Do you want to know the best things to do in Sarajevo? Sarajevo is one of our favourite cities in Europe. It has a fascinating mix of Ottoman bazaars, Austro-Hungarian era architecture, and Yugoslav-era grittiness, this is a city where East truly meets West.
But Sarajevo also has a dark history as during the Bosnian war the city was laid to siege for almost four years, the longest siege in modern history.
We first visited Sarajevo in March 2108, and we only had two nights here. We knew instantly it was somewhere we wanted to return to. In August 2025 we returned as part of our Balkans road trip in our campervan. Sue spent a month here while Nigel was working away, and when he returned, we spent a whole week exploring the city.
Whether you’re here for a quick stop or several days, Sarajevo is a place that stays with you long after you’ve left. In this post we’re sharing the best things to see in Bosnia’s unforgettable capital.
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Best things to do in Sarajevo
Sarajevo is a very “walkable” city, and you can see many of our top things to do in Sarajevo simply by walking. We often like to do a free walking tour when we arrive in a new city, both to get our bearings, and to learn some history and what makes the city special.
In Sarajevo we did this tour with Adis, a Sarajevo local who told us lots of personal stories and really brought the city to life for us. When you book a free walking tour, there is no upfront cost, and you simply tip the guide what you think is fair after the tour. (Most people tip around €10-20 per person).
1. Baščaršija – Sarajevo’s Old Ottoman Centre
The old bazaar of Sarajevo is the beating heart of the city, dating back to the 15th century. As you wander through the narrow alleys lined with copper-smiths, handcrafts shops, and smoky ćevapi grills make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
It’s the most atmospheric part of Sarajevo (and the most touristy!) but it’s the perfect place to start exploring.
The streets of Bascarsija were organised around the craftsmen or artisans who worked there. Today, its really only the coppersmith’s street that holds onto this tradition. This is THE place to shop for a copper Bosnian Coffee Set, or just to watch the craftsmen working on a traditional art that has been passed down through the generations.
TOP TIP: Don’t miss the antiques store on the right where the street turns the corner – this place is like a museum!
2. Sebilj Fountain
At the centre of Baščaršija stands the Sebilj, a wooden Ottoman-style fountain and one of Sarajevo’s most photographed icons. The original fountain was built in 1753 but was burnt down. This fountain dates back from 1891.
Legend has it that anyone who drinks from the fountain will one day return to Sarajevo. Nigel drank from the fountain during our recent visit, so I guess we will be returning!
The square where the Sebilj is located is now over-run by pigeons – we think all the pigeons that used to be in Venice are now here!
3. Morića Han
The Morića Han is an old caravanserai dating back to the 15th century. In the Ottoman era, travellers could stay and eat at this inn for 3 nights for free.
Today this courtyard is lined with restaurants and a beautiful Turkish rug shop. We had traditional Bosnian coffee several times at the Divan cafe here. A large tree offers welcome shade on a sunny day.
How to drink traditional Bosnian Coffee.
Traditional Bosnian Coffee is served in a copper port, with a small cup, sugar cubes and a glass of water. You’ll often receive a piece of Turkish Delight too.
The key with Bosnian coffee is you don’t drop the sugar cube IN the coffee. Rather, you dip it in and then bite a piece off, and while that is in your mouth you take a sip of the coffee. We feel like we perfected this ritual during our time in Sarajevo!
4. Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
Perhaps the most lasting legacy of the Ottomans is religion. Our local guide Adis told us around 50% of the population of Sarajevo is Muslim and there are over 100 mosques in the city. The largest historical mosque is right here in the Old Town, the Gazi Husrev-Bey mosque.
Gazi Husrev-Bey was a governor of Bosnia in the 16th century. He was responsible for Ottoman expanision in the region but more importantly he financed a lot of important building work here in Sarajevo. He built this mosque in 1530.
This stunning Ottoman mosque is still a centre of worship today. The complex also includes a school, covered market and a library.
