Quick answer
Plan five to seven days for a first visit: two or three in Sarajevo, two in Mostar for Herzegovina's waterfalls, and one or two more for Jajce or the mountains. Check your visa status with official sources, fly into Sarajevo, and use a car with a driver or a rental car between towns — public transport is limited outside the main routes.
1. How long to stay
Bosnia and Herzegovina is small but mountainous, so distances take longer than they look. A realistic first trip:
- 4 days — Sarajevo plus a day trip to Mostar.
- 7 days — Sarajevo, Mostar, the waterfalls of Herzegovina and Jajce: our 7-day highlights.
- 10+ days — add Una National Park or mountain days on Jahorina and Bjelašnica.
2. When to go
May, June and September are warm without the summer peak. July and August are hot — especially in Mostar — but best for swimming at the waterfalls. From about mid-December to March the mountains near Sarajevo usually have snow. Month by month: best time to visit.
3. Entry rules and documents
Visa rules depend on your passport and have changed several times in recent years, especially for citizens of Gulf countries. Read our entry requirements guide and confirm with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina or its embassy before you buy flights.
Points from the UK government's advice that are useful for many travellers:
- Your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 90 days after you leave (written for UK passports — check the rule for yours).
- Foreigners must register their address with the police within 72 hours; hotels normally do this for you.
- A child travelling with only one parent (or without parents) may need a notarised consent letter from the other parent.
4. Getting there and around
Most visitors fly into Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), about 9 km from the centre — see airport transfers. Others arrive via airports in neighbouring Croatia and cross the border by road.
Between towns you can use:
| Option | Good for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Car with driver | Families, first visits, winter | Higher daily cost |
| Rental car | Independent travellers | Mountain roads, deposit, licence rules — see car rental |
| Train | Sarajevo–Mostar, scenic and cheap | Few departures, few lines |
| Bus | Most towns | Slower, luggage is awkward |
5. Money
The currency is the convertible mark (KM, BAM), fixed to the euro at 1.95583 KM per euro. Cards are accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants and shops; carry cash for small cafés, markets, parking and some entry fees. ATMs are easy to find in towns.
6. Food and drink
Bosnian food is built around grilled meat, pies and slow-cooked stews: ćevapi, burek, begova čorba (a creamy chicken soup), dolma and baklava. Tap water is generally drinkable in towns. Muslim travellers will find many halal options — see halal-friendly travel. What to order and where: our Bosnian food guide.
7. Safety and etiquette
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally calm for visitors. Watch for pickpockets in crowded tourist areas and on public transport.
- Landmines remain in some rural areas from the 1992–1995 war. Stay on paved roads and marked paths; never walk into overgrown fields or abandoned buildings.
- Dress modestly in mosques and churches; women cover their hair in mosques.
- Emergency numbers: 112 general, 122 police, 123 fire, 124 ambulance.
8. A simple checklist
- Check visa rules for every passport in your group.
- Choose your season, then your route and bases.
- Book flights into Sarajevo (or check border crossings if arriving via Croatia).
- Arrange the airport pick-up and your transport between towns.
- Get travel insurance that covers the activities you plan.
Prices, timetables and entry rules change. We checked the facts on this page on the date shown; confirm time-sensitive details before you travel.
Sources and further reading
- Bosnia and Herzegovina — entry requirements — GOV.UK (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) (checked 21 October 2026)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina — safety and security — GOV.UK (checked 21 October 2026)
- Travel advice and advisories — Bosnia and Herzegovina (emergency numbers) — Government of Canada (checked 21 October 2026)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina — MFA of Bosnia and Herzegovina (checked 21 October 2026)
- Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (timetables) — ŽFBH (checked 21 October 2026)
