If you want to travel for less, choosing the most affordable countries is by far the simplest and most effortless tip! Sadly, so many people don’t even know how cheap it can be! I’m continuing this series of posts with Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s another of the most affordable places, but most importantly, it’s a country in a continent most people love: Europe!
Here are nice and cheap accommodation options in 7 destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to show you just how affordable a trip to an amazing spot can be!
(We’ve also done this for other countries that are even cheaper in other parts of the world: Colombia, Georgia, Türkiye, Egypt, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia!)
Basics of traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina for less
Like most people, you might have only heard about Bosnia and Herzegovina when the mainstream media talked about it. That necessarily means when something bad was happening, as always. The war ended decades ago, you can get over it now.
The country looks wonderful. It’s one of the few countries in Eastern Europe I haven’t visited yet, but it’s very high on my list, given how I loved all the neighboring countries in the Balkans.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in Southeastern Europe, bordering Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia (and a tiny coast on the Adriatic).
To see a less touristy side of Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a perfect destination. Why not combine it with Croatia to save a lot of money compared to the now very expensive coastal destination?
A fun fact about Bosnia and Herzegovina is that it is a federal republic with 2 separate entities. And the 2 entities are NOT Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the fact the country’s name is literally “Bosnia AND Herzegovina”. That’s just wild to me.
As mentioned, it’s also one of the most affordable countries in the world, one of the very few in Europe. It’s obviously a little more expensive than Southeast Asian countries in general, but still very affordable.
Basics of cheap accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
For each of the 7 destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we tried to find you 3 examples of cheap accommodation.
An example for those who:
- Travel solo
- Travel with a companion
- Travel for free with Marriott Bonvoy points
We limit ourselves to nice accommodations that are highly rated.
So if you want it to be cheaper, there are obviously cheaper ones than our examples. The exception: there aren’t any cheaper Marriott hotels, as the world’s largest hotel chain has no options in the low-end segment.
And if you prefer luxury, of course, luxury is also much cheaper in Bosnia and Herzegovina than in the places where everyone always travels to!
So here are the examples of nice and affordable accommodations in 7 destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has recovered beautifully from its troubled past. Nicknamed the “Jerusalem of Europe” for its long history of religious diversity, it’s recognized as a creative city by UNESCO, thanks to its arts, music, and film festivals enjoyed by both locals and visitors.
There is so much to see in Sarajevo! You can take the scenic cable car and admire the majestic city hall. Visit the War Childhood Museum or Galerija 11/07/95, and go unwind in the spa town of Ilidža. Day trips to Lukomir or Konjik are ideal for natural lovers who want to see typical Bosnian villages.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: Hostel Vagabond Sarajevo
- $16 per night per person
- Rated 9.4/10
- Well-rated hotel: Hotel Herc
- $48 per night
- $24 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.0/10
- Nice free hotel: Courtyard Sarajevo
- 10,000 points per night (50,000 points for 5 nights)
- 5,000 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Well-rated hostel at $16
See all hostels in Sarajevo.
Well-rated hotel at $48
See all hotels in Sarajevo.
Nice free hotel at 10,000 pts
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Banja Luka
Banja Luka is the country’s 2nd-largest city and the largest in Republika Srpska, the ethnically Serb one of the 2 main divisions of the country (it’s wild that the 2 divisions aren’t Bosnia and Herzegovina). It’s renowned for its green parks like Mladen Stojanović Park, historic buildings such as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior or the Ferhat Pasha Mosque, and its vibrant nightlife.
The Kastel Fortress stands as the oldest monument in the city, while Gospodska Street is famous for its cafés and shops. On the way to Banja Luka, make stops in Travnik, famous for its Old Town with colorful houses, as well as Jajce to see the fortress, the Jajce Waterfall, and the picturesque Pliva Lakes.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: Hostel Room
- $35 per night per person
- Rated 9.3/10
- Well-rated hotel: Stan na dan Banja Luka
- $37 per night
- $19 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 10/10
- Nice free hotel: Courtyard Banja Luka
- 9,400 points per night (47,000 points for 5 nights)
- 4,700 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Well-rated hostel at $35
See all hostels in Banja Luka.
