Bosnia and Herzegovina Tours

• Bosnia & Herzegovina is made up of two entities — the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic Srpska! There is also an internationally supervised district, the Brčko District.
• Much of Bosnia & Herzegovina is mountainous with areas of karst (limestone).
• Bosnia & Herzegovina is nicknamed ‘the heart shaped land’ due to its shape.
• The name Bosnia is believed to derive from the Bosna River, with possible links to ancient words associated with water.
• An unusual religious monument seen throughout the countryside is the stecak, a medieval tombstone.
• The highest peak is Maglić Mountain at 2,386 metres above sea level. Maglić Mountain is located in the oldest national park in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Sutjeska National Park.
• It has a currency that can’t be exchanged anywhere else in the world! You can only exchange your currency on arrival and either change it back on departure or keep it as a souvenir.
• Tuzla’s name comes from the Turkish word “tuz”, meaning salt, reflecting the city’s long history as a centre of salt production.
• Jews were given refuge in Bosnia & Herzegovina by the Ottomans when they were expelled from Spain and Portugal at the end of the fifteenth century.

Australian passport holders travelling to Bosnia & Herzegovina do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

The Australian Embassy in Austria is responsible for Bosnia & Herzegovina:

The Icon, Gertrude-Fröhlich-Sandner-Str. 2
A1100 Vienna
Ph. +43 1 506 740
Fax. +43 1 506 74185

The Australian Honorary Consulate in Bosnia & Herzegovina:

Strossmayerova 1/1
71000 Sarajevo
Ph: +387 33 209 202
Fax: +387 33 214 634

The official currency of Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Convertible Mark. Notes come in denominations of km200, 100, 50, 20 and 10.

The recommended currency to take to Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Euro. Once there, you can exchange your Euro for the Convertible Mark. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have Euro’s with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Sarajevo is approximately €1 - €2.
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately €4.
• The price dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately €10.
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately €2.

The cuisine of Bosnia & Herzegovina has been influenced by its Balkan neighbours. Traditional food includes bread, soups, stews, kebabs, ćevapi (minced meat sausages), stuffed leaves (dolma and sarma) and stuffed peppers. Savoury pies such as burek, filled with meat, cheese or spinach, are a beloved part of Bosnian cuisine. Side dishes, such as sour cabbage, tomato and onion salad and yoghurt, are often served. Desserts are usually fruit, pancakes, cakes and pastries.

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

Bosnia & Herzegovina experiences a varied climate, with continental conditions inland and more Mediterranean influences in the southern part. Summers are generally warm, while winters can be cold, especially in mountainous areas.

Looking to explore at your own pace?

Walking is one of the best ways to explore Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Bosnia & Herzegovina…

Traditional purchases include woodcarvings, brass coffee-pots, ceramics, handmade carpets, woollen goods, wines, folk-art, tapestries, embroidery and leather boxes.

Smoking remains common in Bosnia & Herzegovina, although restrictions apply in many indoor public venues.

If entering a church or mosque both sexes should cover shoulders and legs. In a mosque, women will most likely be asked to cover their hair with a scarf (usually provided).

Generally speaking, Bosnians are willing enough to talk about the recent war and what has changed since then, however, we recommend listening respectfully and allowing locals to share their own perspectives.

Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, particularly during the warmer months. Highlights include the internationally renowned Sarajevo Film Festival, Summer on the Vrbas in Banja Luka and Baščaršija Nights in Sarajevo. It's a wonderful time to experience the country's vibrant arts, music and cultural scene.

Public holidays vary between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. Some commonly observed holidays include:

• New Year’s Day
• Independence Day (March 1st, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Easter Friday and Easter Monday
• Labour Day (May 1st)
• Statehood Day (November 25th, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Religious holidays including Orthodox Christmas, Catholic Christmas and Islamic holidays