The Top Things to See and Do in Sarajevo
The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been at the centre of major historical events, namely the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 and the horrors of a four-year civil war that played out until 1995. Today, however, Sarajevo is the political, social and cultural centre of the country, known for its celebration of peaceful religious coexistence. Here’s our list of the top things to see and do.
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1. Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
2. Latin Bridge
3. Kovači Memorial Cemetery
Cemetery, Memorial
4. Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
5. Jewish Museum
Among the numerous museums devoted to aspects of Sarajevo’s rich history, one of the best is the Jewish Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, housed in the 16th-century Old Synagogue, next door to the current, contemporary place of worship. Escaping persecution in other parts of Europe, Sarajevo was happy to welcome Jewish arrivals in the late 1400s. The museum exhibits diverse items that belonged to the community, and is a great introduction to this fascinating aspect of Sarajevo’s story.
6. Eat ćevapi
Architectural Landmark
When hunger pangs strike, there’s only one thing for it: a plate of ćevapi, the national dish of Bosnia. Grilled minced beef is fashioned into elongated meatballs, like small sausages, and a portion consists of several, served in a pitta or flatbread with onions and sauce. A cheap dish, which was simple to make for rebels and outlaws, ćevapi evolved into a local staple during the centuries of Ottoman occupation. You’ll find it widely served in restaurants, and it’s also a popular street food, if you fancy lunch on the hoof.
7. Sarajevo City Hall
Building, Architectural Landmark
One of the most stunning architectural examples from Austria-Hungary’s era of imperial rule (1878–1918) is the town hall, or Vjećnica, as it is known locally. Built in 1898, it suffered sustained damage from Serbs during the civil war in the 1990s, hence the extensive recent refurbishment. Original specifications were observed and copied for each replacement detail, and the result is impressive. Interiors are resplendent with intricate carvings, painted patterns and beautiful stained glass, as well as archways, windows and staircases featuring exquisite geometric elements.
8. Baščaršija
Architectural Landmark, Market
Sarajevo’s Old Town is its historic core, lined with architecture dating back to the 15th century. Just as it was at that time, the area is a market and bazaar as well as the cultural heart of the contemporary city. Woven with narrow cobbled streets, it is a district of small shops full of character, blending Eastern European and Turkish influences. Key among its focal points is the main square with its postcard-famous fountain in the middle – it’s a must-see sight, if you can find it amid the hundreds of pigeons flapping about. With a great selection of traditional restaurants, cafes and coffee houses, this is an inviting area to stroll around and explore.
9. Reminders of the war
Walking around Sarajevo, you can’t fail to notice the scars of the civil war, the bullet holes and the shell-blast damage. The tragedy that played out is still relatively recent, and the nation continues to rebuild. Walls display grim evidence of gunfire and explosions. As its unofficial name, Sniper Alley, suggests, the area around the garish-yellow Holiday Inn was one of the most dangerous in the city, bristling with snipers and offering very little opportunity for shelter. The main thoroughfare, Zmaja od Bosne, is now a commercial street, but it feels eerie once you learn the details of its bloody recent past.
10. Sacred Heart Cathedral
11. Saint Joseph's Church
If you find yourself in the Marijin Dvor area, seek out Saint Joseph’s, with its gemlike, restored stained-glass and elaborate marble altars. Sandwiched between the thundering traffic of the Maršala Tita and the gleaming concrete and plate glass of the Alta Shopping Center, the church feels like a relic of a distant century, with its mullioned windows, neo-romanesque arches and white stone walls. In fact the church was finished in 1940, and was architect Karel Pařik’s last major work; the square outside the church is called Trg Karla Paržika in his honour.
Water-dispensing kiosks, or sebilj, used to stand at many of Sarajevo’s crossroads. This iconic landmark, a small domed pavilion of wood and stone built in 1753, is the city’s last surviving sebilj . It was replaced more than 100 years ago after being damaged by fire. Four centuries of Ottoman rule have left their distinctive mark on the city’s architecture, so architect Alexander Wittek’s revival is perfect for this well-known meeting point in Sarajevo’s 15th-century Baščaršija market. Food stalls and cafes surround this pigeon- and tourist-thronged pedestrian square.
Looking for travel inspiration outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina? Head to nearby Croatia and explore the Dalmatian Coast on our eight-day adventure . Alternately, browse our collections of Epic Trips , Mini Trips and Sailing Trips to find your next exciting destination.
