Europe’s most underrated country as pretty as Greece but without the tourists

Europe’s most underrated country is as pretty as Croatia or Greece but without the tourists.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the Balkan Peninsula and the Adriatic Sea bordered by Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia.

The capital Sarajevo is sat on the Miljacka River, located in a valley and ringed by mountains.

It was described by travel site Lonely Planet as “a singular city with an enticing East-meets-West vibe”, once renowned as a religious melting pot that earned it the epithet ‘the Jerusalem of Europe’. 

It is one of a few major European cities to have a mosque, Catholic church, Eastern Orthodox church, and synagogue within the same neighbourhood.

The city’s must-see attractions include the War Childhood Museum, Galleria 11/07/95, the City Hall, the cable car, Pigeon Square and the Tunnel of Hope.

There are other cities to visit such as Banja Luka and Prijedor in the northwest region, Zenica in the central part of the country, and Mostar, the largest city in the southern region of Herzegovina.

Mostar on the Neretva River is the historic capital of Herzegovina. It has, according to Lonely Planet, “a small but thoroughly enchanting old town centre”.

Its must-see sights are Stari Most bridge, Kajtaz House, Hamam Museum and the Kosko Mehmed Pasha Mosque.

The two largest cities (Sarajevo and Mostar) are the main draws but another is the natural beauty on offer.

The country is mostly mountainous, encompassing the central Dinaric Alps, and nearly half of it is covered in forest. There is also just 20 miles of coastline.

Bosnia has a moderate continental climate with hot summers and snowy winters. Herzegovina, the smaller, southern region, has a Mediterranean climate.

Those wishing to visit can get to Bosnia and Herzegovina via direct flights from London and indirect flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow.