Neum Seafront Promenade

Neum is Bosnia and Herzegovina's only coastal town, a short stretch of Adriatic shoreline of about 20 km in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, enclosed by Croatian territory. The seafront promenade, known as Obala, runs along the bay and is lined with palms, pines, cafés, restaurants, ice-cream stands and hotels. It is a flat, open walkway that suits a relaxed stroll, and it is free and open at all hours. Pebble beaches and concrete bathing platforms sit beside the promenade, with clear water for swimming from June to September. Visitors find fish restaurants serving grilled sea bass, squid and shellfish, as well as Bosnian grills and local wine. Evening is the liveliest time, with locals and holidaymakers walking the front, and in summer there are occasional concerts and events. A visit lasts one to two hours, often as a stop on the road between Dubrovnik and Split, since the highway crosses the Neum corridor and travellers pass through two border checks. The town is cheaper than much of the Croatian coast, which draws day visitors for meals and shopping. Mid-summer weekends bring the largest crowds, and parking along the promenade fills quickly. Early morning is quiet and ideal for a swim, and late spring or September gives pleasant weather with fewer people. Buses connect Neum with Mostar and Sarajevo, taking two to four hours. Visitors should carry passports for the border crossings at both ends of the corridor. The promenade offers views of the Pelješac peninsula across the bay, and sunsets over the water draw photographers.