Phoebe Taplin contributed additional reporting to this article.
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15 Spectacular Things to Do in Sarajevo
Surrounded by mountains, the lively and scenic Sarajevo is known for–but not defined by–the scars of its past. Explore enough of the best things to do in Sarajevo, and you’re bound to fall in love with many, many sides of the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Though Sarajevo wears its recent, bloody history more subtly than nearby Mostar does, you can still feel it oozing underneath the surface.
But that being said, Sarajevo simply has so much other history competing for attention, that the breakup of Yugoslavia becomes one chapter of the narrative, rather than the dominating storyline.
Go to Sarajevo. Whether you’re touring mosques, sampling delicious food, discovering offbeat Sarajevo attractions, or staring out over the impressive landscape, it is impossible to be bored in this fascinating city.
Here are the best things to do in Sarajevo!
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The Best Things to Do in Sarajevo
Get oriented with a walking tour..
While visiting Sarajevo can be lots of fun, it’s also undeniable that it is a complicated city–and the best way to meld old and new together when you first arrive is by getting started with a walking tour.
This popular tour will take you to some of the most interesting places to visit in Sarajevo, helping you get oriented with the city while learning everything from historical facts to how to get around.
Book your Sarajevo walking tour today!
Check out the famous Sebilj Fountain.
Want to make sure you return to Sarajevo?
Legend says that if you drink from this iconic fountain, you always will.
Even if you don’t plan to take a drink, though, the fountain’s iconic status as one of the most famous landmarks in Sarajevo combined with its location in the lively Baščaršija Square means that you should absolutely still stop by.
Visit the Sarajevo War Tunnel.
How could this not make the top of any list? Sarajevo’s War Tunnel is famous: dug underneath the airport to allow for transfers of goods and people during the siege of Sarajevo, this tunnel has now been made into a museum.
Not only can you walk a small piece of the tunnel (it’s shorter than I imagined–I couldn’t stand up straight!), the museum also has footage and relics from the war.
The museum was more impactful than I imagined it would be: in the footage of the men digging the tunnel, there were all ages shown.
I was drawn to the young ones, though–the early-to-mid-twenties men who were busy digging tunnels to assist a war effort.
They reminded me of my dad, who was a similar age at the time but living a vastly different life (building a career, playing with me), in no small part due to the luck of being born in the USA instead of in Sarajevo.
The tunnel is located a bit outside of the city center, so likely won’t be walkable from where you’re staying. If you’d rather not worry about transportation, a tour like this is a great option.
Book your visit to the Sarajevo War Tunnel.
Explore the Old Town of Sarajevo.
Beautiful and walkable, Sarajevo’s Old Town is packed with restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions alike–you can find many of the best things to see in Sarajevo by exploring this neighborhood on foot.
Wherever you turn in the Old Town, people are selling everything from teapots to Bosnian SIM cards .
Wandering aimlessly through Sarajevo’s Old Town is a fun way to relax when visiting Sarajevo.
Sample some baklava.
Sarajevo’s baklava is some of the best that we’ve seen–which is not surprising since it is a traditional dessert in the former Ottoman Empire.
While we’ll never turn down a chance to sample baklava throughout the former Ottoman Empire, there’s no doubt that a trip to Sarajevo is incomplete without at least one serving of baklava.
Walk across the Latin Bridge.
Before the siege of Sarajevo, the city was already famous for another war: the start of World War I.
Steps away from the Latin Bridge, Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, was assassinated, kicking off a global conflict that quite literally changed the world.
This is a place that you can feel history beating down on you, and crossing the Miljacka River via this historic bridge belongs on any list of what to do in Sarajevo.
Watch the sunset from the Yellow Fortress.
Built between 1727 and 1739 and also referred to as the Yellow Bastion, the Yellow Fortress was originally used for defense.
Today, however, it’s better known for being one of the best places to watch the sunset in Sarajevo!
Grab a treat at a Bosnian cake shop.
Our Airbnb host was the first person who used the phrase “cake shop” with us, but we heard it several times in Sarajevo–it would appear that Bosnians eat cake the way Italians eat gelato, and the cakes are delicious.
Look for the Sarajevo roses.
