{"id":3130,"date":"2018-11-09T08:30:55","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T08:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vuelveaviajar.com\/?p=3130"},"modified":"2020-04-06T12:08:47","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T12:08:47","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-sarajevo-bosnia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vuelveaviajar.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-sarajevo-bosnia\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Things to Do in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although it may remind you of war, destruction, and death, today Sarajevo is a vibrant, friendly, modern, and safe city. Let me guide you through the amazing capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and share with you the best things to do in Sarajevo, a must-see city in Europe that will inspire you to reflect on the past and never forget the tragedies of history.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a city that will both break and steal your heart. Although it\u2019s safe to visit Sarajevo today, we shouldn\u2019t forget the bloody conflict that ravaged the city after the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the subsequent war in the Balkans. The Bosnian War<\/a> was especially cruel, with Sarajevo being besieged for almost four years and ending up completely destroyed. Twenty-three years later, the walls of Sarajevo still carry bullet holes, exposing the wounds of war. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina and spend a few days in its capital. Despite its terrible history, I found the city fascinating, a hidden gem in Europe worth discovering. While walking through its damaged streets, it\u2019s impossible not to imagine the hell that took place there not so long ago. But despite the pain it carries, Sarajevo has many pleasant surprises to offer. The city has truly shown the world its resilience and ability to reinvent itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, I want to share with you the best things to do in Sarajevo, a perfect city for a getaway and a great destination for women traveling alone!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Best Things to Do in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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01\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Take a Walk in Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija, the Ottoman Quarter of the City<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Sarajevo is known as the European Jerusalem, the point where the East meets the West, and Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija is definitely proof of that! The district of Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija (also known as the Turkish Quarter) is the historical center and Ottoman part of the city. A walk through its streets will feel like a walk through Turkey<\/a>, thanks to the Ottoman architecture and influence left in Bosnia, where they ruled for more than 400 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Turkish Quarter of Sarajevo, Bosnia.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The cobbled streets of Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija are full of caf\u00e9s, souvenir shops, and restaurants. In this neighborhood, you\u2019ll also find the Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque, the most important mosque in Sarajevo and the largest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most iconic landmark of this neighborhood, however, is the popular Sebilj fountain that dominates the Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija Square, which is always full of people and pigeons. If you like Sarajevo, don\u2019t forget to drink from this fountain: legend says that if you do, you\u2019ll return to the city!<\/span><\/p>\n

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02\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Cross the Latin Bridge Where World War I Started<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

If you love history, you won\u2019t want to miss this chance to visit this historic place. It was here that Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was assassinated, triggering one of the biggest international conflicts in history. A Serbian nationalist killed the archduke near the Latin Bridge of Sarajevo, and one month later, Austria declared war on Serbia, marking the beginning of World War I<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It was here that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, triggering World War I<\/p><\/div>\n

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03\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Visit\u00a0<\/b>Vije\u0107nica, <\/b>Sarajevo’s City Hall<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

First built in 1886, Sarajevo\u2019s City Hall has been a witness and victim of the city\u2019s turbulent past. The building was converted into the national library in 1949 but was burned down during the siege of Sarajevo in 1992, turning over two million books to ash. The city hall was then restored and opened to the public in 2014, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of World War I.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vije\u0107nica is a must-see landmark, not just for its history but also for its architecture. Although it was built during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it boasts a fascinating neo-Arab architectural style. The entrance fee is 10 mark (5 euros).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sarajevo’s City Hall is impressive inside and out.<\/p><\/div>\n

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04\u00a0<\/b>| Watch the Sunset from the Yellow Fortress<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The ruins of the Sarajevo Yellow Fortress (\u017duta Tabija) are the perfect place to watch the sunset. You can find some of the best views of the city here!<\/span><\/p>\n

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El atardecer en Sarajevo desde la Fortaleza Amarilla.<\/p><\/div>\n

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05\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Escape from Sarajevo through the Tunnel of Hope<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the best things to do in Sarajevo is visiting the Tunnel of Hope (also known as the Tunnel of Life). This tunnel is a symbol of the spirit of survival in the people of Sarajevo. It was built during the siege and was the only way out of the city when it was completely surrounded by Serbian enemies.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tunnel was built over four months by civilians who risked their lives to return hope and life to the ruined city. They took advantage of the area below the airport, which was guarded by the Blue Helmets of the United Nations and was therefore relatively safe from attack. Built 800 meters underground, this secret road was used to bring in weapons and provisions during the war and allowed up to 4000 people to escape from the city every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Tunnel of Hope (Sarajevo)<\/p><\/div>\n

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I highly recommend you visit this tunnel, especially as part of the Times of Misfortune tour<\/a>, which will take you to many of the key places of the siege and destruction of Sarajevo. The tour guide himself escaped from Sarajevo through this tunnel, so you\u2019ll hear a firsthand account of the atrocities that happened in the city and to Bosnia in the wake of the war. This fantastic tour<\/a> is a must-see attraction if you want to learn about Sarajevo\u2019s terrible history and the complicated political situation in Bosnia that led up to the war.<\/span><\/p>\n

