Best time to visit · Sarajevo · Bosnia and Herzegovina
The best time to visit Sarajevo
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Somebody.gr, CC0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Sarajevo are May to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the hills are green or in autumn colour. August is lively but busy with the film festival. Winter is cold and snowy, ideal for combining the city with skiing, though valley smog can be heavy on still days.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- April and July–August
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 27°C (81°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 4°C (39°F))
- Rainiest month
- April (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- October–April
Seasons
Sarajevo has a continental climate moderated by its mountain setting: warm, sunny summers, colourful autumns and cold, snowy winters. Temperature inversions in the valley can trap smog on still winter days.
March–May
Spring
Thaw and blossom, with comfortable temperatures by May, frequent showers and the occasional late snowfall in March.
June–August
Summer
Warm, sunny days, outdoor festivals and the Sarajevo Film Festival in August, with cooler nights than the coast.
September–November
Autumn
Settled September weather, autumn colours on the hills in October and theatre and jazz festivals, turning foggy in November.
December–February
Winter
Cold and snowy, with skiing on Jahorina and Bjelašnica, low prices and periods of smog trapped in the valley.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C | -4°C | 12 | 9.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 6°C | -3°C | 11 | 10.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 11°C | 1°C | 11 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 16°C | 5°C | 13 | 13.4 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 21°C | 9°C | 13 | 14.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 24°C | 12°C | 12 | 15.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 27°C | 14°C | 9 | 15.1 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 27°C | 14°C | 9 | 14 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 23°C | 10°C | 10 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 17°C | 6°C | 10 | 10.9 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 10°C | 2°C | 12 | 9.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 5°C | -2°C | 13 | 8.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Sarajevo Winter festival — theatre, music and exhibitions (usually February–March) |
| April | Catholic and Orthodox Easter (dates may differ) |
| July | Baščaršija Nights — open-air summer arts festival (usually July) |
| August | Sarajevo Film Festival (usually mid-August) |
| October | MESS international theatre festival (usually October) |
| November | Jazz Fest Sarajevo (usually early November) |
| December | New Year's Eve concerts and celebrations |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in October–April, and the sights are quietest in November–March.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Sarajevo?
The best times to visit Sarajevo are May to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the hills are green or in autumn colour. August is lively but busy with the film festival. Winter is cold and snowy, ideal for combining the city with skiing, though valley smog can be heavy on still days.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Sarajevo?
Usually in October–April. Cold with frequent snow; the city looks beautiful in white, but inversions can bring heavy smog to the valley. Skiing on Jahorina and Bjelašnica is in full swing.
+What is the rainiest month in Sarajevo?
April, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Sarajevo get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).