The Balkans are home to some of the most beautiful countries in the Mediterranean, but tourists rarely venture beyond the likes of Croatia, Greece and European Turkey.

Yet, Europe’s most underrated country is just as pretty as these choices but without the tourists. With this comes the added benefit of costs being far lower for your average holiday. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one such destination and one Europe’s most underrated holiday destinations with unbeatable prices for a glass of wine compared to its neighbours.

Wild Frontiers’, Clare Tobin says: “A less crowded alternative to Dubrovnik in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is being heralded as the rising star of The Balkans for 2025. 

“In 2023, the nation welcomed 1.7 million tourists with visa-free travel, marking a 17.3% increase from the previous year, with significant contributions to the local economy.”

The two countries became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia) following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, effectively unifying the region under one state. Following the Dayton Agreement in 1995, which ended the Bosnian War following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted its current political structure. 

The country’s capital, Sarajevo, is sat on the Miljacka River, located in a valley and ringed by mountains. This stunning city was described by renowned travel site Lonely Planet as one “with an enticing East-meets-West vibe”, once renowned as a religious melting pot that earned it the nickname of “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.

Closer to the coast lies the city of Mostar – situated on the Neretva River and the fifth-largest in the country – which was named the European City of Wine Dionisio 2024. 

Herzegovina, the smaller, southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has at least 2,000 years of viticultural history, but it has really blossomed during the last two decades. Indeed, the majority of families in this region of roughly 350,000 inhabitants make their own wine.

While a glass of wine runs at a typical price of £4.20, across the border you can enjoy just as good a glass, if not even better, for just £2. 

Mostar has, according to Lonely Planet, “a small but thoroughly enchanting old town centre” and its must-see sights include the Stari Most bridge, Kajtaz House, Hamam Museum and the Kosko Mehmed Pasha Mosque.

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.

Cat Jordan, communications director from Travelzoo, said: “From stunning landscapes, waterfalls, castle ruins to busy Alps, Bosnia & Herzegovina is an ‘alternative’ destination on the rise – the Balkans are on trend.

“If you’re a lover of wine, the other side of the Med offers wine trails galore and a burgeoning wine industry and the Herzegovina Wine Route features award-winning wines.

“If you love to cycle, the Trans Dinarica Cycle route recently launched and spans all 8 Balkans countries and is a 100-stage trail for cyclists of all abilities.”