Bosnia and Herzegovina · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina
These are the places worth your time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the bazaar, museums and cafés of Sarajevo to Mostar's Old Bridge, Jajce's waterfall, the Una river and the plane tree squares of Trebinje. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Sarajevo
Arts and Culture
- Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (Baščaršija)
The finest Ottoman mosque in the Balkans, at the heart of the old bazaar. - Latin Bridge (Obala Kulina bana)
The spot where the shot that started the First World War was fired. - Museum of Sarajevo 1878 to 1918 (Latin Bridge corner)
A small museum explaining the Austro-Hungarian era and the 1914 assassination. - Vijećnica City Hall (Obala Kulina bana)
The striking pseudo Moorish city hall, burned in the siege and beautifully restored. - War Childhood Museum (Logavina street)
Personal objects and stories from people who grew up during the siege. - Galerija 11/07/95 (Old town, near the cathedral)
A powerful memorial gallery about the Srebrenica genocide. - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Marijin Dvor)
Home of the precious Sarajevo Haggadah and fine archaeology collections. - Old Synagogue and Jewish Museum (Baščaršija)
Tells the story of the Sephardic Jews who settled in Sarajevo after 1492. - Sacred Heart Cathedral (Ferhadija)
The neo Gothic Catholic cathedral at the centre of the Austro-Hungarian quarter. - Old Orthodox Church (Mula Mustafe Bašeskije)
One of the oldest churches in the city, with a precious icon museum. - Svrzo House (Old town)
A preserved Ottoman family home showing how wealthy Sarajevans lived. - Despić House (Old town)
A merchant family home that hosted the city's first theatre performances.
Things to Do
- Sebilj fountain and Baščaršija square (Baščaršija)
The wooden fountain and pigeon filled square that symbolise old Sarajevo. - Tunnel of Hope (Butmir, near the airport)
The wartime tunnel under the airport that kept the besieged city supplied. - Trebević Cable Car (Bistrik)
A cable car ride from the old town to forest trails high above the city. - Yellow Fortress (Vratnik)
The classic sunset viewpoint over the minarets and red roofs of the old town. - Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures line (Ferhadija)
Stand on the line where Ottoman Sarajevo becomes Austro-Hungarian Sarajevo.
Shopping and Markets
- Kazandžiluk coppersmiths' street (Baščaršija)
Watch craftsmen hammer copper coffee sets and trays in tiny workshops. - Markale Market (Mula Mustafe Bašeskije)
The central open market for fruit, vegetables, cheese and local life. - Gazi Husrev-beg Bezistan (Baščaršija)
A covered Ottoman market hall full of small shops and stalls. - City Market Hall (Ferhadija area)
The Austro-Hungarian covered market for meat, cheese and kajmak.
Nature and Outdoors
- Olympic Bobsleigh Track (Trebević mountain)
The graffiti covered 1984 Olympic track, now a strange and photogenic forest walk. - Vrelo Bosne (Ilidža)
A leafy park at the source of the river Bosna, reached by horse carriage along an avenue. - Lukomir village (Bjelašnica mountain)
The highest village in the country, with stone houses above a deep canyon. - Jahorina Olympic Centre (Jahorina mountain)
Skiing in winter and hiking, biking and a summer bobsled in the warmer months. - Bjelašnica ski area (Bjelašnica mountain)
The 1984 Olympic men's ski mountain, with summer hiking and village walks.
Restaurants
- Ćevabdžinica Željo (Baščaršija)
A favourite for classic Sarajevo ćevapi in fresh somun bread. - Ćevabdžinica Hodžić (Baščaršija)
Another beloved old town grill for ćevapi with onions and kajmak. - Buregdžinica Bosna (Baščaršija)
Flaky burek and other pita pies baked under the sač, the way they should be. - Inat Kuća (Across from Vijećnica)
A restaurant in the house that was moved across the river out of spite, serving Bosnian classics. - Dveri (Baščaršija)
A cosy, rustic restaurant hidden in a courtyard, loved for home style Bosnian dishes. - Klopa (Baščaršija)
A modern take on Bosnian food with fresh flavours and a lively feel. - Restoran Kibe Mahala (Vratnik hills)
Hilltop dining with sweeping views over the city at dusk. - Restoran Park Prinčeva (Iza Hrida)
Terrace views over the whole valley, especially beautiful at night.
Cafés
- Kuća Sevdaha (Baščaršija)
Bosnian coffee and sweets in a museum of sevdah, the country's soulful folk music. - Ministry of Ćejf (Baščaršija)
Unhurried Bosnian coffee served in a copper džezva with a cube of Turkish delight. - Slastičarna Egipat (Ferhadija)
An old fashioned ice cream parlour with a loyal local following. - Slastičarna Ramis (Baščaršija)
Baklava, tufahija and other Bosnian sweets at a classic sweet shop. - Zlatna Ribica (Kaptol)
A quirky café bar crammed with antiques, clocks and curiosities.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sarajevska Pivara Brewery (Bistrik)
The historic brewery and its grand beer hall, a city institution since Ottoman days.