The mosque was damaged during the Bosnian War and has been restored since. You are welcome to visit the mosque outside prayer times, just remember to cover your shoulders and knees and women should wear a headscarf. Entry to the mosque is 10KM.
5. Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija)
This 18th-century cannon bastion at the gateway to the old Vratnik city walls is one of Sarajevo’s finest viewpoints. Built between 1727–1739, it offers sweeping panoramas of the city.
The best time to visit here is at sunset. The fortress even hosts a Ramadan cannon firing to mark breaking the fast during the holy month.
6. Kovači Cemetery
After hiking up to the Yellow Fortress to soak in the sunset views of the city, we chose to wander around this serene cemetery. Here you’ll find the graves of those who defended Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, including the nation’s first president, Alija Izetbegović.
The white gravestones provide a beautiful and deeply moving foreground to your sunset photos of the city.
7. Sarajevo City Hall (Vijećnica)
The Sarajevo City Hall was the largest building project of the Austro-Hungarian period. The architect had never actually visited Sarajevo, but his design was meant to honour the city’s Ottoman past. There’s no denying the building is beautiful, but we don’t really think the Moorish style fits with the rest of the city’s Ottoman-era buildings.
After WW2 the building housed the city library. In August 1992, during the war, the library was set on fire and over 90% of the books were lost. Images of the burning building became one of the symbols of the Siege of Sarajevo. The building has been beautifully restored and today it houses exhibitions and concerts.
The interior is well worth a look with its stained glass ceiling but sadly it was closed to visitors the day we visited (they were preparing for an event). Entry to the City Hall is 10KM, and it is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
If you cross the river, you’ll find the Sarajevo sign – perfect for a photo with the Town Hall in the background.
8. House of Spite (Inat Kuča)
Our favourite story surrounding the City Hall is about this house on the opposite side of the river. When the City Hall was built, the authorities also wanted to expand the tramway here, but several buildings were in the way. They offered to buy this house, but the owner (an old man named Benderija) wasn’t selling.
The Austro-Hungarian authorities eventually agreed to move the house, brick by brick, over to the other side of the river, and pay him a bag of Gold Coins. The house became known as the “House of Spite”.
Nowadays there’s a renowned traditional restaurant in the house.
9. Sarajevska Pivara (Sarajevo Brewery)
The brewery is the oldest industrial plant in Bosnia and the only brewery whose production was uninterrupted during the Ottoman period and Austro-Hungarian occupation.
The brewery even continued producing beer during the Siege of Sarajevo. Crazy, the people struggled to get water, but they could get beer.
The Brewery Museum is open Monday to Saturday 10-5.30 and costs 5KM. You may be surprised to hear that we DID NOT visit the brewery! To be honest, the reviews on Google weren’t that good, and we found an excellent bar with very good prices.
10. Sarajevo Cable Car to Trebević Mountain
The Sarajevo cable car will take you from the city centre up to Trebević Mountain in just 7 minutes. Along the way, you’ll have beautiful views over the city. You’ll find hiking trails at the top, but most visitors come for the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track.
Tickets for the cable car are 30 KM (€15) return for adults. You can buy a one way ticket for 20KM but it would be a long walk down. The Cable car operates Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm, and Mondays 12 noon to 5pm.
11. Bob Sled Track
The Bob Sled track was purpose built for Bob Sled and Luge competitions in the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics. On our cablecar ride up the mountain we shared our gondola with a man who worked on the cablecar. He told us there are only 14 bob sled tracks in the world.
This area became a sniper point during the Bosnian war in the 1990s and nowadays it’s covered in graffiti. We really enjoyed walking along the track – it’s an interesting place to visit and photograph. Entry to the Bob Sled track is free and it is open 24-7.
