Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

Bosnia and HerzegovinaEurope
Introduction
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of two constituent entities of the country (the other being Republika Srpska), created by the Dayton Agreement of 1995. It covers roughly 51 per cent of the national territory and contains most of the destinations that draw international visitors: Sarajevo, Mostar, the Kravice waterfalls, the medieval towns of Jajce and Travnik, and the Olympic ski resorts of Jahorina and Bjelašnica. The Federation is subdivided into ten cantons, each with its own government — Sarajevo Canton, Herzegovina-Neretva (containing Mostar), Central Bosnia (containing Travnik), and Una-Sana (containing Bihać and the Una river) are the most visited.

Discover Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo is the Federation's capital and the country's largest city. The Ottoman Baščaršija bazaar, Austro-Hungarian boulevards, siege-era memorials, the Trebević cable car and a vibrant food scene make it one of Europe's most compelling city destinations. Most international flights arrive at Sarajevo International Airport.

Travel Types

Cultural Heritage

Sarajevo's Ottoman-Habsburg layers, Mostar's bridge and Old Town, Travnik's Ottoman fortresses, Jajce's medieval catacombs and the Dayton-era memorials.

Winter Sports

Olympic resorts Bjelašnica, Igman and Jahorina — affordable skiing with modern infrastructure, forty minutes from Sarajevo.

River & Nature

Una and Neretva rivers for rafting and kayaking, Kravice waterfalls, Sutjeska National Park, and Bjelašnica highland trails.

Food & Coffee Culture

Ćevapčići, burek, Herzegovina wines, and the slow ritual of Bosnian coffee — hearty, authentic and remarkably affordable.

War Memory & Reconciliation

Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope, the Roses, Gallery 11/07/95, Mostar's rebuilt bridge — understanding the 1990s conflict and the path since Dayton.

Travel Information for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • •The Federation and Republika Srpska are political entities, not physical borders — you cross between them freely with no checkpoints or passport controls.
  • •Currency: Convertible Mark (BAM), pegged to the euro at 1.95583 BAM = 1 EUR. Euros are informally accepted in many tourist areas. ATMs are widespread in cities.
  • •Registration: Visitors must register with police within 48 hours if staying in private accommodation. Hotels register guests automatically.
  • •Landmines: Some rural and mountainous areas still have unexploded ordnance from the 1990s conflict. Stay on paved roads and marked trails. Heed warning signs.
  • •Language: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian are all official (mutually intelligible). English is spoken in tourist zones. German is also widely understood.
  • •Driving: Roads between major cities are generally good. Mountain roads can be narrow and winding. Winter tyres or chains required November to April on mountain passes.
  • •Sarajevo altitude: The capital sits at roughly 500 metres — no altitude issues, unlike La Paz. But mountain resorts reach 1,500–2,000 metres.
  • •Visa: Most EU, US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Holders of valid Schengen visas can enter for up to 7 days.
  • •Safety: The Federation is safe for tourists. Petty theft occurs in busy areas. Exercise normal urban caution in Sarajevo and Mostar.
  • •Best time to visit: Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) for comfortable temperatures. Winter for skiing. Summer for river activities and Herzegovina's Mediterranean warmth.
Cities in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

1 city with detailed travel information

Sarajevo