Are you thinking about visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina but not sure which places are worth seeing?
Bosnia is right in the middle of the Balkans and really is the place where East meets West. You’ll find Mosques alongside Orthodox and Catholic churches, Ottoman architecture, delicious coffee and some of the friendliest, most welcoming people you’ll ever meet.
But it’s also a country with a sad history, with the events of the Bosnian War in the 1990s still fresh in the minds of many locals, and obvious as you walk the streets of the main cities.
We recently spent a month on a Bosnia Road trip in our campervan. We’ve put together our Top 10 must-see spots — from the lively capital Sarajevo to ancient towns, stunning waterfalls, and remote mountain villages. We’ll even share one popular town that, for us, didn’t quite live up to the hype.
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Our Top 10 Favourite places to visit in Bosnia
1. Sarajevo
Bosnia’s capital is lively and fun. There is so much to see and do here, it’s one of our favourite cities in Europe. We first visited Sarajevo in 2018, just for 2 nights, and couldn’t wait to come back. This time we spent almost a week here!
Highlights in Sarajevo
Baščarčija – The Old Bazaar of Sarajevo and the centre of town in the Ottoman period (1463-1878). Here you’ll find the narrow streets of the bazaar, the Gazi-Husrev Bey Mosque and the Sebilj fountain.
Latin Bridge – right next to the bridge is where the shots were fired that killed the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand (and his wife). This was the spark that started WW1. There’s a small museum on this spot showcasing the time when Sarajevo was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1878 – 1918)
East Meets West marker – from this point on Ferhardija (the main pedestrian street), you can look in one direction with all older Ottoman buildings, and look the other direction and the architecture is distinctly Austro-Hungarian (baroque).
Sacred Heart Cathedral – built in the 1880s this Catholic Cathedral is sometimes seen as the symbol of Sarajevo. Pope John Paul II visited here in 1997 and there is a statue of him outside.
Bosnian War Museums – there are several very good museums detailing the events of the Bosnian War. Check out the 11/7/95 Gallery, the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, the War Childhood Museum and just outside the city the Tunnel of Hope museum.
Cablecar to Trebevic Mountain – for the best views of the city, take the cablecar up to Trebevic Mountain and from there you can walk along the abandoned Bob Sled track from the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
2. Mostar
We love Mostar — and it’s easy to see why. From its bustling bazaar and Ottoman houses to its riverside cafés and warm, friendly locals, this city captures your heart the moment you arrive.
But it also has a dark history. During the Bosnian War, the city endured heavy fighting and sniper attacks, and even today the scars of conflict remain. You’ll see bombed out buildings, bullet holes and several museums about the war.
Top things to see in Mostar
Stari Most (Old Bridge) – The symbol of Mostar. The bridge across the Neretva River was built in 1566 and then destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian War. However the bridge was rebuilt and now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience.
Bridge Jumpers – if you’re visiting in summer, don’t miss the daredevils jumping from the bridge – but be warned! Over two days we only saw tourists jumping from the bridge. In order to do so, you pay €50 to be “trained” to jump safely – the 24m jump can be very dangerous. It’s such a thrill to watch.
On either side of the Bridge, is the Old Bazaar (Kujundziluk). Along these cobbled streets are craft shops and traditional restaurants dating back over 500 years. Nowadays there are souvenir stands mixed in with the traditional stores.
Some say the Crooked Bridge was a practice run for the main bridge. This bridge collapsed in 1999 during winter floods, but mainly because of damage sustained during the war. It was rebuilt in 2002.
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque – this is one of many mosques in the city centre, but what is cool about this one is that you can climb the Minaret for arguably the best views in Mostar. Unlike most mosques in Bosnia, the dress code here is very relaxed – Nigel was fine to go in with shorts, and Sue didn’t need to cover her head.
Sniper Tower – just outside the old town is the former Ljubljanska Bank building – once the tallest building in Mostar. During the war this building was bombed out and overtaken by snipers. It’s now in ruins and covered in graffiti.
See all our favourite things to do in Mostar!