The explosions of mortar that came crashing onto Sarajevo during the siege left their mark all over the city–frequently, on the concrete ground.
The shells would cause a spreading pattern on the concrete, said to look like flowers. As a memorial, many of these were filled with red resin and named Sarajevo’s roses.
We only noticed one on our own, which was at the War Tunnel, though it is said that more than 100 were filled in at some point–be sure to keep an eye out for them while you’re working through your list of things to do in Sarajevo!
Tours are available that will take you to them, and if you’re interested, it’s worth going soon: the roses are slowly disappearing as the asphalt in the city is replaced over time.
Take a day trip to Mostar (and beyond).
After Sarajevo, the scarred-yet-beautiful city of Mostar is one of the best places to visit in Bosnia.
This popular day trip will take you not only there, but also to Konjic and Blagaj, allowing you to explore some of the most interesting places in Herzegovina in a single day.
Book your day trip to Mostar today!
Visit the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque.
This mosque, in the center of the Old Town, dates to the 1500s and was gifted to the city (along with a large parcel of other lands and structures) to Sarajevo by Ottoman war hero Husrev-beg upon his death.
Both the interior and exterior of the mosque are exquisitely beautiful, and open to tourists during certain parts of the day.
Visit the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa.
The madrasa, or Koranic secondary school, that was founded by Gazi Husrev-beg is both beautiful, and a wonderful place to learn more about his personal history–a history that is tightly tied up with the history of Sarajevo.
This is one location that we left feeling like we had definitely learned information about a city that we were unlikely to ever have found on our own, without knowing what we were looking for
The tickets are just a few marks, and you can purchase a combination ticket for the madrasa and the mosque listed above.
Stare down on Sarajevo from Mount Trebevic.
Reachable by cable car, taxi, or a long hike, Mount Trebevic is the most easily accessible mountain from Sarajevo’s Old Town, and it boasts beautiful views and plenty of corners to explore–including Sarajevo’s famous bobsled track that was built for the 1984 Winter Olympics.
The track is decorated with ample amounts of graffiti and is more or less abandoned today, but it’s still one of the most popular places to visit in Sarajevo.
Sample some cevapi.
Our Airbnb host in Mostar swore that the best cevapi in the world was in Sarajevo.
The dish consists of small sausages served with bread and raw onions–we found it tasty, but a little plain and not mind-blowing.
We left with the impression that we’d be happy to eat it again, but only once in a while (and, in the time since our Sarajevo travels, that has proven accurate)!
Either way, it’s well worth trying when visiting Sarajevo.
Check out the impressive Sarajevo City Hall.
Named Vijećnica, Sarajevo’s City Hall is widely considered to be one of the most impressive buildings in the city and is well worth a visit as you explore Sarajevo.
About Kate Storm
In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.
10 thoughts on “15 Spectacular Things to Do in Sarajevo”
That baklava looks divine! Lovely photos, the old town looks so charming.
It was delicious! I would love another one right now. 🙂
Ah sarajevo…you know…its good that people start visiting the city. Here in Europe there is a lot of..well…the war is 20 years ago but still present in a lot of minds so Sarajevo is not exactly at the top of their bucket list. What a shame. good guide!
Ah sarajevo…you know…its good that people start visiting the city. Here in Europe there is a lot of..well…the war is 20 years ago but still present in a lot of minds so Sarajevo is not exactly at the top of their bucket list. What a shame. good guide!
Thanks, Norman! I agree, it’s a shame that the war keeps Sarajevo from being more popular. But, who knows–maybe Bosnia & Herzegovina will be the next Croatia and make a huge comeback as a tourism destination. Sarajevo is a remarkable place!
Great Post!!! I truly believe that there is much more to explore new places. The world has incredible beauty which makes us visit new places for sure.
Went to Sarajevo by accident and spent my birthday there. Let me tell you that it was memorable. Could not be better. Mostra visit was fabulous. Our tour guide was the best. Hope to return one day
It is an incredible city! What a fun place to celebrate a birthday. 🙂
This is a wonderful overview of all the things that make Sarajevo such a uniquely special location. We spent my husband’s birthday there last year and were so moved by the physical reminders of the years of conflict but also in awe of the city’s sense of pride, dynamism and strength. We visited Sarajevo as part of a longer Balkans road trip; Bosnia was our favourite country by far!
