Planning a visit to Bosnia & Herzegovina but don't know where to start? Here's my top tips for how to plan the ultimate trip that takes you beyond just Sarajevo Old Town and shows you some of best things to do in Bosnia & Herzegovina. I travelled to Bosnia & Herzegovina and completely fell in love with the beautiful country and its fascinating culture and devastating history. 

My greatest regret was not visiting sooner and spending even longer exploring the amazing hidden gems that await travellers, so to make up for it, I'm sharing everything I learned from travelling solo to Bosnia & Herzegovina – including the best places to visit and everything you need to plan your own trip.

Planning a visit to Bosnia & Herzegovina but don't know where to start? The most important thing to remember is that there is so much more to the country than just the beautiful Sarajevo Old Town. Here I share the best hidden gems to explore when you visit – if you’re looking for underrated countries to explore in Europe, this gem better be on your list!

Solo Travel In Bosnia & Herzegovina

If you're considering a solo trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina – let me assure you that the country is very safe for solo travellers. I travelled partly solo and partly with a group there but I never once felt threatened or uncomfortable as a solo female traveller. I found it a relatively easy country to travel solo despite it being far less touristy than many nearby Balkan countries such as Croatia or Montenegro. If you're still unsure whether you are ready to travel solo in Bosnia – click below to read my guide.

Visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina solo? You need to read Solo Travel in Bosnia: The Ultimate Guide

Mostar - best things to do in bosnia & herzegovina

10 Best Places to Visit in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia & Herzegovina is nestled between Croatia and Montenegro and this hidden gem is full of incredible natural beauty, from stunning waterfalls to epic mountains. Despite the location, it remains so much less touristy than its neighbours. If, like me, you love a hidden gem to explore – you need to visit this Balkan beauty and experience it for yourself. Here's my top 10 places to visit in Bosnia & Herzegovina – including top things to do in each location!

Sarajevo Old Town & City

Your journey in Bosnia & Herzegovina must begin in the charming capital city of Sarajevo, but skip the more modern parts of the city in favour of the beautiful Old Town. With cobbled streets and tiny shops selling handmade jewellery, art and food, it's the perfect way to acclimatise to the balmy summer evenings and the bustling melting pot that is Bosnia. This is the perfect place for you to dive into the rich culture and heritage of this fascinating country, and its sad and tumultuous past.

Best things to do in Sarajevo Old Town & City:

Sarajevo cable car

Mount Trebević

While you're in Sarajevo, it would be a shame to miss out on visiting Mount Trebević which is home to the city's Olympic past and spectacular views across the landscape. The imposing Mount Trebević towers over Sarajevo at 1,627m and visitors can access it by cable car. The mountain was the venue for the 1984 Winter Olympics in what was then Yugoslavia, and you can still visit the original bobsleigh track which hauntingly stands unused.

Best things to do at Mount Trebević:

best burek in bosnia – lukomir village

Lukomir Village

The highest and most isolated mountain village in Bosnia & Herzegovina is my favourite place in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Lukomir Village is a fascinating place which at points in its history have been almost inaccessible due to the landscape and lack of roads connecting them to other parts of the country. Home to a close-knit community called the Highlanders, the village is now a living museum but was actually saved by sustainable tourism which has provided jobs and opportunities for the younger members of the community.

> Planning to visit? Read: Lukomir Village – Visiting Bosnia's Most Remote Village

Best things to do in Lukomir Village:

Mostar Bridge - best places to visit in bosnia

Mostar

Mostar is one of the most unique city breaks you can do in Europe and a destination you won't want to miss. From its beautiful Islamic architecture, delicious food stunning natural backdrop – did you know that Mostar is the largest city in Bosnia? Despite this it retains the old fashioned charm and feel of a small town with slippery, cobblestoned streets and beautiful old buildings. Perhaps best known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arched bridge, the city is well worth a visit. Take the time to learn about the history of this city which was hit by some 100,000 artillery shells, leaving much of the city destroyed.

Best things to do in Mostar:

Waterfall Skakavac & Skakavac Natural Park

Skakavac is a hidden gem tucked away just 12 km from Sarajevo and it makes a great day trip for those who love hiking and exploring in nature. Skakavac Natural Park is home to the largest unceasingly flowing waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Waterfall Skakavac – which stands at 98m and is formed on a mountain creek. Hit the 60km of hiking trails and walk to the waterfalls to experience the cool mist and cascading waters. There's also a Via Ferrata for those who are brave enough and medieval tombstones. If you're visiting Sarajevo and fancy escaping the city for a taste of the Bosnian countryside – check out the tours below for day trips to Skakavac Natural Park.

