Inside Europe’s most underrated town – home to castles, swimming lakes and stunning mountain views
A SMALL town in a lesser-visited holiday town has been labelled the "most underrated" destination in Europe.
Truly underrated holiday spots are hard to come by, but there are plenty of them out there if you know where to look.
One place people might consider visiting is Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they can visit the town of Srebrenik.
Known as "The King's Town" its main point of interest is a stunning fortress that overlooks the settlement from on top of a hill.
The castle is Bosnia's best-preserved medieval fortress, dating back as far as 1333.
It used to be occupied by the Ban of Bosnia, a title bestowed upon local rulers or officeholders, Stephen II Kotromanic until his death in 1353.
Read More on City Breaks
Despite how well preserved it is today, it used to be a fair bit bigger, but parts of its walls and structure have since crumbled.
After Stephan II Kotromanic died, the Fortress was inherited by a distant relative called Danis, he died in 1378 and the Fortress was abandoned ever since.
However, it retains an imposing presence over the town to this day, drawing visitors to the town to see it from both below and the view from on top.
It's not the only architectural interest in the town either, with its old town's narrow streets offering a fascinating mix of cultures, with mosques, churches and traditional housing all side-by-side.
Live the World wrote: "Architecture lovers will be enthralled by the unique blend of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences found in Srebrenik.
"As you wander through the town's old quarter, you'll find yourself immersed in a maze of narrow streets lined with traditional houses.
"The main square showcases stunning examples of Ottoman architecture, where mosques and churches stand side by side, each with its own distinct style and historical significance."
There are natural attractions that people head to the town for, including the Majevica mountains and Lake Ingram.
Although swimming in Ingram isn't strictly prohibited, locals can often be seen making the most of the clean and refreshing water at their own risk, particularly throughout the summer months.
These reasons, along with unique restaurants and a thriving cafe culture are why Time Out listed Srebrenik in their list of the 24 most underrated travel destinations in the world.
Other highlights of Bosnia and Herzegovina
As well as Srebrenik, people head to Bosnia and Herzegovina to visit places like Mostar and Blagaj, among others.
The Herzegovinian capital is famous for its Ottoman bridge, which people jump off into the clear blue waters below every summer.
Other places to visit include the town of Blagaj, not too far from Mostar, which has been compared to a fairy tale.
Its highlights include a monastery, which was originally built for a Dervish cult.
Meanwhile, more traditional holidaymakers who like to spend their getaways by the beach head to Neum town, arguably the best place to visit the Bosnian seaside.
They said: "Arguably Europe’s most underrated destination, Bosnia and Herzegovina is packed with charming towns, and Srebrenik (87 miles north of Sarajevo) is as charming as it gets.
"The ‘King’s Town’ is home to Bosnia’s best-preserved medieval fortress, a fascinating twelfth-century structure overlooking the valley, packed with myths and legends.
"The peak of Majevica offers incredible views, while the relatively-recently-discovered Lake Ingram oozes romance. Add delicious food, vibrant cafés and graceful mosques, and you’ve got a darling waiting to be discovered."
Return flights to the nearest airport, Sarajevo, can be booked from £39 from the UK.
And a night for two in the town can be booked from around £30.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile this is a list of the most valuable holiday destinations in Europe.
And this stretch of coastline is one of the most affordable holiday spots for Brits.