Things to Do in Bosnia and Herzegovina in August

August weather, activities, events & insider tips

August Weather in Bosnia and Herzegovina

High Temp

Low Temp

Rainfall

% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Peak swimming season in Bosnia's rivers and waterfalls - water temperatures reach 20-22°C (68-72°F), making Kravica Falls, Una River, and Pliva Lakes genuinely comfortable for extended swimming rather than just quick dips
Longest daylight hours of the year with sunset around 8:30pm, giving you 14+ hours to explore without rushing, and evening light perfect for photographing Mostar's Old Bridge and Sarajevo's Baščaršija until nearly 9pm
Mountain hiking conditions are optimal with trails fully accessible and snow-free at all elevations, including Prenj, Bjelašnica, and Maglić (Bosnia's highest peak at 2,386m/7,828ft) - trails that are muddy or snowy in other months
Outdoor dining culture is at its peak with every ćevabdžinica and kafana setting up terrace seating, and locals eating outside until 11pm - you'll experience Bosnian social life the way it's meant to be enjoyed

Considerations

Peak European vacation season means Mostar and Sarajevo see 3-4x normal visitor numbers between 10am-4pm, with tour buses creating 30-45 minute waits at Mostar's Old Bridge for photos and crowded conditions in Sarajevo's Old Town
Accommodation prices in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Blagaj increase 40-60% compared to May or September, with many guesthouses requiring 3-night minimums and booking up 6-8 weeks ahead for quality properties under 80 BAM (40 EUR) per night
Afternoon heat in lowland cities like Mostar regularly exceeds 35°C (95°F), making midday exploration genuinely uncomfortable - locals abandon city centers between 1-5pm, and you should too unless you enjoy heat exhaustion

Best Activities in August

Kravica Waterfall and Una River Swimming

August is THE month for Bosnia's natural swimming spots. Water levels are still strong enough for impressive waterfall flow but temperatures have warmed to 20-22°C (68-72°F) - genuinely comfortable for 30+ minute swims. Kravica Falls forms natural pools perfect for swimming, while the Una River near Bihać offers emerald-green water and riverside beaches. Locals pack these spots on weekends, so visit Tuesday-Thursday for space. The afternoon thunderstorms that occasionally roll through actually make swimming more dramatic with dark skies and warm water. Unlike spring when water is painfully cold or late September when flows weaken, August offers the perfect balance.

Booking Tip: Day tours from Mostar to Kravica typically cost 40-60 BAM (20-30 EUR) including transport. Book 5-7 days ahead through accommodation hosts or see current tour options in the booking section below. Bring your own towel and water shoes for rocky river bottoms. Independent travelers can reach Kravica by rental car in 40 minutes from Mostar - parking costs 5 BAM and entry 10 BAM. Arrive before 11am or after 4pm to avoid peak crowds.

Sutjeska National Park Mountain Hiking

August offers the only guaranteed snow-free access to Bosnia's high mountain trails, including the trek to Maglić peak at 2,386m (7,828ft). The Perućica primeval forest - one of Europe's last old-growth forests - is fully accessible with trails dry and stable. Temperatures at elevation remain comfortable at 18-22°C (64-72°F) even when lowlands swelter. Dawn starts around 5:30am, giving you early-morning light for wildlife spotting (brown bears, chamois, golden eagles) before afternoon clouds roll in around 2pm. This is when serious hikers visit - trails that are muddy in June or snowy in October are in perfect condition now.

Booking Tip: Guided mountain treks typically cost 80-150 BAM (40-75 EUR) per person for full-day hikes, with multi-day Maglić ascents running 200-350 BAM (100-175 EUR) including mountain hut accommodation. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for August weekends. See current hiking tour options in the booking section below. Independent hikers should register with park rangers at Tjentište entrance - trail maps cost 5 BAM. Start summit attempts by 6am to avoid afternoon thunderstorms that develop 60% of August days above 1,800m (5,900ft).

Sarajevo Food Walking Tours and Market Visits

August brings peak season for Bosnian produce - Markale Market overflows with fresh figs, wild blackberries, mountain honey, and kajmak (clotted cream) that locals buy weekly. The outdoor food culture explodes with every neighborhood setting up grills for ćevapi, pljeskavica, and raznjići until late evening. Food walking tours make sense in August because you can eat outside without cold weather rushing you, and the 8:30pm sunset means you experience both daytime market culture and evening grill culture in one tour. The heat actually works in your favor - locals eat lighter lunches and bigger dinners, so evening food tours from 6-9pm capture the real social dining scene.

