Bosnia in 4 Days: The Perfect Road Trip
Bosnia in 4 Days: The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary
Bosnia and Herzegovina has been one of the destinations that surprised me the most this year. I don’t think it is on many people’s travel radar, which is a shame because this country has so much to offer: beautiful historic towns, incredible landscapes, crystal-clear rivers, delicious food and fantastic local wines. Of course, Bosnia has a difficult and relatively recent history, particularly during the 1990s, but I would highly encourage you to visit. It is a fascinating country, full of contrasts, and one that I think deserves much more attention.
We spent four days exploring Bosnia, combining the beautiful streets of Mostar with a road trip around the surrounding region before finishing in Sarajevo. If you are thinking of visiting, here is our itinerary, along with some practical advice and the places I would recommend adding to your list.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Konjic stopover – Mostar Old Town – Old Bridge – Dinner with a view
Day 2: Blagaj Tekke Monastery – Kravica Waterfalls – Local wine tasting
Day 3: Tunnel of Salvation – Sarajevo Old Town – Historic landmarks – Rooftop drinks
Day 4: Sarajevo – Departure
General advice
Getting there: We flew into Sarajevo. As of 2026, getting there from London can be a little challenging, as direct flights are limited. Wizz Air operates flights from London Luton, while another option is to fly via Zurich.
Getting around: We rented a car in Sarajevo and used it to travel around the country. To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the roads. Most of the roads we drove on were well paved, and we could see that significant improvements were underway, with new highways being built, particularly in the south towards the Croatian border. In general, drivers were respectful and followed the rules, so I would definitely recommend renting a car if you want to explore beyond the main cities.
Cash is key: This is probably one of the most important things to know before travelling to Bosnia! You will need cash much more often than you might expect, particularly in Mostar, where we struggled to pay by card in several places, including restaurants. The official currency is the Bosnian convertible mark (BAM), but euros are often accepted in tourist areas.
Best time to visit: I would say summer is a great time to visit, although I am sure spring and autumn can be beautiful too. We went in August, and although it was busy and, to be honest, very, very hot, we still had a fantastic time. Compared with some other popular European destinations, I did not find it overwhelmingly busy.
Day 1: Arrival and Mostar
On our first day, we arrived in Sarajevo quite early in the morning, picked up our rental car and headed straight south towards Mostar.
The drive takes around two hours and fifteen minutes, and we decided to stop in Konjic along the way. It is a very pretty little town by the river, famous for its beautiful stone bridge, and we thought it would be the perfect place to stop for lunch before continuing our journey.
Once we arrived in Mostar, we headed straight to our hotel to check in. We stayed at Hotel Eden & Spa, which was a good option in terms of location and facilities, particularly because it had a swimming pool. However, I would say it was not quite as impressive as you might expect from a four-star hotel.
There are plenty of accommodation options in central Mostar, but parking can be difficult to find, which is why we decided to stay slightly outside the Old Town. Since we had a rental car, this made things easier.
After checking in, we headed into the centre, which was absolutely stunning. I honestly think Mostar is one of the most photogenic places I have ever visited. Its cobblestone streets, traditional Ottoman architecture and the turquoise river running beneath the famous bridge make it a truly beautiful place to explore.
Things to see in Mostar
Stari Most (Old Bridge): The city's iconic 16th-century Ottoman bridge spanning the turquoise Neretva River. This is the main attraction in Mostar and, in my opinion, even more beautiful in person than in pictures.
Kujundžiluk Bazaar: A historic cobblestone market filled with traditional copper crafts, souvenirs, textiles and little shops. It is a lovely place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque: A historic mosque offering beautiful views over the Old Bridge and the Old Town. If you are up for climbing the minaret, you can enjoy one of the most famous panoramic views of Mostar.
Museum of War and Genocide Victims: A sobering but important museum that shares testimonies, photographs and artefacts from the Bosnian War. If you want to understand more about the country's recent history, I think it is worth visiting.
One nice place to stop for a glass of wine before dinner is The Spirit of Herzegovina. It is actually a wine shop, but you can also order wine by the glass and enjoy it outside, which makes it a lovely little stop after a day of sightseeing.
