What I'd dreamed about for so long had finally arrived. I was leaving with no return date, Tesla loaded, heading east. France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia. The first real stop of the trip was going to be Sarajevo.
This is the story of that first leg: Barcelona to Bosnia in a Tesla, the charging stops along the way, a costly mistake with Slovenia's vignette system, and what we found when we crossed the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time.
The departure: leaving a life behind
Leaving is hard. Not logistically — emotionally. I left sad and happy at the same time. Leaving a life behind creates grief. Starting the journey creates excitement. Both at once.
Barcelona to Bosnia in a Tesla: 2,000 km and 9 charging stops
The route from Barcelona to Sarajevo by Tesla has its peculiarities. The car automatically plans charging stops, so I knew from the start when and where I'd need to stop. First night in Nîmes, then coastal Italy, then Slovenia, Croatia, and finally Bosnia.
The mistake that cost me 150 euros: Slovenia's vignette system
Slovenia doesn't have toll booths. Instead, you need to buy a vignette — a sticker that lets you use the highways for 7 days. If you don't know and drive through anyway, you'll be fined at the next border crossing. That's exactly what happened to me: 150 euros at the Bosnian border. Buy the vignette at any gas station before entering the highway in Slovenia, Austria, or Switzerland.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: what to see and why it's worth the trip
Crossing into Bosnia was the moment the trip became real. In less than a century, the country was the backdrop for WWI (the assassination in Sarajevo's Latin Bridge), the 1984 Olympics, and the longest siege of a modern European capital from 1992 to 1996.
Sarajevo: where WWI began
First stop: Sarajevo. We wanted to see the Latin Bridge, where in 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, triggering WWI. The story of that day is fascinating: a first failed attempt, a chance encounter, and the archduke walking into the very bar where his assassin was sitting.
FAQ about Bosnia and Herzegovina
Do I need a visa for Bosnia?
EU citizens and most travelers from the Americas can enter visa-free. Bosnia is not an EU member or part of Schengen, so you technically exit the zone when crossing.
What currency does Bosnia use?
The Bosnian Mark (BAM), pegged to the euro at approximately 1 EUR = 1.96 BAM. The euro is generally not accepted; exchange or use local cash.
