Villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina: best of Bosnian countryside

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Villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Most charming places of Bosnian countryside

Villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina are a synonym for nature sanctuary. Considering that the Bosnia and Herzegovina is a home to 4 major religions and 3 different nations we must say that the cultural and historical complexity of the country is unrivalled. The best areas to explore and learn about these differences are the rural sides. Villages will teach you about the importance of the majority and tolerance towards the minority and will offer a unique chance to learn about local culture and habits in combination with the outdoor activities from those high pumped with adrenaline to those suitable for families.

Ethno Village "Čardaklije"

Not far from Bosanski Petrovac, in the village of Vrtoče, there is a small piece of Bosnian heaven – household “Čardaklije”. In vicinity of this etno village there are Una National Park and Plitvice Lakes.

From the highest household facility is “Čardak where meat and milk are prepared in the traditional way, through the Guest Houses as the central household facility with a renewed capacity of 70 seats and an outdoor garden with a capacity of about 200 seats, Bosnian House where old crafts are nurtured, and the traditional preparation of jam and tea, all the way to the Merry House intended for lovers of good rakija. In the immediate vicinity of the central part there are accommodation facilities. These are typical country houses of the apartment type with 4 or 6 beds.

Those who are into active holidays, there is the possibility of horseback riding and carriage rides.

Guests are offered a handful of gastronomic delicacies and serene and accommodation in an original rural ambience.

Ethno Village "Čardaci"

The village is located in a quiet location surrounded by nature, just 3 km from the center of Vitez and about 80 kilometars far from Sarajevo. There is hotel complex with ethno houses, motel, spa, water park, pub, pond and restaurant invites you to the vacation you deserve. The property is only 20 meters from the local bus stop, with lines to Travnik and Vitez departing every 30 minutes. You can choose to stay either in a hotel or in traditional Bosnian houses. At your disposal are a total of 11 rooms and 9 suites arranged in 12 ethno houses, or 12 double rooms and one apartment in the hotel. But, it is important to mention that the hotel was built in the same style as the other buildings in this Ethno Village.

Due to its geographical position, the village is a favorite vacation spot for tourists who “accidentally” decide to rest in Vitez on the way to Travnik, Jajce, Sarajevo and other BiH cities. From a small family business and a mini hydroelectric power plant, today Čardaci is an unavoidable destination when passing through Vitez. As soon as you pass through the door of the Ethno village “Čardaci” you will find yourself in a miracle, because you suddenly find yourself in the world of the old Bosnian village.

This stunning paradise is a unique field on the banks of the Lašva River.

Ethno Village "Raj u Raju"

Ethno – eco village “Raj U Raju” is located only 8 kilometers from Konjic, about 60 kilometers from old town Mostar and about 60 kilometers from capital city Sarajevo. The Main Bus Station is located in Konjic, and a local bus stop is 3 km away.

This eco village features bungalows, a restaurant, and an outdoor pool, a tennis court and a fitness center. Village is surrounded with ecologically clean nature, crystal clear river which going trough our village and surrounding area is very reach with flora and fauna. Ideal connection of sunny Hercegovina, healthy clean air and beautiful waters. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities on site, including cycling, hiking, billiards, and it is also possible to organize rafting and hiking trips.

Lake Jablanica is only 2 km away which is why this village a perfect spot for those who love fishing, or water safari, or for those who simply love to swim and be surrounded by nature.

Ethno village "Raj u Raju" (engl. Paradise in Paradise).

Jablanicko lake near the Ethno Village "Raj u Raju".

Village Sturba

This beautiful village is located in the valley of the River Sturba, near Livno. In vicinity of Sturba village there are also two magnificent lakes – Buško Lake and Blidinje Lake. The village was named after the river which springs in it.

In this nature paradise there are three young students, Ivo Kaselj, Ivo Konta and Luka Vuković, who came up with the idea to do something for their almost forgotten region. Guided by a proverb “when there is a will, there is a way” they decided to try and make their dreams come true exactly where their heart is. Therefore, they started a bussines – The Kayak Sturba. Kayak Sturba currently has several half-day / daily offers. In addition to the beautiful river Sturba, they also offers kayaking on Mandek and Buško Lake. Besides the idyllic views and an incredibly homely environment, you will also have a chance to enjoy some tasty local barbecue and refreshments for lunch.

Once you decide for kayaking in Bosnia with Kayak Sturba other than the kayak experience you will also have a chance to get a bit of personal touch, meet the local community and discover this amazingly tranquil and friendly village. Therefore, this activity is never just about kayaking, it is learning about the village and about the way of life in the village.

Funky Tours Expedition with Kayak Sturba

Village Guber

In the immediate vicinity of Srebrenica there is a village that is the Bosnian pearl among mineral springs. Although there are 48 sources, only 16 have been scientifically tested and there is strong evidence of their healing properties. That the Guber springs have healing properties at the beginning of the 19th century was first pointed out by Dr. Hans Duler, while the first scientific analysis of water was done by the Viennese chemist prof. Dr. Ernest Ludwig. From 1886 to 1888, he analyzed most of the approximately one hundred mineral springs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also analyzed five of the 48 mineral springs in the vicinity of Srebrenica and declared them “the pearl of all springs on Earth”, and proposed their exploitation, which began in 1889. Until 1901, the Viennese company “H. Matoni “filled and exported 2,818,199 bottles of Guber water. Sadly, from the end of the war until today, Guber water flows into the sewers. However, there is Banja Guber, which, unfortunately, has not yet been opened for political reasons.