Events
- Sarajevo Film Festival (City centre)
The region's biggest film festival takes over the city every August. - Baščaršija Nights (Baščaršija)
A summer festival of open air concerts, theatre and performances in July. - Sarajevo Winter Festival (Around the city)
Concerts, theatre and art through the cold months.
Stays
- Hotel Europe (Baščaršija edge)
A historic grand hotel steps from the old bazaar. - Swissôtel Sarajevo (Marijin Dvor)
A modern high rise hotel with good tram links.
Places to Visit in Mostar
Things to Do
- Stari Most (Old town)
The rebuilt Ottoman Old Bridge, symbol of Mostar and of reconciliation. - Mostar Divers Club (Stari Most)
Watch members leap into the Neretva from the top of the bridge. - Crooked Bridge (Old town)
The little sister of the Old Bridge, over the Radobolja stream. - Bulevar and Šantićeva street walk (Former front line)
A walk along the old front line past war damaged buildings and street art. - Počitelj (Neretva valley)
A stone village and fortress tower climbing above the river.
Arts and Culture
- Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque (Old town)
Climb the minaret for the classic view of the Old Bridge. - Old Bridge Museum (Tara tower)
Tells the story of the bridge's building, destruction and rebuilding. - Museum of War and Genocide Victims (Old town)
A sobering account of the 1990s war in Mostar and beyond. - Partisan Memorial Cemetery (Bijeli Brijeg)
A haunting modernist memorial park by architect Bogdan Bogdanović. - Bišćević House (Old town)
A sixteenth century Ottoman house with a lovely river facing room. - Muslibegović House (Old town)
A preserved Ottoman residence that also takes guests. - Blagaj Tekke (Blagaj)
A dervish house under a cliff where the Buna river springs from a cave.
Shopping and Markets
- Kujundžiluk bazaar (Old town)
Cobbled bazaar of copperwork, craft and souvenir shops.
Restaurants
- Restoran Šadrvan (Old town)
Traditional Herzegovinian dishes in a shady spot near the bridge. - Restoran Hindin Han (Old town)
River views and grilled trout in a restored stone han. - Ćevabdžinica Tima-Irma (Onešćukova)
A small, busy grill for generous plates of ćevapi. - Restaurant Sadrvan Kriva Ćuprija (Crooked Bridge)
Lantern lit tables by the Crooked Bridge and good local cooking.
Cafés
- Café de Alma (Rade Bitange)
Coffee lovers' café roasting beans and explaining Bosnian coffee.
Bars and Nightlife
- Black Dog Pub (Crooked Bridge area)
A friendly pub with local craft beer near the old town.
Events
- Traditional Old Bridge diving competition (Stari Most)
A centuries old summer diving contest that draws big crowds in late July.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kravica waterfalls (Ljubuški area)
A wide curtain of waterfalls where you can swim in summer. - Stolac and Radimlja stećci (Stolac)
Medieval carved tombstones, part of a UNESCO listing, near a quiet old town.
Stays
- Hotel Kriva Ćuprija (Old town)
A stone hotel by the Crooked Bridge, steps from the bazaar.
Places to Visit in Jajce
Nature and Outdoors
- Pliva waterfall (Town centre)
A waterfall that drops right into the heart of town. - Great Pliva Lake (West of town)
Swimming, boating and lakeside walks in summer.
Arts and Culture
- Jajce Fortress (Old town)
The hilltop fortress of the last Bosnian kings with valley views. - Jajce Catacombs (Old town)
An underground medieval church carved into the rock. - Temple of Mithras (Old town)
A rare Roman carving of the god Mithras slaying a bull. - AVNOJ Museum (Town centre)
Where the founding session of socialist Yugoslavia was held in 1943. - Tower of St Luke and Church of St Mary (Old town)
A ruined church and bell tower where the last Bosnian king was crowned.
Things to Do
- Mlinčići watermills (Pliva lakes)
A cluster of wooden watermills between the two Pliva lakes.
Places to Visit in Bihać
Nature and Outdoors
- Štrbački buk (Una National Park)
The park's tallest and most spectacular waterfall on the emerald Una. - Martin Brod (Una National Park)
A village where the Una splits into dozens of cascades. - Kostela cascades (Kostela)
Small cascades and swimming spots on the Una just outside town.
Things to Do
- Una rafting (Una river)
Rafting trips for beginners and the experienced on one of Europe's prettiest rivers. - Ostrožac Castle (Ostrožac)
A romantic castle mixing medieval walls and a nineteenth century manor.
Arts and Culture
- Captain's Tower (Bihać centre)
A medieval tower and museum on the river in the town centre. - Fethija Mosque (Bihać centre)
A Gothic church converted into a mosque, unusual anywhere in the region.