Best things to do in Skakavac:

Kravica Waterfall

The most beautiful waterfall in Borsnia & Herzegovina is also a popular picnic spot with the locals and visitors alike, Kravica Waterfall is close to the Croatian border deep in the karstic heartland of Herzegovina. There's a series of 25m waterfalls lining one side of the tufa cascade on the Trebižat River and it's open from May to October, making it the perfect summer swimming spot. During the hot summer months, its the perfect place to cool off and is definitely worth the trip for such a magical view. You can drive to the waterfalls from Mostar, or you can join one of the many day trips that go there if you don't have a car. It does get busy, so be sure to go early. You can also go boating and rent kayaks.

Best things to do at Kravica Waterfall:

Blagaj’s Dervish Monastery

Don't miss a visit to this historic Sufi monastery – the Blagaj Tekija was built in the 16th century at the base of dramatic cliffs by the water creating the beautiful scenes you see today. The Islamic monastery, a modest Ottoman-era building, is located just outside Mostar next to the source of the river Buna. The monastery is still is a venue for dervish Zikr praise-chanting three nights weekly. Built in 1520 by the Dervish, a branch of Sufi Islam, the monastery also features a mausoleum & an old Turkish bath. You can enjoy the traditional Bosnian coffee or lunch at the restaurants nearby with a view of the monastery. 

Best things to do in Blagaj:

  • Get active – Blagaj is a great area for cycling, hiking, via ferrata, canoeing, fishing, swimming, caving
  • Visit the historic Blagaj's Dervish Monastery
  • Eat fresh, local river trout at the restaurants by Blagaj's Dervish Monastery

Pocitelj

One of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most picturesque and historically significant towns, Pocitelj has been recognised as a UNESCO heritage site. Where history is interwoven with folklore and tales such as that of Mila, a local girl who resisted marriage to a Turkish Pasha by leaping from the fortress walls. The medieval and Ottoman-era fortress village is a lively centre for summer festivals and a vibrant community these days. With charming cobbled streets, stone-roofed houses and winding stairways through the walled town which dates back to 1383, then evolving over time. The village is located on the left bank of the Neretva River not far from Mostar and offer spectacular views across the Bosnian countryside. 

Best things to do in Pocitelj:

  • Wander the Historical Centre of Počitelj visiting Šišman Ibrahim-Paša Mosque and Sahat-Kula clock tower
  • Climb to the Fortress for amazing views over Počitelj

Trebinje

One of the prettiest cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina nestled on the banks of the Trebišnjica river in the region of East Herzegovina. Surrounded by river, mountains and a beautiful 'Freedom Square' with chestnut trees and Orthodox churches lining the suburbs. It's the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the peaceful southernmost city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Best things to do in Trebinje:

  • Relax in the pretty 'Freedom Square'  also known as Trg Slobode
  • Hercegovačka Gračanica is a hilltop complex with impressive views and a cafe
  • Learn about the history of the area at the Hercegovina Museum, a former Austro-Hungarian barracks
  • Walk to the Arslanagić Bridge – a unique double-backed structure dating back to 1574

Solo hiking - travelling solo as a woman

Travnik

Visit this charming town in the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Travnik is now known for its rich heritage and cultural centre which provide the backdrop for many events and festivals each year. Travnik was a political, military, and cultural hub of the Ottoman Empire in Bosnia, so its the perfect place to learn about the country's rich history and tumultuous past. The town is also the birthplace of Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić, author of the novel “The Bridge on the Drina.” 

Best things to do in Travnik:

  • Visit the historical centre of the town including the Travnik Clock Tower and Suleiman Mosque
  • Head to Old Town Travnik for sunset and walk to the impressive medieval fortress
  • Enjoy summer sports including hiking, biking and exploring nature
  • Stop at the birthplace and museum of Ivo Andrić, Nobel laureate and author of the novel “The Bridge on the Drina.”
  • Watch concerts, theatre performances or film screenings in the cultural centers, or enjoy live music in the streets
  • Visit for ski season and head for Vlašić, a popular ski resort, where you can ski, snowboard, sled and enjoy other winter sports.

You can also join a group tour to Travnik & Jajce