There are several springs with different medicinal properties. Guber water from the spring Crni Guber was declared a drug in the correction of hypochromic anemia in 1956. The next source is the so-called “Eye Water” (Očna Voda). With a high concentration of iron in it, Eye Water helps and acts in various diseases of the mucous membranes of the eyes, especially in conjunctivitis, and those who have used it claim that it significantly improves vision.

Guber water- healing treasure of Srebrenica.

Under the “eye water” there is also a spring “small Guber” which is colorless, with a sour taste. It contains the most iron, a certain dose of arsenic and other rare metals. It cures anemia, lack of appetite and is the only drinking source that is drunk in combination with vitamin C. There is also a source of water for the sinuses, and a source of water used to treat skin diseases.

The source that attracts a lot of attention especially to the female gender is “Voda Ljepotica”. The legend says that if you wash your face with this water your facial skin will be cleaner and that this water heal and remove acne and blackheads from the face forever. It has always been rumored that Srebrenica women were extremely beautiful because they washed with this water.

It is important to say that this beautiful resort and healing spring is not empty, but it is not invested and promoted enough.This water pearl can significantly help the economy and tourism of Srebrenica.

Ethno Village Stanišići

At the exit from Bijeljina, on the third kilometer towards the Pavlović bridge, there is the Ethno Village Stanišići an authentic mountain village in the middle of the Sember plain. It was founded in 2003, thanks to the inspiration of Boris Stanišić.

Two units stand out in the village. One depicts worldly life and is built of wood. They are wooden houses – log cabins with furniture that belonged to them for centuries. The houses are connected by paved stone paths, and there are two lakes in the center of the village. The second unit is of a spiritual character and is represented by the medieval architecture of stone construction, which is in fact a set of replicas of historical and religious significance.

Stanisici ethno village contains countless attractions that are beyond the present time and space and that bring us back to our ancestors and nature.

The village consists of hotels (Hotel Ras and Hotel Pirg), etno houses, mills, restorants (Ellas i Konoba), museum, a dairy, a smithy, a stone well, a barn and authentic wooden houses, with a display of furniture and folk costumes.

This ethno village contains countless attractions that are beyond the present time and space and that bring us back to our ancestors and nature.

Mountain Villages Umoljani and Lukomir

Lukomir and Umoljani are the only remaining semi-nomadic traditional mountain villages in BiH dating back at least 600 years ago. These nature paradises is located are located almost at the very top of the Olympic beauty Bjelašnica Mountain which is crossover between regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Simply untouched nature within touching distance. There are two ways to get to them. You can drive to the Umoljani, take a break there, and then drive to the Lukomir, or you can drive to the Umoljani and then take a hike to the Lukomir. If you choose to take a hike stunning water abundance, high mountain peaks and stunning forests will simply amaze you. Hiking will give you a life experience in which you will see all the charms of nature.

Lady at Umoljani village selling local products - Bjelasnica mountain, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lukomir, the most remote village in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

These two villages are associated with various legends and traditional stories. From the amazing hospitality , clean air and local food you will be one step closer to the past and the old nomadic tradition. And, you will return home richer for one life experience.

Šipovo and Janjske Otoke

This village is a forgotten piece of heaven in vicinity of the Royal Town of Jajce. It is about 20 kilometers away from Jajce and about 200 kilometers away from Sarajevo. Šipovo is a hilly and mountainous area intersected by the valleys of the river Janj and Pliva. River Janj is one of of the shortest river within the Bosnian river system.The Janj springs at 650 meters above the sea level, in the village Babići, whic is in the municipality of Šipovo.The river springs noisily under a rock and then makes waterfalls Moreover, because of the magic this river has, the wider area around the river is called after her.

You probably ask yourself now what make this village that special. Well, in this magnificent countryside there is a phenomenon of mother nature, Janski Otoci (engl. Janj streams).

Mother Nature at its best

There is a tiny linguistic game of words in the name of this impressive place. In the Bosnian and simillar languages the term “Otoci” could refer to islands as well. But, that’s not the case here. The name is the term for streams, however, neither the term “Island” would be that wrong.

Due to exceptional preservation of nature, diverse habitat and specific climatic conditions, Janj streams have rich flora and fauna. Just imagine a place where you can find stunning cascades, streams, islets, and small waterfalls. Therefore, the river abounds in fish (trout and grayling). So, if you decide to come here you should definitely have a lunch in one of the restaurant. Visit this stunning area without trying river trout is almost a sin. And, trust me, Janj streams trout is a true queen among the many delicious autochthonous Bosnian river trout species.

But, that is not all what this small nature wonder offers. For music lovers, there is a festival is the acronym of Fun – Ecology – Tourism (Bosnian: Z.E.T. – Zabava – Ekologija – Turizam). The festival was held for the first time in 2016 and after that, every year, usually in the last week of July, is regularly maintained and attracts thousands of visitors.