BEST THINGS TO DO IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a beautiful multicultural Balkan country that has overcome most of its recent struggles and become an interesting tourist destination. Nowadays, Bosnia offers azure beaches, wonderful mountains, and vibrant cities to delight travelers. All of them packed with remains of its Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and warlike times. If you are looking for the best places to visit in Bosnia, this Bosnia travel guide contains all the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina.

Bosnia is one of the most underrated countries in Europe. Yet, its nature, cuisine, and cultural heritage are placing it back on the tourists maps. Thus, cities such as Sarajevo and Mostar make it to almost every Balkan road trip. And so do national natural wonders such as the Kravice waterfalls and Tara Canyon. Moreover, among the Bosnia places to visit you’ll find many UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The following are the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. Get ready for a trip to remember. You can also check my Instagram and Tiktok pages for additional stories on my solo trip to Bosnia Herzegovina.

Best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina’s cities

1. Explore Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital city

Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital city, is one of the most unique cities in Europe because of its mesmerizing mix of cultures. This multiculturality has led Sarajevo to a tragic civil war, but also to hosting some stunning architecture, having a magical vibe, and serving great cuisine. Thus, plenty of Bonsia tourist attractions lie in Sarajevo, a must-see city in any Bosnia trip. 

If you are wondering is Sarajevo worth visiting, the answer is a capital YES. In Sarajevo you’ll get to enjoy the second biggest Ottoman bazaar in Europe, only behind Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. There’s also mosques and Ottoman fountains. You’ll also see cathedrals, fancy Austrohungarian buildings such as the city hall, ancient bridges, skyscrapers, and cable cars. Bosnian coffee and bosnian beer go hand in hand in this city. One never runs short of places to visit in Sarajevo. 

If you’d like to learn from the city’s tragic past, head to the Latin Bridge, Gallery 11/07/1995, the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity, or the Martyrs cemetery. Looking for the best sunset spot? Take the cable car to Mont Trebevic or hike to the Yellow Fortress. And if you just wanna enjoy yourself, order some baklava and watch the world go by around the Old Town. Getting to know this awesome city is definitely one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. A full list of things to do in Sarajevo can be found here.

2. Enjoy Mostar, Bosnia’s most touristic city

Mostar might well be one of the most famous places to visit in Bosnia Herzegovina. Most tourists come here on a day trip from nearby Dubrovnik in Croatia or Kotor in Montenegro. However, the things to do in Mostar are interesting enough to dedicate a couple days to this stunning city. You’ll love it even more if you get to know it without the crowds. 

This ancient southern city is home to Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs and Catholic croats. However, back in the 1990s this meant being a war focus. Sadly, over 2,000 of its citizens were killed while the city was left in ruins. Nowadays, Mostar has been restored almost in full and it’s so beautiful its visit makes one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. 

In Mostar you’ll find an old bridge declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, a large bazaar, many mosques and churches, some museums, and plenty of nice restaurants serving local delicatessen. Need more? Here is my full list of things to do in Mostar.

3. Fall in love with Blagaj and its monastery

Blagaj is a tiny mountain village in Southeast Bosnia, just 12km away from Mostar. It’s known for its outstanding natural and historical beauty. Additionally, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to beautiful Ottoman houses, Byzantine bridges, Turkish baths and mosque. Yet, none of them is what made it famous. 

The highlight of Blagaj is its stunning Velagic House. This is a monastery carved on the rocky cliffs by Buna river back in 1520. The white walls of this national monument make a beautiful contrast with the greenish waters of the river. This creates a mesmerizing atmosphere not to be missed when visiting Bosnia Herzegovina. 

This monastery belongs to the Devish, a mystic branch of Sufi islam. However, there are no practicing dervishes in Bosnia nowadays. Thus, the place is now a museum showcasing how ancient Devish used to live. You’ll find the best viewpoint over the monastery right across the river and by the stonebridge. Admiring it from a boat trip is also a cool yet inexpensive alternative. If you’re brave enough, hike to the nearby Stjepan Grad Fortress for an aerial panoramic of the monastery. Certainly one of those things to see in Bosnia one will never forget. 