Sounds like an incredible trip! We have spent quite a bit of time in the Balkans but never on a multi-country road trip (we’ve only done road trips in Croatia and Slovenia). Hoping to fix that in the next couple of years!
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10 Reasons to Visit Sarajevo
It's an excellent starting point
Sarajevo is located in the heart of Southeastern Europe and is an excellent starting point when taking in the entire region. More
Excellent value for the money
Sarajevo finds itself at the very top of lists of European capital cities where visitors can certainly get a good value for their money. More
A place steeped in history
In Sarajevo you can find traces of the Neolithic Butmir Culture, Illyrians, Romans, Slavs, as well as remains representing the medieval Bosnian Kingdom, the Ott... More
A unique cultural mix
For several hundred years, the borders of two great empires, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian, which represented the two poles of the world at that time – East... More
A relaxing rhythm
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An ideal size
Sarajevo is large enough that there is a lot to see and experience, yet also small and compact enough to get wherever you want on foot. More
Gorgeous nature
With all of the advantages that one capital city can offer its visitors, in Sarajevo you’ll have a chance to find yourself totally outside the urban milieu in l... More
A safe destination
While the city still bears visible scars from the war, Sarajevo is considered one of the safest capital cities in Europe. More
Delicious and organic food
Mornings in Sarajevo traditionally start with Bosnian coffee, which is served in small copper pots (džezve). More
Hospitable and kind people
If the beauty of a city is determined by its inhabitants, then Sarajevo definitely ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world! More
When to Visit
May in Sarajevo is beautiful. The nature is dressed up in its glorious spring clothing, so if you are arriving in May you should find the time for a visit to some of the city's surrounding picnic areas. For a shorter nature visit, we recommend Brus on Mount Trebević, and if you want to spend an entire day in the nature, a visit to Bjelašnica's mountain villages is a must. More
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Provozati se fijakerom velikom alejom.
Sarajevo’s Old Clock Tower
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Ashkenazi Synagogue
The Aškenazi Synagogue was built in 1902 for Sarajevo’s Jews, who began to arrive in greater... More
Yellow Fortress
The Yellow Fortress is one of the fortifications that made up the defensive wall of the old town, Vratnik... More
The Old Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Cemetery, which is located in Kovačići, is one of the largest Jewish sacral complexes in E... More
The Franciscan Church and Monastery of St. Anthony of Padua
When the original Church of St. Anthony was built in 1882, it was the only Catholic church in Sarajevo an... More
Sarajevo Roses
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The Old Orthodox Church
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When you enter a coffee house and look for a place to sit, you need to be very careful not to trip over the long pipes which smokers, who are seated on low pillows, leave in the middle of the coffee house floor. If you step on one of these long pipes or even touch it, it can cost you dearly, for you are disturbing the Sarajevans’ “pleasure”. Notwithstanding all of the commotion outside in Čaršija, inside there is silence. All you can hear is the bubbling of the water pipes and the sound of coffee boiling on the embers.
Robert stanhopes, a traveler who visited sarajevo in 1634, all my dilemmas about how my photos of sarajevo should look disappeared when i arrived there. things were happening too fast there. i could only respond to them., annie leibovitz, photographer, cinema night: enjoy movies free of charge on december 28th.
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Is Sarajevo Worth Visiting? Pros & Cons!
This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
If you’re wondering, Is Sarajevo worth visiting? then you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll walk you through why Sarajevo is an extraordinary place to visit. Because, spoiler alert, Sarajevo is absolutely worth visiting. You’ll fall in love with the stunning old town, friendly coffee culture and quirky hybrid of architectural styles hailing from different eras in the city’s rich history. And, if you’re anything like me, it might even become your favourite city in the whole Balkans region! However, there are a few things to bear in mind before deciding if Sarajevo is the best place for your European holiday. Although it is a culturally fascinating, interesting and beautiful city with some incredibly kind residents, Bosnia & Herzegovina provides a different tourist experience to other cities in Europe .
Read next: what to do in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Wondering about other places in this part of the world? See my guides to whether Bratislava is worth visiting , if Albania is worth visiting , and my reasons to visit Belgrade
So, while I genuinely believe Sarajevo is the sort of city where you’ll leave behind a piece of your heart (I know I did), it might not be the place for you if you’re looking for a light -hearted city break or lively nightlife. Here’s what you need to know before booking your ticket to Sarajevo…
SARAJEVO ESSENTIALS Accommodation : Booking.com / Hostelworld Getting there : flight / car / bus Activities : GetYourGuide / Viator
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Is Sarajevo worth visiting? 6 reasons why it is!