12. East Meets West point
Sarajevo is known as the city where East meets West. There is a point along the main pedestrian street (Ferhadija) where the architecture changes all of a sudden. To the east you’ll see the lower Ottoman buildings of Baščarčija, with narrow alleyways, and to the west, the Baroque architecture of the Austro-Hungarian period with broader boulevards.
On the footpath is a sign saying “Sarajevo – Meeting of Cultures”. If you can’t decide which direction to walk, just spin the dial (on the corner of a nearby building) and head off in the direction it points to!
13. Latin Bridge
This simple Ottoman bridge over the Miljacka River was re-built in the late 18th century. The earlier stone bridge was washed away in a flood in 1791.
Right next to the bridge is the place where the Austrian Arch-duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia were assassinated in 1914. This event sparked World War I. Today a plaques marks the spot and there are footprints in the pavement where assasin Gavrilo Princip stood to fire the fatal shot.
The Latin Bridge was called Principov Most from 1918 to 1993, after Gavrilo Princip. He is still considered a hero by some. You can buy fridge magnets or key rings with his face around town.
14. Sarajevo Museum 1878-1918
This small but significant museum focuses on Sarajevo under Austro-Hungarian rule from 1878 and culminating with the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I. Inside, you’ll find detailed exhibits on daily life in Sarajevo during the period, as well as artifacts related to the assassination, including weapons (actually it’s a replica), photographs, and newspaper clippings.
It’s not a large museum but it gives excellent historical context to what happened on that very street corner over a century ago. We found it worthwhile for the short time it takes to walk through. Most guidebooks recommend spending between 30 to 45 minutes inside, but we reckon you could have it covered in 10 to 15 minutes.
The Sarajevo Museum is open Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm. Closed Sundays. Entry costs 5KM
15. Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is the largest Catholic cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was built between 1884 to 1887 and is sometimes seen as a symbol of Sarajevo.
The church sustained damage during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. If you walk around the church on the left side you can see damage caused by mortar and one of the Sarajevo Roses.
Pope John Paul II visited here in 1997, and an aluminium statue of him stands outside as a fitting commemoration.
The church is free to enter and is supposedly open daily. However, we made multiple attempts to go inside and it was locked every time.
16. Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (Cathedral of the Nativity)
One of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans, with five gilded domes and richly painted interiors. It’s an important symbol of Sarajevo’s diverse religious heritage.
We loved the square in front of this cathedral and spent time there watching the old men playing giant chess.
17. Jewish Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Old Synagogue)
Housed in the oldest synagogue in Sarajevo (built 1581), this museum traces 500 years of Jewish life in Bosnia. We didn’t enter this museum, but inside you will find moving exhibits on the Holocaust and Sarajevo’s once-thriving Sephardic community.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm and costs 5KM to enter
18. Eternal Flame (Vječna Vatra)
The eternal Flame is a simple but powerful memorial. It was lit in 1946 to honour the military and civilian victims of WWII. It now stands as a symbol of Sarajevo’s resilience during the 1990s siege.
Always burning, it sits at the end of Ferhadija pedestrian street. Above the flame, street art – in the form of large banners (photos) – adorns the building’s facade. We visited Sarajevo just after the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and there was a Srebrenica memorial here.
Bosnian War Memorials & Museums
You’ll find many memorials and museums throughout Sarajevo commemorating the Bosnian War in the 1990s. While these museums can be sobering and even difficult to visit at times, the war is an important part of the city’s history.
We suggest choosing one or two to visit, or spreading them out over several days, to avoid emotional overload. We didn’t visit every museum, but we did visit these and recommend them.
19. History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
This museum is located just outside the city centre, but a short ride on the #3 tram (Tram tickets are 2.20KM, you can buy the ticket from the driver).
The history museum has mainly exhibits from the 20th century, particularly focussing on the Bosnian War. We found the siege exhibits, particularly some of the photographs, especially powerful, if not confronting.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm and entry is 10KM.