3. Blagaj
Blagaj is one of the most beautiful (and most visited) places in Bosnia. Just outside of Mostar, this small village is best known for it’s 600yo Dervish Monastery or “Tekija”, built right into the side of the cliff where the Buna River springs out.
You can visit the Dervish house, entry is 10 Marks per person. It is open from 830am to 830pm daily. You will need to be dressed appropriately for a Muslim place of worship (shoulders and legs covered and women must cover their heads). Scarves and wraparound skirts are available to borrow at the entrance.
TIP: Arrive early – the monastery and viewing area get very crowded. We stayed in our campervan in a carpark near the mosque (7 Marks for the day) and walked to the viewing area just after sunrise. It was beautiful!
Blagaj Fortress
But Blagaj is more than just the Monastery. You can also hike up to the fortress above the town.
The fortress at Blagaj is built on ruins dating back to pre-history and roman times but what we see now dates from the medieval period with additions by the Ottomans in the 15th century. The ruins and the view at the top are spectacular.
4. Travnik
Travnik was once the capital of Bosnia and the old Travnik Fortress still towers above the town. The fortress was built in the 14th century by the Bosnian Kings (pre Ottomans). The Ottomans expanded the fortress complex and added a mosque.
The Travnik fortress is considered one of the best preserved medieval castles in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can walk up to the fortress for breath-taking views over the town and surrounding hills. Entry to the fortress complex is 4 Marks.
You’ll find an excellent ethnographic museum within the fortress. It has a good collection of artefacts, costumes and photographs.
Below, you’ll find the clear blue Plava Voda spring, lined with cafes and souvenir stalls. We had lunch at one of these restaurants which was OK, but nothing special.
There are several notable mosques in the town, the Varoška Mosque which is notable for its red and cream outside – looking very Moorish.
In the centre of town is the Ornamental Mosque – built in 1757 its known for its colourful ceilings and its Bezistan, or covered market underneath. There’s also a lovely coffee house under this mosque, where we sat in couches to enjoy an afternoon coffee and baklava.
5. Jajce
Jajce is probably best known for the 22m waterfall that flows right in the middle of the town. The view of the waterfall, old town and hilltop fortress is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen, but you will need a drone to see all this.
There are several free viewing platforms at the top of the waterfall. When we visited in August 2025 they were quite crowded and a little overgrown with trees and bushes. It was hard to get an unobstructed view.
There is a huge viewing platform at the bottom of the falls but you need to pay 10 marks to get into this section. We thought that was a little steep just to see a waterfall!
Other sights in Jajce include:
Jajce Fortress – the Jajce Castle was built by the Hrvatinic family in the 14th century. You can climb to the top of the hill and go into the fortress complex for 5 Marks. From the top of the walls you have beautiful views across the town and the surrounding hills and lakes.
Catacomb Church – is an underground church that dates back to the 14th century. There’s not much to see here, no decorations or artworks, so it’s really just like walking through an uneven tunnel! Entry to the Catacomb Church is 5 Marks.
St Mary’s Church – was initially built in the 12th century, and rebuilt in the 14th when it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After the Ottoman conquest the church was converted to a Mosque in 1528. The Mosque burnt down in the 19th century, and all that was left is the walls we see today.
St Luke’s Bell Tower is attached to St Mary’s Church. It once housed the holy relics of Luke the Evangelist.
Pliva Lakes and Mlincici (Watermills) – just a short drive outside of Jajce you’ll come to the Pliva Lakes. There are several walking paths around the lakes, and a small beach where you can swim. The biggest attraction at the lakes is the historic watermills, small wooden houses called Mlincici.
Check out our One Day Jajce Itinerary.
6. Stolac
Stolac is a hidden gem full of charm. The town is located in the Herzegovina region of the country. The Bregeva River flows past old stone watermills, ottoman era bridges and a surprise waterfall. We loved our early morning visit to the fortress and the beautiful encounters we had with the locals.
