Sarajevo

Medjugorje

Old Bridge in Mostar

Country is in a transitional climate zone between the continental climate and the Mediterranean. In winter, temperatures are very low and frequent winds, storms cause. In turn, summers are hot, but generally in the south of the country there are higher temperatures.

The best period to travel to that country is the summer - from May to September. Summer is more hot than ours. In July and August average air temperature in Sarajevo oscillate around 27 ° C.

The major ethnic groups inhabiting the country are: Bosnians - 48%, Serbs - Croats and 37% - 14%. The ongoing civil war three years has led to huge loss of population and the dramatic changes in the ethnic structure of the country's ethnic.

The dominant religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Islam (45%). Other religion are: the Serbian Orthodox (37%), Catholics (17%), Protestant (4%) and other (3%).

Bosnians are known for their hospitality and friendly disposition

In Muslim homes to be put off your shoes and slippers

The usual way of greeting among both men and women, is a triple kiss on the cheek

Mutual visits is often found - from guests expected a small gift, and since the hosts provide a meal or drink

In Bosnia and Herzegovina has a system of patriarchy, the subordination of women to men is expected.

In the area of the country there are no customs different from those in countries europeskich. It should, however pay close attention to respect for religious differences and the effort of the population which is aimed at releasing stage Jugosławskiej forgotten civil war.

English, German

Many people can speak English in a communicative - the language is particularly popular among young generation of Bosnians. It is also very common in German, due to the fact that during the war trawającej many people emigrated with their families just to this country.

Coefficient of literacy is 96.7%.

In Republika Srpska, the Serb is used, while in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnian. The difference is only in name. It is a Slavic language group, so with some good will on both sides can get along with and remained Slovak. You have to know some key phrases and you there is no problem. The most popular foreign language is German, then a long, long time nothing and only English.

Knowledge of foreign languages by the service in restaurants, hotels, shops are very frequent. However, if we want to make purchases in local shops or bazaars - without znjomośći few words in Bosnian, we can have problems with communication.

No visa is required from a citizen: the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union. Citizens of Croatia and Serbia can enter into Bosnia and Herzegovina only with ID card. Bosnia and Harcegowina does not belong to the European Union, therefore, to enter the area must have a valid passport. It can not be valid for less than 90 days.

Obligation and the presentation of (border) having the financial security of EUR 50 per day per person.

Tourism Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Branilaca Sarajeva st 21/II, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Tel: (33) 252 928th

In Poland there is no embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The nearest embassy is located in Germany, in Berlin.

Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ibsenstrasse 14, D-10439 Berlin

tel. (0-0 49 30) 814 712 10

Fax: (0-0 49 30) 814 712 1911

Consular Section

tel. (0-0 49 30) 814 712 31-34

Fax: (0-0 49 30) 814 712 1911

Polish Embassy in Sarajevo

st. Dola 1913

71 000 Sarajevo

Tel.: (00 387 33) 201 142 215 175

Tourists arriving individually to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period to 90 days are required to check-in within 24 hours in the police station in your location.

Medical care is quite limited, particularly outside Sarajevo and other major cities in the country. A visit to the doctor and the dentist has to be paid in cash after surgery. There is no epidemiological risks. A visit to the doctor costs about. 15 euros.

Tourists are strongly advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance before leaving for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Policies are respected all international insurance companies.

Ambulance - 124

Tap water is good quality and suitable for drinking. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, although it is advisable to peel vegetables and fruits and eat only cooked meat and fish. Unpasteurized milk should be boiled.

Travelling in Bosnia and Harcegowinie is safe. Residents are friendly attitude towards foreigners. Crime is not a major issue, but watch out for pickpockets. In rural areas, forests and mountains have to be very careful, because the purification process of the mines left over from the war in 1992-1995 is still ongoing. Particularly dangerous this regard are the areas around Sarajevo and Brcka. But as long as we travel on asphalt roads and concrete sidewalks, we can be confident of its security.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is often looked from the perspective of continuing in the years 1992 - 1995 civil war during the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Currently, in terms of international conflict is a relatively safe country. Most of the current tensions is taking place in the field of religious and cultural differences - but they are against international tourists.

Ambulance - 124

Police - 122

Fire - 123

In larger cities, watch for pickpockets, and in rural areas after the war to other mines.

Bosnia and Herzegovina directly bordering with Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. Border crossings between these countries are open to tourist traffic, and exceeding them is not a problem.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina are three international airports (Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka). BH Airlines is the carrier nardowoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina - obsłuje flights from several European cities (Skopje, Copenhagen, Prague and Istanbul).

Through Zagreb, Croatia, you can get one of two routes kursującuch daily.

