Once you've drunk the water in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, you'll always come back - at least that's what the legend says. And there is some truth to it: once you have visited the city, you will never want to leave, with its mixture of Orient and Occident, with its strangely familiar exoticism and the smell of fresh bread and grilled meat that constantly wafts through the alleyways.
But Sarajevo is not only special in historical terms, the city is also characterised by a lively cultural scene and numerous events all throughout the year.
In this article, I will give you a brief overview of the most important things to do and see in Sarajevo and a few insider tips for your city trip.
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Sarajevo: Things to know for your trip
Although Sarajevo is the largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina,it only has around 300,000 inhabitants. It stretches along the Miljacka River in a valley at an altitude of around 550 metres. Some parts of the city even stretch up to 900 metres. Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans in 1462 and has gone through many interesting eras since then.
Is Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the EU. However, citizens of the US and EU and most holders of a Schengen visa can easily enter the country with a passport and without a visa. Always check with your foreign office, however, before you book your trip.
Sarajevo: How to get from the airport to the city
Sarajevo airport is around 25 minutes by taxi from the city centre. You can therefore either take a taxi directly from the airport or take the bus to the city centre. You can find the current timetable here..
How many days should I stay in Sarajevo?
In order to visit the most important things to see in Sarajevo without rushing and perhaps also take a day trip, I would plan 3 to 4 days for the Bosnian capital. You shouldn't plan less than a long weekend, as there really is a lot to see and you will certainly want to have time to just sit and soak up the atmosphere of the city.
Quick guide: Best things to see in Sarajevo
Don't have time to read the whole article?
Here are my top tips for the best things to see in Sarajevo!:
🏛️ Stroll through the Ottoman old town of Baščaršija - best with a guided tour
🛎️ Visit the Latin Bridge, where world history was written
Visit the War Childhood Museum
🌅 Watch the sunset from the Yellow Fortress
🪦 Insider tip: visit the old Jewish cemetery
🚎 Ride on the oldest electric tram in Europe
🌿 Leave the city and enjoy nature at Vrelo Bosne, the source of the Bosna River
💁♀️ Take a day trip to the Skakavac nature reserve with the waterfall of the same name
Historical places & things to see
Old Town (Baščaršija)
The old bazaar of Sarajevo was the cultural centre of the city in Ottoman times and is still the historic city centre today. It was built in the 15th century. Baščaršija attracts by far the most tourists. No wonder: some of the most important Sarajevo sights are located here, such as the Gazi-Husrev-beg Mosque or Seblij. Don't miss the coppersmith street Kazandziluk on a tour of the old town, where coppersmiths still work today as they did centuries ago
Vijećnica: Sarajevo's town hall
Vijećnica Town Hall was built in the so-called pseudo-Moorish style during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A style that you won't find anywhere else but in Sarajevo, where the Austrians tried to integrate new buildings harmoniously into the cityscape. During the Bosnian war, the town hall, which served as the national library at the time, burnt down completely and millions of books and manuscripts fell victim to the flames. Today, the building is once again a town hall and can also be visited (which I highly recommend!).
The Latin Bridge: Where world history was written
The assassination attempt on Archduke Franz Ferdinand took place here. When the heir to the throne was stuck in his car on a street corner after the driver took a wrong turn, Gavrilo Princip killed him and his wife Sophie with just two shots. Although the place looks quite ordinary today, it is impressive to think: world history was written here!
Sebilj Fountain
The landmark in Sarajevo's Old Town is an old Ottoman fountain. There used to be hundreds of them all over the city, but today only the Seblij Fountain remains. Incidentally, there is a legend that once you drink water from Baščaršija, you will always return to Sarajevo.
The coppersmith's alley branches off from the main square with the Sebilj - the traditional coppersmith trade is still preserved here, and you can watch the craftsmen at work. A must see!
Roses of Sarajevo
You will find around 200 of them scattered throughout the city - the roses of Sarajevo were created wherever more than three people lost their lives during the 1,425-day siege of the city. As witnesses of time, they accompany you on your journey through the city and act as silent memorials reminding us that we should learn from history and prevent future human suffering.
Insider tip: Coffee culture is the backbone of society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. So be sure to grab a Bosnian coffee when you're in Baščaršija. You can explore Bosnian culture even deeper with a city tour, which also includes the coffee ceremony.
A tour on the tram
And a little extra thing to do: why not take a ride on the first electrified tram in Europe? It was installed and put into operation here in Sarajevo before Vienna. A ticket costs just 1.80 BAM (as of 2024) and can be bought at any kiosk.
