All seasons 11 days Bosnia discovery non-touristy private tour from Sarajevo

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Kraljeva Sutjeska / Bobovac / Zenica
3 stops
1
Kraljeva Sutjeska
Kraljeva Sutjeska, a lovely village in Bosnia and Herzegovina that hosts a number of important historical sites. One of them, it's the beautiful 14th-century Catholic Franciscan monastery. Among other interesting things, it includes a museum in which it houses historical treasures and a library which keeps rare and valuable historical records. 2 hours , Admission is free
2 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Bobovac
Next, we'll visit the fortified Bobovac, the residency of the Bosnian kings during medieval times and the site of the mausoleum of the royals and remnants of the Kotromanić dynasty castle. The fortress was first mentioned in documents dating back 1349. It was once even home to the crown jewels of Bosnia, since it is one of the country's most well protected fortresses. Bobovac was also the last seat of the Bosnian rulers before the Ottomans took over in the mid-1400s. The historically important dwelling of Bosnian kings, Bobovac, is in a short distance from the castle remains and the monastery, as well as other sights of Kraljevska Sutjeska.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
3
Zenica
Later, we'll go to Zenica, a city located in the valley of river Bosna. The place was first mentioned under its present name on March 20, 1436 in a document filed at the Dubrovnik Republic Archives. Zenica is the administrative, political, economic, cultural and sports seat of Zenica-Doboj Canton composed of 12 municipalities. This Canton is, by the size of its population, the third largest canton in BiH Federation, being Sarajevo and Tuzla the largest two.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Zenica, Vranduk
2 stops
4
Zenica City Museum
After breakfast, we will leave to visit the Zenica museum. Admission not included.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
5
Vranduk Fortress - Muzej Grada Zenice
This day, we'll go to Vranduk, a historic village located on the Bosna River canyon. The village itself is one of the oldest and well preserved settlements of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dating back to 14th century and times of medieval bans and later kings of Bosnia. Vranduk village is established around medieval citadel of the same name, and together constitute a protected architectural assemble, and as such a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a well preserved and maintained in good condition.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 3
Doboj / Maglaj
2 stops
6
Doboj
The most visited area of the city is the freshly renovated medieval city castle, Doboj Fortress. It was built in the early 13th century on the site of an earlier, clay and wood-based structure from the 10th or 11th century. Doboj Fortress now houses restaurants, shops and medieval exhibitions of preserved weaponry and more. In the first period of its existence, from early 13th to about early 15th century (1415), the fortress was built in the Romanesque architecture style. While still retaining some of its original Romanesque elements, the fortress now display Gothic structure. Throughout its turbulent history, this magnificent stone fortress has been burned and ransacked at least 18 times as per official records. Doboj Fortress is one of the most important cultural-historical National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Maglajska tvrdava
Next, we'll go to Maglaj. A town located in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Bosniaks presently form a large majority. The old Maglaj, like numerous other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has an old town with mosques, traditional houses dating back from the Ottoman Empire, and a fortress that stands as a symbol of Maglaj. The new part of Maglaj, situated on the West side of the river Bosna, is made up of modern architecture that was started in the 1950s, and became massively developed until 1991. The Bosna flows through Maglaj on its way north to the Sava river on the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Later, we'll come back to Doboj. Then, the rest of the day will be spent independently, as you want. Here, you will have a fine relaxation time, tasty local cuisine and peaceful strolls as you explore the town on your own.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 4
Tesanj / Jajce
2 stops
8
Tesanj Castle
Today, we're going to Tesanj, located at an altitude of 230 meters and developed around the river Tešanjka, in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The present name of the city was mentioned for the first time in 1461 in a letter from King Stephen Tomašević to his uncle Radivoj. Between the second half of the 15th century and the first half of the 16th century, the history of Tešanj was rather chaotic. The Old Town is dominated by the well-preserved fortress, called "Gradina” that overlooks the entire city. This castle became a center of economic and cultural life of Tešanj. The foundation of this fortification was started even before the Romans conquered the region. Tešanj Castle is one of the most significant and biggest castles in Bosnia, with the area of some 6,296 square metres.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
9
Jajce
Later, we'll drive to the charming Jajce. A small city, located in Republika Srpska, Central Bosnia, on the confluence of the rivers Pliva and Vrbas. It is central not only geographically but also culturally. Throughout Bosnia’s long history, Jajce has been the home of medieval kings, Ottoman governors, and a range of different ethnic groups, as well as being one of President Tito's earliest Communist strongholds. UNESCO has recently been investing in renovating the city’s historical areas. The town is famous (among other sights) for its beautiful 22-metre (72 ft) high waterfall where the Pliva River meets the river Vrbas. There, we'll have two nights' accommodation. At evening, as usual, you'll have the chance to explore this gorgeous town by yourself. Admissions not included.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Jajce
1 stop
10
Jajce