It is also possible route from Bosnia and Herzegovina carried Belgrade, Serbia - which take place daily flights to Sarajevo.

There is a possibility of a rail link with Croatia and Hungary, but has no connections with Serbia.

Trains from Budapest and Zagreb operate daily direct to Sarajevo.

It is usually chosen as the most popular means of transport to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is a very large number of bus connections from neighboring countries (Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro). Most of the bus ends and begins its route in Sarajevo.

It is possible to reach by car from all the neighboring countries. It should however be borne in mind that the state of roads in the country is very weak. Some routes are still damaged by military operations and are often difficult passable. But sticking to main roads and motorways will avoid unpleasant surprises that could extend our trip.

There is a possibility of a sea connection with the city of Dubrovnik Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are no direct promyz Neum to Italy, but this trip can be taken from Dubrovnik.

In some parts of the country's gas stations can be arranged among themselves in a fairly large odlgłości so long to plan the route you should always remember the addition to the full Baku fuel.

Rail is poorly developed, additional connections are very rarely. In Bosnia and Herzegovina are the two railway companies. Some belong to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the second to the Republic of Srpska. Tickets can be purchased one and the other in the same window, and are issued on a single sheet.

There is no distinction between the first and second class.

The bus is by far the most popular means of transportation in Bosnia. Bus stations are located in every major city. Connections between cities is very good. But with the arrival of the smaller villages is difficult, usually operates only one bus per day.

Standard buses is very good.

Winter travel on the road is quite difficult because of the poor condition of pavements.

Road conditions are still quite weak, however, most of them are carried out repair works.

Condition of urban roads in most cases is good, but when it comes to the conditions on rural roads they are unsatisfactory.

The local police strictly enforces the rules, especially regarding speed.

Rules of the Road in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

- Light beam mandatory throughout the year by 24;

- Permissible blood alcohol level: 0.03 ‰;

- Mandatory seat belts.

Permitted speed

built-up area - 50 km / h

outside built-up areas - 80 km / h

Highway - 100 km / h

Hitchhiking - traveling it is not recommended for security reasons. Similarly, you should not walk alone to move between cities. In particular, should be considered in areas where mine clearance is not often lie unexploded war remnants and shells.

Often chosen by tourists means of transport (short distance) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a bike because of the very attractive nature of this country.

Wireless Internet access is not very common - even in hotel chains.

Currently, the number of internet cafes is not large (especially outside Sarajevo), but their number from year to year to expand.

Postal services are widely available. Sending a letter takes about a week, in the case of heavier parcels up to a week.

Post can not be sent: coins, banknotes, precious metals, stones, drugs, alcohol, firearms and ammunition.

Bosnia has agreements with most international mobile phone networks but their coverage outside urban areas is very weak.

BAM - Bosnian Mark Replacement (symbol KM)

KM = 100 feningów

Banknotes: 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 and 50 feningów

Coins: 2 and 1 hp and 50, 20 AND 10 feningów.

Payments by credit cards are not accepted everywhere, as ATMs are available in most cases only in big cities. Banomaty support mainly VISA and Maestro time and almost always pay the high denominations - more than 50 hp. ATM network, of course, is increasing from year to year, but still it is worthwhile to have with you the necessary amount of cash.

Traveler's checks are accepted only in specially selected banks and this is not a common practice.

Banking hours:

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:00.

Beer - 1 KM

Mineral water 1,5 l - 3 KM

Burki (traditional snack) - 1 KM

Rakija 1.5L - 6 KM

Cigarettes - 3 KM

In Bosnia and Herzegovina there is a lot of local shops and bazaars where bargaining is a common practice. Seller, seeing that it looks like a wealthy tourist is likely to propose to him the price much higher than the official.

Sarajevo - it is worth to buy clothes and shoes which is the relatively low prices

Visoko - in the central part of Bosnia is very well known for its leather goods

Banjaluka - there are seven very large shopping centers and street stalls - the choice of available products is very large

Mostar - where there is a very popular shopping mall offering products from all the most famous European brands

- Leather products

- Foreign clothing brands - is often cheaper than in other countries

- Sculptures

- Brass utensils

- Hand-made carpets

A great attraction for tourists can buy pieces of missiles or mines that are remnants of war.

Not recommended for buying high value items such as. jewelry, due to the often making their way to the fakes.

The following goods may be imprtowane to Bosnia and Herzegovina free of customs duties:

- 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, 200g of tobacco

- 1 liter of wine or alcohol high percentage

- 1 bottle of perfume

- Gifts to a value of 76.7 euros.

Neleży always carry a small denominations, since the shop owners often are unable to spend the rest of the notes above 20 BAM.