Sarajevo is so popular because it’s a beautiful and historically rich city, and it’s affordable! But let’s get stuck into the specifics…
Sarajevo is budget-friendly
If you’re a budget traveller (or just want to make your money go further), then Sarajevo should go straight to the top of your European city bucket list. With rooms from just 20 BAM (€10) and meal prices rarely pushing 10 BAM (€5), your biggest expense will be your flight (and you can use Skyscanner to get the best price on that!). Sure, the low-cost museums aren’t going to be as grand as the Louvre or the British Museum but they’re incredibly poignant, niche and historically significant. Plus, there are no queues!
Unmissable attractions and thought-provoking history
My trip to Sarajevo was as devastating as it was memorable. Heartbreakingly, Sarajevo is the site of one of Europe’s worst and most disturbing contemporary war events: the Sarajevo siege and genocide in the 1990s. Parts of the city are like a living history museum, and you can take walking tours to see areas with bullet holes and mortar shell explosions known as Sarajevo Roses . Besides the stark recent history, you can also walk to the bridge where World War I began. Franz Ferdinand was assassinated on the Latin Bridge by a Serbian sniper, leading to a series of catastrophic events that culminated in the war.
If you’re looking for reasons to visit Sarajevo, here are some worthy attractions for a glimpse into Sarajevo’s history:
- Visit the Tunnel of Hope , once used to smuggle food and weapons into the capital (and smuggle people out) when the Bosnian Serb Army sieged the city for 1425 days. My experience here has stayed with me to this day.
- Watch a beautiful sunset from the Yellow Fortress – one of the best views in town. On the way, you’ll pass Kovaci Cemetery where you can pay respects to those lost during the 1990s war.
- Take the cable car more than 1100 metres up Trebevic Mountain before exploring the heavily graffitied bobsleigh trail on Trebevic Mountain (abandoned since its use in the 1984 Winter Olympics).
- See all the above on the Fall of Yugoslavia tour – a heartbreaking but moving and fascinating account of the city’s past led by a local guide. Plus, it’s time-efficient if you only have a couple of days in Sarajevo.
- Take a Srebrenica tour and visit the devastating location of the genocide of Bosniak Muslims, often considered the worst war crime since WWII. I’ll be honest: you’ll need a strong stomach and be prepared to shed a few tears, but a visit here is as essential as it is harrowing.
- Visit the many galleries and museums in Sarajevo.
Read next: 35 amazing things to do in Sarajevo
Although it’s difficult to hear about the war in Sarajevo, the historic tours and attractions are handled in a sensitive and compassionate manner. And although it’s challenging to listen to tales of the worst of humanity, through the generous locals and their willingness to share, you’ll find the best of it, too.
Great food, coffee culture and super friendly locals
You’ll find great coffee all around the city but the Baščaršija (central market), based within the Ottoman quarter, is a fantastic place to start. So coffee snobs are in luck, whether you sit down at a local stall at the side of the road or one of the contemporary speciality cafes, such as Ministry of Ćejf or Fabrika Coffee . As for the food, my favourite Bosnian treats include burek (a savoury pastry), cevapi (ground sausages with bread and onion) and sweet baklavas. So, if you’re still wondering if Sarajevo is worth visiting, I can assure you that foodies will certainly think so! Klopa and Apetit are good Western food options if you want a change from hearty Balkan fare, especially if you’re searching for vegetarian options. I also loved Falafel for lunch – sit near the window so you can look out at the mosque while you eat! If you can, chat with the locals during your coffee hunt. In my experience, the people here are incredibly generous with their time, even when talking about the tragic recent history (which many locals can still remember well). Talking about the war is a sensitive topic that I didn’t like to push people on, or bring up first, but if you do find a local open to talking about it, you’re in for a powerful conversation.
