Tourist information Bosnia and Herzegovina, including all the things to know before leaving for a trip or vacation in this state of ex-Yugoslavia.
Bosnia Herzegovina in a nutshell
- Capital: Sarajevo
- Area in sq km: 51,129 sq km
- Population: 3.766.579 (2009)
- Religion: Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic and others.
Where is it
A state that until 1992 was part of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the western Balkans and borders Serbia and Montenegro in the east and south-east, in the north, west and south with Croatia.
Through the port city of Neum in the Herzegovina-Neretva canton, the country has an outlet to the Adriatic Sea.
The territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina is mainly mountainous.
The Dinaric Alps dominate the western part of the country, with peaks that exceed 2000 meters above sea level.
Rivers
The main rivers are Sava, Una, Bosna, Drina, Neretva.
The most important lakes are Buško Blato and Jablanica lake.
Climate
In central Bosnia the climate is continental with cold winters and hot summers, while in the south-western part of the country, in the lower Neretva valley and on the very short stretch of coast, the climate is Mediterranean.
Population
The population is made up of Bosnians, Serbs and Croats.
Time zone
In Bosnia and Herzegovina the time is the same as in Italy.
Spoken language
The official languages are: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.
Recommended readings- Bosnia and Herzegovina: useful information
- Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina): what to see
- Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina): what to see
Economy
The economic situation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was affected by the war that shocked the country in the years 1992-95.
With the end of the conflict, the planned economy model inherited from the communist system was oriented towards a market economy.
This reorganization process is still ongoing, and represents a challenge to which all three ethnic communities in the country are called.
When to go
The best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina is spring summer.
Necessary documents
Italian citizens are required to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina with an identity card valid for expatriation or a valid passport, necessary if during the journey countries are crossed where the document is mandatory.
An entry visa is not required for stays of less than three months.
In addition, upon arrival you must register at the local police station.
Hotels and agencies provide for registration directly, while in the case of accommodation in private homes, it is necessary to provide it personally.
To enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, minors must have an individual passport.
Phone
- The international prefix for calling from Italy to Bosnia and Herzegovina is: 00387
- The international prefix for calling from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Italy is: 0039
Cellular network coverage is good.
It is possible to use your mobile phone with an Italian operator and international roaming service.
Electricity
The electric current is 220V 50Hz. Various types of sockets. The power adapter is recommended.
Currency
The official currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Convertible Mark (KM).
It is possible to exchange euros at exchange offices and banks, there are also numerous ATMs where you can make withdrawals.
The most popular credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops in the cities and main tourist places.
How to get
plane
There are no direct connections between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Croatia Airlines, flights between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina have a stopover.
Car
By land from Italy, it is possible to reach Bosnia and Herzegovina through Slovenia and Croatia.
Sea
By sea there is a ferry service connecting Ancona to Split (Croatia) and Bari to Dubrovnik (Croatia).
Vaccinations
No mandatory vaccinations are required to access Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, it is good to follow the basic hygiene rules, and it is appropriate to take out, before departure, a health insurance that covers medical expenses and those for a possible repatriation.
