is more or less pegged to the euro at around 1.95 marks to 1 euro. Most financial transactions in shops or markets still take place via cash, which you can withdraw from ATMs in the majority of Bosnian cities.
Those of you arriving by air are most likely to fly into Sarajevo. If you’re planning on driving from the beginning of your stay in Bosnia-Herzegovina, renting a car at the Sarajevo Airport is recommended, as public transportation into the city itself is limited. Car rental is also available in cities such as Banja Luka, Mostar, and Tuzla. Sarajevo is located about a four-hour drive away from the country’s only coastal city, Neum, and just two hours away from beautiful Mostar.
While rail infrastructure is still somewhat limited in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the quality of highways has been improving dramatically over the past ten years, making this country a great one to explore via rental car. Still, be alert while driving. Particularly in the mountainous areas, roads are single lane, double back quickly and are rarely accompanied by a guardrail. Local drivers often take these roads very fast.
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