Bosnia and Herzegovina · Europe

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hotels in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Code:BIH
  • Type:entity
  • Population:2.2M (2013)
  • Elevation:1,126 m
  • Capital:Sarajevo

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 royal town of Jajce, the Ottoman viziers' town of Travnik, and Bjelašnica, the Olympic ski mountain closest to the capital. 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.

Overview

The Federation contains Bosnia-Herzegovina's most iconic destinations. Sarajevo, the capital, sits in the Sarajevo Canton and serves as the country's political, cultural and economic centre. The Herzegovina-Neretva Canton to the south holds Mostar — the Stari Most bridge and the Ottoman Old Town — and the neighbouring West Herzegovina Canton the Kravice waterfalls on the Trebižat River. The Central Bosnia Canton offers Travnik, the former Ottoman viziers' seat with its hilltop fortress and colourful mosques, and Jajce, where a waterfall cascades through the town centre. The Una-Sana Canton in the northwest holds the Una and the Sana, the Federation's rafting and kayaking rivers. The Bjelašnica and Igman mountains south of Sarajevo hosted events at the 1984 Winter Olympics and now offer affordable skiing, hiking and mountain biking. The landscape transitions from the Alpine peaks of central Bosnia to the Mediterranean-influenced valleys of Herzegovina, where vineyards, fig trees and stone villages recall Dalmatia across the Croatian border.

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, the city's museums, the Trebević cable car and a lively food scene sit within a walkable centre. Most international flights arrive at Sarajevo International Airport.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Cultural Heritage

Sarajevo's Ottoman-Habsburg layers, Mostar's bridge and Old Town, Travnik's Ottoman fortresses, Jajce's medieval catacombs and the city museums of Sarajevo.

Winter Sports

Olympic resorts Bjelašnica and Igman — affordable skiing forty minutes from Sarajevo, with Jahorina, in Republika Srpska, as close.

River & Nature

Una and Neretva rivers for rafting and kayaking, the Kravice waterfalls and the Bjelašnica highland trails.

Food & Coffee Culture

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

Museums of the Modern Period

Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope Museum and Gallery 11/07/95 receive visitors interested in the country's recent history, with guided visits.

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: Hotels and other accommodation providers register their foreign guests. A stay of more than three days with friends or family must be reported to the police or the Service for Foreigners' Affairs within 48 hours of entry.
  • Landmines: Some rural and mountainous areas are still recorded as suspected mine areas. Stay on paved roads and marked trails, and 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; in winter, use winter tyres, carry snow chains and fit them wherever signs require.
  • Altitude: The capital sits at roughly 500 metres, while the 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 in any 180-day period. Nationals who would otherwise need a visa can enter with a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit of a Schengen state, an EU state or the US, for up to 30 days per stay.
  • 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

Sarajevo

Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.