After exploring the Old Town, we went for dinner at Urban Taste of Orient, which we really enjoyed. If you can get a table on the terrace, even better, as the views are stunning!
For a drink after dinner, there are plenty of rooftop bars and riverside spots where you can enjoy a cocktail while taking in the views. It is a lovely way to finish your first evening in Mostar.
Day 2: A road trip around Mostar
On our second day, we woke up relatively early to explore the surrounding region. This was one of my favourite days of the trip because we got to see a different side of Bosnia, from historic religious sites to beautiful waterfalls and local vineyards.
First stop: Blagaj Tekke
We started the day with a 30-minute drive to Blagaj Tekke, a historic Dervish monastery dating back to the early Ottoman period. Originally established as a place for members of the Sufi brotherhood to gather, pray and reflect, it is one of the most distinctive historical sites in the region.
The setting is absolutely incredible. The monastery sits right beside the source of the Buna River, beneath a dramatic rocky cliff, with the clear water flowing past it. Even if you are not particularly interested in history, the location alone makes it worth visiting.
I would definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary. However, I personally would not prioritise paying to go inside the monastery, as it is quite small and there is not a huge amount to see. For me, the real highlight is the setting and the views from outside.
Second stop: Kravica Waterfalls
From Blagaj, we drove for around an hour to Kravica Waterfalls, one of the most popular natural attractions in the area.
The entrance ticket cost us around 20 BAM per person. From the entrance, you need to walk downhill to reach the waterfalls, but the walk is not particularly long and the path is well paved.
There were definitely positives and negatives to this stop.
On the positive side, unlike at some of Croatia's more famous waterfalls, you can actually swim here, which was fantastic given how hot it was when we visited. The water is crystal clear and wonderfully refreshing, making it a great place to cool off during the summer.
I would recommend bringing water shoes, though, as the rocks can be slippery and getting into the water is not always the easiest.
On the negative side, the place is quite touristy, with plenty of bars and restaurants around the waterfalls. Personally, I felt that this took away a little from the natural atmosphere. Still, I would recommend visiting, especially if you are travelling in summer and fancy a refreshing swim.
Lunch with a view
After our swim, it was time for lunch. We drove around 20 minutes to Konoba Hercegovac, a lovely restaurant in a nearby village overlooking the river.
The highlight was the terrace, which made it a great place to stop for a relaxed lunch after a busy morning of exploring. If you are doing the same road trip, I would definitely recommend looking it up.
Afternoon wine tasting: Podrumi Ostojić
Our next stop was Podrumi Ostojić, around a 25-minute drive away. This lovely family-run vineyard was one of the highlights of our day, as we got to try some fantastic local wines.
One thing I would definitely recommend doing while in Bosnia is trying the local wine. The country has a surprisingly interesting wine scene, particularly in the Herzegovina region, and I was genuinely impressed by the quality.
There are several vineyards in the area, but we chose Podrumi Ostojić because it was one of the few options we found that welcomed visitors every day of the week, including Sundays. We had a great experience and I would happily recommend it.
This was our final stop of the day, and from here we drove around 40 minutes back to Mostar.
Dinner in Mostar
For dinner, we decided to try a different part of town and went to Restaurant Kriva Ćuprija, which I also really liked. We had a great meal in a lovely setting, making it the perfect way to end our second day.
After a full day of driving, swimming, sightseeing and wine tasting, we were more than ready for a relaxed evening!
Day 3: Sarajevo
On our third day, we left Mostar and drove back north towards Sarajevo. The journey takes around two hours, but we decided to make one important stop along the way.
First stop: The Tunnel of Salvation
Just outside Sarajevo, you will find the Tunnel of Salvation, which I would highly recommend visiting if you want to understand more about the Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo.
The entrance cost us around 20 BAM per person.
Built secretly between March and June 1993, the Sarajevo Tunnel became a vital lifeline during the 1,425-day siege of the city. Running beneath the airport runway, it connected besieged Sarajevo with territory controlled by the Bosnian government, allowing food, medicine, fuel and other essential supplies to reach the population.
