Where the Dinaric Alps tumble into river valleys and the Adriatic shimmers beyond medieval walls, this 7-day Western Balkans itinerary strings together Sarajevo, Mostar, and Dubrovnik. Expect Ottoman caravansaries and Austro-Hungarian facades, Ottoman-era bridges rebuilt as emblems of reconciliation, and sea-kissed stone lanes polished by centuries of footsteps.

Sarajevo’s Baščaršija bazaar hums with copper-smiths and ćevapi grills; Mostar unfurls around the UNESCO-listed Stari Most where divers slice into the Neretva; Dubrovnik’s ramparts crown the Adriatic like a coral diadem. You’ll ride one of Europe’s prettiest rail lines, wander fortress towns, and taste regional wines—Žilavka, Blatina, and Dalmatian Plavac Mali.

Practical notes: Bosnia and Herzegovina uses BAM (convertible mark); Croatia uses the euro (EUR). Carry some cash for markets; cards are widely accepted. Border crossings are straightforward but can be slower in summer—keep passports handy and allow buffer time. Reserve popular Dubrovnik activities ahead in peak months (May–September).

Sarajevo

Shaped by caravan routes and empires, Sarajevo sits in a bowl of mountains with minarets, churches, and synagogues sharing the skyline. The 1914 assassination at the Latin Bridge echoed worldwide; the 1990s Siege left “roses” in the pavement. Today, the city is a study in resilience, coffee rituals, and warm hospitality.

• Top sights: Baščaršija bazaar and Sebilj fountain, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque complex, Latin Bridge, City Hall (Vijećnica), Trebević cable car and bobsled track.
• Why go now: renaissance of craft coffee and slow food, street art along the Miljacka, and a new generation of guides telling nuanced stories.
• Where to stay: inside or near Baščaršija for character; Marijin Dvor for Belle Époque vibes; Ilidža for spa hotels and greenery.

Stay (affiliate options): Classic comfort at Hotel Europe Sarajevo; budget-friendly Hostel Franz Ferdinand; spa perks at Hotel Hills Sarajevo Congress & Thermal Spa Resort. Browse more stays on Hotels.com Sarajevo or VRBO Sarajevo.

Getting in (affiliate): Compare flights into Sarajevo (SJJ) on Omio. Typical nonstops from Vienna (~1h10) or Istanbul (~2h) often range $90–220 one-way. For regional rail/bus (e.g., from Zagreb or Belgrade), check Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 1 — Arrive in Sarajevo, bazaar stroll, and Bosnian comfort food

Afternoon: Land and settle near Baščaršija. Start at the wooden Sebilj fountain, then drift down Kazandžiluk, the coppersmiths’ lane, where hammers ring and filigree gleams.

Evening: Dinner at Dveri (stone-walled dining; clay-pot stews and somun bread) or Ćevabdžinica Željo (the city’s cult ćevapi—order 10 with kajmak and onions). Finish with Bosnian coffee and tufahija at Miris Dunja or a rakija nightcap at the curiosity-filled bar Zlatna Ribica.

Day 2 — Sarajevo’s essentials with a local (full-day tour)

Deep-dive the city’s layers with a comprehensive guided day.

Best of Sarajevo - Ultimate Full-Day Experience

• Expect a curated route from the Ottoman core to Austro-Hungarian avenues, the Latin Bridge, markets, and tastings.
• Pre-tour breakfast: burek (meat pie) at Buregdžinica Bosna; post-tour dinner: Kibe Mahala for stuffed veal “klepe” and city views.

Day 3 — Siege history, Trebević views, and modern bites

Morning: Join a poignant wartime history tour including the Tunnel Museum, frontlines, and sniper alley context: Fall of Yugoslavia, Sarajevo War Tour with Tunnel of Hope Museum and Frontlines.

Afternoon: Ride the Trebević cable car for sweeping views; walk the mossy 1984 Olympic bobsled track, now a canvas of graffiti and memory. Lunch back in town at Aščinica Hadžibajrić (cafeteria-style classics: sogan-dolma, bamija).

Evening: Optional Cold War detour tomorrow? Consider pre-booking the Konjic nuclear shelter: Secret Tito’s Bunker/Konjic Tour for Day 4 if you’re captivated by Yugoslav history.

Dinner: Klopa for seasonal Bosnian-meets-Med dishes or Avlija, a leafy courtyard favorite.

Mostar

Mostar is a city of limestone lanes and river light. The UNESCO-listed Stari Most arcs over the emerald Neretva; for centuries, locals have leapt from its crest in daring dives. Ottoman houses shelter shaded courtyards, and the call to prayer ripples across cobbles worn smooth.

• Top sights: Stari Most and the Diving Club platform, Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque (minaret views), Kujundžiluk bazaar, Muslibegović House.
• Don’t miss: day trips to Blagaj Tekke (Dervish monastery at a karst spring), Počitelj fortress, and Kravice Waterfalls; Fortica skywalk for a Neretva panorama.

Stay (affiliate options): Explore options via Hotels.com Mostar and VRBO Mostar—Old Town rooms near the bridge are atmospheric; east bank stays are quieter.

Day 4 — Scenic ride to Mostar, Old Town ramble, bridge at dusk

Morning (Travel): Take the scenic Sarajevo–Mostar train (about 2–2.5 hours; ~12–20 BAM), hugging the turquoise Neretva. Check schedules and reserve via Omio Trains. Buses take ~2.5–3 hours (~20–28 BAM) via Omio Buses. Prefer door-to-door? Book a car: Private Transfer Sarajevo ⇄ Mostar.