20. Siege of Sarajevo Museum
The Siege of Sarajevo Museum is right in the centre of town, just by the Cathedral. Through photographs and anecdotes, this museum tells the story of the 1425 day siege, and what life was like for the people of Sarajevo.
We found this museum really moving, we visited with Sue’s son Luke and all three of us read different stories, which we related to each other after our visit.
Open daily 9am to 9pm, entry is 12KM.
21. Gallery 11/07/1995
This gallery tells the story of the Srebrenica Genocide. Srebrenica was supposed to be a UN safe haven for Bosniaks fleeing the war, but on 11/7/95 Serb forces took over the city while UN forces stood by and did nothing.
Men and boys aged from 12-70 were taken from their families. Women and children were sent to refugee camps, while the men were taken to mass graves and shot. Many men tried to escape over the mountains, many of them were also captured and shot.
If you can’t make it to Srebrenica itself (around 3 hours drive from Sarajevo), this Gallery is a must. Inside you’ll find a wall with a list of the names of those who lost their lives, images of many of their faces, and videos telling the stories.
The Gallery is located right next to the cathedral and is open daily from 9am to 9pm. Entry is 12KM.
22. War Childhood Museum
A deeply moving museum that tells the story of Sarajevo’s siege through the eyes of children who lived it. Exhibits include toys, drawings, and diary entries donated by survivors.
Adults relate moving stories of their childhood to the camera. Nigel visited this museum alone and was visibly upset afterwards.
The War Childhood Museum is open 11am to 7pm daily and costs 10KM to enter.
23. Tunnel of Hope (Tunnel of Salvation)
The Siege of Sarajevo lasted 1425 days, with the city completely closed off to the rest of the world. The UN controlled the airport and emergency supplies had to be flown in. Over 300,000 people remained in the city throughout the siege, and eventually they dug a tunnel under the airport runway as their lifeline to the outside world.
The tunnel took 4 months and 4 days to dig, completely by hand! It is 800m long, 1m wide and 1.6m high, so only the shortest people could walk through without having to bend down.
The family who owned the house at one end of the tunnel have restored part of the tunnel for visitors, and established a museum here – the Tunnel of Hope or Tunnel of Salvation Museum.
There are videos showing stories about the siege and the tunnel, and a section is open for you to walk through. We especially liked the room dedicated to Šida Kolar, the old lady who lived in the house at the end of the tunnel. She would greet people with water and food when they emerged.
The Tunnel of Hope Museum is open 8:30am – 5:30pm daily. Admission is 20 KM for adults or 8 KM for students.
How to get to the Tunnel of Hope Museum Sarajevo
The Tunnel Museum is out by the airport. You can get here by taking Tram #3 to the last stop (Ilidzia) and then Bus #32. A taxi will cost around 40-50KM from the Old Town. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm in Summer, 10am to 3pm in winter. Entry is 10KM.
If you have a car there is plenty of parking at the Tunnel of Hope museum (we paid 5KM to park our campervan here).
If you’d rather go with an organised tour from the centre of Sarajevo, this tour includes transport out to the Tunnel Museum, with guided commentary along the way (you’ll need to pay for your museum ticket on arrival, depending on your age/category).
24. Sarajevo Roses
All across the city, you’ll spot red resin-filled scars in the pavement — these are “Sarajevo Roses.” They mark where mortar shells killed civilians during the siege. Some are easy to miss, but once you notice them, you’ll see them everywhere.
They are haunting reminders of the cost of war, woven into daily life. There are over 200 Sarajevo Roses around the city
25. Veliki Park
There are several war memorials in Veliki Park, a 5 minute walk to the west of the city centre. The Memorial to the Murdered Children of Besieged Sarajevo has a large glass sculpture, and cylinders with the names of the 1600+ children who lost their lives during the siege.
The “Nermine, Doði” (Come out, Nermin) sculpture tells the story of father Ramo Osmanovic, calling to his son Nermin to come down from hiding in the mountains outside Srebrenica. He was with the Serbs soldiers who promised not to hurt them.