One of Jajce's most unique features is Pliva Falls which is unusually situated right in the center of the town. The falls are at the point where two rivers meet and converge. The water is almost perfectly clear, and is a glittering bright turquoise color. There are a number of excellent viewing points, the best one being the official viewing platform where visitors are close enough to feel the spray of the water. Jajce fortress was first built around the mid-14th century, although over the years many alterations and additions have been made. The central castle is located on top of a hill overlooking the city, and within the town there a various parts of old fortified wall as well as gates. Jajce is currently a candidate for being named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town area is the most historic, with plenty of medieval buildings, as well as some exemplary Ottoman architecture. Admissions not included.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Ramsko Lake / Šćit peninsula / Mostar (UNESCO)
2 stops
11
Šćit
Today we'll visit the monastery in Rama, built by the Franciscans in the 15th century, located in the middle of the scenic Ramsko Lake. It is one of thirteen monasteries referred to in 1514 in a census of the Bosnian Franciscan Province. The Monastery and the Church have been several times burnt and restored. Ramsko Lake is hidden gem in Herzegovina region, and it has special charm in its unique shape combined with stunning nature surrounding it. The monastery and the Ethnographic Museum (located in the old monastery) are National Monuments. Visiting this monastery complex will definitely make your trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina memorable! Šćit is an oasis of peace indeed! Later, we'll drive to Mostar, one of the most frequented attractions in Bosnia, thanks to its outstanding natural beauty, architecture, and, of course, its famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stari Most (Old Bridge). Admissions not included.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Mostar
Mostar, one of the most frequented attractions in Bosnia, thanks to its outstanding natural beauty, architecture, and, of course, its famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stari Most (Old Bridge). There, we'll have three nights' accommodation. At evening, as usual, you'll explore and walk through the cobblestone alleys of this vibrant city by yourself. Taverns and restaurants where you can sample the best of local cuisine, together with cafes, bars and shops line the streets.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Međugorje / Kravica waterfalls / Počitelj
3 stops
13
Medugorje
This day, we'll visit Medjugorje, the Bosnian Lourdes, located in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The well-known Lourdes and Fatima have long been in Roman Catholic devotion. A more recent addition to this pair of holy sites is Medjugorje. Since the Virgin Mary reputedly appeared to six local children, now adults, in 1981, the town has established itself as the premier pilgrimage destination in South-Eastern Europe. It is unsurprising then, that Roman Catholics across the globe have become fascinated by this site, which has become a popular destination for pilgrims, statistically considered to be the third most important mecca of its kind in Europe. Millions of Catholics from around the world make the pilgrimage to Medjugorje where miracles are said to happen.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
14
Kravice Falls
Next, we'll go to the beautiful Kravica waterfalls. Although the water is crisp, the falls are suitable for swimming and fishing, with a descent of some 25 metres into a natural basin. Meanwhile, the waterside restaurant offers an idyllic location for a cooling drink, delicious grilled food and coffee.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
15
The historic urban site of Pocitelj
Later, we'll explore Pocitelj, one of the most beautiful towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The medieval town was once of strategic importance before and during the Ottoman era, which the UNESCO Fort of Pocitelj, or Kula, protected. We'll walk along the maze of cobblestone streets through the old buildings, visit the fort, that offers amazing views over the town, and enjoy the 16th-century Hajji Alija's Mosque. Natural beauty surrounds the ancient town; making it a perfect place for a photo-op. Počitelj, still inhabited today, was built in the late 14th century, but was expanded by the Ottomans and the Hungarians throughout its history. Certainly, Pocitelj, on the banks of Neretva River, makes a great place to visit! Finally, we'll return back to Mostar. There, you will have time for yourself and be able to enjoy the city's vibe to the fullest!
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Blagaj
2 stops
16
Blagaj tekija
Right after breakfast, we'll go to Blagaj, in the south-eastern region of the Mostar basin. It stands at the edge of Bišće plain and is one of the most valuable mixed urban and rural structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished from other similar structures in its urban layout. Within Blagaj is the famous tekija, or monastery, which was founded by Dervish monks in the 16th century. The monastery is beautifully nestled at the foot of a cliff face at the beautiful karstic spring of the Buna river, and exemplifies classic Ottoman architecture, with its wooden window frames and overhanging roof.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
17
Stjepan Grad - Blagaj Castle
The Blagaj Fort, located a little way outside of the town of Blagaj, was once home to King Herceg-Stjepan. The castle is one of the largest in the region, with impressive sheer stone walls and typical medieval turrets. From the castle, visitors can look out onto beautiful views of the town and river in the valley below, which really gives a sense of the scale of the castle. Later, we'll drive back to Mostar. There, as usual, you'll have time to explore this cheerful place, enjoy the atmosphere, taste the gastronomy, go shopping and way more, by yourself.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 9
Radimlja (UNESCO) / Stolac / Vjetrenica / Zavala
4 stops
18
Radimlja
This day, we'll go to Radimlja, a monumental medieval tombstones (stećak) necropolis located near Stolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Radimlja necropolis is one of the most valuable monuments of the mediaeval period in the country. The majority of its stećak tombstones date from the 1480s through the 16th century, as evidenced by the epitaph on one of the tombstones. The Stećci lie scattered across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Appearing in the mid-12th century, with the first phase in the 13th century, the tombstones reached their peak in the 14th and 15th century, before disappearing during the Ottoman conquest of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the very early 16th century. Stećci were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. It includes a selection of 4,000 stećci at 28 necropolises of which 22 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, two from Croatia, three from Montenegro, and three from Serbia.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