The Stolac Fortress (Stari Grad) sits atop a hill overlooking the town. Interestingly, on the walk up are the first 6 Stations of the Cross, but we never found the last 6! The fortress complex is free to enter and wander around. There is not really any information apart from a map board. Entry to the Fortress is free and it is always open.
There are several Ottoman era bridges in the town, and the view from the bridge over the beautiful Cuprijska Mosque with the fortress in the background is a photographer’s delight.
We walked further upstream to the old watermill by the Provalije Waterfall and had a traditional Bosnian Coffee at the Stolac Mlinica Old Mill Cafe. We hear the food here is really good too.
7. Pocitelj
Wandering the narrow lanes of Počitelj is like stepping into a story book with stone houses, mosques, and the old fortress perched on the hillside above the Neretva River.
Počitelj dates back to the 14th century when it was built as a strategic centre on the Neretva River. Over the centuries, the town fell under the rule of the Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians. It was damaged during the Bosnian War in the 1990s and in 1996 was listed as one of the World’s most endangered historic sites.
Apparently there are five families who still live here full time, and many of the other houses are owned by people from Mostar or Sarajevo who come here on weekends.
What to see in Počitelj
Počitelj Fortress – atop the hill you’ll find the fortress walls and watch towers. Recently, viewing platforms have been built at two strategic points. Only one was open when we visited. We did feel the metal structure was a bit of an eyesore, but the views from the top were worth it!
Osmanski Fort – you can go into this tower and climb to the top for the best views of Počitelj. The climb is not for the faint-hearted, the steps are steep, narrow and crumbling, and there is no hand-rail. But it is well worth it.
Šišman Ibrahim Pasha Mosque – The mosque was built in 1563 and is notable for its single dome and narrow minaret. It was damaged in the war and has been rebuilt. Entry to the mosque is 3 Marks. There are robes available if you aren’t suitably dressed to enter a mosque.
8. Lukomir
Lukomir is apparently the most remote village in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can drive here, but we chose to hike in. The hike is 12km out and back from Umoljani. You’ll have spectacular views over the Rakitnica Canyon along the way.
The traditional stone houses in Lukomir are beautiful, though we must admit we were a little disappointed to find it more touristy than we expected. There are lots of old women selling hand-knitted socks and beanies, and our coffee was one of the most expensive we had in the entire country.
However, if you’re a hiker, this is a beautiful hike, there’s not too much up or down steep hills (unlike most hikes in this part of the world) and we enjoyed our encounters with shepherds along the way.
9. Trebinje
We’d heard Trebinje called the most beautiful town in Bosnia, so perhaps we arrived with overly high expectations. We wandered through the old town, strolled out to the Arslanagić Bridge, and enjoyed a glass of wine at a local bar.
To be honest, we didn’t really fall for Trebinje — we just didn’t feel the vibe. But just outside town, the Tvrdos Monastery completely won us over, even with the clanging of construction work in the background.
The Tvrdos Monastery was built in the 16th century, over an old 4th century Roman Church. There are parts of the monastery with glass floors, so you can see the old foundations. The frescoes inside here are spectacular.
It was at this Monastery that St Basil took his vows, before going on to found the cliffside Ostrog Monastery (in modern day Montenegro).The monastery is well known for its wine-making, particularly Vranac and Zilavka.
10. Sutjeska National Park
We drove up into the mountains to Sutjeska National Park where we had hoped to do some hiking. Our research showed that we would need a local guide … but there was a distinct lack of information here.
Instead we just visited the Battle of Sutjeska Memorial which is well worth a visit.
The Battle of Sutjeska was fought in 1943. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Yugoslav Partisans, led by Tito, managed to break through Axis forces. The battle is remembered for it’s heroism and heavy losses
Throughout Yugoslavia, many WW2 monuments, called Spomenik were erected to honour the Partisan warriors. This one was built in the 1970s by Miodrag Živković.
You’ll also find a Memorial Gallery nearby, with the names of over 7,000 soldiers who fell at this battle. There are also some quite graphic frescoes painted here – its really very interesting to visit.