Intriguing architecture and cultural gems
From Austro-Hungarian mansions to communist apartment blocks and grand Ottoman-era mosques, Sarajevo’s rich history is prominent, even before you learn about Bosnia and Herzogivina’s past. It’s written all over the wildly different architectural styles that make Sarajevo look so unique. Many countries have played their part in Sarajevo’s history and left their mark. With different eras come different religions; you’ll spot stunning mosques, churches and synagogues all neighbouring one another. Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, Ashkenazi Synagogue and Sacred Heart Cathedral are three of the most beautiful.
While exploring Sarajevo, look out for street art and an assortment of handmade craft stalls. Although some of these homemade goods are overtly touristy, it’s well worth visiting Sarajevo to see the metalworkers on Kazandziluk, the city’s oldest street. The profession has been performed here since the 16th century.
Sarajevo is largely walkable
While Sarajevo might not be the biggest and most thriving of European capitals, that adds to its charm in some ways. Most key attractions can be reached on foot as you wind through the city’s many alleyways and side streets. In fact, the beautiful bazaar area is fully pedestrianised. Having all the main attractions just a stone’s throw away from your hotel makes Sarajevo feel very convenient. It’s a pretty low-maintenance destination, and you rarely have to book restaurants or attractions in advance. While it’s easy to find your way around solo, I highly recommend taking a free walking tour, such as the Meet Bosnia free walking tour , which departs at 10.30am and 3pm daily. For attractions outside of the centre, you can hail a taxi on the street or ask your accommodation for a reputable company to phone. Just make sure the meter is on to avoid scams.
Sarajevo is safe for solo travellers
Sarajevo is a tourist-friendly city with plenty of attractions, tours and English-speaking locals to make you feel at home. Hostels and hotels are used to foreign tourists and will welcome you with a chat and, if you’re lucky, a coffee. For me (a young solo woman traveller), a good reason to visit Sarajevo is that it’s a safe city with low crime rates.
Although exploring Sarajevo on foot is the most convenient and attractive way to experience the city, I used local buses to travel around the Balkans (including from Sarajevo to Mostar) and found the experience easy. The buses weren’t fancy, but they felt safe. Although there weren’t many other tourists on the bus to Belgrade , possibly because I travelled in the off-season, no one seemed remotely interested in the fact I was a woman travelling alone. Sarajevo is also generally safe for LGBT+ folk, as discrimination is illegal.
Read next: a complete guide to solo travel in Europe
Easy links to other beautiful Balkan cities and beyond
If you do decide to stray from Sarajevo’s walkable city centre, there’s plenty to see in regions nearby. The central bus and train stations are easy to access, connecting to other fantastic Balkan destinations. The most popular day trip is to Mostar, a historic gem filled with cute cobblestone lanes and friendly market streets all leading towards the star attraction of Mostar , Stari Most, a 16th-century stone bridge overlooking the strikingly blue Neretva River. The bridge is often considered the most photogenic spot in all of Bosnia & Herzegovina, conveniently just 2 hours from Sarajevo via a scenic bus or train journey.
Further afield, you can use Flixbus to reach Zagreb and Vienna or use local buses for other routes. Alternatively, Sarajevo is located just 9km from its nearest airport, which has international flights to key cities in Europe and the Middle East, including Frankfurt, Vienna, Istanbul and Zagreb. Plus, 200+ weekly flights between London and Sarajevo make it an accessible destination for Brits.
Is visiting Sarajevo worth it? Four reasons why it might not be:
- If you’re planning a winter trip, then be warned that Sarajevo gets chilly between November and March. In winter, Sarajevo has highs of just 4 degrees Celcius and lows of -3, on average.
- The tourist infrastructure is less glamorous than other European cities, especially in North and Western Europe. Don’t head here for luxurious infinity pools and 5* service. On that note, there’s also little nightlife. There are some great bars and hookah (shisha) joints, but they close early compared to other European cities.
- During your Balkans itinerary , you’ll quickly notice that it’s common for people to smoke indoors . I’ve even seen people smoking in the mall! Technically, it isn’t legal in restaurants but it IS legal in bars and cafes. Often, I would be trying to enjoy a coffee and cafe with a face full of second-hand smoke. Yuck!
- Sarajevo is emotionally exhausting. While the artisan markets, coffee culture and mishmash of architectural styles make Sarajevo a vibrant place to visit, its stark history encompassing war and genocide is impossible to avoid. I cried endlessly. So why visit Sarajevo if it’s so sad? Well, it’s important to understand the history of this region of Europe and honour those who suffered it.
