Discover All-Season Non-Touristy Sites from Sarajevo
Highlights
Trebinje, Blagaj, Banja Luka, Doboj, Jajce, Medjugorje, Mostar, Sarajevo, Travnik, Tuzla, Zenica
Locations Covered
Trebinje, Blagaj, Banja Luka, Doboj, Jajce, Medjugorje, Mostar, Sarajevo, Travnik, Tuzla, Zenica
cultural, historical, sightseeing
Group Tour
11 Days
Easy
Description
Pay a visit to UNESCO sites and other top destinations on this tour which will allow you to visit this medieval land and discover old towns, fortresses, monasteries and way more! Think about this tour as a great example of the off the beaten path travels. Experience the Balkans in a safe and responsible way.
Itinerary
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Kraljeva Sutjeska / Bobovac / Zenica
Visit 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.
See the historically important dwelling of Bosnian kings, Bobovac. Also, a short distance from the castle remains and the monastery, as well as other sights of Kraljevska Sutjeska.
Next, 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 to 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.
Go to Zenica, a city located in the valley of the 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. Here, we'll have one night's accommodation. After the check-in procedure, you will have time to take a rest or have a stroll independently to see the buzzing atmosphere of the city.
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Vranduk
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 the 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.
Drive to Doboj, a city located in Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is situated on the banks of Bosna River, in the northern region of the Republika Srpska. It is one of the oldest cities in the country and the most important urban center in northern Republika Srpska. Here, we'll have two nights' accommodation. After the check-in, you are free to explore by yourself this colourful city. There are plenty of restaurants, taverns, bars and shops.
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Doboj / Maglaj
Take a tour of 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.
Proceed 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.
Come back to Doboj. Then, the rest of the day will be spent independently, as you want. Here, you will have fine relaxation time, tasty local cuisine and peaceful strolls as you explore the town on your own.
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Tesanj / Jajce
Head towards 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. Since Bosnia was considered a buffer state by the Ottomans, it changed rulers quite often, alternating between Ottoman and Hungarian occupation. Between 1463 and 1476 Tešanj was the center of the Bosnian Kingdom and the residence of Duke Radivoj Kotromanić.
See the fortress that dominates the Old Town, "Gradina”. It overlooks the entire city. This castle became a center of the economic and cultural life of Tešanj. The foundation of this fortification was started even before the Romans conquered the region. Exact dates are unknown. It was later enhanced by the Romans, Slavs and the Ottoman forces. It has been primarily a defensive fortification. During the Ottoman period, the castle had a permanent army.
Admire Tešanj Castle, one of the most significant and biggest castles in Bosnia, with the area of some 6,296 square metres.
Drive to the charming Jajce, currently in the UNESCO Tentative List. It is 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.
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Jajce
See one of Jajce's most unique features, 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 colour. 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.
See the Jajce fortress which 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 various parts of the old fortified wall as well as gates. Also, from the castle visitors can take in stunning views of the surrounding lush green mountains. Thanks to this historic legacy, Jajce is currently a candidate for being named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore the Old Town area which is the most historic, with plenty of medieval buildings, as well as some exemplary Ottoman architecture. Religious buildings to spot include St. Mary's Church, built in the 12th century and the location of the coronations of medieval kings, and the Mithraic Temple, an ancient construction dating from the 4th century that is now protected by UNESCO. Jajce itself is a small city, but its Old Town is truly beautiful. Definitely, you'll enjoy strolling around it!
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Ramsko Lake / Šćit peninsula / Mostar (UNESCO)
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. In the courtyard of the monastery, there are installed valuable art sculptures. The beautiful Franciscan Monastery Rama-Šćit is a place full of history.
Discover Ramsko Lake which is a hidden gem in the Herzegovina region, and it has a special charm in its unique shape combined with stunning nature surrounding it. Located in the mountainous area, the lake is curving around the numerous hills and offering breathtaking views. 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!
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). 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.
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Međugorje / Kravica waterfalls / Počitelj
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.
Next, 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.
Explore Pocitelj, one of the most beautiful towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The medieval town, currently in the UNESCO Tentative List, was once of strategic importance before and during the Ottoman era, which the Fort of Pocitelj (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.
Return to Mostar. There, you will have time for yourself and be able to enjoy the city's vibe to the fullest! Mostar is Bosnia's most visited city, for the 16th-century Stari Most Bridge and Ottoman Old Bazaar. Mountains envelop the city, split by the River Neretva's clear waters into the Ottoman side and a modern city center.
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Blagaj
Go to Blagaj, currently in the UNESCO Tentative List, 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 an overhanging roof. Today, the monastery houses a restaurant with tables looking out over the water, which makes for a picturesque and peaceful lunch setting.
Check out the Blagaj Fort, located a little way outside of the town of Blagaj. It 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.
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. Mostar is full of quintessential Ottoman architecture, with plenty of traditional restaurants, market stalls, mosques and other historic buildings. It is also surrounded by stunning landscape waiting to be explored. The lovely Old Bridge was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and is exemplary of typical Islamic architecture and fine engineering. It crosses over the beautiful turquoise Neretva river and is at the heart of Mostar's historic Old Town. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it attracts thousands of tourists to Mostar every year!
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Radimlja (UNESCO) / Stolac / Vjetrenica / Zavala
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.
After sightseeing one of the best-preserved collections of these tombstones, go to Stolac, currently in the UNESCO Tentative List, and 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 favourable 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.
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 the 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.
Visit the Zavala monastery which 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 the sixteenth century.
Continue to Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina situated on the banks of Trebišnjica River in the region of East 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. Here, we'll have two nights' accommodation. After the check-in procedure, you'll have time to take a rest or have a stroll independently to see the buzzing atmosphere of the city.
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Tvrdoš / Trebinje
After breakfast, go to the quaint Tvrdoš, a monastery with a long tradition of winemaking. The 15th-century Serbian Orthodox Monastery is located in a scenic setting along the right bank of the Trebišnjica River, surrounded by bountiful vines and orchards. 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.
Return to Trebinje 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. The Old Town walls are well preserved. 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.
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Dobricevo
This day is the last day of our Astonishing tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina!
Right after breakfast, 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).
Leave for Sarajevo, our final destination. There, depending on your schedule and the previous request, we'll drop you off in your hotel.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price
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