4. Relax in Banja Luka, Bosnia’s second city

Another stunning yet lesser known city among the places to visit in Bosnia is Banja Luka. It’s the country’s second biggest city and many call it the green city as it’s home to many parks. Banja Luka is a great place to slow down, enjoy the country’s coffee culture and admire some beautiful architecture. 

Banja Luka’s highlights include the Ferhat-Pasha Mosque, the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the modern Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure, and Kastel Fortress. Additionally, here you’ll find well-preserved Austrohungarian houses, museums, galleries, and plenty of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Spending some down time in Banja Luka is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina.

5. Explore Tito’s bunker in Konjic

Visiting Konjic is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina if you enjoy military stuff. This town, halfway between Sarajevo and Mostar, is the chosen location to host a very special military item. It hosted the bunker of Josip Titol, Yugoslavia’s ruler. Fearing a nuclear attack, Tito order the construction of an underground building where to survive the aftermath. The construction took over a decade and includes a horseshoe-shaped structure divided into 12 interconnected block designed to host over 350 people. One can now visit the bunker on any given day from 9.30am to 4pm. 

Besides its military history, Konjic also offers interesting architecture. That’s because this ancient town is one of the oldest settlements in the country. Here you’ll find wooden cobbled streets, an old Ottoman quarter, a beautiful bridge, a vibrant farmers market, and lots of cafes with wonderful views over the Neretva River.

6. Go to the beach in Neum

Exploring Neum is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina if you are a beach lover. This is the place to make the most of the country’s 20 km-long shore. Yes, Bosnia has quite a unique shape and so does Croatia. This makes border crossing quite complicated yet allows sea access to Bosnia through Neum, its only coastal town. 

Visit Neum for inexpensive seaside resorts, day trips to neighboring Croatian towns, and almost empty beaches. This town is becoming way more popular among holidaymakers. Don’t miss out and make sure to add Neum to your Bosnia itinerary.

7. Find the waterfall in Jajce town

Jajce is a picturesque town in central Bosnia, 150km from Sarajevo. It’s known for hosting one of the coolest Bosnia attractions in the middle of its old town: the Pliva Waterfall. 

Rivers Pliva and Vrbas converge at Jajce and create a 17-meter-high watefall. This mix of turquoise waters is best enjoyed in any of the nearby viewpoints. Get ready to get soaked, protect your camera, and unwind in this beautiful urban natural wonder.  

Apart from its waterfall, Jajce is well worth a visit thanks to its 14th century walls, citadel, catacombs, old wooden watermills, temples, and museums. In particular its AVNOJ gallery, which showcases Yugoslav’s resistance during World War II. Additionally, the town is a great departing spot for treks to Pliva lake and the nearby mountains. These are a great spot for hiking, swimming, fishing, and spending some fun times in the woods.

8. Admire the Ottoman bridge in Visegrad

Visegrad is home to one of the longest Ottoman bridges still standing, the 16th century Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic Bridge, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site on its own. 

The medieval town of Visegrad, located by Drina river in easter Bosnia, close to the border with Serbia, is also home to interesting mosques, hammams, and nice Ottoman facades. Jumping on a river cruise to admire these is one of the cool things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. 

Visegrad is also famous for being the set up of the novel The Bridge on the Drina, written in 1061 by Ivo Andric, a Yugoslav novelist and Nobel Prize winner. To honor same, the town is now home to an artificial town dedicated to the novel and its author.

9. Take a day trip to Fojnica

Fojnica is a great option for those looking to get an insight into Bosnia’s towns but are short on time. This town of stands only an hour away from Sarajevo. Thus, taking a day trip to Fojnica is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. 

What makes Fojnica worth a visit is the combination of its fairytale laydown with its interesting mix of cultures. Both muslim and Christians have shared this town for long and made it their own. Here you’ll find an Ottoman Bridge, a lovely riverside promenade, a mosque from 1575 and the Holy Spirit Franciscan Monastery.

10. Visit the historical village of Pocitelj

Pocitelj is a historical village in southern Bosnia, 30km from Mostar. It makes it to the list of top Bosnia and Herzegovina attractions thanks to its wonderful medieval and Ottoman heritage. Plus, the place has applied to become as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and may well be included soon. 

