Bosnians have many seasonal activities to choose from. Winter days allow for day-long ski trips and sled rides in the mountains. Jahorina, Igman and Bjelasnica mountains are famous for skiing, and others offer world-class slopes and resorts. In warmer weather, people enjoy picnics, mushroom picking in the forests, mountain climbing and hiking. People in the urban areas look forward to their annual summer vacation, which they tend to spend at the beautiful beaches along the Adriatic Sea or at inland lakes. Some people own cottages or occupy a camping site, while others might stay at a hotel or company-sponsored resort. Sunbathing, swimming, fishing and sightseeing are favourite activities during summer months, as are family games like chess, dominoes, cards and Yahtzee . For farmers, however, summer is a busy season of planting.

Especially among men and boys, the most popular sports are football (soccer) and basketball. The former Yugoslavia had a strong soccer team that reached the quarter finals in the 1990 World Cup, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s current team plays internationally. Streets are often deserted when an important match is being televised. Children make their own soccer fields by using plastic bags as posts or some string for netting. In other sports, swimmer Janko Gojkovich and marksman Nedzad Falija have both set records and participated in the Olympics.

As elsewhere in Europe, Bosnian children and young people like to watch television, play games, see films and listen to pop music. Live concerts are very popular and can draw crowds of 50,000. Older people enjoy listening to folk songs.

Bosnians are very sociable people, fond of company and crowds. Their main leisure activity is visiting family and friends to spend hours talking, dancing or playing games. In towns, evenings are often a time for korzo: strolling along the main street to chat with friends and visit one of the many coffee houses, called kafanas . When socializing, Bosnians often break into groups based on age, gender or marital status. People also develop close ties with their colleagues and spend much time with them.

Did you know?

Sarajevo, until then a relatively unknown city, attracted international attention when it hosted the 14th Winter Olympic Games in 1984. The Olympic mascot was a wolf called Vucko, who became internationally famous through posters and television ads.