Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Sarajevo is high
December is high for Sarajevo.
December is Sarajevo's most-affecting winter month. The Christmas market on Ferhadija (smaller than Vienna's or Belgrade's but more atmospheric in Sarajevo's mixed-religious context — Catholic + Orthodox + Muslim + Jewish Sarajevans all participate in the seasonal civic life). Catholic Christmas Eve (December 24) draws crowds at Sacred Heart Cathedral; Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6) at the Old Orthodox Church; the snowy Baščaršija minarets are the canonical winter shot. December also brings Sarajevo's deepest darkness — only 9 hours of daylight, sunset at 16:10. Bjelašnica + Igman ski season opens mid-December.
Travel score
Sarajevo Christmas market + 4-religion seasonal civic life + Bjelašnica ski opens
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 41°F / 5°C highs and 30°F / -1°C lows with 70mm precipitation (often mixed rain/sleet/snow) over 12 wet days. Humidity 85%. Sunshine 2h daily — year's lowest tied with November + January. Daylight only 9h — sunrise 07:15, sunset 16:10. Wind chill brings felt temperature to -5°C. First sustained snow typically early-to-mid December. The shortest, darkest, wettest, most-atmospheric month of the year for Sarajevo's mixed-religious winter civic life.
December Travel Advice
Sarajevo Christmas market on Ferhadija runs late November through early January — smaller than Vienna's or Belgrade's but distinctly Bosnian (copper-cezve coffee stalls, baklava sellers, ćevapi-and-mulled-wine vendors, traditional rakija + Sarajevsko Pivo gluhwein). Catholic Christmas Eve (December 24) draws crowds at Sacred Heart Cathedral; many restaurants close December 24-26. New Year's Eve Marijin Dvor + Baščaršija fireworks at midnight. Bjelašnica + Igman ski season opens mid-December — lift pass BAM 35-50 / $19-28.
December Pricing Trends
Year's near-peak for atmosphere: Hotel Europe $140-220/night (Christmas market weeks $160-280), mid-range 4-star $90-160. Flights from EU $180-380. Book by April-May for December Christmas market + Christmas travel.
Sarajevo December Weather Stats
Avg High
5°C
Avg Low
-1°C
Rainy Days
12
70mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
85%
humid
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
3°C
no swimming
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
42 μg/m³
PM10
70 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
3°C
Nighttime
-5°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sarajevo Christmas market on Ferhadija (open through early January)
- Catholic Christmas Eve (December 24) at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- New Year's Eve Marijin Dvor + Baščaršija fireworks
- First snow often arrives early-to-mid December (atmospheric Baščaršija)
- Bjelašnica + Igman ski season opens
- Modern Bosnian fine-dining at 4 Sobe + Park Princeva Christmas menus
Cons
- 5/-1°C wet cold + -5°C wind chill
- Only 9h daylight (sunrise 07:15, sunset 16:10)
- Hotels at near-peak rates (Christmas market premium)
- Rain/sleet/snow mix on sidewalks common
- Many restaurants close Dec 24-26 (Catholic Christmas)
- Air quality moderate-poor (wood-burning + valley topography)
December Events & Festivals
- Sarajevo Christmas market (Ferhadija — open through early January)
- Catholic Christmas Eve (December 24 — Catholic mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral)
- Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6 — celebrated by Serbian-Orthodox community)
- New Year's Eve (Marijin Dvor + Baščaršija fireworks)
- Bjelašnica + Igman ski season opens
Sarajevo in December — Full Picture
December is Sarajevo's most-affecting winter month. The Christmas market on Ferhadija (smaller than Vienna's or Belgrade's but more atmospheric in Sarajevo's mixed-religious context — Catholic + Orthodox + Muslim + Jewish Sarajevans all participate in the seasonal civic life). Catholic Christmas Eve (December 24) draws crowds at Sacred Heart Cathedral; Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6) at the Old Orthodox Church; the snowy Baščaršija minarets are the canonical winter shot. December also brings Sarajevo's deepest darkness — only 9 hours of daylight, sunset at 16:10. Bjelašnica + Igman ski season opens mid-December.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Deep winter wet cold. Warm jacket (-10°C rated), thermal base layer (Merino), waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat, hand warmers. Cardigan layer for indoor temperature shifts (Sarajevo restaurants run very hot in winter).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
17°C
5.3°C
11.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
27°C
14°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
16.7°C
6.3°C
12.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current5.3°C
-2°C
11/mo
Sarajevo Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -3° | 11d·60mm | 2h | 82% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 7° | -2° | 10d·50mm | 3h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 12° | 1° | 11d·65mm | 4h | 73% | 2 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 5° | 11d·75mm | 5h | 70% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 22° | 10° | 12d·85mm | 7h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 25° | 13° | 12d·90mm | 8h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 28° | 15° | 10d·80mm | 10h | 65% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 28° | 14° | 10d·85mm | 9h | 68% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| 23° | 11° | 11d·75mm | 7h | 73% | 5 | Busy | Peak | |
| 17° | 6° | 13d·90mm | 4h | 78% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 2° | 13d·85mm | 2h | 84% | 1 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 5° | -1° | 12d·70mm | 2h | 85% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Sarajevo December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Sarajevo?
Sarajevo in December is high. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Sarajevo in December?
Sarajevo December averages a high of 5°C and a low of -1°C.
Does it rain much in Sarajevo in December?
Sarajevo December averages 70mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Sarajevo in December?
Deep winter wet cold. Warm jacket (-10°C rated), thermal base layer (Merino), waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat, hand warmers. Cardigan layer for indoor temperature shifts (Sarajevo restaurants run very hot in winter).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Sarajevo in December?
Sarajevo December sunrise is 07:15 and sunset is 16:10, with 8h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Sarajevo in December?
Sarajevo December air quality (AQI) averages 100, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 42μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Sarajevo in December?
In December, Sarajevo is great for Sarajevo Christmas market on Ferhadija (open through early January), Catholic Christmas Eve December 24 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Year's Eve Marijin Dvor + Baščaršija fireworks.
Is December peak season in Sarajevo?
Sarajevo December crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Sarajevo
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.