Part of the tunnel has been preserved as a museum, and walking through it gives you a much better understanding of the extraordinary conditions people were living under during the siege.
Checking into our hotel
After our visit, we continued to Sarajevo and headed to our hotel to check in.
We stayed at the Sarajevo Marriott Hotel, and it was fantastic. It was a lovely hotel with a great rooftop bar and, most importantly for us, parking for the car! It was also within easy walking distance of the city centre, which made it a very convenient base for exploring Sarajevo.
After checking in, we headed into the centre for lunch at Ćevabdžinica Željo, where we ordered one of Bosnia's most traditional dishes:ćevapi.
These small grilled minced-meat sausages are usually served with flatbread and chopped onions, and they are absolutely delicious. If there is one local dish you should try while in Bosnia, this is it!
After lunch, we popped into the Sarajevo Brewery, which is housed in an impressive historic building, before spending the afternoon exploring the city centre on foot.
Things to see in Sarajevo
Sarajevo is such an interesting city because of the mix of cultures, religions and architectural styles. Walking around, you can really see the influences of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods, all within a relatively small area.
Here are the main places I would recommend visiting.
1. Baščaršija: The Ottoman heart of Sarajevo
Sebilj Fountain: Start your walk at this iconic wooden fountain in the middle of the main square. It is one of Sarajevo's most recognisable landmarks and a popular meeting point.
Kazandžiluk (Coppersmith Street): Wander through these narrow cobblestone streets, where traditional copperware is still made and sold. It is one of the most atmospheric parts of the Old Town.
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque: Built in the 16th century, this is one of the most important historic mosques in Bosnia. Its peaceful courtyard and beautiful architecture make it well worth a visit.
2. The historic crossroads
Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures: Look out for the marker on Ferhadija Street that symbolises the point where the Ottoman-influenced Old Town meets the more European-style Austro-Hungarian district. It is a small detail, but one that perfectly captures what makes Sarajevo so unique.
Latin Bridge: Take a short detour to this historic stone bridge over the Miljacka River. It is closely associated with the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, an event that helped trigger the First World War.
3. The European quarter
Sacred Heart Cathedral: This impressive neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral is one of the main landmarks in the city's European-style centre. It is worth stopping by as you explore the surrounding streets.
The Eternal Flame (Vječna Vatra): Finish your walk at this memorial, which commemorates the military and civilian victims of the Second World War. It is a meaningful landmark in the heart of the city.
One of the things I liked most about Sarajevo was how easy it was to explore on foot. You can go from narrow Ottoman streets and traditional cafés to elegant European-style avenues within just a few minutes. It is this contrast that gives the city so much character.
Dinner in Sarajevo
For dinner, we decided to take a break from Bosnian food and went to Trattoria Boccone, which was perfect for a change. After a few days of enjoying local specialities, we fancied something different and had a lovely meal.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy a few drinks at the rooftop bar. It was the perfect way to finish our last full day in Bosnia.
Day 4: A final morning in Sarajevo and departure
Unfortunately, our flight was departing quite early on our last day, so we did not have much time left to explore Sarajevo. We had already seen quite a lot of the city centre the previous afternoon, but if we had had more time, there are a few places I would have loved to visit.
The Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) would have been high on my list, particularly for the panoramic views over Sarajevo and the surrounding mountains. It is also a popular spot to watch the sunset, so if you have an extra evening in the city, I would definitely consider heading there.
I would also have liked to visit the War Childhood Museum, which tells the stories of people who experienced the Bosnian War as children. Given the history we had already learnt about at the Tunnel of Salvation, I think this would have been a particularly moving and worthwhile visit.
We unfortunately had to leave these places for another trip, but they would be at the top of my list if I returned to Sarajevo.
And just like that, our four days in Bosnia came to an end!
Final thoughts: Is Bosnia worth visiting?
Absolutely! Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the biggest surprises of our travels this year, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a destination that combines history, culture, beautiful landscapes and fantastic food without feeling quite as overrun as some other European destinations.
If you are planning a trip, I think four days is a great introduction, especially if you rent a car and combine Mostar with Sarajevo and the surrounding region. You will get a little bit of everything, although I could easily have spent a few more days exploring.
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