We had a lovely encounter with the gentleman selling tickets to the memorial (5 Marks, combined entry with the museum). He didn’t speak a word of English, but pointed out several things on the frescoes, and had the troop numbers written on a piece of paper that he showed us.
Just next door is the Museum which is only small (one room) but has an extensive collection of Nazi artefacts.
Bosnia Travel Guide – Essential Information
How to get to Bosnia and Herzegovina
By Air
There are four international airports in Bosnia. The main airport is just to the west of Sarajevo. You can take a bus or taxi to the centre of town, but be aware, the Sarajevo Taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging!
By Car
Bosnia is bordered by Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and there are both motorway and smaller border crossings with each country. If you’re planning to drive around Bosnia, download our FREE Bosnia Road Trip Planning Checklist.
By Bus
There are currently no international trains arriving in Bosnia & Hercegovina. You can, however, take a bus from Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Belgrade or Kotor into Bosnia. Check out Omio for timetables and to book tickets.
Where to stay in Bosnia & Herzegovina
As we are travelling with our campervan, we stayed at a variety of campsites and wild camps throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. We find most of our places to stay on the Park4Night app, but often we just use Google Earth.
Probably our favourite campsite in the country was in Jajce, it was a grassy spot right by the river with a supermarket across the road and a short walk to the town centre. All of this for just 30 Marks (15 Euros).
If you’ve hired a car for your Bosnia Road trip, you’ll find a variety of family run guesthouses and smaller hotels throughout the country too. We recommend booking.com for finding the best rates on accommodation in Bosnia.
When my son came to visit us in Sarajevo I found him a small apartment hotel (the Urban Skyline Apartment) in the city even though it was peak season and during the Sarajevo Film Festival.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the centre of the Balkan Peninsula and the country is quite mountainous. Snow is common in winter, even in the capital Sarajevo.
Summers can be very hot, especially in the Herzegovina region. We timed our visit to Mostar to dodge a 40 degree heatwave, but it was still over 30 degrees every day we were there (almost makes jumping into the Neretva River tempting!)
Like many places in Europe, Spring and Autumn can be the best time to visit, if you are lucky to miss the rain, the temperatures can still be mild or even warm, and there are many less tourists than in the summer months of July and August.
How long do you need for Bosnia?
If you’re wondering how many days you should spend in Bosnia, that will depend on how much time you have and what your interests are. We spent three weeks driving around the country and we didn’t even see the north!
We visited Bosnia in 2018 (with a rental car) and spent two nights in Mostar and two nights in Sarajevo. While we were happy with the one full day in Mostar, we really didn’t feel that one day was enough in Sarajevo. We were so glad we had more time on this visit.
We think if you have plenty of time, and want to do a road trip around Bosnia that will give you a really good feel for the country, then two weeks would be great. If you only have one week, you could see Sarajevo, Mostar and then one of the smaller towns like Stolac or Pocitelj.
Is it safe to travel in Bosnia & Herzegovina?
The Dayton Accords, which officially ended the Bosnian War in 1995, established a new presidency, whereby there are THREE presidents, elected for 4 years, and having a rotating presidency of 8 months each. There is one president for each of the ethnic groups (Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs).
As you can imagine, this doesn’t exactly lead to political stability. In 2025 the Serb president (also leader of the semi-autonomous Republika Srpska) was stripped of his presidency but refused to leave office.
We try to stay out of politics, and we are happy to report that we experienced absolutely NO unrest or demonstations during the 6 weeks we were in Bosnia and Hercegovina (August – September 2025).
On the contrary, Bosnia felt extremely safe to us. Sue spent three weeks in the country herself (in Sarajevo) and never felt unsafe exploring the city.
The main concerns we had in Bosnia were the presence of landmines – apparently there is still a lot of unexploded ordnance around the country and we saw several signs to that effect when we were in rural areas.
If you’re hiking, make sure to stay on marked trails!
Watch our Bosnia Travel Film
As we travel through Europe with our campervan, we are producing videos for our YouTube channel. Why not check out our entire Balkans Road Trip playlist?
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