Religious sites of ‘Little Jerusalem’
Sarajevo is also known as the Jerusalem of Europe - because of its religious diversity. Within a radius of just 200 metres you will find a mosque, Catholic cathedral, synagogue and Orthodox church - something you won't find in many other places in the world. And the city still celebrates its religious diversity today
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
Located in the centre of the old town, this place of worship is one of the most important mosques in the country and can also be visited by non-believers. Particularly beautiful: its spacious courtyard with the beautifully carved canopy over the fountain and the view of Sahat Kula, the last clock tower in the world that still shows the time on the moon. The entrance fee is 3 BAM. The mosque can be entered throughout the day, except at prayer times, and towels are provided for women.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
This Catholic cathedral was first built during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and has since become the main meeting place for the people of Sarajevo. ‘Let's meet at the cathedral’ is what people say when they arrange to meet. Inside, the cathedral is bright and almost airy, making it an exciting contrast to Gothic churches in Western Europe.
Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos & old Orthodox church
Just a street corner from the Sacred Heart Cathedral is the 19th century Orthodox cathedral. It owes its construction to the equalisation of Muslims and Christians during the Ottoman Empire, although this was not entirely voluntary.
For me personally, the ‘old Orthodox church’ is almost even more worth seeing - a 16th century church whose foundations date back as far as the 5th century. Valuable icons from all centuries can be viewed in the adjoining museum. The entrance fee is 2 BAM.
Old Jewish cemetery and synagogues
Until the Second World War, 20 per cent of Sarajevo's population was Jewish. Unfortunately, this is no longer reflected in the cityscape. Nevertheless, you can still explore the Jewish neighbourhood of Mejtaš and the old Jewish cemetery (the second largest in Europe after Prague!) and discover old Jewish houses and synagogues there.
Looking for more tips and things to see in Sarajevo?
I've been living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2021 and now know the country, and especially its capital Sarajevo, inside out.
For anyone exploring Sarajevo for the first time, I've put together an itinerary that includes all the sights and some insider tips.
The best viewpoints in Sarajevo
The best viewpoints in Sarajevo? The Yellow Bastion and the White Bastion. Unfortunately, the latter is only open until 5.00 pm, so the best panoramic view of the city is from the yellow bastion at sunset. The view extends across the entire Miljacka Valley and the whole city. During Ramadan, the atmosphere on Zuta Tabija is particularly atmospheric: every day at sunset, a cannon is fired and people break their fast together.
Cultural sights in Sarajevo
In a city with such a rich history, you will probably still have some questions, even after a city tour and want to find dive deeper into some parts of history, culture or background of the country. Here are some museums and art galleries that I can recommend:
Museums
Sarajevo Tunnel: : In the Tunnel Museum, you can see how people supplied themselves with medicine and food through a tunnel during the siege
War Childhood Museum: This award-winning museum displays exhibits from the childhood of war children, not only from Bosnia, but also from Syria or Ukraine
Nationalmuseum von Bosnien und Herzegowina: On the first Saturday of every month, you can admire the valuable Jewish Haggadah here
Olympisches Museum: Items and films from the 1984 Winter Olympics are on display in this multimedia museum
Svrzo House and Despić House: The two houses, which have been preserved in their original state, show you how wealthy Muslim and Orthodox Bosnian families used to live
(Art) galleries
Manifesto: Gallery for contemporary art that gives young artists a stage
Europe Haus: Changing exhibitions, from photography to painting
Collegium Artisticum: Gallery for contemporary art. Founded in the 1970s, it also survived the siege of Sarajevo and now provides a stage for alternative artists
Cultural events and festivals
Some of these cultural events you won't find in any travel guide! But since I've been living in Sarajevo since 2021, I know which festivals take place when and where you can have the best experiences with locals and share the enthusiasm about their city.
Sarajevo Film Festival
The Sarajevo Film Festival, SFF for short, is the most important film festival in Southern Europe. It was launched in 1995 during the siege of Sarajevo and has been held annually for eight days in August ever since. Regional and international films are screened, celebrities walk the red carpet and the entire city is turned upside down - with numerous parties, panels and events. You can find the current date at sff.ba.
For parties, watch the account of Garden of Dreams
The festival and Bosnian record label has been shaking up the capital's music scene for several years - world-famous DJs such as Kollektiv Turmstraße and Hot Since 82 play at Sarajevo's coolest locations throughout the summer for one-day festivals and a multi-day festival takes place every early summer. You can always find the latest events on Instagram.
Bascarsija Nights & Kultur na Ulice
Free art and cultural events organised by the city also take place in the old town throughout the summer - everything from ballet to opera under the stars. Culture is thus made accessible to everyone and in the mild summer weather young and old gather to attend the events.
The month-long Baščaršija Nights are usually published here (usually June or July), while ‘Culture on the Street’ posts current events on Instagram (usually May - September).
