I strongly dislike comparisons like “the Hawaii of Europe” (that’s Açores by the way), and it’s no different for Sarajevo, called the “Jerusalem of Europe”. However, there’s a real reason for this nickname: visit Sarajevo’s old town, and you’ll see a city with a long history of religious diversity, with mosques, churches, and synagogues existing peacefully in close proximity to each other, just like Palestine’s city of Jerusalem.
Spending a week in Bosnia and Herzegovina means I got to spend some time in Sarajevo, learning about the country’s history and visiting the incredibly beautiful Jajce waterfalls.
Below you’ll find a list of the best things to do in Sarajevo, with tips on the best times to visit, the best places to stay, an itinerary organised by geographical proximity, and insider tips.
One fun fact about Bosnia and Herzegovina: much of the country’s growing tourism appeal comes from its stunning natural landscapes like waterfalls, wild rivers, and dramatic canyons.
From these gorgeous, untouched landscapes to its historic landmarks, these are the best things to do in Sarajevo (and nearby):
And how many days do you need to do all of this, you ask? Well, while 3 days is the ideal amount of time to visit Sarajevo, allowing you to do all the above at a reasonable pace, some visit for just 2 days and find that that’s enough. Others even come just for a day trip while visiting Mostar, but I don’t recommend that, nor do I recommend only 2 days in Sarajevo, as both options mean packed itineraries and no time to properly absorb all the beauty of this capital city.
This Sarajevo travel guide is a 3-full day itinerary, and does not include arrival or departure days.
Dedicate a whole day on your Sarajevo itinerary to explore Stari Grad, the city’s old town, with the Baščaršija quarter as its cultural and historic area. You can either take a walking tour with a local guide or explore on your own. Starting from the west towards the east, here are the places to not miss.
Right before you enter the Old Town area, at the beginning of the famous Ferhadija Pedestrian Street, you’ll find this memorial, also called the eternal flame, because it’s literally a flame burning endlessly. It’s a dedication to the victims of World War II, as well as the Siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s.
Designated as one of the National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, this church was built in the 19th century, during the Ottoman Empire era. It has 5 domes and baroque-style elements at the entrance.
At the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Exhibition, you’ll learn about the terrible genocide that took place in the early 1990s in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the eastern town of Srebrenica, where the Bosnian Serb army killed over 8000 Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys, and abused and forcibly displaced around 30000 women and children.
Known as the Srebrenica Massacre or the Srebrenica Genocide, it’s the largest genocide in Europe after World War II.
Insider tip: plan to spend at least 1 hour or two there, if you want to learn the details of the country’s dark history.
A few meters away from the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Exhibition, you’ll find another poignant place to visit to learn about the 1990s genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide.
Insider tip: I debated between attending both this museum and the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Exhibition, and ended up only visiting the latter. Based on other people’s visits, it seemed like the Srebenica Genocide Memorial Exhibition offered deeper explanations and insights than the museum. However, if time and budget permit, it’s not a bad idea to visit both.
This is a spot on the main street in Old Town Sarajevo where you can clearly see the split between the Ottoman-era and the Austro-Hungarian quarter. Stand at this exact spot and look back, and you’ll notice clear distinctions in the architecture and general style.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Catholic church built in the Neo-Gothic style, and is the largest cathedral in the whole country. Right in front of the cathedral, you’ll spot the Sarajevo roses, aka spots where mortar shells hit, that have since been painted red resin. You can also spot the Sarajevo roses here, right before the City Hall.
Don’t miss Bezistan, an ancient, well-preserved shopping mall reminiscent of Istanbul’s grand bazaar, built in classic Ottoman style. Bezistan means covered market or bazaar, and here you’ll find souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, and bags.
Insider tip: The Bezistan is definitely a must-visit in Sarajevo, but don’t expect anything too spectacular. Many of the shops sell fake luxury goods (mostly handbags), though the jewellery from the shops looked cute.
The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is the largest historical mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is one of the most representative Ottoman structures in the Balkans.
Insider tip: You’ll find people praying there, so please be mindful to not take pictures of people without consent, especially when they’re praying.
Ready for a coffee/tea/snack break? Head to Morića Han, the only surviving caravanserai (a medieval inn for merchants) in Sarajevo.
Baščaršija is a historic, open space located here, with shops, restaurants, and landmarks all around. In this area, you’ll find Kazandžiluk, the oldest street in Sarajevo, with family-owned shops selling beautiful copperware products and souvenirs.
Also known as Havadža Durak Mosque, Baščaršija mosque was built around the 1520s, and is today one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s National Monuments. It has a small courtyard and fountain, and underwent reconstruction after it was nearly destroyed in the 1990s Bosnian war.
Also known as Vijećnica, the City Hall’s architectural style reflects a Moorish influence, making it stand out against the Ottoman and Austrian-Hungarian buildings.
Insider tip: the City Hall looks the prettiest after dark when lit up, and from across the river.
The Latin Bridge in Sarajevo looks like an innocuous, simple bridge, but this is where Franz Ferdinand of Austria was killed, an event which ended up triggering WW1 and consequently led to the deaths of millions of people.
This is a full day’s activity to Jajce with multiple stops along the way, that you can do with a car (compare the best car rental prices), but if you don’t plan on driving, you can easily book a day trip.
Here are all the stops on this day trip:
Travnik town is a historical town 90 km (55 miles) northwest of Sarajevo, as you’re heading towards Jajce.
After Travnik, head to Jajce, 68 km (or 42 miles) north. Called egg town because of the egg-shaped hill, Jajce (pronounced “yai-tse”) is popular for its waterfalls, but there’s plenty more to see.
Here’s exactly what to do in Jajce:
If you only have 2 days in Sarajevo, you can skip these activities listed below, but if you have the time, definitely go for it.
Spend day 3 in Sarajevo visiting the following:
The best time to visit Sarajevo is during the shoulder season, towards the beginning of May, or at the end of September, when the weather is still pleasant, neither hot nor too cold, and the summer crowds have thinned out.
Bear in mind that Sarajevo is elevated and is surrounded by mountains, so the climate tends to be a bit chillier than in Mostar, for instance.
The best places to stay in Sarajevo are in the Old Town area or within walking distance, as you will likely spend a day or so exploring the surrounding area. If you intend to book organised day trips, they will also likely do pick-ups and drop-offs near the Old Town.
If you’re only visiting the old town, you only need a day in Sarajevo, but if you intend to visit a few other places, or take a trip to Jajce, for instance, you need at least 2-3 days to explore.
It’s possible to do a day trip to Sarajevo from Mostar, and there are daily trains and buses, but it’s not worth it, because a one-way journey by train is already around 2 hours, and you’ll be rushing your visit to Sarajevo.
It’s best to visit Jajce from Sarajevo than from Mostar; not only is it closer geographically, but you can also stop by the charming town of Travnik on the way to Jajce.
Yes, you can ski in Sarajevo, and in fact, it’s one of the most affordable European ski destinations. The Winter Olympics were hosted in 1984 on the mountains surrounding Sarajevo, which are around 25 km (15 miles) away. The largest and most developed ski resort is Jahorina, where you can enjoy fun après-ski parties.
