Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country rich in culture and history. However, it is definitely one of the most underrated destinations by travelers visiting Europe. At the time, the country was known as a great force within the Ottoman Empire. But today, Bosnia is generally not on the travel bucket list of millennials and Gen Zers.
Although it's a bit underrated, Bosnia has a lot to offer visitors who love history and ancient cities. There are ruins to explore, delicious local coffee to enjoy, and endless tours that showcase Bosnia's legendary and unassuming wonder. Here are seven hidden cultural gems to discover during your visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Explore Sarajevo Old Town
Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city's 'Old Town' is located right in the heart of the capital and is one of the best places to experience authentic local culture. Here, travelers will find an array of traditional mosques, cultural monuments, shopping centers and restaurants. There is a market in Sarajevo open since the 1400s to travelers. The old clock tower is still synchronized with lunar cycles and Muslim prayer times, as well as a museum showcasing Bosnia's medieval history.
Visit the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
In 1995, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim refugees were murdered in a genocide. It became known as the Srebrenica massacre and travelers visiting Bosnia can learn more about this tragic incident by visiting the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial. The memorial cost $5.8 million to build and visitors come each year from around the world to pay their respects to those who brutally lost their lives in 1995.
Walk through the tunnel of hope
During the Bosnian War in the early 1990s, soldiers used a hidden tunnel in Sarajevo to deliver supplies and communicate. Today, this space has been renamed the Tunnel Of Hope. Travelers can visit the Tunnel of Hope in Bosnia at a special museum dedicated to educating visitors about the war in the country. Visitors can walk through the war tunnel, take photos and gain insight into the smuggling of food and supplies into Sarajevo.
Book the Death of Yugoslavia Tour
The Bosnian War changed the landscape of Southern Europe and there's no better way to learn about it than the Death Of Yugoslavia tour. After the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina permanently separated from Yugoslavia. However, the road to independence was long. This tour takes travelers through four historic sites to discover the true story of what happened before Bosnia separated from Yugoslavia. Travelers will gain insight into the fall of communism in the country, explore the city of Mostar and discover Tito's secret bunker.
Enter Tito's Secret Bunker
Although it may look like a hotel from the outside, a small building in Konjic in Herzegovina is much more than what it may seem. Recently, more and more travelers visiting Bosnia have stumbled upon the so-called Tito's secret bunker. Hidden in the house, at the end of a secret passage, is a bunker used in times of war, when threats of nuclear attack seemed imminent. Today, tourists can visit the bunker to see where Bosnian government officials planned to go if an atomic bomb hit the city. The underground room was initially designed to hold 350 people in the event of an attack.
