Bosnia and Herzegovina on an Undiscovered Balkans road trip across the countryside: instead of doing the classic Sarajevo to Mostar route, we opted to stay in towns like Konjic and Blagaj, all the while driving through mountains and along brilliant blue rivers. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of pure mountains and more waterfalls than anywhere else in Europe. Its roads and hiking trails wind through magical landscapes of alpine peaks, natural rainforests, rugged canyons and tiny villages wrapped in mist. The 1990s conflicts sadly meant that the country's wild beauty remained hidden for decades, but today, Bosnia is as accessible as anywhere in Europe. Below, we've gathered three incredible Bosnia adventures beyond the main cities of Mostar and Sarajevo – from panoramic peaks and canyon-edge paths to city escapes and waterfalls galore. The below adventures are all found on our local-led Bosnia trips. Adventure 1: Tjentište Spomenik, hiking in Sutjeska National Park It's hard to describe just quite how magnificent the Tjentište Spomenik is, both viewed from a distance and up close. It's a spangling white-and-dark mass of concrete, full of sharp brutalist edges and hidden sculptures, that melds with the mountains behind it. It's the most dramatic monument I've ever seen. Read on to see what's around the monument... Sutjeska National Park sits in the heart of the Dinaric Alps, and the Tjentište War Monument is about as dramatic an introduction to it as you could get. The monument itself, those two enormous concrete wings rising out of the valley floor, stands against a backdrop of the Maglić and Volujak massifs, with the Perućica primeval forest just to the north, one of the last remaining primary rainforests in Europe, and the turquoise Sutjeska River cutting through the gorge below. A personal favourite moment was when dusk fell in
Bosnia and Herzegovina on an Undiscovered Balkans road trip across the countryside: instead of doing the classic Sarajevo to Mostar route, we opted to stay in towns like Konjic and Blagaj, all the while driving through mountains and along brilliant blue rivers. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of pure mountains and more waterfalls than
Welcome to our handy shopping guide on what to buy in the Balkans (souvenirs, gifts, local products). It goes without saying that the best souvenir from the Balkans is time spent there. But if you want something tangible to take home, here are 12 artisan crafts that are made locally, used daily and have long histories. Souvenirs is a word often associated with tourist tat, but the Balkans is not a turbo-charged tourism industry, so things you can buy in markets still tend to be hand-crafted traditional gifts. Plus, supporting local craftspeople is all part of being a conscientious traveller and leaving a positive impact. These 12 souvenirs are traditional Balkan gifts we genuinely love, use and give to our friends. Some are practical, some beautiful, some edible, and all of them will have you hankering to go back long after you’ve unpacked your bag. What to buy in the Balkans: The best traditional gifts in the Balkans are locally made, small-batch products that reflect the region’s culture. Look for: Rakia (fruit brandy) from family-run distilleries Regional wines from lesser-known Balkan vineyards Handmade ceramics and traditional pottery Embroidered textiles and handwoven rugs Olive oil, preserves and other small-batch food products Herbal teas and natural, plant-based cosmetics Artisan jewellery inspired by local heritage Scroll down to find out where to find the best of each... Handwoven Kilims: Albanian and Serbian Rugs Among the best traditional gifts to buy in the Balkans, a handwoven kilim dates back centuries. Distinct traditions are found in Albania's Lake Shkodra region and Serbia's Pirot near the Stara Planina. Albanian kilim weaving dates back to Ottoman times, when rugs were gifted as dowries (paja), and the motifs woven into each piece told the story of a specific place, family and tribe. Our Multi-activity holiday in Albania includes
Welcome to our handy shopping guide on what to buy in the Balkans (souvenirs, gifts, local products). It goes without saying that the best souvenir from the Balkans is time spent there. But if you want something tangible to take home, here are 12 artisan crafts that are made locally, used daily and have long
Bosnia and Herzegovina's hiking trails are Europe’s best-kept secret. They wind through magical landscapes of alpine peaks, rainforests, rugged valleys and river canyons and tiny villages wrapped in mist. The 1990s conflicts sadly meant that the country's wild beauty remained hidden for decades, but an enthusiastic new generation of Bosnians have been marking hiking trails, building bothies and making the mountains accessible again. Today, hiking in Bosnia offers remarkable variety, from gentle day walks near cities like Sarajevo and Mostar, to challenging multi-day alpine treks on the Via Dinarica White Trail. Below, we've gathered some of the best hiking trails across Bosnia and Herzegovina – from panoramic peaks and canyon-edge paths to quick city escapes and long distance treks. The below routes are all found on our Bosnia holidays: Bosnia's best mountain hikes Maglić Peak, Sutjeska National Park Bosnia's highest summit, Maglić (2,386m), sits within Sutjeska National Park, a vast protected landscape of sharp limestone ridges and dense forest. The hike typically starts in Prijevor (1,659m), one of the most untouched areas of the national park. It is a flower-filled meadow but soon gives way to scree, so take care on this section - you may have to scramble a little. From here it's a 90-minute hike to Trnovačko Lake, a heart-shaped lake like a jewel below Mount Maglić, Bosnia’s highest peak (although it's technically in Montenegro). The last section passes through meadows again before climbing steeply towards the summit ridge. Maglić itself means 'Misty mount' in Bosnian/Montenegrin. On a clear day, the views sweep across Volujak, Bioč, Zelengora and the shining Trnovačko lake. It's a demanding full-day hike that requires experience and rewards with spectacular scenery, among Bosnia's most dramatic. Čvrsnica mountain and the Outlaw’s Gate (Hajdučka Vrata) Rising high above Blidinje Nature Park on the Čvrsnica massif, Veliki
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s hiking trails are Europe’s best-kept secret. They wind through magical landscapes of alpine peaks, rainforests, rugged valleys and river canyons and tiny villages wrapped in mist. The 1990s conflicts sadly meant that the country’s wild beauty remained hidden for decades, but an enthusiastic new generation of Bosnians have been marking hiking trails,
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