This walled medieval town lies on a hill overlooking Neretva river. The place is home to many wooden homes, some mosques, churches, bridges, an impressive fortress, and a cute clock tower. Time seems to have stopped here. Moreover, walking around Pocitelj’s winding narrow streets and exploring its market stalls will make you feel in an open-air museum. Make sure to stop by if you are in the area.

11. Visit Lukomir, a remote mountain village

Lukomir is one of the most remote mountain villages one can visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A place where time seems to have stopped for good in the 1950s. Its inhabitants are semi-nomadic and spend the winter months in lower lands. They then come up to this 1500-meter-high-village in the summers. When here, they looks after their sheep herds and take care of their fields. Indeed, the palace is so remote that during the war the Serbs deemed it of no strategic value and spared it from destruction. 

Most get to Lukomir on an organized tour. These showcase the nearby cemetery, a short walk along nearby Rakitnica Canyon, Europe’s second-deepest canyon, and a meal in a local restaurant. It’s also possible to spend the night in a basic homestay. Thus, if you are looking for the ultimate off the beaten path experience in Bosnia, plan a visit to Lukomir.

12. Discover Trebinje, Bosnia’s southernmost city

Trebinje is the southernmost city in Bosnia, standing at only 30km from Dubrovnik and 20km from the border with Montenegro. Despite not being by the sea, Trebinje’s Mediterranean vibe is undeniable. This makes epxloring this border city one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. 

In the city’s historical centre you’ll find 18th-century Ottoman manors, the long-arched-bridge of Arslanagic, the ruins of Klobuk fortress, and a beautiful Serbian Orthodox cathedral. There’s also many mosques and churches to explore, along with a cool riverside promenade. A mix that is best enjoyed in one of the many local cafes settled in its maze of winding streets. 

This laid back city of 30,000 inhabitants is also the perfect base to visit Nova Gracanica monastery. Although it’s a copy of the one in Kosovo, it and offers great views over the nearby landscapes.

13. Enjoy the unique sights of Travnik

Travnik is a town in central Bosnia that makes a perfect base to explore Vlasik Mountain. This is one of the highest peaks and most celebrated skiing resorts in the country. Thus, for mountain lovers a visit to this historical town is among the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. 

The town originated in the early centuries AD and reached its nicest times between the 17th and the 19th centuries. Here you’ll come across wonderful Ottoman architecture, an impressive fortress, a colourful mosque an two clock towers. The latter are very unique sights and reason enough to justify your detour win a road trip across Bosnia Herzegovina. Rumor has it the city also serves the best cevapcici in the country.

14. Discover the roman fortress in Stolac

Stolac lies in southern Bosnia, on the way from Mostar to the borders with Montenegro and Croatia. Many consider it the most beautiful town in the country, so visiting Stolac is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. 

The town’s highlights are its remnants of a Roman fortress from the 3rd century, the tombs at Radimlja necropolis, wooden watermills, a stone-bridge, mosques, and lovely Ottoman houses. A few kilometres away from Stolac stands Badanj Cave, famous for its paleolithic rock paintings that also delight visitors. 

15. Sample Bosnia’s delicious cuisine

Last but not least, sampling as much as you can from the local cuisine is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. Burek, cevapcici, baklava, dolma, fresh salads, bean stews, cheese, wine, rakija, coffee.. The list of the best dishes to try in Bosnia could be endless. So I really hope you are planning a few days in the county as you’ll need plenty of meals to properly tackle it. 

As in neighboring countries, the mediterranean and Ottoman influences are very present in local gastronomy. Thus, the most common dishes are made of grilled meat and seasonal vegetables while desserts tend to be very sugary. Fellow foodies, you’ll find my best tips regarding food in the balkans on these posts on where to eat in Montenegro, a Kosovo Food Guide, and city guides of Sarajevo and Mostar.

Best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina outdoors

16. Swim at the Kravice Waterfalls

Kravice Waterfalls are the natural wonder to visit in Bosnia Herzegovina. Consequently, anyone looking for stunning outdoors should have them among the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. You’ll find these waterfalls in southern Bosnia, 175km from Sarajevo, 50km from Mostar, and just 15km from the Croatian border.

Kravice Waterfalls are a row of over dozen waterfalls falling for about 25 meters from Trebizat river into stunning deep emerald pools. These are considered the nicest waterfalls in the country and perform a natural spectacle well worth the visit, especially from the surrounding walking trails. 