Let's go to nature: things to do and see in Sarajevo in nature
Local mountain Trebević
Not many cities in the world have a mountain right on their doorstep. Sarajevo does - and that of course makes it a must to take the cable car, which reopened in 2018, to the city's local mountain.
From the cable car station, it is only a few minutes' walk to the start of the Trebević Olympic bobsleigh and luge track - a lost place that is now full of murals and graffiti and which you can walk along. You can find more information in this article..
Miljacka river promenade
This street is closed to traffic every evening from 5.00 pm: Vilsonovo Šetalište, one of my insider tips. In the early evening, you'll find locals playing sports, walking their dogs, taking children for a stroll or simply enjoying time under the large lime trees on the riverbank. Here you can really mingle with the locals and soak up the atmosphere of the city. Afterwards, simply sit down in one of the many restaurants on the promenade.
Vrelo Bosne
The Vrelo Bosne Protected Landscape Area in the Ilidza district is a beautiful park made up of the meandering, branching streams that flow together from their source to form the Bosna River, which gave the country its name. This park is perfect for families with children - for picnics or relaxing getaway from city life.
Day trips from Sarajevo
Skakavac Nature Park - Sarajevo's spectacular waterfall
Sarajevo is surrounded by wild nature - giving travellers the opportunity to combine city life, architecture and history with activities such as hiking or mountain biking. It is around 20 minutes from the city centre to the starting point of the hike to the Skakavac waterfall, which plunges 98 metres into the depths. An impressive sight. The best way to explore the nature park is with a local guide..
Day trips from Sarajevo: Enchanting Mostar
Travelling from Sarajevo to Mostar by train is on the bucket list of many visitors. It is best to plan an overnight stay in Mostar, as there is a lot to see. Not only the UNESCO-protected old town with its old bridge, but also all around the largest city in Herzegovina. However, if you only have one day available, you can travel there by train in the morning and back again in the evening. You can find more ideas for Mostar here.
You may also be interested in these articles about Sarajevo:
Travel planning for Bosnia and Herzegovina made easy
💸 What currency does Bosnia and Herzegovina have?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the convertible mark (KM for short) is used for payment. It has been the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 22 June 1998 and was pegged to the German mark at a ratio of 1:1 until 2001 and to the euro since 2002. One euro is always exactly 1.95583 KM). The conversion is therefore very simple.
🇧🇦 Which language is spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The official languages of the country are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian, but there are hardly any linguistic differences between them - I always compare them with German and Austrian. Serbian, however, uses Cyrillic letters, which can lead to confusion in the Republika Srpska part of the country. The best thing to do is to download Google Translate, which also allows you to take photos of Cyrillic menus or street signs and translate them.
💉 Do I need international health insurance for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Absolutely! You should never, never, never travel without international health insurance. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also not in the EU, which means that your European health insurance does not not cover the country. I am always happy to recommend SafetyWingto other travellers. For less than one euro per day, you can insure yourself here and also protect yourself against the risks of extreme sports, lost luggage and other travelling ailments.
📲 Can I use roaming in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No, as Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the EU, your roaming package is not valid here. You can either buy a SIM card locally at a kiosk for a few marks or simply get an eSIM like Airalo, which you can even use for other countries after your trip to Bosnia. You can download the Airalo app here.
🪂 Which tour agency can you recommend for my trip to Bosnia?
Together with my Bosnian partner, I founded the boutique travel agency .Cheyf in 2022. We combined our experience in sustainable tourism in places like South Africa with our knowledge of Bosnia and the ćejf attitude to life - savouring the little moments that make life worth living. This has resulted in tours that convey sustainability, local experiences and communities and a real attitude to life. Here you can take a look at our tours and get to know .cheyf better.
🗺️ I would like to travel without a travel agency, are there any ready-made routes?
Yes! I offer an interactive travel map for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with several ready-made itineraries and lots of restaurants and insider tips. And best of all, the map is regularly updated and expanded, so you always have the latest recommendations in your pocket. Click here for the interactive travel guide..
💦 Can I drink the tap water in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
You can drink the water in large cities without hesitation. Bottled water is recommended after heavy rainfall or flooding and in rural areas.
🛬 Where can I find the cheapest flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
You can find the cheapest flights on Kiwi - there you can compare prices directly.
🏯 Where can I find the best accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Most accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including private accommodation, is often listed on Booking.com In addition to hotels, you can also book flats or guesthouses here and directly support the Bosnian population with your stay.
🛵 Where can I book a hire car for my trip to Bosnia?
I book my rental cars always on Rentalcars.com where you can choose from a variety of rental cars and compare prices. I recommend that you always book with fully comprehensive insurance. Think about packing your international driver's licence!
This blog article contains personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something via the links, I will receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. Thank you for your support.