9 Day Bosnia and Herzegovina Itinerary
Bosnia and Herzegovina was an underdog travel destination for me. I never expected to love it as much as I did. With a week plus two weekends, nine days, you can see a lot of this country via this itinerary.
You’ll get to not only see some of the major highlights, but smaller, enchanting places in between. On this road trip itinerary through Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ll discover a mixture of gorgeous small towns and the vibrant capital, good food, recent and ancient history, and natural wonders.
You’ll see the iconic Mostar bridge and the unforgettable waterfalls of Una National Park. Walk in the historic footsteps of the Bosnia war in Sarajevo for an important history lesson and see the Ottoman castle outside Blagaj after visiting the fairy-tale surroundings of the Dervish monastery.
I hope you’ll enjoy Bosnia and Herzegovina as much as I did. It’s a country that has a well developed tourist trail yet still remains, in my opinion, a hidden gem on the scale of global tourism.
Consider visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a larger Balkans trip or travel here just to enjoy a wonderful time filled with new memories in a country that far too many people overlook.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive to Mostar
Whether you’ve taken a cross-Atlantlic flight, traveled here from another international destination, or just driven across the border from neighboring Croatia, for instance, Mostar is good first stop.
If you’re flying in, you’re likely landing at Sarajevo. I recommend renting a car and driving to Mostar. It’s an extraordinarily scenic drive.
On the way to Mostar, you can drop by Konjic. It’s a pretty town and you can wander around for an hour or so, just enough time to take in the views and grab a bite to eat.
I’m assuming you’ll arrive in Mostar sometime in the afternoon. This is just enough time to check into your hotel and get your first view of gorgeous Stari Most, Mostar’s old bridge. You might also have time to wander a little ways through Old Town and visit the Old Bazaar to get acquainted with the town.
You might as well plan on having dinner with a view at one of the restaurants in our Mostar Guide, such as Terrace Lagero or Urban Grill and Gourmet before settling into your hotel for the night.
Day 2
Mostar
Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing with your Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary. I suggest starting your day with your own walking tour (or join one if you prefer). Visit Kivra Cuprija to see an area of Mostar that is perhaps even more fairy tale-esque than the old bridge. Then if you’re feeling adventurous and in for a longer walk, see Park Zrinjevac where you can visit the unique and unexpected Bruce Lee monument.
Afterward check out the graffiti-covered Old Sniper Tower/Bank Building before taking a picture of the Mostar Gymnasium. Then you can visit a couple of the old House Museums and Mosques on my Mostar list as you make your way back toward Old Town.
Sometime around here you might stop for lunch before visiting the Museum of War and Genocide Victims. For a unique view of the Old Bridge ,you might also visit the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. I didn’t visit it while there, but I’ve heard the views are great from the minaret. Continue past the Old Bazaar all the way to Lucki Most where you can see yet another gorgeous view of the Old Bridge.
Following this, if you’re brave, zipline across the river. And if you choose the less-adrenaline-filled route, walk over to the beach below Stari Most. Take a refreshing dip or even a boat ride before finally heading off to dinner.
It sounds like a lot, but Mostar is a compact enough town to enjoy in a single day.
Day 3
Mostar Surroundings
Today, we’re going to take a short trip to the surrounding area on your Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary. We’ll visit Blagaj, Počitelj, and Kravica. You can visit my more extensive guide to the region here.
First thing in the morning, visit Blagaj. Enter the Blagaj Monastery, or the Dervish Monastery. You probably won’t need more than thirty minutes to see it from the inside before you’ll want to cross the river to snag a beautiful view of it. Maybe even take a break to grab a snack or drink at one of the restaurants along the river.
After the monastery, take a short drive up the mountain behind Blagaj to visit the Blagaj Fortress, some fairly restored castle ruins with a tremendous view.
Afterward, make your way to the medieval town of Počitelj. Take a walk around the cobblestone streets, soaking in the atmosphere and visiting both sides of town for different, cool views of this unforgettable small town. This might also be a good place for lunch before our next step.
Kravica Falls is a great way to end the day. Depending on when you’re here, not only will you get some great views of a waterfall oasis in the middle of this seemingly dry area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but you can spend a couple hours swimming and relaxing in the water as well.
Head back to Mostar for the evening to enjoy a final dinner and maybe make a final pass through the Bazaar to pick up some souvenirs.
Day 4
Una National Park
Get up bright and early to visit Una National Park. Check out my guide here for the full experience. In short, you’ll take in some fantastic views while having a chance to visit several gorgeous waterfalls. You’ll see a lonely castle in the middle of the park, a monastery, a laundry machine that’s allegedly been in use for hundreds of years, and more little gems throughout this wonderful national park.
Drive from the Una National Park viewpoint to the first Small Waterfalls at Martin Brod before continuing a walk toward the Great Una Waterfalls. Follow this up with a short walk to the Eco Laundry before jumping back into the car. You can take a short visit to the Monastery and a walk through the Unac Tunnel.
Ostravica Castle can be visited after a short hike up on the hill (which will require a somewhat dicey drive to get to) or just view it from town below.
The crowning glory of the day will be the Štrbački buk waterfall. This is a perfect end to exploring the park. You can grab a snack, swim or just relax nearby. But you’ll want to spend at least half an hour or more exploring the boardwalks around the falls.