However, you can pay virtually anywhere using the euro - or convert them into local currency. The exchange is not only banks but also in shops, taxis, of course, but the commission in this case is relatively high.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina is a great variety of hotels, resorts, motels and guest houses.

Sarajevo as the capital has the widest selection of hotels from one star up to the network 5-star. In other parts of the country the choice is somewhat more limited. Nevertheless, we find the corresponding standard and affordable hotel should not be a big problem.

Occur mainly in the capital and major cities, however, are not so popular in the regions typically turystycznech. Much more often in those regions tourists choose to rent private apartments. Depending on the city hostel prices range from 1910 to 1925 euros per night.

These are very common in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the Adriatic Sea region. They are equipped with kitchenettes and bathrooms available to tourists. The cheapest camping can be found already for 5 euros per person.

Bed & brakfast

This accommodation is most common in the tourist regions of the country.

Private accommodation

This type of accommodation can be rezerwowanu by special travel agencies or simply on-site in homes in which hangs an inscription: "sobe" or "zimmer".

It is highly likely that the owner may not know English, and the price of accommodation is not included śniedanie. The rooms are in most cases, however, very comfortable and clean.

How to virtually anywhere in the world - to find expensive and luxurious accommodation should not be a problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Overnight accommodation for two people in a 5 star hotel will cost around 200 - 300 euros.

However, persons with a smaller budget will also find without much difficulty in the overnight price of 10 euros per night.

Most frequently chosen form of accommodation in Bosnia is to hire a private room with a local host. It does not require prior booking, unless you plan to visit the country during the high tourist season in June - August. Reservations are available at local travel agencies or through specialized websites.

Local cuisine is very rich in meat and fish. Even in theory, vegetarian dishes such as beans or traditional Graha are prepared on the basis of bacon or smoked meat. Rice and pasta are very frequent additions to all sorts of dishes. In Sarajevo, there are several restaurants serving traditional cuisine Bosnian - quite different from that which we find in restaurants "for tourists."

Whatever we eat in Bosnia is a good chance that the dishes served will discover a wealth of flavors. Local agriculture has not yet gathered up mass production of food and most plants are grown in a natural way.

Bosnia is famous for its extremely tasty cheese and fruit such as peaches, oranges, mandarins and cherries. Most natural products and fruits are sold only in their flowering period so you can be assured of their quality and freshness. Bosnians believe that products and implemented them as a meals should be high quality and strictly adhere to these guidelines.

Cavepi - Balkan kebab

Pita - Balkan version of the dish

Burek - pita with meat

Sirnica - pita with cheese

Zeljanica - pita with spinach

Pastrmka - Food trout - a local delicacy

Jagnjetina - lamb or grilled lamb

Bosanski Lonac - cooked on the campfire stew meat

Cevapcici - little beef sausages

Baklava - sweet nuts in honey and dough

Sljivovica - alcohol made from plums and spirits  

Loza - alcohol produced from grapes and spirits

Rakija - a very popular drink produced both for komerycyjnych as well as in homes of Bosnian families.

Crno vino (red wine) and blejo vino (white wine)

Turkish coffee - served in practically every bar and cafe.

Popular beer:

- Banjalucko

- Sarajevsko

- Tuzlanski

- Karlovac

- Preminger

Even in areas where the dominant religion is Islam - alcohol is widely available.

Alcohol is not taxed as high as in other European countries so it is often bought, not only because of its quality but also because of its price.

If you want to try real local food, go to one of the true reztauracji Bosnian cuisine. Their greatest number is available in the capital - Sarajevo. Strolling through the streets of cities can very often encounter the street stands with local food. They are primarily a price advantage, but also time and taste, the restaurants of the Bosnian cuisine.

Tipping of 10% in the catering industry are standard.

Alcohol consumption in Bosnia and Herzegovina is permitted from the age of 18.

Sarajevo

State capital. The heart of the city is square with a fountain Sebil Bascarsija. During the war in Bosnia, Sarajevo was besieged by Bosnian Serbs. For three years the city was constantly shelled from the surrounding mountains. During the fighting killed more than 10.5 thousand. employees, and most buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. Being there worth seeing: Mosque Gazi Husrev-Beg - the most important Islamic monument in the Balkans, the Sacred Heart Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Birth of the Theotokos - the largest Serbian Orthodox church.

Mostar

Herzegovina's main city (over 100 thousand. inhabitants), for many many associations with the recent war in the Balkans, where the city was the main arena of fighting between the warring peoples. The famous Old Bridge in the bombing was filmed Neretvie amateur camera. Tourists are drawn here for sure wanted to see traces of war, that we find here is easily. But Mostar is primarily a land of mosques, Turkish houses and bridges. Visit Mostar should start walking on the beautifully restored Old Town. Sure to visit the home of the 1635 Turkish r. original design. Kardjoz-Bega Mosque, is regarded not only as a most magnificent in Mostar and Herzegovina and throughout. From the top of the minaret a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings.

