Writer: Anna Nilsson Spets
Bosnia has 20 km of coastline on the Adriatic Sea, on this small strip there will be hotels, restaurants and hundreds of sun loungers. And people... Then all these people will have to buy food, go to the pharmacy, park their cars. It will be crowded.
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Neum
After a few hours in the car, a little stretch of the legs and a stop, we finally catch a glimpse of the sea and throw our stuff into the house in Neum and immediately take a dip. Children's bodies are smeared with the highest sun protection factor, swimming rings are inflated and we jump into the blue (read turquoise) wave.
PART 1: Back in Sarajevo – Aunt Anna is almost home
Neum… well, what can I say. This is probably what it looks like on the Mallis or the Canary Islands… What do I know, I've never been there. But you didn't need to pack a sun lounger with your towel.
One of my dearest friends has a fantastic apartment building in Neum on a hill, where we will spend another five days on our Bosnian vacation.
The days just seem to pass by, filled with lots of swimming and ice cream. Along the beach there is a pedestrian street with everything you could want in the way of knick-knacks, Elsa and Alice shop for everything they can get their hands on. Bracelets and squishies.
What is it? Squishys are a soft stress ball in the shape of an animal, I learned. My toy knowledge pretty much ended with My little Pony.
You didn't go hungry or thirsty either. Imagine my surprise when I order a cappuccino and get a hot chocolate, I go back with the chocolate and the bartender explains that right here we call it a cappuccino. Oh my God.
A café serves divine pastries, real sugar shocks, I sneak in there every now and then and munch.
Thin pancakes with Nutella, grilled corn and the typical pita are available to eat, as well as a host of regular restaurants with Bosnian dishes as well as international ones.
And on the coast, all the jewels of the sea are on offer, such as oysters, calamari and mussels. Not to be forgotten is the divinely delicious black risotto, cooked in squid ink.
An arcade... yes, there were a few Bosnian marks there.
With dusk come the colorful sunsets.
The grandchildren get to use a cyclops and snorkel and of course there are fish to look at. Otherwise you can take a trip on the glass-bottomed submarine. Or look for beautiful smooth rocks.
Excursion to Kravica Waterfall
We didn't want to lie on the beach every day... We decided to take a trip to Kravica Waterfall, a popular destination with swimming opportunities in the icy water. Bright blue butterflies flutter over the reed beds and there are lots of frogs in the water.
For those who can't bear to walk to and from the waterfalls, there is a toy train to ride.
Trebizat, the river that created this natural wonder, offers crystal clear water and boat trips and canoes are available. The highest fall is 28 meters and the widest is 120 meters.
Dining options, yes, but no great food and expensive.
Blagaj Tekija Monastery
After five warm days, we head towards Sarajevo again with a stop at Blagaj Tekija, a place I've passed by several times and that I've always wanted to visit.
Blagaj Tekija, built in 1520, is a monastery within the Sufi branch of Islam, Sufism stands for a certain mysticism that includes dancing dervishes, music and meditation.
The monastery itself is located deep down in a valley, the road down is lined with street stalls.
Freshly squeezed grape juice, water-cooled melons, seedlings and homemade brandy.
On the other side of the small bridge is the restaurant that served excellent banana split for the youngest and an excellent coffee with baklava for grandma.
Trout swim in abundance in the Buna River and the dams and the water is ice cold to dip your toes in. The surrounding mountains are 250 meters high and there is a cave that can be reached by boat.
The monastery itself charges a certain entrance fee, and strict dress code is also required.
It's peaceful, the windows offer fabulous views, the wooden floors are covered with the most beautiful, colorful woven fabrics. A treat for the soul.
Sarajevo and time to say goodbye
Arriving in Sarajevo, we spend the night at the Great Wall of China, a Chinese hotel near the airport. The evening meal was of course something completely different than cevap and pita... The breakfast could have been a little more international, Chinese breakfast is not my thing.
So our paths diverge, the children and grandchildren fly home and a few hours later it's my turn. This year's grandmother's trip, summer edition, is complete.
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Jossu says:
Bosnian food and baklava, what a treat. I also like the idea of sun and swimming, and a break to visit the waterfalls. A lovely combo of relaxation and experiences.
August 12, 2026 - 8:46
Anna Nilsson says:
Yes, it's important, a combination of learning and playing.
Thank you for reading
August 12, 2026 - 18:38
Hanneles boktips says:
Looks delicious, I got Bosnian food from friends, that roll with minced meat in it, and baklava, delicious, sold in Saluhallen in Gothenburg, but then it's Turkish...
August 12, 2026 - 15:36
Anna Nilsson says:
Then you've eaten burek!
God.
Thank you for reading.
August 12, 2026 - 18:39
Anonymous says:
Such fantastic pictures,,well written and described. You are a source of inspiration and knowledge about how life should be lived. Thank you dear Anna for existing! Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦 a wonderful country with a lot of history through the years….
August 15, 2026 - 0:59
Anonymous says:
Thank you for such a nice comment.
Glad I can inspire
August 15, 2026 - 7:26