An hour or two from Sarajevo you reach canyons, mountain villages, Olympic slopes and stone bridges. These are the trips we recommend.
Mostar
130 km · 2h 15 by train or car
All year, best April–October
The Old Bridge over the emerald Neretva, Ottoman lanes and divers leaping 21 metres into the river. The train ride through the Neretva canyon is one of the most scenic in Europe.
Don’t miss
Stari most and Kujundžiluk bazaar
Koski Mehmed-paša Mosque minaret view
Blagaj Tekke at the source of the Buna (15 min away)
Kravica waterfalls in summer
Getting there: Morning train from Sarajevo railway station (book a window seat on the right), or bus from the main bus station. Many agencies run combined tours with Konjic and Blagaj.
Konjic & Tito’s Bunker
60 km · 1 hour
All year
A small town on the turquoise Neretva with an Ottoman stone bridge, woodcarving workshops and Tito’s secret nuclear bunker, now an art gallery.
Don’t miss
Guided tour of the ARK D-0 bunker (book ahead)
Stara ćuprija bridge
Rafting on the Neretva (May–September)
Lake Jablanica lamb on the way
Getting there: On the Sarajevo–Mostar railway and bus line, so easy to combine with Mostar.
Lukomir
50 km · 1h 30, last part gravel
May–October (road closed by snow in winter)
The highest and most remote village in Bosnia, at 1,469 m on the rim of the Rakitnica canyon. Stone houses, shepherds and hand-knitted wool socks.
Don’t miss
Canyon-edge hike
Traditional houses with cherry-wood shingle roofs
Homemade pita and coffee with locals
Bjelašnica plateau views on the drive
Getting there: Best with a local guide or a 4x4; no public transport. Often combined with a hike on Bjelašnica.
Jahorina & Bjelašnica
30–35 km · 40 minutes
Skiing December–March, hiking in summer
The two Olympic mountains of 1984. Affordable skiing in winter, wildflower meadows, mountain bikes and cool air in summer.
Don’t miss
Day ski passes from approx. 60 KM
Night skiing on Bjelašnica
Summer gondola on Jahorina
Ski-in mountain huts with čorba
Getting there: Ski buses run from the city in season; otherwise taxi or rental car. Fit snow chains in winter.
Travnik
90 km · 1h 30
All year
The old seat of the Ottoman viziers and birthplace of Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić. Painted Šarena Mosque, a hilltop fortress and the cold springs of Plava voda.
Don’t miss
Šarena džamija (Colourful Mosque)
Stari grad fortress
Ćevapi at Plava voda
Vlašić cheese from the mountain above
Getting there: Frequent buses from Sarajevo bus station. Combine with Jajce for a long day.
Jajce
160 km · 2h 45
Best April–October
A medieval royal town with a 22-metre waterfall right in its centre, where the Pliva meets the Vrbas.
Don’t miss
The Pliva waterfall
Fortress of the last Bosnian king
Pliva watermills (Mlinčići)
Pliva lakes for a swim in summer
Getting there: Bus or car via Travnik. Best done as a combined Travnik–Jajce tour.
