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
- Drastically reduced tourist crowds at major sites - Mostar's Old Bridge and Sarajevo's Baščaršija are 70-80% quieter than summer, allowing genuine interactions with locals and unobstructed photography without waiting for crowds to clear
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year - Hotels and apartments drop rates 40-60% compared to peak season, with quality three-star hotels in Sarajevo available for 35-50 EUR (40-55 USD) per night instead of summer's 80-100 EUR (90-110 USD)
- Authentic cultural immersion during pre-winter preparation season - Locals are preserving ajvar (pepper relish) and making rakija, and you'll see traditional food preparation methods in action at markets, plus coffee houses (kafanas) are full of locals rather than tourists
- Perfect hiking temperatures in lower elevations - Daytime temperatures of 8-12°C (46-54°F) are ideal for exploring trails around Jajce, Travnik, and the Neretva Canyon without the exhausting heat of summer, though higher mountain trails begin closing
Considerations
- Unpredictable and often dreary weather with 12+ rainy days - November brings Bosnia's transition to winter with persistent drizzle, overcast skies lasting days, and sudden temperature drops that can turn rain to sleet in higher elevations, requiring flexible itinerary planning
- Significantly reduced daylight hours - Sunset occurs around 4:30-5:00 PM by late November, limiting outdoor exploration time and making it challenging to fit multiple sites into one day, especially when traveling between cities
- Many mountain attractions and higher-elevation sites begin closing - Cable cars, mountain lodges, and hiking trails above 1,200 m (3,937 ft) start shutting down mid-November, and some rural guesthouses close entirely until spring, limiting access to places like Lukomir village
Best Activities in November
Sarajevo Old Town Cultural Walking and Museum Exploration
November's cool weather and minimal crowds make this the best time to explore Sarajevo's compact old town on foot. The 2-3 hour walk from Baščaršija through the old town to Latin Bridge is comfortable at 8-10°C (46-50°F), and you can duck into museums when rain starts. The War Childhood Museum, Tunnel Museum, and History Museum are all indoor experiences that provide crucial context for understanding modern Bosnia. Coffee culture thrives in November - locals spend more time in kafanas, making it authentic season to experience proper Bosnian coffee ritual without tourist crowds. The city's position at 500-600 m (1,640-1,969 ft) elevation means occasional morning fog that creates atmospheric photography conditions.
Mostar Old Bridge and Herzegovina Day Trips
Mostar sits in Herzegovina's milder microclimate, typically 3-5°C (5-9°F) warmer than Sarajevo in November, with temperatures reaching 13-15°C (55-59°F) on good days. The Old Bridge area is dramatically less crowded - you can photograph the bridge without hundreds of tourists in frame. November means no bridge diving shows (they stop in October), but you avoid the overwhelming summer crowds and can explore the old town's craftsmen workshops when artisans are actually working, not just selling to tourists. Combine with visits to Blagaj Tekke (dervish monastery) and Počitelj medieval village - both are outdoor sites best visited on drier days, typically more common in Herzegovina than central Bosnia in November. The 2-hour drive from Sarajevo passes through dramatic canyon scenery often shrouded in atmospheric fog.
Traditional Bosnian Food Experiences and Market Tours
November is ajvar-making season - the traditional pepper and eggplant relish that every Bosnian household prepares for winter. Markets like Sarajevo's Markale and Mostar's open-air market are full of seasonal produce, with vendors roasting peppers and selling preserving supplies. This is when you see authentic food culture, not tourist-oriented displays. Cooking classes and food tours focus on winter comfort foods - begova čorba (bey's soup), klepe (Bosnian dumplings), and various pita (filled pastries). The cool weather makes hearty dishes like grah (bean stew) and sogan dolma (stuffed onions) especially appealing. Ćevabdžinicas (grilled meat restaurants) are warm refuges on rainy days, and locals are more present than in tourist-heavy summer months. Rakija (fruit brandy) tastings are particularly relevant as November is when many families bottle their home-distilled spirits.
Jajce Waterfalls and Medieval Town Exploration
Jajce's unique waterfall in the town center is often more dramatic in November due to autumn rainfall increasing water volume. The medieval fortress and catacombs are atmospheric in cool, misty weather, and the town's position at the confluence of the Pliva and Vrbas rivers creates stunning scenery enhanced by November's moody skies. The nearby Pliva Lakes and watermills are accessible and beautiful in autumn colors (early November) or stark winter preparation mode (late November). At 400 m (1,312 ft) elevation, Jajce is usually above freezing but can get cold wind. The town sees almost no tourists in November - you may have the fortress entirely to yourself. This is a 2.5-3 hour drive from Sarajevo, making it a full day trip or overnight destination.
Sutjeska National Park Lower Elevation Trails
While higher elevations in Sutjeska become inaccessible in November, the lower trails around Tjentište and the Drina River canyon remain hikeable in early to mid-November, weather permitting. The park is Bosnia's oldest and most dramatic, home to Perućica primeval forest (one of Europe's last old-growth forests) and the Maglić mountain range. November offers solitude - you may not see another hiker all day. Temperatures at 900-1,000 m (2,953-3,281 ft) range from 3-8°C (37-46°F), requiring proper layering. The WWII memorial at Tjentište is striking against autumn/early winter landscape. This is for experienced hikers only - trails can be muddy and slippery, and weather changes rapidly. By late November, snow may close access roads.
Višegrad and Drina River Valley Exploration
Višegrad's famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge (UNESCO World Heritage site and setting of Ivo Andrić's novel 'The Bridge on the Drina') is spectacular in November's low light and often-misty conditions. The town is in eastern Bosnia near the Serbian border, sitting at lower elevation (350 m/1,148 ft) with slightly milder temperatures. November is ideal for the Andrić-focused cultural experience - visiting the writer's birthplace, the bridge, and Andrićgrad (a controversial but photogenic cultural complex). The Drina River valley drive is scenic with autumn colors in early November. This area sees very few Western tourists any time of year, and virtually none in November, providing authentic small-town Bosnian experience. Combine with Dobrun Monastery nearby.
November Events & Festivals
Sarajevo Film Festival Tribute Screenings
While the main Sarajevo Film Festival occurs in August, November often features tribute screenings and smaller film events at Sarajevo's art cinemas, particularly Meeting Point Cinema and Kriterion. These are authentic local cultural events, not tourist-oriented, where you can experience Sarajevo's vibrant film culture that emerged during and after the siege. Screenings are typically in original language with Bosnian subtitles, and tickets are only 5-8 KM (3-5 EUR/3-6 USD). Check local listings upon arrival.
Martinovanje (St. Martin's Day) Wine Celebrations
November 11th marks Martinovanje, when the year's new wine is blessed and tasted. While Bosnia's wine culture is smaller than neighboring Croatia, Herzegovina's wine regions (around Mostar, Čitluk, and Ljubuški) hold tastings and celebrations. This is primarily a local tradition, not a tourist event, but wineries welcome visitors. The Žilavka (white) and Blatina (red) grape varieties are indigenous to Herzegovina. Expect rustic, family-run operations rather than polished wine tourism experiences.