Booking Tip: Food walking tours typically cost 50-90 BAM (25-45 EUR) for 3-4 hours including 5-7 tastings. Book 7-10 days ahead for English-language tours, or see current options in the booking section below. Independent food explorers should hit Markale Market between 8-10am when produce is freshest and vendors are chattiest, then return to Baščaršija around 7pm when the evening grill scene starts. Budget 30-50 BAM (15-25 EUR) for a full evening of street food sampling.

Neretva River Rafting Near Konjic

August offers the most enjoyable rafting conditions on the Neretva - water levels have dropped from spring's aggressive flows to moderate rapids perfect for first-timers and families, but there's still enough current for excitement. Water temperature reaches 18-20°C (64-68°F), meaning you won't be miserably cold in a wetsuit like you would in May. The scenery is at its greenest with canyon walls covered in vegetation, and the afternoon heat makes getting soaked actually pleasant rather than punishing. The Neretva canyon between Konjic and Jablanica offers Class II-III rapids - enough adrenaline without being terrifying. This is when local families raft, which tells you conditions are genuinely good.

Booking Tip: Half-day rafting trips typically cost 50-80 BAM (25-40 EUR) per person including equipment and transport from Konjic. Full-day trips with lunch run 90-130 BAM (45-65 EUR). Book 5-7 days ahead for weekend slots, or check current rafting tour options in the booking section below. Tours run morning (9am start) or afternoon (2pm start) - morning offers calmer water and fewer groups, afternoon means you're already hot and welcome the water. Minimum age is usually 12 years for August conditions.

Mostar Old Bridge Jumping and Old Town Evening Visits

The famous Stari Most bridge jumping happens daily in August with professional divers performing for crowds - the warm weather means 5-8 jumps per day rather than the 1-2 you might see in cooler months. But here's the insider move: visit Mostar's Old Town after 6pm when day-trippers leave and the town transforms. The evening light on the bridge is spectacular from 7-8:30pm, temperatures drop to comfortable levels, and you can actually walk the cobblestones without being crushed by tour groups. The Neretva River below is warm enough for swimming - locals jump from lower points along the banks. August evenings in Mostar capture what the town was like before mass tourism.

Booking Tip: Day trips from Sarajevo or Dubrovnik typically cost 60-100 BAM (30-50 EUR), but these arrive at peak midday heat and crowds. Instead, stay overnight in Mostar (guesthouses run 60-100 BAM/30-50 EUR per night in August, book 6-8 weeks ahead) to experience morning and evening when the town breathes. See current Mostar tour options in the booking section below. If you want to jump from the bridge yourself, unofficial jumpers pay 25-50 BAM to local diving club members who provide brief training - only do this if you're a confident swimmer and understand the 24m (79ft) height.

Jajce Waterfall and Pliva Lakes Cycling

Jajce's unique downtown waterfall flows strongest in August after spring melt but before autumn low water, and the Pliva Lakes system offers flat, scenic cycling routes through mill villages that are perfect in summer heat - you're always near water for cooling off. The lakes warm to 22-24°C (72-75°F), making them swimmable unlike the rivers. Cycling here works because it's relatively flat (rare in mountainous Bosnia), shaded by trees along the lakes, and you can stop every 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) at swimming spots or watermills. The area sees far fewer tourists than Mostar or Sarajevo, giving you that authentic small-town Bosnia experience where locals still outnumber visitors.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals in Jajce cost 15-25 BAM (7-12 EUR) for a full day - rent from guesthouses or small shops near the waterfall. The Pliva Lakes loop is 12 km (7.5 miles) and takes 2-3 hours with swimming stops. No need to book ahead except for accommodation (guesthouses run 50-80 BAM/25-40 EUR per night, book 3-4 weeks ahead for August). Jajce is 2.5 hours from Sarajevo by bus (25 BAM) or car. Pack swimming gear and visit the watermill village of Mlinčići at the lake's far end - working watermills and a restaurant serving fresh trout.

