Things to Do in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina: City Guides

Discover the rich history, complex political structure, and vibrant cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with our free audio guide, featuring 188 narrated places and 7 walking tours across the region. This entity covers about half of the land in Bosnia and Herzegovina and holds some of the country’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks. From ancient cave engravings near Stolac to the bustling capital of Sarajevo, exploring this region offers a journey through layers of human history, from the Paleolithic era and the Ottoman Empire to Austro-Hungarian administration and modern times.

History and Government

The modern form of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina grew out of the Bosnian War. The Washington Agreement ended the Croat and Bosniak War within that wider conflict and laid the basis for the Federation, while the 1995 Dayton Agreement ended the war and defined the entity. Its modern structure still bears the imprint of this difficult recent history, including a former separate army that was later merged into the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Understanding the region requires looking at its unusual balance between federal and local power. The entity is divided into ten autonomous cantons, each with its own government and assembly. While some responsibilities belong to the Federation, education and culture belong exclusively to the cantons. At the federal level, authority is shared among a president, vice-presidents, a government, a constitutional court, and a parliament featuring a House of Representatives and a House of Peoples. The House of Peoples is designed to protect the interests of the three constituent peoples in government formation and lawmaking. Some cantons feature Bosniak majorities, others have Croat majorities, and Central Bosnia and Herzegovina-Neretva are ethnically mixed with special legislative procedures.

Beyond its modern political institutions, the area belongs to a much longer human story. Parts of this region have been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic era. Near Stolac, Badanj Cave contains one of the oldest known cave engravings, depicting an animal figure thought to be a horse. Centuries later, Early Slavs raided the western Balkans before the Ottoman conquest brought major changes to political and cultural life, making Bosnia an integral province of the Ottoman Empire while retaining its historical name and territorial integrity. After the Congress of Berlin in 1878, Austria-Hungary gained the right to occupy and administer Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region later became part of the South Slav kingdom that was soon called Yugoslavia.

Best Towns to Visit in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The region features fascinating urban destinations, each offering a unique window into the past and present. You can explore these places with the Neywo audio guide, which covers 3 cities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with 188 narrated places in total.

Sarajevo

As the capital and largest city of the entity, Sarajevo features 150 narrated places on Neywo. Key sights include the Cathedral of Jesus’ Heart, the New Temple gallery, Despić House, and Svrzo’s House.

Mostar

Famous for its iconic architecture and deep heritage, Mostar includes 21 narrated places on the app. Highlights here range from the famous Stari Most and the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque to the Museum of the Old Bridge and the Karadzozbey Mosque.

Jajce

Rich in history and natural beauty, Jajce offers 17 narrated places on Neywo. Visitors can discover landmarks such as the Kršlak house, the Sultana Esma Mosque, the Jajce Citadel, and the Jajce Mithraeum.

Explore the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Neywo

Get the most out of your trip by downloading the free Neywo app to discover things to do in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The app features free audio guides for 3 cities in the region, encompassing 188 narrated places and 7 walking tours. Each story plays automatically as you reach the place, allowing you to explore at your own pace with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, making it easy to dive deep into the history and culture of every stop along your journey.