Must See

Banja Luka

Banja Luka, the Republika Srpska capital, has a sixteenth-century fort and amphitheatre. Visitors can also relax in one of the many spas that operate in the region.

Bihac

Located on the Una River in the north-western part of the country, Bihac is the most western Muslim settlement in Europe. It is home to the beautiful 13th century Fethija Mosque, one of the very few old mosques not to have been destroyed during the war.

Mostar

Mostar was a prime tourist attraction before the war, and is now in the process of being rebuilt. Although a few cobbled streets and medieval buildings survived the fighting, most of the monuments, the 16th- and 17th-century mosques and the famous Turkish bridge were destroyed. However, the ancient Turkish bridge was recently rebuilt and was opened to the public in 2004.

Sarajevo

Once, like the rest of the country, Sarajevo was a melting pot of cultures, a place of peaceful co-existence of Christians, Muslims and Jews that showed its unusual background in the wonderful architecture where beautiful churches sat next to splendid mosques. However, also like many other towns, Sarajevo was devastated in the war.

The capital, where half a millennium of Turkish rule was most conspicuous, has largely rebuilt its Turkish Quarter. Colourful bazaars, part of the Ottoman heritage, rattling trams, and countless cafes are bringing the city back to life. A labyrinth of cobbled alleyways form the heart the city, where craftsmen ply their trade. However, evidence of past war is always around the corner. 'Sarajevo roses', the indentations of shell impacts, some filled with red cement, line the pavements.

The Latin Bridge, at the end of Zelenih Beretki, was the spot where the anarchist Gavrilo Princip shot Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, sparking off World War I.

Visoko

Located between Zenica and Sarajevo on the Bosna River, this city offers some rich culture and history. There is a homeland museum that exhibits the cultural and historic heritage of the area. The Visoko valley was once the centre of the Bosnian kingdom, and most of the exhibits are related to the medieval Bosnian state.

The hill overlooking the town is known as Visocica, which some have claimed conceals an ancient pyramid. Although, these claims have been strongly rejected by the scientific community, this hasn't stopped visitors coming to see the excavations.

Activities

There is good hiking, rafting, fishing and skiing in the forests and mountains. In some regions around Bihac, it is possible to go rafting and kayaking: the River Una in particular is renowned for its clear, blue waters. Although fishing is unrestricted on the coast, a special permit is needed for rivers and lakes. This may be issued by hotels and regional authorities.

The country has a very short coastline on the Adriatic Sea - just 20 km (12 miles) long, centred on Neum.

There are also a number of mountain health spa resorts that offer visitors sumptuous scenery and pampering; these include Bjelasnica, Igman and Jahorina, along with spas in the Republika Srpska area such as Dubica, Laktasi, Srebrenica, Telic and Visegrad.