Medjugorje (read. Madżugorje)

Famous Marian shrine. It was here in 1980, several teenagers were Marian apparitions. Since then, this little village in the mountains has become one of the largest pilgrimage of Catholics from around the world. On-site pilegrzymi necessarily go to the Mount of Revelations.

Neum

Bosnia and Herzegovina also has a narrow access strip of 17 kilometers of the Adriatic Sea, in which there is a tourist town Neum. This city has a well developed tourist base with numerous hotels, private accommodation and motelami. There appears also an attractive sandy beaches. Affordability of accommodation and meals in Neum is a big competition with neighboring Croatia. Neum is the ideal base for tourists wanting to visit the nearby Dubrovnik, Medjugorje, Mostar and Montenegro, whose main landmark is the sixteenth century stone bridge.

Jajce

Can be found here remains of an ancient Mithraic temple, the ruins of the fortress and medieval walls. Nearby is a picturesque waterfall on the river Pliva a height of 30 m

Old Bridge on Neretvie - one of the biggest tourist attractions in Mostar. It was bombed during the war

Medjugorje - the famous Marian shrine

Pyramids of Bosnia and Herzegovina

For news and tourist attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina include the recently discovered by Semir Osmanagicia pyramid in Bosnia. They represent a hypothetical set of three pyramids, whose discovery was announced in October 2005. Pyramids are located near the town of Visko near nearby hills and Kriz Visocica. They are covered with a layer of earth and covered with vegetation. Discovery and called it the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun, Bosnian Pyramid of the Moon and Dragon Bosnian Pyramids.

Music in itself carries a strong influence of the Turkish tradition. Singing akompaniowany is a play on 'Sazi' which is a type of flute.

Contemporary literature focuses on the history and issues of national identity. Is the most famous Bosnian writer Ivo Andric, a Serbian Catholic, Nobel laureate of 1961, he received a historical novel 'The Bridge on the Drina'. Another famous writer, Mesa Selimoviç was raised as a Muslim, but claims to be a Serb.

Mount Bjelasnica

It is usually elected by tyrustów region for hiking. However, be careful when walking because of the possibility of embarking on nierozminowany area.

Sutjeska National Park

It is one of the oldest National Parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a great tourist destination clem. On its site is the highest mountain in Bosnia (2386-Maglic mn.pm). Wonderful place for hiking.

Waterfalls Kravica

Waterfalls with a height of 25m, located in western Herzegovina Trebizat River, near Medjugorje. There you can relax plażując and bathing in very cold water.

January 1 New Year's Day

January 6 - January 7, Orthodox Christmas

January 15 Orthodox New Year

January 27 days of the Holy Sava

March 1 Independence Day.

April 2 - April 5, Easter

1 May Labour Day.

August 15 Velika Our Lady - Blessed Virgin Mary

Nov. 1 All Saints' Day

Nov. 25 National Day

December 25 Christmas Day

In addition to these holidays the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina has established an additional two days off per year for every working citizen in order to fulfill their religious needs. They are not considered official as holy, and this right has been introduced in order to respect the religious and ethnic diversity of the country.

July 31 - Ikari - Bridge diving

Takes place in the city of Mostar is a huge attraction festival attracts countless tourists.

During the festival takes place jumping off a bridge into the water, and the men taking part in it are treated as local heroes.

July - Children's Festival

It is the largest such festival in southern Europe - wshodniej visited by hundreds of children and their families. During the festival, held screenings of animated films, magicians, jugglers, and numerous workshops for children.

August - Sarajevo Film Festival

The most popular festival which takes place annually in the capital. Are represented on the national production of films and neighboring countries with high artistic standard.

February / March - Sarajevo Winter Festival

Takes place without interruption since 1990, the festival is a celebration of freedom, creativity, art and a symbol of freedom in the various religions.

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has some of the best clubs in south - east. In addition to numerous bars, nightclubs, there are also many cinemas, theaters and music venues that offer everything from jazz to opera. The city probably has more cafes per capita than any other city in the region.

Other regions of the country are unfortunately not developed in terms of night life so as Sarajevo. But outside the capital even without much difficulty find a nice place to spend an evening or an entire night.

Most visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina is painless, however, tourists should be aware of possible terrorist threats.

Endeavoring to tensions between ethnic groups and religions but they are not, in most cases directed against the international community.

Mines are a real threat especially in rural and rural regions.