19
Stolac
After sightseeing one of the best preserved collections of these tombstones, we'll go to Stolac, one of Herzegovina's oldest towns. It has an Ottoman center (Carsija), a Roman castle, and craggy mountains surrounding the historical town. The adorable Bregava River, a left tributary of the Neretva River, meanders through the town center with traditional buildings on the banks. Thanks to the town's favorable natural environment, geological composition, contours, climate, hydrographic and vegetation, Stolac and its area have been settled since ancient times. Its rich hunting-grounds along with other natural benefits attracted prehistoric man, and later the Illyrians, Romans and Slavs, all of whom left a wealth of anthropological evidence. Admissions not included.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
20
Vjetrenica Cave
Next, we'll drive to Vjetrenica Cave, the largest and most important cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also one of the most important caves in the Dinaric Alps mountain range, which is famous worldwide for its karstic and speleological riches. It is located in the Popovo field in Ravno, East Herzegovina in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the Adriatic coast. The cave has been explored and described to a total of 7,014 m in length; of this the main channel is about 2.47 km long. It runs from the edge of Popovo Polje to the south, and on the basis of analysis of the terrain, geologists have stated that Vjetrenica could stretch right to the Adriatic Sea in the Republic of Croatia, 15-20 km away from its entrance. Vjetrenica is the richest cave in the world in terms of subterranean biodiversity.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
21
Zavala
The Zavala monastery is a historical Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the village of Zavala on the southwestern edge of Popovo Polje. The northern wall of the monastery's church is situated within a cave. This monastery is also known as a place where Saint Basil of Ostrog entered into monasticism. Along with Žitomislić and Tvrdoš, Zavala is one of the most important monasteries in East Herzegovina. The first written record of the monastery dates back to sixteenth century. Located in Popovo Polje in Ravno municipality, village Zavala with its old architecture and stone masonry, together with Vjetrenica cave, constitute the natural and architectural ensemble, which is already placed on UNESCO Tentative List. Later, we'll go to Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Tvrdoš / Trebinje
3 stops
22
Tvrdos Monastery
The 4th-century foundations of the first Roman Basilica, built by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother the Empress, Saint Helena, are still visible on the site. The current monastery was established during the 15th century, with a cathedral constructed around 1508. The medieval monastery remained a seat of the Metropolitans of Herzegovina until the Venetian Empire destroyed it in 1694. The current monastery building was constructed in 1924. St. Basil of Ostrog, the founder of the famous monastery of Ostrog in Montenegro, spent part of his life here. He came from Zavala Monastery, where he entered into monasticism, for further spiritual and theological studies since Tvrdoš Monastery has been one of the most important monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church for centuries.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
23
Cellars of the Tvrdos Monastery
The monastery was already well-known for its winemaking in the middle Ages. The region's wine­growing tradition dates back to the first Hellenic colonies on the Adriatic Coast. The warm and dry conditions are particularly well suited to the native grape varieties Žilavka and Vranac, which thrive in the region. Today, the monastery is renowned for its award-winning wine production, a result of centuries-old wine-making tradition, and its wine cellars, one of which dates to the 15th century, which are a popular tourist attraction. The old cellar is underneath the monastery where the best Vranac wines age in big 100­ year ­old Monastic oak barrels. In 2006 and 2012 new cellars ware built with the latest winemaking technology but perfectly integrated into the existing complex.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
24
Trebinje
Later, we'll return to Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's maybe the best-kept secret of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For those who are looking for places off the beaten path, Trebinje is the perfect destination. Trebinje is only 28 km (17.3 miles) from Dubrovnik, Croatia. After we return to Trebinje, we going to continue our sightseeing, including the historic Ottoman Arslanagić Bridge (1574) and the Hercegovačka Gračanica monastery on the historic Crkvina Hill offering beautiful panoramic views. Note that the city's Old Town dates to the 18th-century Ottoman period. For a lot of good reasons, Trebinje is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, the rest of the day is for you to relax, go shopping, rent a bike or explore the city independently. Taverns and restaurants where you can sample the best of local cuisine, together with cafes, bars and shops line the streets.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Dobrićevo Monastery / Sarajevo
1 stop
25
Dobrićevska
This day is the last day of our Astonishing tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina! Right after breakfast, we'll visit Dobrićevo Monastery. It is a Serbian Orthodox monastery built in the 13th century in the Kingdom of Serbia (modern-day Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The monastery was built on the foundations of earlier Roman Basilica which was, according to the local legend, built in the Byzantine style, by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother the Empress, Saint Helena (same as Tvrdoš Monastery). During its history the monastery was destroyed or damaged many times. Later, we'll leave for Sarajevo, our final destination. There, depend on your schedule and previous request, we'll drop you off in your hotel.
4 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This tour is available whole year round

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