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 filling up 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 might you need to bear in mind as a traveller? In this article, I summarise all the important information for your travel planning - so that you too can experience Ramadan in Sarajevo!
Ramadan 2025:
Saturday, 1 March 2025 - Saturday, 29 March 2025
Ramadan: What does the month of fasting mean?
Most of us are probably familiar with the fasting month of Ramadan - I also had a few classmates who fasted when I was at school. However, Ramadan is not just a month of fasting. However, many people still don't know what Ramadan means for Muslims - and I've learnt a lot about it over the past year!
It is not just a month of fasting. It is an integral part of the Muslim faith and this month is not just about purifying the body by abstaining from food, but also the mind. To reflect on oneself and one's fellow human beings, to do good for the community and to pause and reflect.
I didn't realise it, but just like the run-up to Christmas, Ramadan is also very festive and not necessarily characterised by abstinence, even if fasting sounds like it at first. But after sunset, people eat together with family or friends, there are numerous events and special dishes that are only prepared during Ramadan sweeten the month.
The holy month of fasting ends with the Bajram festival (also known as "Eid"), which is celebrated together with the family. At Bajram, the younger family members traditionally visit the older family members, there is a lot of laughter, good food, of course, and children receive small gifts - usually money.
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No time for the whole article? Quick overview of Ramadan in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
During the month of fasting you must Everyday life not with Restrictions calculateHowever, there are some shops and restaurants in the predominantly Muslim parts of the country that only open later in the day.
Iftar you can celebrate in a restaurant together with the Bosniaks, the Bosnian Muslims. There are usually three to four courses. It is very popular to go out for iftar, so make a reservation.
Whereas in Sarajevo a cannon is fired from the Yellow Bastion at sunset every day of Ramadan in a centuries-old tradition - a great experience for tourists too!
Ramadan in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Are there any restrictions and what do I need to bear in mind?
Everyday life in Bosnia and Herzegovina during Ramadan
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a completely Muslim country. In fact, only around 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 themselves are fasting. As a tourist, however, you won't be faced with closed shop fronts. You can also eat and drink in public as normal. Ramadan is a very festive month. In larger cities and also in the capital Sarajevo, you will therefore see decorations and fairy lights, and small fireworks are set off at sunset.Is it quieter than usual in cities like Sarajevo during Ramadan?
During the day, it can be a little quieter during Ramadan as the fasting population withdraws a little. This can make the city a little quieter. But the streets become full after dark. The atmosphere is very festive, people enjoy the spring weather, eat together and in the evening you can stroll through crowded streets. To really soak up the atmosphere, I would recommend staying in a central location in Sarajevo, for example at the Hotel Baškuća or in the Hotel Central.💡 My tip: I always book accommodation via booking.com. With Genius Level 3, I get a guaranteed discount - up to 25 per cent for some accommodations - and sometimes there are also great extras, such as a free breakfast or upgrade. For Level 3, you have to make 15 bookings via the platform within 2 years. Level 2 is even available for just five bookings.
Ramadan in Sarajevo: 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 month of fasting together with many believers and tourists.
The yellow fortress, Zuta Tabija, is freely accessible, and an hour before sunset it slowly fills up with spectators, many of whom have already brought food with them to enjoy the sunset there with their iftar dinner.
A very special moment: After the cannon shot has sounded, all the minarets in the city light up and the chanting of the call to prayer resounds through the valley. You should definitely not miss this poignant moment!
Breaking the fast during Ramadan: what is traditionally eaten in Sarajevo?
If you would like to experience the breaking of the fast, you can reserve a table in a restaurant for an iftar meal and break the fast together with the devout Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A classic iftar meal 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, The main course and dessert follow. This is accompanied by tea and lemonade - alcohol is taboo during Ramadan. AuMany Bosniaks who do not fast do at least abstain from doing so during the four weeks.
Restaurant recommendations: Iftar menus 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 like to visit - 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 comfortably furnished, Mrvica is perfect if you want to stroll through the streets afterwards
Bašča kod Ene | Perhaps the best Bosnian restaurant in the city also offers an iftar menu. Here you will be spoilt with excellent Bosnian cuisine
Pizzeria Maslina | If you are travelling away from the city centre, this pizzeria is a good address
Fan Ferhatovic | This restaurant is a classic of Bosnian cuisine - it's rustic and traditional here
Baoli | Fine dining and Ramadan can be combined - this Italian restaurant in the diplomatic neighbourhood of Bjelave shows how it's done
The conclusion: Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina during Ramadan is worthwhile!
As a tourist, you will have virtually 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 immerse yourself even more deeply in the culture and history of the Bosniaks (the 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!
