Pale is in the Sarajevo Region of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Understand

Pale today has a postsocialistic layout with large housing blocks, an ugly shopping center and several hypermarkets. Inside the rectangular blocks a large church of the early 20th century, which appears as a debris. Cafés with dozens or hundreds of seats, all empty or totally closed. The city itself is pretty lively.

The majority of the population are Serbians.

Important for travelling east from Gorazde: it is the last place where you can get accommodations, supplies or services for a long stretch.

Do

• 1 Jahorina Ski Resort. The largest and most popular ski resort in the country. There is natural snowfall for about half the year and there are 11 lifts in operation. An artificial snow-making machine was installed in 2017 and was first put to use in 2018. (updated Nov 2019)

Buy

Large supermarkets to buy things needed to travel. Also several hair dressers, mobile shops and other services. To the east, there is a lack of supplies until the River Drina.

Eat

The Kort Hypermarket at M 5 road has a large and crowded restaurant with an extensive menu, only in Bosnian, but fully pictured. Waiters speak English. Large parking lot. Frequented especially by locals!

Sleep

There are several hotels in service as well as private and semi-private accommodations. Rates are moderate, but due to closeness of Jahorina, not really cheap by Bosnian standards. Privates are not necessarily cheaper than hotels, but may have better standards.

To the east of Pale until the River Drina, there is a long stretch without formal accommodations.