Sadly the bodies of Ramo and Nermin were later found in a mass grave. You can see more about this sculpture in our video on our visit to the Srebrenica Memorial.
Sarajevo Winter Olympics 1984
While you’re walking through Veliki Park you may notice the Olympic Rings (there’s also a bright Sarajevo Rose right here). In 1984 Sarajevo became the first (and only) communist city to host a Winter Olympics. Throughout the city you’ll see several other reminders of the Olympics.
26. Olympic Museum
The 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics museum houses memorabilia from the games, including medals, uniforms, photos and videos.
These are the Olympics where Torvill and Dean performed their perfect-scoring Bolero routine, where East German Katarina Witt wowed audiences with her skating, and the colourful Finn Matti Nykänen won the Large Hill Ski Jump.
Entry to the Olympic museum is 12KM, and it’s open 10-6 Tuesday to Sunday.
27. Olympic Stadium (Asim Ferhatovic Hase)
The stadium used for the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics was originally built for football in 1947. It is now the home of the Sarajevo Football Team, and the Bosnian National Team. It is now named in honour of one of Bosnian best players.
You can see the cauldron where the Olympic flame was lit during the games, and a couple of flags of Olympic mascot Vučko around the outside. We weren’t able to enter the stadium.
28. Zetra Hall
Right next to the main stadium is the Zetra Hall, which was purpose built for the Olympics. Several speed skating records were broken here, but the most memorable performance was probably Torvill and Dean’s Bolero – which received the highest ever score for ice skating, and won the pair the Gold Medal.
And let’s not forget Katarina Witt, right Nigel?
Above the Hall are the Bosnian Olympic Committee Offices. We stepped inside and were met by one of the Committee workers who allowed us to check out some of the Olympic Games promotional posters on the walls of the foyer.
She then gave Luke a bag with some Bosnian Olympic Team Merch!
Sarajevo Travel Guide – Essential Information
For general information on visiting Sarajevo and all of Bosnia & Herzegovina, such as currency, language and other practical tips, check out our full Bosnia Travel Guide.
How to get to Sarajevo
By Air
Sarajevo International Airport is located on the western outskirts of the city. Flight arrive from most European cities, with connections further afield. Several low-cost airlines fly into Sarajevo, including Ryanair and Wizz Air.
To get from the airport to the centre of the city you can get a bus, or take a private transfer. We don’t recommend the airport taxis, as they are notorious for over-charging. When Sue’s son Luke came to visit us, we booked him a private driver named Mohammed, you can book him via WhatsApp on +387 644 338 510
By Car
If you’re driving to Sarajevo there is a good motorway system in and out of the city, though several of the motorways are toll roads (specifically the road to the north – Travnik and Jajce, or to the south to Mostar.
By Train or Bus
There are currently no international trains arriving in Sarajevo, and only a few trains from other cities in the country (the Mostar – Sarajevo train ride is supposed to be spectacular).
International buses arrive and depart from the Bus Station near the train station, which is around 1.5km from Baščarčija. You can check schedules and book tickets on the Omio website.
Getting around Sarajevo
Sarajevo is a very walkable city. Ferhardija is a long pedestrian street that goes from the end of Baščarčija by the Sebilj, all the way to the Eternal Flame Monument. You’ll pass by most of the cities main attractions walking along, or just off, this street.
The #3 tram circles around the old town and goes all the way out to Illidža, passing the Museum of Bosnia and Hercegovina, and the Bosnia History Museum. You’ll also find a couple of good modern shopping malls just near here, and the large yellow Holiday Hotel. This hotel was where all the foreign press stayed during the Sarajevo Siege.
The tram costs 2.20 KM per ride, and you can buy the ticket from the driver. We caught the tram several times. Many are modern yellow trams but there are a few old rattlers still on the tracks!