In addition to admiring the falls from afar, visitors can swim at the rock carved pools and take a boat ride along the lake. The area also makes a great sunbathing and picnic spot, and there’s even some campsites, washrooms, and restaurants around. 

Bad news are the place is quite famous so it gets easily packed. There’s an entrance fee of $8 between 7am and 10pm from May to October. Nevertheless, spending a sunny summer day in the area is a blessing.

17. Admire Tara Canyon

Tara Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a stunning natural gorge over river Tara. And one of the best places to visit in Bosnia Herzegovina. As River Tara is the natural border between Bosnia and Montenegro, exploring this beautiful area is also one of the best things to do in Montenegro. 

The gorge in Tara Canyon is the deepest in Europe, which gives it the nickname of “Tear of Europe”. With its 1,300-meter-depth it’s also the world’s second deepest, behind the Grand Canyon in Colorado which reaches 1,500 metres. 

Come to Tara Canyon for a quick photo stop, a full day of hiking, a rafting adventure, or anything in between. If you enjoy stunning views and spending time in nature, visiting Tara Canyon is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina. You’ll love its cliffs, azure waters, and waterfalls.

18. Swim at Una National Park

Una National Park stands in northeastern Bosnia, about 150km away from Banja Luka and close to the Border with Croatia. It became a National Park in 2008, which makes it the youngest and largest of its kind in the country. Una’s purpose is to protect Krka, Unac and Upper Una rivers along with their unique flora, fauna, one of the most biodiverse in the Balkans. The place is perfect for picnics, bird watching, and fishing as well. 

Within the park you’ll find waterfalls such as Strbacki buk, which is a 25-metre terraced waterfall of crystal clear waters. It’s surrounded by viewing platforms and it’s possible to swim in the rock carved pools created by the falling waters. The are also hosts a large network of hiking trails, clear rivers, streams, and ancient green forests.

Additionally, there’s some interesting archaeological sites around such as the Sultan Ahmed I Mosque, the Serbian-Orthodox Rmanj Monastery, and the soaring Ostrovica Fortress. Therefore, visiting Una National Park is one of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina from both a cultural and a natural perspective.

19. Hike at Sutjeska National Park

Sutjeska is Europe’s last primeval forest, meaning it hosts a landscape you won’t find anywhere else in the continent. The place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country’s oldest National Park, dating back to 1962. Therefore, any nature lover should include a visit to Sutjeska National Park among their top things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina.

It’s located in southern Bosnia, close to Montenegro, and about 100 km from Sarajevo. It aims to protect its endemic flora and fauna. This includes wild bears and wolves. The National Park offers endless hiking trails, lakes perfect for swimming and fishing, and fresh rivers where to practice your rafting skills or jump on a boat tour. Bosnia’s highest peak, Maglić, standing at 2,386 meters, is also in the area. 

20. Go skiing in Jahorina

Did you know that Bosnia has some appealing and affordable ski resorts? At the end of the day, the country hosted the winter olympic games back in 1984! Yes, skiing is not something one can only do in central Europe, countries like Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan also have lovely skiing facilities and so does Bosnia Herzegovina. 

If you visit Bosnia in winter and enjoy the sloped, head to Jahorina. Around this mountain in the Dinaric Alps you’ll find over 10 lifts serving more than 30km of alpine runs. Perfect to delight skiers, snowboarders and alpine skiers alike.

Recap on the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina

Bosnia Herzegovina is a very special place to visit as it combines all types of tourist attractions one might be looking after. If you love exploring cities, you’ll love Sarajevo and Mostar and in these you’ll find interesting architecture, ancient sights, museums, and delicious restaurants. Yet, if you prefer the countryside, places as Blagaj and Konjic will be your favourite, as these offer true insights to the country’s real life.

Alternatively, those who love nature will have a blast at the Kravice Waterfalls and Tara Canyon, among other. Finally, summer holidaymakers should visit the beaches in Neum while winter explorers will can’t miss a skiing day in Jahorina. Therefore, regardless of you travel style and the duration of your trips, Bosnia and Herzegovina has plenty of interesting attractions you’ll love visiting. Book those flights or rental car and get ready to enjoy each and everyone of the best things to do in Bosnia Herzegovina.