Tuzla

Tuzla is the third largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in one of the most important industrial Bosnian regions. Nowadays, the city’s economy is still predominantly based around industry, although there has been significant development in tourism in the 21st century. == Get in == Travelling to Tuzla is easy from the south, less so from the Republika Srpska or Serbia. Do not trust the bus timetable on the black board in the main bus station, as these times were universally inaccurate! === By bus === 1 Tuzla bus station (Autobuska stanica Tuzla), Bosne Srebrene 60. There is a kiosk, ticket office and toilet inside station. Always ask in ticket counter/information for current schedule. Timetable inside bus station doesn't cover all connections and it is not always up-to date. (updated Oct 2015) ==== From Sarajevo ==== There are many buses (first M-F at 09:30, Sa Su at 10:00, last at 18:50 - 1-2 per hour) from Sarajevo to Tuzla. Also there are buses (first at 04:00, last at 18:00- 1-2 per hour) from Tuzla to Sarajevo. One-way ticket costs 13-20 BAM (depends on bus company) and journey takes 3 hours. ==== From Mostar ==== There are three buses (04:45, 06:30, 16:00) from Mostar to Tuzla. Also there are buses (08:00, 09:30) from Tuzla to Mostar. One-way ticket costs approx. 36 BAM and journey takes 5½ hours. ==== From Osijek ==== There are two buses (06:30 and 13:30) from Osijek to Tuzla. Also there are buses (06:00 and 13:00) from Tuzla to Osijek. Journey takes 3½ hours. Schedule is available here. ==== From Split ==== There is one bus (07:00) from Split to Tuzla. Also there are buses (05:30 and 08:00) from Tuzla to Split. Schedule is available here. Journey takes 9 hours. ==== Other destinations ==== To travel from Banja Luka, change at Doboj. There are two daily services to Bijeljina, where there are connections to other destinations in RS such as Višegrad, as well as Serbia and Montenegro. There are direct buses from Belgrade. A journey takes four hours, running three times a day. From or to Sarajevo, Croatia, Slovenia or Germany you can use the Salinea-bus company - not all buses are listed on that website. === By train === As of 2025, there are no passenger trains from or to Tuzla; the closest major town with passenger rail service is Doboj. === By plane === 2 Tuzla International Airport (TZL IATA Međunarodni aerodrom Tuzla), Dubrave Gornje 75273 (11 km outside of city center). Tu Th Sa 03:30-23:00, M W Su 04:00-22:30. There are few rental companies (open from 06:00), exchange office (open from 06:00) and restaurant in main lobby of airport. Additionally there is a small bar and duty free shop (open from 06:00) in departures zone. Wizzair flies from here to Basel/Mulhouse (Switzerland/France), Dortmund (Germany) and Memmingen (Germany); there are also a few flights to Istanbul on other airlines. (updated Jan 2025) The easiest and fastest way to get to city center is by taxi. Taxis from airport to Tuzla city center costs 30 BAM. In opposite direction taxi costs 15-20 BAM. There is a public bus no. 11 operating almost every hour between Dubrave and Tuzla. Schedule is available here (page 13). If you travelling from airport you can catch this bus on 1 Dubrave Aerodrom bus stop (you have to walk 800 meters to main road and then turn right for another 200 meters). Bus shall be here approx. 31 minutes after departure from Kalesija - Povratak column in schedule. If you travelling to the airport the best option is to catch this bus in front of bus station on 2 Medugradska Autobusna Stanica bus stop (bus shall be here approx. 22 minutes after departure from Tuzla AS "Istok" - Polazak column in schedule) or closer to city center on 3 Higijena bus stop (bus shall be here approx. 