Things to Do in Bosnia and Herzegovina in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak summer warmth without Mediterranean-level crowds - you'll actually get space to photograph Stari Most in Mostar without fifty people in your frame, especially if you arrive before 9am when tour buses start rolling in
- River temperatures hit their annual high at 18-20°C (64-68°F), making the Neretva, Una, and Drina actually swimmable rather than the teeth-chattering experience of spring. Locals pack the riverbanks on weekends, and you'll understand why
- Outdoor festival season peaks with genuine cultural events like Mostar Summer Festival and Sarajevo Film Festival - these aren't tourist traps but actual community gatherings where you'll hear more Bosnian than English
- Mountain hiking conditions are ideal with clear trails, no snow above 1,500m (4,921 ft), and mountain huts fully staffed. The Bjelašnica and Prenj ranges are accessible without technical gear, and wildflowers are still blooming at higher elevations
Considerations
- August is technically peak season, so accommodation prices in Sarajevo and Mostar run 30-40% higher than May or September. Book at least 6 weeks ahead or you'll pay premium rates for mediocre guesthouses
- Afternoon heat in Mostar and the Herzegovina region regularly hits 35°C (95°F), and the stone streets radiate heat like an oven. Sightseeing between 1-4pm is genuinely uncomfortable - even locals retreat indoors
- Tourist buses concentrate in Mostar, Sarajevo Old Town, and Jajce during August, particularly between 10am-3pm. You'll queue for coffee in Baščaršija and compete for parking in smaller towns like Počitelj
Best Activities in August
Neretva River Rafting and Swimming
August is the only month when the Neretva's emerald-green waters are genuinely warm enough for extended swimming without a wetsuit. The river runs through dramatic canyons between Konjic and Mostar, and water levels stabilize after spring snowmelt, making it safer for families. Half-day rafting trips typically cover 15-20 km (9-12 miles) of Class II-III rapids, with multiple swimming stops. The scenery is spectacular - limestone cliffs, Ottoman bridges, and water so clear you'll see trout from your raft. Most trips launch from Glavatičevo, about 25 km (15.5 miles) north of Mostar.
Via Dinarica Hiking Trails
The Dinaric Alps in August offer what locals call 'katun season' - when highland shepherds move livestock to mountain pastures and traditional stone huts operate as basic guesthouses. Trails around Lukomir (Bosnia's highest village at 1,469m/4,820 ft), Bjelašnica, and Prenj are snow-free and clearly marked. You'll hike through alpine meadows with temperatures 8-10°C (14-18°F) cooler than Sarajevo, making it genuinely pleasant when the capital is sweltering. Day hikes range from 8-15 km (5-9 miles) with 400-800m (1,312-2,625 ft) elevation gain. The bonus is encountering shepherds making cheese and offering homemade kajmak.
Sarajevo War History Tours
August weather makes walking the siege-era sites around Sarajevo more comfortable than summer's peak heat in July. The Tunnel Museum, sniper alley, and hilltop cemeteries involve significant outdoor walking - typically 5-8 km (3-5 miles) over 3-4 hours. Guides are often siege survivors who share personal stories you won't find in books. The context is heavy but essential for understanding modern Bosnia. Morning tours starting around 9am avoid the midday heat, and August's occasional cloud cover actually makes the experience more bearable than blazing sun.
Una National Park Waterfall Swimming
The Una River near Bihać features dozens of travertine waterfalls and natural pools where locals have been swimming for generations. August water temperatures reach 20-22°C (68-72°F) - cold enough to be refreshing but not shocking. The main attraction is Štrbački Buk, a 24m (79 ft) waterfall, and Martin Brod with its cascading pools. You can swim, wade, and explore for hours. The landscape looks almost tropical with lush vegetation and turquoise water. It's about 300 km (186 miles) from Sarajevo, so this works better as an overnight trip or day trip from Zagreb.
Mostar Old Town and Herzegovina Wine Routes
August evenings in Mostar cool to 22-24°C (72-75°F), making it ideal for wandering the Old Town after 6pm when day-trippers leave and locals emerge. The surrounding Herzegovina region produces surprisingly good wine - Žilavka white and Blatina red - and small family wineries around Čitluk and Međugorje offer tastings. The landscape is Mediterranean with fig trees, pomegranates, and vineyards. Combine Mostar sightseeing with afternoon winery visits when it's too hot for walking stone streets. Wineries are casual, family-run operations where you'll taste 4-6 wines for 10-20 KM.
Sutjeska National Park and Perućica Rainforest
Sutjeska contains one of Europe's last primeval forests and Bosnia's highest peak, Maglić at 2,386m (7,828 ft). August is the only reliable month for attempting Maglić without snow gear - it's a demanding 8-10 hour round trip with 1,600m (5,249 ft) elevation gain. For less intense options, the Perućica rainforest has marked trails through 20,000-year-old forest with trees 50m (164 ft) tall. The forest stays 5-8°C (9-14°F) cooler than surrounding areas. Trnovačko Lake, a glacial lake at 1,517m (4,977 ft), is accessible via 6 km (3.7 miles) of hiking and offers wild swimming in shockingly clear water.
August Events & Festivals
Sarajevo Film Festival
The Balkans' most prestigious film festival runs for 9 days in mid-August, screening 200+ films from 60 countries. What makes it special is the open-air screenings in front of the National Theater - locals bring cushions, wine, and watch films under the stars. It's a genuine cultural event, not a tourist attraction. Tickets are affordable at 10-15 KM per screening, and the festival atmosphere takes over Baščaršija with outdoor concerts and late-night cafe crowds. Even if you're not a film buff, the vibe is worth experiencing.
Mostar Summer Festival
Traditional music, dance, and cultural performances happen throughout August in Mostar's Old Town, with the highlight being evening concerts on the Stari Most bridge itself. You'll hear sevdah music, a haunting Bosnian blues style, performed by local musicians. Events are mostly free or low-cost at 5-10 KM. The festival isn't heavily promoted to tourists, so you'll mostly be surrounded by locals. Performances typically start around 8pm when temperatures become bearable.
Banja Luka Summer Festival
The Republika Srpska capital hosts outdoor concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions throughout August along the Vrbas River. The city is less touristy than Sarajevo or Mostar, giving you a different perspective on Bosnia. The Kastel Fortress becomes an open-air venue for rock and traditional music concerts. Entry is typically 10-20 KM. The festival coincides with peak river rafting season on the Vrbas, so you can combine cultural events with adventure activities.