Conclusion: Is Sarajevo worth visiting?
Yes, Sarajevo is worth visiting. My visit to Sarajevo has stayed with me far more profoundly than other European capitals. Between learning about the history, walking around the maze of streets and their endlessly contrasting architecture, and stopping for coffee in cosy cafes, Sarajevo is just one of those places I’ll remember forever.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you have a better idea of whether Sarajevo is worth visiting based on what you’re looking for.
Browse more Balkans blogs:
- The ultimate Balkans itinerary for up to 2 months
- What to do in Belgrade, Serbia
- The top attractions in Pristina, Kosovo
- The ultimate Albania itinerary
- Things to do in Tirana, Albania
- Is Albania worth visiting?
- Hiking in Theth, Albania
- Guide to Kotor, Montenegro
- 5-10 day Montenegro itinerary
- Things to do in Skopje, North Macedonia
- 2 week Romania road trip
- Things to do in Brasov, Romania
- Things to do in Timisoara, Romania
- How to spend 2 days in Sofia, Bulgaria
For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .
TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR VISITING BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner and search by month to see the cheapest dates. Driving in Europe – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in European countries (and all around the world). For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com . You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. Browse tours and Mostar activities on GetYourGuide and Viator . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!
Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!
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U2 Sarajevo Doc ‘Kiss the Future,’ Produced by Ben Affleck & Matt Damon, Coming to Paramount+
The documentary, which played at the Berlin & Tribeca film festivals, starts streaming May 7.
By Rania Aniftos
Rania Aniftos
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Kiss the Future , the documentary about U2’s landmark 1997 concert in Sarajevo, is coming to Paramount+, Billboard can exclusively announce.
The Berlin Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival selection will arrive exclusively on the platform in the U.S. and Canada on May 7.
7 Best Moments as U2 Welcomes Striking Sphere Venue to Las Vegas
The film, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for Artists Equity and Sarah Anthony and directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain, is based on writer Bill S. Carter’s memoir Fools Rush In , which captures the artistic defiance surrounding the 1990s siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War. The doc highlights the underground community that used music to effect change, ultimately inspiring an American aid worker to reach out to U2 to help raise awareness of the conflict.
Kiss the Future features interviews with U2’s Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton, as well as President Bill Clinton, journalist Christiane Amanpour and more as it celebrates U2’s post-war concert, where they performed to 45,000 fans in the joyous, liberated city.
Trending on Billboard
Kiss the Future was financed and produced by Fifth Season and is a Fifth Season, Artists Equity and In Cahoots Production. Fifth Season is handling global distribution on the title.
U2 just wrapped a 40-date residency at the brand-new Las Vegas venue Sphere last month, grossing $244.5 million from 663,000 tickets sold to become the fourth-highest-grossing concert residency of all time.
Watch the Kiss the Future trailer below, and watch the film exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada starting May 7.
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Visit Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 19,085 likes · 996 talking about this. Welcome to Sarajevo and to the Official Facebook Page of Tourism Association of Canton Sarajevo!
Visit Sarajevo. 615 likes · 17 talking about this. A site run by individuals with a passion for Sarajevo and Bosnia.
More information about our activities Latest News & Blog Latest News Post On April 21, 2021 | By Visit Sarajevo Cooperation between the Tourist Board of Canton Sarajevo and the [email protected] Dalmatinska 2/4, 71 000 Sarajevo
Destination Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 88,014 likes · 1,351 talking about this · 541 were here. Official fan page of Destination Sarajevo! Share your travel experiences, submit...
Visit Sarajevo. 668 likes. A site run by individuals with a passion for Sarajevo and Bosnia.
Instagram & Facebook. . [custom-facebook-feed feed=1] ... Visit Sarajevo - Turistička zajednica Kantona Sarajevo, osnovana je početkom 2017. godine kako bi na najbolji način odgovorila na potrebe razvoja, očuvanja i zaštite turističkih i kulturnih vrijednosti u Kantonu.
Meet Midhat Becar, a master jeweler keeping the tradition alive in Sarajevo! 🌟 Visit his store, BecArt, to witness the artistry of filigree designs and explore the rich heritage of Zlatarska craftsmanship. Midhat continues to create stunning pieces and offers hands-on courses for those eager to learn the craft.
