Salt lakes
Unique in Europe.
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Artificial salt lakes in the centre of Tuzla in north-east Bosnia, the only salt lakes of their kind in Europe, fed with brine from the layers beneath the city, a remnant of the ancient Pannonian Sea that covered the region millions of years ago. The city takes its name from the salt: Tuzla means place of salt in Turkish. Around the lakes are sandy and grassy beaches, pools and children's water slides, cafés and restaurants, making them Bosnia's summer resort; visitors also come for the salt water's benefits for skin and joints. In winter the area freezes into a calm white scene, and the lakes are ringed by a pretty quarter of colourful buildings. The bathing area charges entry in summer, with the season running roughly June to September; the rest of the year you can stroll around them for free. The water is very salty, so do not open your eyes under it, and rinse with fresh water afterwards. Tuzla has many mosques and halal restaurants. Tuzla is about two and a half hours by car from Sarajevo and has a small airport with occasional flights from Europe and the Gulf.
Unique in Europe.
Water from millions of years ago.
Beaches and slides.
Central Tuzla, north-east Bosnia
In the summer season, roughly June to September, with an entry fee; the rest of the year is for strolling around them.