Best Time to Visit Sarajevo

Summer: warm days, long evenings

July and August are the warmest months, with highs of 27–28°C and the most sun of the year. August is the hottest, and it's also one of the driest. The valley holds the heat, but nights cool to about 15°C, so evenings on the Baščaršija (the old Ottoman bazaar) are easy. Cafés spill onto the pavements and the Miljacka river walk fills up after dark.

The Sarajevo Film Festival takes over the city in mid-August. It's the biggest event of the year, so rooms get tight and prices climb. If you want screenings under the open sky, this is your month. If you'd rather have quiet streets, come in early July or June instead. Many diaspora families visit in summer too, which adds to the buzz.

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

June is rated Excellent, but it's not dry. It rains on about 14 days, usually in short bursts. April and May are rated Good, and May is the wettest of the warm months. Hillsides turn green, and walks up to the Yellow Bastion for the city view are pleasant. Pack a rain jacket for May.

September and October are the easy winners for most trips. September still has Excellent weather, with highs around 22°C and fewer people. In October, the hills around the city turn gold and the air is crisp. It's a good time for a day trip to Trebević by cable car, or for hiking on Bjelašnica. Coffee at a Bosnian café, with a cube of sugar and a plate of ćevapi (grilled minced-meat sausages) nearby, feels just right in this weather.

Winter: cold, grey and cosy

From November to February, the valley is damp and grey. Humidity sits near 90% in December and January, and you'll get only about 2.5 hours of sun a day. January is the coldest month, with lows of -4°C. Smog can settle in the bowl of hills on still days, so don't expect crisp mountain air in the centre.

So why come? Winter is the cheapest time, and you'll have museums and the Latin Bridge area mostly to yourself. Skiers can head up to Jahorina and Bjelašnica, which were Olympic mountains in 1984. They're a short drive from the city, and the slopes are usually better than the town. Bring waterproof boots for the slushy pavements.

Late March is the in-between stretch. It's still chilly and wet, so it's best skipped unless you're after bargains.