Things to Do in Bosnia and Herzegovina in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Sarajevo and Mostar are genuinely atmospheric in November fog and drizzle - the Ottoman-era buildings look particularly moody without summer crowds, and you'll actually get decent photos at Stari Most without waiting for tourists to clear the frame
- Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to summer peak season, and you can book quality guesthouses in Baščaršija for 30-50 BAM (15-25 EUR or 17-28 USD) per night instead of the 70-90 BAM you'd pay in July
- This is when locals are out living their actual lives rather than catering to tourists - cafes are full of Sarajevans playing cards and drinking coffee for hours, and you'll see the real rhythm of Bosnian social life
- November is truffle season in Herzegovina, and restaurants in Mostar and Blagaj serve fresh tartufi dishes that aren't on the menu other times of year - expect to pay 25-35 BAM (13-18 EUR) for pasta with local truffles
Considerations
- Mountain attractions like Lukomir village and higher hiking trails are often inaccessible by mid-November due to snow and mud - the road to Lukomir typically closes around November 10-15 depending on weather
- Daylight is short, with sunset around 4:30pm by late November, which means you're losing 2-3 hours of sightseeing time compared to summer and evening photography becomes challenging
- November is genuinely gray and damp - it's not the romantic European autumn you might imagine, but rather that in-between season where it's too cold to enjoy outdoor cafes but not cold enough for proper snow scenery
Best Activities in November
Sarajevo Old Town Walking Routes
November is actually ideal for walking Baščaršija and the old town because the cool weather means you can comfortably spend 3-4 hours exploring without overheating. The 70% humidity feels less oppressive at 10°C (50°F) than it would in summer. Start around 10am when the fog lifts and shops open - the coppersmith street and Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque area are particularly atmospheric in the mist. The shorter days mean you'll want to finish outdoor exploration by 4pm before it gets properly cold.
Mostar and Herzegovina Day Trips
The 2-hour drive from Sarajevo to Mostar is stunning in November when the Neretva River valley has that moody, overcast atmosphere. Mostar itself is much more pleasant without the summer heat - you can actually enjoy walking the cobblestones around Stari Most without sweating. The bridge diving tradition continues until mid-November if water temperatures stay above 10°C (50°F), though it becomes less frequent. Combine Mostar with Blagaj Tekke and Počitelj - both are atmospheric in the gray weather and less crowded.
Traditional Bosnian Coffee House Sessions
November is peak season for Bosnian coffee culture because locals spend hours indoors in cafes escaping the damp weather. This is when you see authentic social life - groups playing cards, discussing politics, and making a single coffee last two hours. The ritual of preparing and drinking Bosnian coffee slowly makes perfect sense when it's gray and drizzly outside. Try the old-style kafanas in Baščaršija where coffee costs 2-3 BAM and you can sit as long as you want. The warmth and steam from the džezva pots create a cozy atmosphere you don't appreciate in summer.
War History Museum Tours
November weather makes this the right time for the indoor museums and sobering war history sites. The Tunnel Museum is less crowded and more reflective when you're not competing with tour buses. The Gallery 11/07/95 in Sarajevo covering the Srebrenica genocide is powerful year-round but the quiet November atmosphere feels more appropriate for the subject matter. The History Museum and War Childhood Museum are both excellent indoor options when it's raining. Plan 2-3 hours per museum.
Jahorina and Bjelašnica Mountain Visits
By late November, the ski resorts at Jahorina (32 km or 20 miles from Sarajevo) and Bjelašnica (25 km or 15.5 miles) might have early snow, though proper skiing usually starts December. November is interesting because you can visit the mountains for hiking at lower elevations or just enjoying mountain lodges and traditional food. The air is crisp at 1,200-1,500 m (3,900-4,900 ft) elevation and you might catch the first snowfall. Mountain restaurants serve hearty dishes like grah (bean stew) and pita for 8-15 BAM that taste perfect in the cold.
Travnik and Jajce Historical Towns
These central Bosnia towns are underrated in November because tourists skip them in favor of Sarajevo and Mostar, but locals consider them essential. Travnik has the colorful birth house of Ivo Andrić and Ottoman-era fortress, while Jajce has the stunning Pliva Waterfall right in town and medieval fortifications. The 2-2.5 hour drive from Sarajevo passes through beautiful countryside that's atmospheric in November fog. Both towns feel authentically Bosnian without tourist infrastructure, and you'll pay 5-8 BAM for museum entries.
November Events & Festivals
Sarajevo Film Festival Screenings
While the main Sarajevo Film Festival happens in August, the festival organization runs special November screenings and retrospectives at Meeting Point Cinema and Kriterion. These aren't heavily promoted but locals know about them - check the SFF website once you arrive for the current schedule. Films are often in English or with English subtitles, and tickets cost 5-8 BAM.
Truffle Season in Herzegovina
November is peak truffle hunting season in the Herzegovina region, particularly around Mostar and the Neretva valley. While there's no formal festival, restaurants feature fresh truffle dishes throughout the month, and some rural areas offer truffle hunting experiences with local hunters and their dogs. This is genuinely seasonal and you won't find these dishes other times of year.