Are you landing in Sarajevo and have five, seven or ten days? These three road trip routes take the planning off your hands and show you Bosnia and Herzegovina just as I’ve come to know it over the past five years.
Since the 2026 World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina has finally ceased to be a blank spot on the travel map, and I’m receiving more and more emails and DMs asking: ‘If I have 5 days/a week/10 days, what should I see in Bosnia?
I’ve been living in Sarajevo since 2021, and over the last five years, my husband Nermin and I have explored most corners of the country – including those where we’ve got stuck in our car on occasion. But that’s a story for another time. If you’re visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time, one of these three itineraries is ideal for you. They’re based on my own experiences, and this is exactly how I’d recommend them to my friends.
Whether you’ve only got five days or are planning a whole two weeks: these road trips can be combined, shortened or extended, depending on how much time you have. Let’s get started with my three personal favourite routes through Bosnia and Herzegovina for first-timers (or Bosnia enthusiasts, or anyone else who’s simply keen to explore the country).
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Three Bosnia road trip routes starting from Sarajevo
I picked Sarajevo as your start and end point for those three road trips through Bosnia and Herzegovina, simply because Sarajevo International Airport is the one most travelers fly into and the best connected one. In case you are landing in Banja Luka , or even Zagreb, you can totally rent a car there and just flip these routes around however you need them or drive the three hours from Banja Luka to Sarajevo and start from there.
Pick what you like and leave out what you don't – those are meant to be an inspiration for you, but the true magic of every epic road trip is to steer of the beaten path, so don't be scared to explore a little. Which, I think, is the right moment to mention that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a really safe place to visit (as are most of the Balkans, honestly).
Bosnia Road Trip Itinerary for 5 days: The Basics
If you only have five days, I would recommend you stick to the basics, aka Mostar and Sarajevo. Even though this is a road trip itinerary and there are plenty of scenic drives in this Balkan country, I doubt you want to spend the bigger portion of your time sitting in a car.
- Day 1-3: Sarajevo
- Day 3: Bosnian Mountains
- Day 4-5: Mostar
Day 1-3: Sarajevo
To be completely honest, Sarajevo has so much to offer, that two days are barely enough to scratch the surface but when you only have five days to spend, you want to make the most of your time, of course.
I've already written a lot about Sarajevo, after all, I call it home for five years now, so I'll drop all the relevant articles for you here to help you plan your trip. But make sure to eat least eat Ćevapčići and take the time for a city tour– I really recommend it to understand the country better!
- The best Ćevapi in Sarajevo: find them here!
- 3 days in Sarajevo | Perfect travel Guide & Itinerary
- The 17 best hotels in Sarajevo + the best neighborhoods to stay
- Sarajevo Travel Guide: Top things to see, travel tips & local secrets
- Was man in Sarajevo essen sollte
Day 3: Bosnian Mountains
Whether you're a big hiker or not, I definitely recommend you spend a day in the Bosnian mountains, for example with a hike to Lukomir villageIf you like hiking and spending more time in nature, I've written about the best day hikes around Sarajevo here. And even if you don't want to go hiking, you can still visit many places by car, like the Olympic Ski Jumps on Igman or by cable car like the 1984 Olympic Bobsleigh on Trebević, just 10 minutes from Sarajevo city centre.
And if you're just looking for a scenic drive, I recommend you take the route from Sarajevo to Mostar via Bjelašnica and Glavatičevo, possibly with a stop at Boračko Jezero. This glacier like is one of the most beautiful places in Bosnia and Herzegovina, if you ask me.
Day 4-5: Mostar
I always tell everyone of my friends that staying overnight in Mostar is a must to truly experience its magic. As UNESCO world heritage site, the old town gets super busy throughout the day but in the evening or early morning, you can enjoy the Old Bridge almost without crowds.
I've been to Mostar countless times since living in Bosnia and Herzegovina and have written about it extensively, so I'll just link all articles that will help you plan your trip. Make sure to book an accommodation with parking and plan to have at least on evening in the city.
- How long in Mostar? Itinerary for 3 perfect days + tips
- Mostar: Seven insider tips from locals for Bosnia and Herzegovina's jewel
- Blagaj: Sights and guide to the village with the dervish monastery
- Kravica Waterfalls | Your guide to visiting Bosnia's most beautiful waterfall
- The best places to eat in Mostar and which foods to try
Bosnia Road Trip Itinerary: 7 days
- Day 1-3: Sarajevo
- Day 4-5: Mostar
- Day 6-7: Jajce or Sutjeska National Park
If you have seven days on the road, I recommend you stick to the 5-day itinerary above, and just add to it. You have two options for additional destinations.
If you are more of a nature lover, I would recommend you add Sutjeska National Park to your itinerary. It's the oldest national park in the country and a 2-hour drive from Sarajevo. Since the park is quite extensive and travel times to the trail head range from 60 to 90 minutes, I don't recommend it as a day trip from Sarajevo. Book one overnight.
If you're a history buff, Central Bosnia should be on your list for the additional two days. Head to Travnik, and Jajce – the old seat of the Bosnian kings in the Middle Ages.
Alternatively, just spend four days in Sarajevo, and base yourself their for some amazing day trips, for example to Konjic or Travnik.