The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been at the centre of major historical events, namely the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 and the horrors of a four-year civil war that played out until 1995. Today, however, Sarajevo is the political, social and cultural centre of the country, known for its celebration of peaceful religious coexistence.
Tourist Agencies. Plan a trip to Sarajevo with the help of the Destination Sarajevo Guide. Find out what to do, where to go, what the must-see attractions are and find all the relevant information visitors might need.
Things to Do. Those who are visiting Sarajevo for the first time are usually pleasantly surprised when they see all that this destination has to offer. In order to help you avoid feeling lost among the many choices, we've selected 20 things that you should be sure to do during your stay in Sarajevo. 1.
Visit the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. This mosque, in the center of the Old Town, dates to the 1500s and was gifted to the city (along with a large parcel of other lands and structures) to Sarajevo by Ottoman war hero Husrev-beg upon his death. READ NEXT. 21 Offbeat + Cheap European Destinations to Visit.
The people of Sarajevo: intelligent and primitive, greedy and beautiful, tired and young, very young and insane, rich and miserable, vital and ill, tall and worn out, angry and passive, dubious and geniuses, the diaspora and street punks, fans of Željo and Sarajevo, children and grownups, faithful and unfaithful, powerful and pious - all in all, almost four-hundred thousand city atoms.
Bus station Istočno Sarajevo. 057 317 377. Railway station - information. 033 655 330. Mountain Rescue Service. 062 654 456, 061 299 443. BIHAMK (Road Condition and Road Assistance) 1282, +387 33 282 100 (for calls from abroad) Info on local phone numbers.
Skakavac Waterfall. Skakavac Waterfall is located 12 km north of Sarajevo, above the Nahorevo Village. It is a 98-m high waterfall, the second tallest in Europe. It is a part of a Natural Park and it takes a 3-hour thrilling walk through the fir, beech, spruce, and ash tree forest.
Sarajevo is one of those rare cities where, during a ten-minute walk, you can see places of worship for the world's most important monotheistic religions: Orthodox and Catholic churches, synagogues and mosques. All of these traditions have given Sarajevo a specific aroma and a particular cultural mix. 5.
Sarajevo Itinerary Day 1: Exploring the Old Town. The Sarajevo Sebilj and the Baščaršija region. Wander around and do some shopping at the Old Town Bazaar. Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Pass by the Old Bezistan Covered Market. Visit the Markale for fresh local produce & see the Sarajevo Roses.
May. May in Sarajevo is beautiful. The nature is dressed up in its glorious spring clothing, so if you are arriving in May you should find the time for a visit to some of the city's surrounding picnic areas. For a shorter nature visit, we recommend Brus on Mount Trebević, and if you want to spend an entire day in the nature, a visit to ...
Facebook Instagram Youtube. Home; Discover Sarajevo. Enjoy Sarajevo. Sightseeing. Sarajevo in Ottoman Empire; Sarajevo in Austro-Hungarian Empire; Sarajevo in Yugoslavia; ... Visit Sarajevo - Tourism Association of Canton Sarajevo was founded in early 2017 to best respond to the needs of development, preservation and protection of tourist and ...
For most of your 48 hours in Sarajevo, you'll be walking around and near the city's historic center. If needed, you can get around the wider city on trams, buses, and trolley buses. You can buy single-trip tickets for each at kiosks or from drivers on board for 1.6 KM and 1.8 KM, respectively.
2023. 1. Museum Of Crimes Against Humanity And Genocide 1992-1995. 985. History Museums. Admission tickets from $6. The Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide 1992 - 1995 was founded in July 2016 as an initiative to sustain the memory of all the victims of the war that lasted from 1992- 1995. The founders of the museum themselves are ...
Join us on an unforgettable journey as we embark on our very first adventure to Bosnia and Herzegovina's captivating capital, Sarajevo! In this travel vlog, ...
In winter, Sarajevo has highs of just 4 degrees Celcius and lows of -3, on average. The tourist infrastructure is less glamorous than other European cities, especially in North and Western Europe. Don't head here for luxurious infinity pools and 5* service. On that note, there's also little nightlife.
U2 Sarajevo Doc 'Kiss the Future,' Produced by Ben Affleck & Matt Damon, Coming to Paramount+. The documentary, which played at the Berlin & Tribeca film festivals, starts streaming May 7.