Well-rated hotel at $37
See all hotels in Banja Luka.
Nice free hotel at 9,400 pts
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Mostar
Mostar is an absolutely gorgeous smaller city and the country’s most popular destination. Don’t miss the iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most), a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as the Old Bazaar Kujundžiluk for a shopping spree.
From Mostar, you can easily take a bus to go see the captivating Blagaj Tekke monastery located on the foot of a cliff. Other interesting day trips include the Kravica Waterfall, Medjugorje, and Pocitelj.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: Hostel Dada
- $15 per night per person
- Rated 9.1/10
- Well-rated hotel: Pansion Rose
- $47 per night
- $24 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.1/10
- Nice free hotel: None
- Mostar Marriott Hotel opening in March 2025
Well-rated hostel at $15
See all hostels in Mostar.
Well-rated hotel at $47
See all hotels in Mostar.
Tuzla
Tuzla is a less-visited city that is the 3rd-largest in the country. Its airport often has extremely cheap flights, so it can be your gateway to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tuzla is known for its Pannonian salt lakes and historic Old Town.
You can also check out the city museum or hike Husino Hill. If you have time, go on a day trip to the Srebrenica Memorial Center. It provides insight into the events of the Bosnian War and honors the lives lost during the genocide.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: Guest House Pasha***
- $14 per night per person
- Rated 8.8/10
- Well-rated hotel: Intime By Nights & Smiles
- $58 per night
- $29 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.9/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Well-rated hostel at $14
See all hostels in Tuzla.
Well-rated hotel at $58
See all hotels in Tuzla.
Una National Park
Nature lovers will love the gorgeous Una National Park in the northwestern part of the country. It’s a great destination for hiking, camping, kayaking, rafting, and even fishing. It has a beautiful waterfall called Štrbački buk.
It’s under 2 hours from Croatia’s famous Plitvice Lakes National Park, so you know the nature in this area is very pretty. It’s one of the most biodiverse parts of the entire Balkans. Only a short drive away, you’ll find the small city of Bihać.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: None
- Well-rated hotel: City Bridge
- $47 per night
- $24 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.2/10 (on Booking.com)
- Nice free hotel: None
Well-rated hotel at $47
See all hotels in Bihać.
Višegrad
Višegrad, located in the eastern part of the country, is a very pretty destination for fans of small towns. Its location is beautiful, as it’s surrounded by pretty hills. A walk through the historic old town area is quite nice.
The city is famous for its iconic Ottoman-era bridge built in the 16th century. The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site! It’s also relatively close to Tara River Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, which is mostly on the other side of the border in Montenegro.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: None
- Well-rated hotel: Turisticki Centar Andricgrad
- $55 per night
- $28 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.2/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Well-rated hotel at $55
See all hotels in Višegrad.
Trebinje
Trebinje is famous for its beautiful Old Town, its lively culture, scenic vineyards, and olive groves. Before you reach this town, you can stop in Pocitelj to admire the unique Ottoman architecture.
Most importantly, Trebinje is located near 2 absolutely amazing destinations in neighboring countries. It is approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from beautiful Dubrovnik in Croatia and 60 kilometers (37 miles) from even better Kotor in Montenegro.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Well-rated hostel: None
- Well-rated hotel: Vila Perla
- $47 per night
- $24 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.5/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Well-rated hotel at $47
See all hotels in Trebinje.
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less (and inspire you, too)!
Summary
Accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is incredibly affordable, as is everything in the country, of course. Now that’s a truly affordable country! And what’s more, it’s wonderful to visit. If you want to travel for less, it’s not rocket science: choose affordable countries! It’s not like you’re sacrificing anything: many are amazing destinations!
What would you like to know about cheap accommodations in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (photo credit: Yu Siang Teo)