Road Trip Itinerary: 10 days in Bosnia
- Day 1-3: Sarajevo
- Day 4-6: Sutjeska National Park
- Day: 7-8: Trebinje
- Day 9-11: Mostar
- Day 12-14: Jajce & Travnik
If you have 10 days, you can add stops in Stolac or Trebinje to your itinerary.
Make your way from Sarajevo to Sutjeska National Park for some hiking and then drive down to Trebinje from there. I recommend you spend at least two nights right there at the border with Croatia. Trebinje is a small but super charming town – perfect to soak up some Mediterranean vibes. And if you want, you can even hop over to Dubrovnik for a day.
From Trebinje you make your way to Mostar via Stolac – the oldest town in Bosnia and Herzegovina and, in my opinion, a place visitors skip way too often. Do a wine tasting, visit the Illyrian ruins or the stećci, the UNESCO-protected tombstones from the Middle Ages. Have lunch at the Old Mill!
- Trebinje in Bosnia: sights and local tips
- Guide to Stolac | Best things to do in Bosnia's crossroad of cultures
- The 8 best things to see in Jajce | The royal city of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Alternatively, you can even start this route in Trebinje in case you are flying into and renting a car in Dubrovnik.
Bosnia itinerary: The most common mistakes and what to do instead
Since moving to Sarajevo five years ago, I've met so many travelers, and most of them make the same mistake: They pack too much in the time they have. Yes, I know, you're probably saying now: But I wanna see as much as possible. And I agree, you should see as much as possible (and then still come back for a second time), but here a few things I really would like to point out:
Do not book a day trip to Mostar. You're really missing out on the magic of the city. Mostar at night is beautiful – and more quiet. Plus, there's wines to taste, and waterfalls to visit, and you really don't wanna spend 12 hours in a day in the car, and four hours doing sightseeing. Which is, pretty much, what will happen when you plan a day trip from Sarajevo.
Don't underestimate the distances. Yes, Sarajevo and Mostar are only a 160 km distance apart, but the driving time is 2 to 2.5 hours. And trust me, it'll be more, because there are so many beautiful viewpoints along the road from Sarajevo that you'll want to take a couple of breaks and stops. I wouldn't recommend a drive of more than maximum 3 hours (which is the Sarajevo-Jajce distance) in a day.
Get full coverage for your rental car. Get comprehensive cover for your hire car. I always take out comprehensive cover on every hire car since our car was hit whilst parked on a public road in Thessaloniki one night. Although the roads in Bosnia and Herzegovina are safe, the driving style in the Balkans does take a bit of getting used to. Discover Cars compensated us really quickly after we’d returned the car — I can highly recommend them.
Your Bosnia and Herzegovina Itinerary, planned by locals
If you're wondering about the best stops along the way, the best restaurants and souvenir shops: We have created the perfect roadbook for these trips through Bosnia and Herzegovina! We being .Cheyf, the travel agency my husband Nermin and I founded here in Sarajevo in 2022 and that has since grown to a 6-people business.
After traveling through Bosnia for work and fun for the past six years, we have created this routes with travelers in mind: Your accommodation and car is booked for you, the rest of the route is flexible. You decide how long you want to take to get from A to B and we give you several options for each day, from guided tours to hikes, to museum and viewpoints.
Check out our ready-made (and tried and tested) road trips through Bosnia and Herzegovina here.
Driving in Bosnia and Herzgovina
When visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, many tourists are so scared of the driving but let me tell you: It's fine. With my road trips, you will mostly stick to the main roads and I recommend that you don't necessarily trust Google Maps with shortcuts in them mountains – or you might end up on a dirt road, it happened to us a couple of times. But on the highways and country roads, you'll be fine. Just plan a little extra time because there are often stretches where you might be driving behind a truck and can't overtake – just enjoy the landscape instead. Bosnian highways have a toll which you can pay by card or with Konvertible Marks.
Make sure to book an accommodation with parking since finding parking spots is a problem in all Bosnian cities. And especially in Sarajevo, the city is very strict and your car might be clamped or towed if you park it where you shouldn't.
Just in case you are going with your own car and need to cross the border, plan some extra time. Since the EU introduced the new border system and all non-EU citizens have their photo and fingerprints taken upon entering and leaving, queues have been horrendous with waiting times of several hours. If you can don't start your trip to Bosnia on a Friday or Saturday when borders are particularly busy.
The best travel time for a Bosnia road trip
The best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina depends entirely on what you want to do, but here's a breakdown:
- Spring (March–May): Lush green landscapes and roaring waterfalls, though it can still snow sometimes and rain can be frequent. Perfect for rafting, and easy hikes.
- Summer (June–August): Hot and dry, but Herzegovina gets very hot, and July–August is the peak tourist season with bigger crowds and higher prices. You have events like the Sarajevo Film Festival to attend though.
- Autumn (September–November): Days are still warm, the landscapes boast beautiful fall colors. Perfect for hiking and wine tasting, not so great for water activities because water levels might be low.
- Winter (December–February): Cold and grey. Snow has not been a reliable constant in the past years but you still get it on the mountains and also in the city. Cosy holiday atmosphere in Sarajevo and Mostar, though smaller cities can be very quiet.
When are you visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Grab your travel buddy – you’re all set for the ultimate road trip adventure. From national parks to the old towns of Sarajevo and Mostar, these routes cover all the highlights. And if you’ve been to the Balkans several times before and want to discover more off the beaten track, such as the Krajina region, just send us a message at .Cheyf — we’d be delighted to help you plan your trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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