August Events & Festivals

Throughout August (typically runs late July through August)

Baščaršijske Noći (Baščaršija Nights) Sarajevo

Month-long cultural festival throughout Sarajevo's Old Town featuring nightly live music, traditional sevdah performances, street theater, and craft demonstrations. The entire Baščaršija quarter becomes an open-air venue with stages set up in courtyards and squares. Performances run 8pm-midnight when temperatures are comfortable. This is when you see traditional Bosnian culture presented for locals, not just tourists - families come out, young people fill the cafes, and the Old Town buzzes until 1am. Free entry to most performances, with some ticketed concerts 10-30 BAM.

Throughout August

Mostar Summer Festival

Series of classical music concerts, art exhibitions, and cultural performances centered around the Old Bridge area. The highlight is usually a classical concert performed on a floating stage on the Neretva River with the illuminated Stari Most as backdrop. The festival brings international performers but maintains focus on regional artists and traditional music. Events happen mostly in early evening to avoid midday heat. Individual concert tickets typically 20-50 BAM, some free outdoor performances.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

SPF 50+ sunscreen and after-sun lotion - UV index hits 9 and you'll be outside most of the day, plus Bosnian pharmacies charge 25-35 BAM (12-17 EUR) for good sunscreen versus 8-10 EUR at home

Lightweight rain jacket that packs small - afternoon thunderstorms develop 8-10 days in August, last 20-40 minutes, then clear, so you need something for sudden downpours not all-day rain

Comfortable water shoes or sport sandals with grip - you'll be walking on slippery rocks at waterfalls, river bottoms, and ancient cobblestones that get treacherous when wet

Linen or cotton clothing, avoid polyester - humidity reaches 65% and synthetic fabrics become unbearable, locals wear natural fibers exclusively in summer

Light cardigan or long sleeves for mosques and evening mountain restaurants - mosques require covered shoulders and arms, and mountain towns like Lukomir or Umoljani drop to 12-15°C (54-59°F) after sunset even in August

Reusable water bottle (1 liter minimum) - you'll drink 2-3 liters daily in the heat, and Bosnia has safe public water fountains (česme) throughout cities where locals refill for free

Day backpack (20-25 liter) for waterfall and hiking trips - you'll need to carry swimwear, towel, water, snacks, and rain gear on day trips, and many waterfalls require 15-20 minute walks from parking

Modest clothing for mosque visits - women need a headscarf (provided at most mosques but bring your own lightweight scarf), everyone needs covered knees and shoulders, remove shoes at entrance

Portable phone charger - you'll use GPS navigation constantly on winding mountain roads and for translating menus, and rural guesthouses sometimes have limited outlets

Small Turkish towel or microfiber towel - for impromptu swimming at rivers and waterfalls, dries quickly in heat and takes minimal pack space unlike regular beach towels

Insider Knowledge

Flip your schedule in lowland cities - Sarajevo and especially Mostar are unbearable 1-5pm when temperatures hit 32-37°C (90-99°F). Do what locals do: explore 8am-1pm, take a long lunch and rest during peak heat, resume activities after 5pm when the city comes alive again. Restaurants offer better deals at lunch anyway.

Book accommodation in Sarajevo's Baščaršija or Mostar's Old Town 6-8 weeks ahead for August - anything under 80 BAM (40 EUR) per night with good reviews disappears by late June. If you're booking last-minute, look in residential neighborhoods like Marijin Dvor in Sarajevo or west bank in Mostar where locals rent rooms for 40-60 BAM and you're still only 15 minutes walk from tourist areas.

Wednesday and Sunday are market days throughout Bosnia - Markale in Sarajevo is best on these days with farmers bringing produce from villages, and you'll see locals doing their weekly shopping. This is when you find wild blackberries, mountain honey, homemade cheese, and seasonal specialties that aren't there other days. Arrive by 8:30am before the best stuff sells out.

The afternoon thunderstorms that develop in August are dramatic but brief - when locals keep sitting at outdoor cafes as dark clouds roll in, that's your cue that the storm will pass quickly. Take shelter for 20-30 minutes, have a coffee, and continue. Don't cancel outdoor plans because of afternoon storm forecasts, just build in flexibility around 2-4pm.