Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neum_(BiH)_-_general_view.jpg
Author: Pudelek


Neum is the town on the only coastal outlet of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located on the 24.5 km (15 mi) stretch of coastline into the Adriatic Sea, sandwiched between to non-contiguous parts of Croatia. Neum has a population of just under 5,000 (2011 estimate).

Due to its location, the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina has great plans for the town. On the drawing board includes turning it into a freight port, allowing products of the country to be shipped from here and for imported goods to arrive here for distribution throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the meantime, Neum is developing into a tourist destination, due to its fine beaches and picturesque coastal views.

The location of Neum cutting across Croatia stems from the Treaty of Karlowitz of 1699, where the defeated Ottoman Empire was allowed to keep an outlet to the Adriatic Sea at Neum. As a result of this treaty, traffic from one side of Croatia has to cross over Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach the other side of the country.

Scenery at Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neum02450.JPG
Author: Anto


To circumvent having to pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian government is planning to build a bridge across the Adriatic Sea, linking Klek on the Croatian mainland to Pelješac on the Pelješac Peninsula. At the moment, the plan is on hold until a mutually satisfactory solution is reached, as such a bridge would require a very high clearance in order to not violate the rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina, under International Law of the Sea.

Visiting Neum

It is easier to reach Neum from Croatia than from the major cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Neum is just 85 km from Dubrovnik International Airport. From there, you can take a bus to Dubrovnik and then change to a bus for Neum. There are also buses to Neum from Mostar and Sarajevo. Accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina tends to be cheaper than in neighboring Croatia.

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips