Things to Do in Bosnia and Herzegovina in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Summer crowds have cleared out but temperatures remain warm at 20-25°C (68-77°F) - you'll actually have space to photograph Stari Most without dodging tour groups, and restaurant tables in Baščaršija don't require reservations three days ahead like they do in July
- Harvest season brings spectacular food experiences - September is when you'll find fresh figs, grapes, and plums at every pijaca (market), plus family-run konobas start serving their new rakija and homemade ajvar that locals have been preparing all summer
- Water temperatures in the Neretva River and southern swimming spots like Kravica Falls are still comfortable at around 18-20°C (64-68°F) from summer warming, making river activities pleasant without the scorching heat that makes midday hikes miserable in July and August
- Accommodation prices drop by roughly 25-40% compared to peak summer - a decent apartment in Sarajevo's Old Town that costs 120 BAM in August typically runs 75-90 BAM in September, and you'll have much better selection since most European families are back in school
Considerations
- September weather is genuinely unpredictable here - you might get three days of perfect sunshine followed by two days of steady rain, which makes planning outdoor activities like Via Ferrata routes or multi-day hikes in Sutjeska National Park somewhat frustrating if you're on a tight schedule
- Daylight shrinks noticeably through the month, from about 13 hours early September to 11.5 hours by month's end - this matters more than you'd think when you're trying to fit in an afternoon hike to Lukomir village and realize sunset is at 6:45pm instead of 8:30pm
- Some smaller family-run establishments in mountain areas like Bjelašnica or Prokoško Lake start closing for the season in late September, particularly after the 20th, so your options for authentic mountain hospitality become more limited as the month progresses
Best Activities in September
Sarajevo Old Town Walking Exploration
September is actually ideal for walking Sarajevo's hilly streets - the 20-25°C (68-77°F) temperatures mean you can comfortably climb from Baščaršija up to the Yellow Fortress without arriving drenched in sweat. The morning light in September has this particular quality that photographers love, and you'll notice locals are back to their regular routines after summer holidays, so cafes and ćevabdžinicas have their normal rhythm rather than being overrun with tourists. The occasional rain shower tends to hit in late afternoon around 4-6pm, lasting maybe 30-45 minutes, which is perfect timing for ducking into a museum or trying a traditional kahva at one of the copper-lined coffee houses.
Mostar and Herzegovina Day Trips
The drive from Sarajevo to Mostar takes about 2.5 hours through mountain scenery that's particularly beautiful in September when the light is softer and the landscape is still green from summer rains. Mostar itself is significantly less crowded than July-August, meaning you can actually enjoy Stari Most without being jostled by tour groups. September temperatures here run slightly warmer than Sarajevo, typically 22-27°C (72-81°F), making the walk around the old town comfortable. The Neretva River is still swimmable if you're brave, and the restaurants along Kujundžiluk have tables available without the summer wait times. Worth noting that Herzegovina gets less rain than central Bosnia, so even if Sarajevo is drizzly, Mostar might be clear.
Sutjeska National Park Hiking
September is actually one of the best months for serious hiking in Bosnia's highest peaks - the summer heat has broken but trails are still accessible before snow arrives in October. Sutjeska contains Maglić, the country's highest peak at 2,386 m (7,828 ft), and the Perućica primeval forest. Temperatures at elevation can drop to 10-15°C (50-59°F) even when valleys are warm, and afternoon clouds tend to roll in around 2-3pm, so early starts are essential. The park is about 3.5 hours from Sarajevo and genuinely remote - you won't see many other hikers compared to summer months. Trail conditions are generally good in September, though recent rain can make forest paths muddy.
Traditional Food Market Tours and Cooking
September is harvest time, which means the pijacas (green markets) in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Banja Luka are absolutely loaded with seasonal produce - fresh figs, grapes, peppers for ajvar, wild mushrooms if there's been rain, and homemade cheeses from mountain villages. Locals are shopping for preserving and canning, so markets have this energetic atmosphere that's different from summer tourist browsing. Morning visits around 8-10am offer the best selection before things get picked over. This is also when families make ajvar (roasted red pepper spread) and turšija (pickled vegetables), and some guesthouses offer hands-on sessions where you can actually participate in the process.
Kravica Waterfalls and Neretva River Swimming
While water temperatures are dropping from summer peaks, September is still pleasant enough for swimming at Kravica Falls - the water sits around 18-20°C (64-68°F), which is refreshing rather than shocking. More importantly, the massive summer crowds are gone, so you're not fighting for space on the rocks or dodging selfie sticks in every photo. The falls are about 40 km (25 miles) south of Mostar in Herzegovina, where September weather tends to be warmer and drier than northern Bosnia. The surrounding area is beautiful for walking, and several small restaurants nearby serve fresh trout. Late morning to early afternoon offers the best light for photography before any potential afternoon clouds roll in.
Jajce Historical Town and Pliva Lakes
Jajce sits roughly halfway between Sarajevo and Banja Luka and contains some genuinely impressive historical sites including a 17 m (56 ft) waterfall right in the town center and medieval catacombs. September is perfect timing because summer tourists have cleared out but weather remains comfortable for walking the old fortress walls and exploring the Pliva Lakes area just outside town. The lakes are surrounded by wooden watermills that are photogenic in the softer September light, and you can rent bikes or small boats. The town itself has this authentic feel that many Bosnian towns have lost to tourism - locals still outnumber visitors, and restaurants serve traditional food at reasonable prices rather than tourist menus.
September Events & Festivals
Grape Harvest and Rakija Making Season
While not a formal festival, September is when families throughout Herzegovina and the Sarajevo region harvest grapes and begin the rakija distilling process that will finish in late autumn. Some wineries and family farms welcome visitors to participate in grape picking or watch the traditional distilling process. This is particularly strong around Mostar, Trebinje, and the villages near Sarajevo like Ilidža. You'll see grapes drying on racks outside homes, smell the fermentation happening in cellars, and find fresh grape must (šira) being sold at markets - it's a genuine cultural experience rather than a staged tourist event.
Ajvar Making Tradition
Late September into early October is when Bosnian families roast red peppers to make ajvar, the beloved pepper-based spread that's essential to local cuisine. The smell of roasting peppers fills neighborhoods, and some guesthouses and rural tourism farms offer hands-on ajvar-making sessions where you can learn the traditional process - roasting, peeling, grinding, and cooking the peppers with oil and garlic. This isn't advertised in guidebooks but it's a authentic cultural practice that visitors can sometimes join if they ask around at family-run accommodations.