End your day in Račić with a stay at Japodski Otoci or make your way all the way to Bihać to experience another scenic town for the evening.
Day 5
Jajce
No need to get up super early today on Day 5 of our Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary. Take a leisurely drive to Park Plivsko. You’ll have fun exploring the grounds and enjoying the lake, maybe even taking some time for a dip in the water. The most scenic part of the lake, however, are the water mills (Mlinčići).
When you finish up with the park, head into Jajce. You can check out my guide here. In short, this scenic town is known for the river and waterfall running through it. Start with a visit to Jajce Fortress and wind your way down to see the Clock Tower, Catacombs, and Temple of Mithra.
Go visit the waterfalls, both at a distance and up close and personal. Zipline across the river for the best view of the falls!
Then settle in for a dinner in Old Town for a relaxing evening.
Day 6
Travnik and Sarajevo
Today, we have a relatively easy drive to Sarajevo which is broken up with a trip to Travnik for our Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary. You’ll enjoy the Ive Andrica house museum and the Zavičajni Museum if you feel you have time. The most impressive sights you’ll see are the Ornamental Mosque and the impressive Travnik Castle, both photogenic and unique sights in this otherwise sleepy city. Check out Plava Voda if you’re interested in some other touristy places in town and check out my guide here to flesh out your short jaunt through Travnik.
Once you’ve had your fill of Travnik, head to Sarajevo in time to check into your hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in my Sarajevo Guide. I returned my car at the airport on this day and took a taxi to my hotel, since it’s not necessary to have a car in Sarajevo. I took a taxi when necessary, but you could always hold onto your car for the next two days if you want.
Consider just spending a couple hours wandering the bazaar, Old Town, and see the Sarajevo Meeting Point of Cultures.
Day 7
Sarajevo
Start the day off in the morning with a walking tour. This will be a crucial way to get a taste for history of the region and get context for places like the infamous Latin bridge next to where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated and the Sarajevo City Hall. Learn about Sarajevo Roses and visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
After this tour, it’ll be time for lunch at one of the restaurants from my guide.
Continue your exploration of Old Town by visiting the eternal flame at Vječna vatra war memorial and spend an hour in the Gallery of 11/07/95. You can learn more about the Bosnian war at the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide if you want to learn more about the gut-wrenchign events during that tumultuous period of recent history. Or continue on to the Gazi Huzrev-beg Mosque and see the unique Clock Tower.
Visit the 18th Century fountain and the shops around Baščaršija. There are other mosques, parks, and even the Sarajevo Brewery you can visit if you’ve got time before heading to dinner.
Day 8
Sarajevo
Today, we’ll continue our Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary, exploring Sarajevo by hitting up some sights around the city’s outskirts. Consider first taking a cable car up Trebević. Enjoy some great views of the city before taking a hike along (and on) the abandoned bobsled track from the 1984 Olympics. Admire the graffiti artwork, and when you’re ready, head back down the mountain.
Take a ride over to the Sarajevo Tunnel museum. You’ll get a glimpse of what life was like during the Siege of Sarajevo. This museum offers some good historical context without some of the gut-wrenching imagery present in the other museums on the Bosnian war. If you only do one war-related museum, this is one of the most accessible.
On your way back into Old Town, visit the Avaz Twist Tower for its intriguing architecture and more solid views of the city. If you’ve got time, there are other history and art museums to see nearby. Or you can walk along the river back to do some last-minute shopping before dinner, soaking up the Sarajevo atmosphere. Consider a final drink and dessert at the Viennese Cafe for some old-school vibes.
Day 9
Depart Sarajevo
After a whirlwind visit to this dynamic country, either fly or drive your way out to your next destination. Your 9 day Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary is complete. But if you’ve got more time you want to spend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, consider some of the options I’ve put on my bucket list below.
With More Time
Una National Park
You’ve already banked one night and one day visiting the park. Why not another? If you’re interested in fly fishing, white water rafting, biking, or some extended hikes, you can find excursions and trips to satiate your adventure needs.
Sutjeska National Park
If you haven’t had enough of the waterfalls and mountains, you could take a day trip or an overnight trip to this renowned park. Sutjeska is definitely on my list next time I visit the country.
Banja Luka
Squeeze Banja Luka into your road trip itinerary between Una National Park and Jajce. The city is well-known for access to outdoor activities outside of it and there are a good number of architectural and cultural sites inside the city. You could spend two nights here to get a good taste.
Tuzla
Visit another town with Soviet vibes mixed with an Austro-Hungarian past. Mosques and museums make for good visits within the city, and the major manmade lakes make for some good leisure time.
Final Tips
- I recommend renting a car to visit the country. The roads are pretty easy to navigate, but do be aware that there can be some rather aggressive drivers out there. I witnessed some very close calls when cars chose to make some precarious overtakings on some curvy mountain highways.
- There’s so much more to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina that I didn’t discuss here, from scenic hikes and white water rafting to ski slopes. Consider looking into these activities if you’re into them, since I think you’ll find most outdoor activities here are both affordable and accessible compared to Western Europe or US prices.
- Take your time. I see lots of the places I mentioned above offered as daytrips. If you’re absolutely short on time, it’s a good way to see some highlights. But places like Jajce and Mostar are enchanting during the day–and at night, when all the daytrippers leave, they’re even more atmospheric.