Places to Visit in Trebinje
Shopping and Markets
- Trebinje green market (Platani square)
Cheese, honey, figs and homemade spirits under giant plane trees.
Things to Do
- Arslanagić Bridge (Riverside)
A graceful sixteenth century Ottoman stone bridge. - Kastel old town walk (Old town)
Walk the walled Ottoman quarter by the Trebišnjica river.
Arts and Culture
- Hercegovačka Gračanica (Crkvina hill)
A hilltop monastery with views over the whole valley. - Tvrdoš Monastery (Tvrdoš)
A working monastery with a historic wine cellar. - Museum of Herzegovina (Old town)
Local history, archaeology and art in the old town.
Bars and Nightlife
- Vinarija Vukoje (Trebinje outskirts)
A family winery offering tastings of Vranac and Žilavka. - Vinarija Tvrdoš (Tvrdoš)
Monastery wines with a long history in the region.
Stays
- Hotel Platani (Platani square)
Two small hotels on the main square in the old town.
Places to Visit in Konjic
Things to Do
- Tito's Bunker ARK D-0 (Konjic)
Tito's secret Cold War nuclear bunker, now an art biennial venue.
Nature and Outdoors
- Neretva rafting (Konjic)
Rafting on the upper Neretva through a green canyon.
Arts and Culture
- Konjic Old Bridge (Konjic centre)
A rebuilt Ottoman stone bridge in a quiet riverside town.
Places to Visit in Travnik
Arts and Culture
- Travnik Old Fortress (Travnik)
A fortress town of Ottoman viziers with a painted mosque nearby.
Restaurants
- Lutvina kahva (Plava voda)
Ćevapi and coffee beside the Blue Water spring.
Places to Visit in Banja Luka
Arts and Culture
- Kastel Fortress (Banja Luka centre)
A riverside fortress and park in the country's second city.
Places to Visit in Višegrad
Arts and Culture
- Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge (Višegrad)
The UNESCO listed bridge made famous by Ivo Andrić's novel.
Places to Visit in Srebrenica
Arts and Culture
- Srebrenica Memorial Centre (Potočari)
The memorial and cemetery for victims of the 1995 genocide.
Places to Visit in Sutjeska National Park
Nature and Outdoors
- Perućica forest (Sutjeska National Park)
One of Europe's last primeval forests, with a hidden waterfall.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Aščinica Hadžibajrić (Baščaršija, Sarajevo)
A traditional cooked food house serving stews and stuffed vegetables from steaming pots. - Kino Bosna (Alipašino polje road, Sarajevo)
An old cinema turned bar famous for live sevdah nights and singing along. - Cheers Pub (Old town, Sarajevo)
A friendly little pub that is a reliable spot to meet locals and travellers. - Hotel Old Town (Baščaršija, Sarajevo)
A boutique hotel in a quiet lane of the old town. - Hostel Franz Ferdinand (Old town, Sarajevo)
A popular, history themed hostel near the Latin Bridge. - Restaurant Lagero (Neretva riverbank, Mostar)
A riverside terrace for dinner with views of the bridge. - Caffe Bar Terasa (Old town, Mostar)
A terrace overlooking the Old Bridge, perfect for watching the divers. - Ali Baba Lounge Bar (Old town, Mostar)
A cave bar carved into the rock beside the bazaar. - Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series (Stari Most, Mostar)
A stop on the world cliff diving tour has been held at the bridge in several summers. - Restaurant Vrelo (Blagaj, Mostar)
Riverside tables beside the Tekke serving fresh trout. - Villa Anri (Old town edge, Mostar)
A guesthouse with views of the bridge from its terrace. - Hotel Mostar (Centre, Mostar)
A comfortable central hotel within walking distance of the old town. - Restoran Plivski Biser (Old town, Jajce)
Simple, filling local food a short walk from the waterfall. - Restoran Mlinčići (Pliva lakes, Jajce)
Lakeside dining with fresh trout near the watermills. - Hotel Stari Grad (Old town, Jajce)
A small hotel inside the old town walls. - Plivsko Jezero camping (Pliva lakes, Jajce)
A lakeside campsite and cabins for nature lovers. - Restoran River Una (Kostela, Bihać)
Riverside tables beside the rapids, known for trout. - Hotel Opal Exclusive (Bihać centre, Bihać)
A riverside hotel in the centre of Bihać. - Una Kiro Rafting camp (Golubić, Bihać)
A riverside camp and rafting base for active stays. - Restoran Platani (Platani square, Trebinje)
A classic restaurant on the shady main square. - Konoba Studenac (Riverside, Trebinje)
Local Herzegovinian dishes in a relaxed setting by the river. - Popovo polje (South of Trebinje, Trebinje)
A quiet karst valley of villages and churches.