Afternoon: Check in, then weave through Kujundžiluk bazaar. Climb the Koski Mehmed-Pasha minaret for the iconic bridge-and-old-town view.

Evening: Dinner at Šadrvan (stuffed peppers, japrak) or Hindin Han (riverside grills). Stop by Café de Alma to learn the art of Bosnian coffee. At dusk, watch Stari Most divers—spectacular in summer weekends.

Day 5 — Herzegovina’s highlights (full-day from Mostar)

Discover karst springs, fortress towns, and waterfalls in one sweep.

From Mostar: Kravice waterfalls, Blagaj, Fortica & Počitelj

• Highlights: emerald pools at Kravice (pack water shoes), Blagaj Tekke under a cliff, Počitelj’s citadel, and Fortica’s glass skywalk above the city.
• Food & wine: try trout at Blagaj; back in Mostar, pair dinner at Tima-Irma (legendary grilled meats) with a glass of Žilavka or Blatina.
• Hands-on option: Prefer a slower afternoon? Consider the Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class—learn to roll japrak and bake pita with locals.

Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik-Neretva)

Dubrovnik’s limestone lanes and terracotta crown have dazzled travelers for centuries. Within titanic walls, palaces and monasteries glow; beyond, the Adriatic throws sparks of light across moored boats and secret coves.

• Top sights: City Walls loop, Stradun, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery pharmacy, Mount Srđ viewpoints, Lokrum day escape.
• Insider timing: Walk the walls right at opening or near sunset to dodge cruise-hour crowds. Book dinners and activities in peak season.
• Neighborhoods: Inside the walls for atmosphere, Ploče for views, Lapad for beaches and better value.

Stay (affiliate options): Browse Hotels.com Dubrovnik and VRBO Dubrovnik.

Day 6 — Morning transfer to the Adriatic, golden-hour panoramas

Morning (Travel): Bus Mostar → Dubrovnik runs ~3.5–4.5 hours (border times vary), typically €25–35; compare departures on Omio Buses. Make it a gourmet sightseeing day? Book a private route via Ston’s salt pans and oysters: Full-Day Private Tour from Mostar to Dubrovnik.

Afternoon: Settle in, then amble the Stradun to orient. Detour to the Franciscan pharmacy (one of Europe’s oldest) and Dominican cloister for calm cloisters and citrus trees.

Evening: A breezy, crowd-skirting overview with sunset lookouts: E-Tuk Tuk Tour in Dubrovnik (great photos from Boninovo and Mt. Srđ approaches).

Dinner: Kopun (Dalmatian heritage dishes; try the namesake capon) or Pantarul in Lapad (seasonal, modern Dalmatian). Nightcap at D’Vino Wine Bar—sip Plavac Mali from Pelješac peninsula.

Day 7 — Old Town deep-dive, optional paddle, depart

Morning: Join a compact history walk to unlock layers and legends: Dubrovnik Discovery Old Town Walking Tour (about 1.5 hours). If you’re a cinephile, swap for the 3-hour Game of Thrones & Old City Grand Tour.

Quick lunch: Barba (calamari buns and octopus salads) or Poklisar on the harbor for risottos. Time left and a later flight? Consider a 2-hour coastal paddle: Dubrovnik: Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour.

Afternoon (Departure): Head to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). Compare flights on Omio; there are frequent hops to Zagreb, Vienna, Munich, and beyond. If staying longer, walk the City Walls (~2 km; 1–2 hours) near sunset or take the cable car to Mount Srđ for vast Adriatic vistas.

Where and what to eat (shortlist you can trust)

• Sarajevo: Buregdžinica Bosna (burek and sirnica), Ćevabdžinica Željo (ćevapi classic), Aščinica Hadžibajrić (home-style stews), Dveri (cozy, slow-cooked mains), Klopa (market-driven plates), Miris Dunja (Bosnian coffee & sweets).
• Mostar: Šadrvan (heritage recipes), Tima-Irma (grill favorite), Hindin Han (riverside), Café de Alma (coffee ritual), local Žilavka/Blatina wines at dinner.
• Dubrovnik: Kopun (Dalmatian tradition), Proto (seafood institution), Pantarul (seasonal bistro), Taj Mahal (Bosnian flavors in Dubrovnik), Barba (fast-casual seafood), D’Vino Wine Bar, Buža cliff bar for sunset sips.

Logistics at a glance

• Sarajevo → Mostar: Train ~2–2.5h (~12–20 BAM) via Omio Trains; bus ~2.5–3h (~20–28 BAM) via Omio Buses; private car: Viator transfer.
• Mostar → Dubrovnik: Bus ~3.5–4.5h (€25–35) via Omio Buses; private guided transfer with foodie stops: Viator tour.
• Flying home: From Dubrovnik (DBV), compare routes/times on Omio.

Optional add-ons: If you’d like a heavier history day from Sarajevo, consider the ROSES OF SARAJEVO (Official WAR + CITY tour) – Story of a Survivor.

In one week, you’ll have tasted the Balkans’ depth: Sarajevo’s living history, Mostar’s river grace, and Dubrovnik’s maritime splendor. Keep this plan handy—it balances must-sees with flexible options, reliable routes, and memorable meals.