Month guide · Sarajevo · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo in December
What December is really like in Sarajevo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Somebody.gr, CC0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 8.9 hours of daylight. Cold with the first snow; New Year celebrations and the start of the ski season on the Olympic mountains.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Sarajevo: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:14
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:10
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and snowy, with skiing on Jahorina and Bjelašnica, low prices and periods of smog trapped in the valley.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in August). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- New Year's Eve concerts and celebrations
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Baščaršija
Baščaršija and the Sebilj
The old bazaar, founded in the 15th century, centres on the Sebilj, a wooden Ottoman-style fountain in Pigeon Square.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Shopping
- Kids
Religious site · Baščaršija
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
Visit outside prayer times; scarves are usually available at the entrance for women.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Street · Ferhadija and the Austro-Hungarian centre
Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures
A line on the paving of Ferhadija Street, marked 'Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures', shows where the Ottoman bazaar gives way to the Austro-Hungarian city.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Ferhadija and the Austro-Hungarian centre
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Visit in the morning, when the square is quiet and light falls on the façade.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near -2°C and 13 wet days: 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.
Is December a good time to visit Sarajevo?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Sarajevo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Sarajevo?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold with the first snow; New Year celebrations and the start of the ski season on the Olympic mountains.
+How warm is Sarajevo in December?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sarajevo in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.