I was excited when I experienced my first Ramadan in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2022: What would it be like? My husband had often told me about the festive atmosphere, the streets bustling with people after sunset, the fairy lights, the special dishes and the Iftar dinners together under the stars. In short, I couldn't wait!
So what is it like to experience Ramadan in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in Sarajevo? And what do you have to consider as a traveller? In this article, I summarise all the important information for your travel planning – so that you can experience Ramadan in Sarajevo too!
Ramadan 2024: 11. März 2024 bis 9. April 2024
Ramadan: What does the month of fasting mean to Muslims around the world?
Most of us are probably familiar with the month of Ramadan—during my school years, I had a few classmates who fasted. However, Ramadan is not just a month of fasting. However, many people still don't know what Ramadan means for Muslims – I learned a lot about it here last year too!
Ramadan is an integral part of the Muslim faith, The month it is not only about fasting and purifying the body by abstaining from food, but also about clearing the mind. To reflect on oneself and one's fellow human beings, to do good for the community, and to pause and to look inwards.
I was not aware of this, but like the pre-Christmas season, Ramadan is very festive and not necessarily characterised by fasting only. After sunset, people eat together with family or friends, there are numerous events and special dishes that are only prepared during Ramadan.
The holy month of fasting ends with Bajram (also called "Eid"), which is celebrated together with the family. On Bajram, traditionally the younger family members visit the older family members, there is a lot of laughter, of course good food and children receive small gifts—mostly money.
Ramadan in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Are there any restrictions and what do I need to bear in mind?
First of all, if you have taken a holiday to Bosnia and Herzegovina and now realise that you are there during Ramadan, don't panic: Ramadan will at best enrich your trip! You do not have to expect any restrictions.
Everyday life in Bosnia and Herzegovina during Ramadan
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a Muslim country. In fact, only about 50 per cent of the country's inhabitants are Muslim. This means that many people do not fast at all.
So life on the streets goes on as normal, shops, and restaurants are open. Only some close during the day, for example when the owners are fasting. As a tourist, however, you will not be confronted with locked shopfronts. You can also eat and drink normally in public.
Ramadan is a very festive month. In larger cities and also in the capital Sarajevo, you will see decorations and fairy lights, and at sunset a small fireworks display.
Is it quieter than usual in cities like Sarajevo during Ramadan?
During the day, believers who are fasting don't go out as much. This can make the city a little more quiet than it normally is. But the streets get busy after dark. The atmosphere is very festive, people enjoy the spring weather, eat together and in the evening you can walk through the streets and enjoy the atmosphere.
Ramadan in Sarajevo: Traditions, events & restaurants
A special Ramadan experience in Sarajevo: Watching the sunset together
It is a centuries-old tradition in Sarajevo: at the moment of sunset, when the fast can be broken, a cannon shot is fired from the yellow fortress. You can experience this special moment every day during the fasting month together with many believers and tourists.
The yellow fortress, Zuta Tabija, is freely accessible. Already an hour before sunset it slowly fills up with spectators, many have already brought food to enjoy the sunset there with their iftar dinner.
A very special moment: After the sound of the cannon, all the minarets in the city light up and the call to prayer echoes through the valley. You should not miss this moment!
Breaking the fast during Ramadan: What is traditionally eaten in Sarajevo?
If you want to experience breaking the fast, you can book a table at a restaurant for an iftar meal and break the fast together with the devout Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A classic iftar menu has three courses: a starter, a main course and a dessert. The fast is traditionally broken each evening with a date and a sip of water. This is followed by soup and topa, with the main course and dessert to follow. This is accompanied by tea and lemonade - alcohol is taboo during Ramadan.Even many Bosniaks who do not fast at least do so during the four weeks.
Restaurant recommendations: Iftar dinner in Sarajevo
Almost all restaurants in Sarajevo offer iftar menus during Ramadan, and you are spoilt for choice: Bosnian or international cuisine? Rustic or fine dining? Here are a few restaurants that I always enjoy visiting—with or without an iftar menu:
Restoran Dzenita | traditional Bosnian restaurant. Here you can enjoy a very classic iftar menu
Vidikovac Zmajevac | A restaurant with a great view over the city. An iftar menu at sunset is also a feast for the eyes here
Mrvica Sarajevo | Located in the city centre and stylishly furnished, Mrvica is perfect if you want to stroll through the streets afterwards.
Bašča kod Ene | Perhaps the best Bosnian restaurant in town also offers an iftar menu. Here you will be spoiled with excellent Bosnian cuisine.
Pizzeria Maslina | If you're a bit out of the city centre, this pizzeria is a good place to go.
Fan Ferhatovic | A classic of Bosnian cuisine. This restaurant is rustic and traditional
Baoli | Fine dining and Ramadan can be combined—this Italian restaurant in the diplomatic district of Bjelave know how it's done
In conclusion: Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina during Ramadan is worthwhile!
As a tourist, you will have almost no restrictions during Ramadan in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not even in the predominantly Muslim parts of the country. On the contrary, visiting the country during Ramadan gives you the unique opportunity to dive deeper into the culture and history of the Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) and this small but incredibly diverse country.
I am looking forward to my second Ramadan here and hope if you are here during the fasting month you will have many wonderful and festive experiences!
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!
TRANSPARENCY: AFFILIATE LINKS
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Warst du auch schon einmal in Sarajevo? Wenn ja: Wie hat es dir gefallen? Hast du zusätzliche Tipps und Erfahrungen? Ich freu’ mich, in den Kommentaren davon zu lesen!