So, you’re thinking about a road trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina? Good. It’s one of the last truly adventurous corners of Europe, a country of staggering mountains, turquoise rivers, and cities where East and West have been mingling for centuries.
But to truly experience it, to find the hidden viewpoints and stop for sizzling roadside lamb just because it smells too good to pass up, you need a car. Public transport will only get you to the main spots. A car gives you the freedom to get lost, to explore, and to see the real Bosnia.
This is a complete seven-day loop that will show you the very best of the country. We’ve designed it as a one-way trip, starting in Sarajevo and ending in Banja Luka, but you can easily reverse it or adapt it. For a journey like this, with its mix of highways and stunning mountain roads, we recommend a comfortable and capable SUV. It gives you space, comfort, and the confidence to explore any road that catches your eye.
Day 1: Arrival in Sarajevo & First Taste of Baščaršija
- Route: Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to your accommodation.
- Driving Time: 25-30 minutes.
Welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina! After you grab your bags at Sarajevo Airport, our agent will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. No queues, no rental desks. We’ll get you sorted with the paperwork right there and walk you to your car.
Take the straightforward drive into the city. You’ll feel the energy shift as the wide boulevards of modern Sarajevo give way to the Austro-Hungarian architecture and finally, the Ottoman-era heart of the city. Check into your hotel, drop your bags, and head straight for the old town, Baščaršija.
Your goal for the evening is simple: get lost in the cobblestone alleys. Follow the smell of grilling meat to find your first taste of real ćevapi. For an authentic experience, try Ćevabdžinica Željo or Petica Ferhatović. This isn’t a place to rush. Sit, eat, and then find a café for your first Bosnian coffee. It’s the perfect way to let the spirit of the city sink in.
Day 2: Sarajevo’s Story & The Scenic Drive to Mostar
- Route: Sarajevo -> Konjic -> Jablanica -> Mostar
- Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (plus stops).
Spend the morning absorbing Sarajevo’s powerful history. For a deep understanding of the 1990s siege, a visit to the Tunnel of Hope is essential. It’s a sobering but incredibly moving experience.
After lunch, it’s time to hit the road for one of the most beautiful drives in Europe. As you leave Sarajevo, the road begins to follow the turquoise Neretva River, carving its way through a dramatic canyon. The water is a color you won’t believe is real.
About halfway, you’ll reach the town of Jablanica. It’s famous for a destroyed bridge that hangs over the river, a monument to a famous World War II battle. But the real reason you’re stopping here is for the lamb. The restaurants in Jablanica are legendary for their slow-roasted lamb (janjetina). Find a spot with a terrace overlooking the river, like Restoran Zdrava Voda, and enjoy a meal you’ll be talking about for the rest of your trip.
Full and happy, continue the stunning drive south. You’ll arrive in Mostar in the late afternoon, just as the sun starts to cast a golden glow on the stone buildings.
Day 3: Mostar’s Bridge & Herzegovina’s Gems
- Route: Mostar -> Blagaj -> Kravica Waterfalls -> Mostar
- Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (total round trip).
Wake up early. The key to experiencing Mostar’s iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most) is to see it before the day-tripping crowds arrive. Walk across the bridge in the quiet morning light, watch the brave divers, and wander the empty alleys. It feels like a different city.
In the afternoon, your car becomes your key to Herzegovina’s treasures. First, take the short 15-minute drive to Blagaj. Here, a 16th-century Dervish monastery (Tekke) is built into the side of a cliff, right where the Buna River springs to life from a cave. It’s a breathtakingly serene and beautiful place.
Next, drive 40 minutes to the Kravica Waterfalls. This isn’t a single waterfall; it’s a massive, 120-meter-wide amphitheater of cascading water. In the summer, you can swim in the cool, green pool at its base. It’s the perfect, refreshing end to a day of exploring. Head back to Mostar for a final evening by the river.
Day 4: The Sunny South & A Taste of the Adriatic
- Route: Mostar -> Trebinje -> Dubrovnik (optional) -> Trebinje
- Driving Time: 2 hours (to Trebinje).
Today you drive south to the city of sun and wine, Trebinje. The landscape changes as you get deeper into Herzegovina, becoming more Mediterranean. Trebinje itself is a peaceful, beautiful town with a relaxed atmosphere, famous for its old plane trees in the city square.
Check into your hotel, then explore the town and the historic Arslanagić Bridge. Later in the afternoon, you have an incredible option. The walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, is only a 35-minute drive away. With your car and the cross-border papers we provide, you can easily pop over for a few hours. Walk the famous city walls at sunset and have dinner on the Croatian coast before heading back to the peace and quiet of Trebinje for the night. It’s the ultimate two-country day trip.
Day 5: The Epic Drive Through Bosnia’s Heart
- Route: Trebinje -> Sutjeska National Park -> Vrbas Canyon -> Jajce
- Driving Time: 5-6 hours (plus stops).
This is your longest driving day, but it’s also the most epic. Today you’ll see the wild, untouched heart of Bosnia. From Trebinje, you’ll head north into the deep forests and mountains of Sutjeska National Park, one of the last primeval forests in Europe. Stop at the stunning Tjentište War Memorial, a powerful monument set in a breathtaking valley.
As you continue north, the road will eventually join the Vrbas River. For the next hour or so, you will drive through the incredible Vrbas River Canyon. The road is carved into the side of the cliffs, with the turquoise river rushing below. It’s a thrilling and unforgettable driving experience. This is a day where a comfortable SUV really pays off.
You’ll arrive in the royal city of Jajce in the evening, ready for a rest after an incredible day on the road.
Day 6: Royal Waterfalls & A Short Drive North
- Route: Jajce -> Pliva Lakes -> Banja Luka
- Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Jajce is famous for one thing above all: a massive, powerful waterfall right in the city centre. Spend the morning exploring the town, walking up to the medieval fortress for panoramic views, and then down to the official viewing platform for the waterfall.
Afterward, hop in your car for the 10-minute drive to the Pliva Lakes. Here you’ll find the iconic Mlinčići, a cluster of small, historic watermills built on a spit of land between two lakes. It’s a scene straight out of a fairytale.
In the afternoon, take the easy and scenic 90-minute drive to Banja Luka, the second-largest city in Bosnia. Settle into your hotel and get ready to explore the green avenues and vibrant cafe culture of the Krajina region’s capital.
Day 7: Banja Luka & Departure
- Route: Banja Luka -> Banja Luka Airport (BNX).
- Driving Time: 25-30 minutes.
Enjoy a final relaxed morning in Banja Luka. Stroll along the river, visit the beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, and find a cafe for one last Bosnian coffee. Banja Luka has a completely different feel from Sarajevo, more central European, and it’s the perfect, peaceful end to your journey.
When it’s time to go, the drive to Banja Luka Airport is simple. Thanks to our one-way rental, you can drop the car off right at the airport, making your departure as smooth as your arrival.
Your Bosnian Adventure Awaits
This week-long journey will show you a country of incredible diversity, from Ottoman bazaars and Venetian-style towns to pristine rivers and wild mountains. The freedom to see it all, to stop wherever and whenever you want, starts with the right car.
This journey is waiting for you. Browse our fleet of reliable SUVs, perfect for this road trip, and book your adventure with Yes.ba today.