17 minutes after departure from Tuzla AS "Istok" - Polazak column in schedule). A ticket from the driver costs 5.50 BAM. Travel between Tuzla and the airport takes approx. 30 minutes. == See == Bosnia has beautiful countryside. The best place to travel is to Osman's old house. It is wonderful. The first place to visit is the square at the center of the old town. This is the site of the Tuzla Massacre, where 72 young people were killed in 1995. Ask a local to translate the poem carved into the monument. Then walk over to the park where the 72 young people are buried. The old town is very nice and the park is very beautiful. You should also visit the Pannonica Lakes, whose water is directly supplied from the local wells of salt water. Tuzla's salt has been exploited for centuries and you should visit the Salt square dedicated to this aspect of Tuzla's history. If you are interested in art, visit some of Tuzla's beautiful art galleries. If you are interested in history, you should see the model of ancient village set near the Pannonica. 1 Museum of Eastern Bosnia (Muzej Istočne Bosne), Džindić mahala 21, ☏ +387 35 318-321. (updated Nov 2018) == Do == 1 Pannonica Lakes, Kulina bana. Good place for swimming and relaxing. Complex of three lakes, beaches, bars and areas for kids. 3.5 BAM (workdays), 4 BAM (weekend). (updated Oct 2015) == Buy == Locally produced wicker craft like baskets or furniture. == Eat == All the usual Bosnian dishes are available throughout the town, but international cuisine does not have a high presence. There are also many traditional Bosnian fast food restaurants where you can eat cevapi prepared differently than in Sarajevo. === Budget === All these are in the city centre: 1 Zmaj od Bosne, Klosterska 11. (updated Aug 2022) 2 Restaurant Limenka, Patriotske lige 24. (updated Aug 2022) 3 Mozaik, Turalibegova 2. (updated Aug 2022) 4 Sarajka, Jevrejska 6. (updated Aug 2022) 5 Ćevabdžinica Feri, Franjevačka 18. (updated Aug 2022) 6 Caffe Gajba, Turalibegova 50. (updated Aug 2022) 7 Picerija Nota Bene, I inžinjerske brigade. (updated Aug 2022) === Mid-range === 8 Nardi Pub, Hadžibakirbega Tuzlića 3. (updated Aug 2022) 9 Palacinkara kod Bagija, Patriotske lige 10. (updated Aug 2022) 10 Restoran "Čaršijska česma", Trg žrtava genocida u Srebrenici 2. (updated Aug 2022) 11 MamaMia Origins Steak & Wine Restaurant, Trg slobode bb. (updated Aug 2022) 12 Biblioteka 45, Kristijana Krekovića 7, ☏ +387 35 266-362. Serving traditional cuisine in a nice courtyard. 20 KM (Nov 2018). (updated Aug 2020) === Splurge === == Drink == The Old Town has numerous cafes and bars. == Sleep == 1 Hotel Tuzla, ZAVNOBiH-a 13, ☏ +387 35 302-600. (updated Oct 2015) 2 Hotel Dom penzionera, Filipa Kljajića 22, ☏ +387 35 270-002. (updated Oct 2015) 3 Motel Rudar, Mitra Trifunovića Uče 9, ☏ +387 35 281-297. (updated Oct 2015) 4 Pansion Nargalic, Turalibegova 40, ☏ +387 35 256-160. (updated Oct 2015) Rooms Centre, Trg Stara Tržnica 8, ☏ +387 61 149 291. 60 BAM incl TV/AC/Breakfast. (updated Nov 2015) Smještaj u Tuzli, Donji Mosnik, ☏ +387 61 704 997. 30 BAM incl TV, AC, Transfer from airport. == Go next == Buses run very regularly to Lukavac, about 20 minutes away. From here, a ten minute taxi takes you to Lake Modrac, a large lake with a few restaurants. Due to industrial pollution, however, it is not safe to swim in the lake. A more promising destination is Lake Bistarac. Take a local bus for Lukavac, and get off just before the town. Up a hill lies a clean freshwater lake. There is a minimal entry charge, with a small extra charge for use of the slide into the lake. Stalls and a restaurant serve food. Kladanj, about 90 minutes away by bus towards Sarajevo, is a small, attractive town with many little restaurants, and small ski-resort nearby.