Taxis are plentiful and many taxi drivers speak English. You should ask the price before getting in to the cab, or at least make sure they have their meter running.
Where to stay in Sarajevo?
We travelled to Sarajevo by Campervan, and stayed at two different campsites on the outskirts of the city. Camping Zlatiste is a small, family run campsite high on the hill with great views overlooking the city. We paid around 46 KM a night there.
We also stayed at Camping Sarajevo in the suburb of Blazuj (Sue stayed here for 3 weeks while Nigel was away at work). This is a larger campsite, though also family run. Prices here were around 56KM
When Sue’s son Luke came to visit he stayed at the Urban Skyline Apartment, which was a short walk down to the Old Town.
Whether you’re staying in the Baščarčija area or the newer part of Sarajevo, you will find a range of accommodation from family run guesthouses to 5 star hotels in Sarajevo. We recommend booking.com to search for availability and the best pricing.
Best places to eat in Sarajevo (and drink!)
We had so many wonderful meals in Sarajevo! You must try cevapi, the small skinless sausages, which are served with chopped onion, flat bread and yoghurt sauce. Burek is also a must try dish – flaky pastry, filled with meat, cheese, spinach or potato. Locals usually eat Burek in the morning.
Even as a vegetarian, I found plenty of delicious dishes in Sarajevo and I could have eaten the cheese Burek every day! (The cheese version is actually called Sirnice.
For traditional meat dishes, try Careva Caprija, we had burek at Buregdzinica Bosna, where you can sit down and eat, although we preferred the burek at this small bakery near the Sebilj.
For drinks we loved La Cava, right in the old town, but if you’re looking for something a bit more local (and quirky) try the Zlatna Ribica Bar just around the corner from the Eternal Flame.
FAQs
Is Sarajevo worth visiting?
Oh definitely!! Sarajevo is one of our favourite cities in all of Europe. There is just SO much history and culture here. The food is great, the beer is cheap, and the people are just delightful.
When is the best time to visit Sarajevo?
We have visited Sarajevo in March, and also in August. In March it was quite cold, and there were very few tourists around. In August it was hot and crowded! We don’t love crowds, and we also don’t love walking through hot city streets in the middle of summer. We would recommend visiting Sarajevo in the late spring or early autumn.
How many days do you need in Sarajevo?
The first time we visited Sarajevo (March 2018) we only had two nights in the city. One full day just wasn’t enough, and we knew we would have to return. While you can certainly see the main highlights in one day, we would recommend spending three days in Sarajevo.
In three days you can see the main sights and visit some of the further out attractions, like the Tunnel of Hope museum, Trebevic Mountain and the Bob Sled track, or even take a day trip to Vrelo Bosna or Lukomir.
Is Sarajevo cheap?
Sarajevo is one of the most affordable cities we have visited. Even during the film festival we found accommodation for under €50 a night in a guesthouse.
Museums generally cost around 10KM (€5), a decent meal is under €20, and a large beer €3!
Is Sarajevo safe for tourists?
We never felt unsafe in Sarajevo. While Bosnia may be in the news from time to time due to the complicated political situation (they have three presidents, who rotate leadership every 8 months), we didn’t see any evidence of instability during our time in the city.
I (Sue) spent three weeks in the city while Nigel was away working, and visited the centre several times. I never felt unsafe as a solo female traveller, on the contrary, the locals I met were all kind and welcoming.
The main issue, when it comes to safety in Bosnia is landmines left over from the war. If you visit Trebevic Mountain, make sure you stay on the marked hiking trails!
Watch our Sarajevo Travel Film
As we are road-tripping around Europe, we produce weekly adventure travel films for our YouTube Channel. You can check out our Sarajevo video, or why not binge-watch our entire Balkans Road Trip series?
Where to next?
Bosnia and Herzegovina has so much to offer! Check out our Top 10 places to visit in Bosnia, our One Day Jajce itinerary, and we hope you enjoy our complete guide to Mostar.
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