Apart from Times of Misfortune,<\/a> there is other great tours that you can do in Sarajevo:<\/p>\n

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06\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Visit Sarajevo\u2019s Mosques, Cathedrals, and Synagogues <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

For centuries, Bosnia has been a haven of cultures and religions where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have lived in peace and tolerance. Sarajevo is known as the European Jerusalem for having a mosque, a cathedral, a synagogue, and an Orthodox church all within 500 meters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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07\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Take in Sarajevo\u2019s Tragic History at the Gallery 11\/07\/95<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Visiting the\u00a0Galery 11\/07\/95<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is as painful as it is important. The gallery exhibits photographs and videos documenting the horror of the Srebrenica genocide, when 8372 Bosnian Muslims, including children, were brutally murdered within the span of a few days. It was the worst European massacre since World War II and it should never be forgotten.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Visiting Galery 11\/07\/95 is one of the best things to do in Sarajevo.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I recommend visiting the gallery with an audio guide to learn more about the history of the massacre, though it will always be difficult to understand the reasons behind it. Although the gallery will surely move you, possibly even to tears, it\u2019s one of the most significant things you\u2019ll do in Sarajevo. As philosopher George Santayana once said, \u201cThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The entrance fee is 12 mark, with an extra 5 mark for an audio guide. A tour with an audio guide lasts about two hours and the ticket is valid for three days.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to learn more about the genocide,\u00a0\u00a0you can also do a day-trip to Srebrenica from Sarajevo.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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08\u00a0<\/b>| Find the Sarajevo Roses<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Sarajevo \u201croses\u201d are red spots that can be seen on the ground throughout the city. These roses were created by people filling marks left by bombs with red resin. Although you can still find some, many have quietly disappeared and been replaced with fresh asphalt.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sarajevo Roses<\/p><\/div>\n

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09\u00a0<\/b>|\u00a0<\/strong>Visit the Ruins of the Olympic Winter Games of 1984<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

People from Sarajevo fondly remember the winter of 1984, when the city hosted the Olympic Winter Games. The Bosnians are still proud of this honor, despite the horrors that followed only a few years later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some facilities like the bobsleigh track still stand today. The track fell into disrepair after the Bosnian War and is now full of graffiti, but you can still take a pleasant walk there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bobsleigh track ruins in Sarajevo.<\/p><\/div>\n

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To get there, take the cable car that reopened in Sarajevo in April 2018 or visit the track as part of the Times of Misfortune tour<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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10\u00a0<\/b>| Taje a Day Trip to Mostar\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Two hours from Sarajevo, Mostar is a must-see destination during any trip to Bosnia. The city boasts some impressive medieval and Ottoman architecture, as well as the imposing Stari Most (literally \u201cold bridge\u201d), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take a day trip to Mostar from Sarajevo<\/a>. Don\u2019t miss this lovely city!<\/span><\/p>\n

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The famous Stari Most bridge, Mostar.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Where to Stay in Sarajevo<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

There are plenty of good, affordable places to stay in Sarajevo. If you travel alone, I recommend staying in a hostel: besides saving money, you\u2019ll have the chance to meet other travelers. I highly recommend the Franz Ferdinand hostel<\/a>: it\u2019s one of the best hostels I\u2019ve ever stayed in! You\u2019ll find it right in the heart of Sarajevo, only a few minutes from the main tourist attractions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some other great options for places to stay in Sarajevo:<\/span><\/p>\n

The Doctor’s House Hostel<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0 This hostel is new and has very good reviews. As a con, it is not right in the city center. A good option if you are looking for a more secluded and quiet place.<\/p>\n

Hostel Denal<\/a>\u00a0– This is another of the downtown hostels with better reviews and prices in Sarajevo.<\/p>\n

Halvat Hotel<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0Small and charming hotel right in the center of Sarajevo.<\/p>\n

Hotel VIP<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0If you are not on a budget, this elegant and modern four-star hotel is a perfect choice for you.<\/p>\n

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Where to Eat in Sarajevo<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

A warning for vegetarians: Bosnia doesn\u2019t have the most vegetarian-friendly cuisine. I couldn\u2019t even try most of the national food, including the national dish, \u0107evapi. If you\u2019re a vegetarian like me, there are a couple of restaurants I recommend with healthier options that I loved.<\/span><\/p>\n

The restaurant I liked most was Karuzo: the menu includes vegetarian and vegan options, as well as sushi and other fish dishes. It\u2019s a cozy restaurant where the chef is usually working alone, so it makes you feel at home. Because it\u2019s small, you should make a reservation before going. It\u2019ll be worth it, though: it\u2019s one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a long time!<\/span><\/p>\n

Another restaurant in Sarajevo with healthy options for all tastes is <\/span> Klopa<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to Get Around Sarajevo<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The center of Sarajevo is perfect for walking, but if you need to get to the train or bus station, you can take the tram. I don\u2019t recommend taking a taxi from Sarajevo airport: taxi drivers in Bosnia have a reputation for overcharging tourists. Instead, take a bus downtown. It will cost only 5 marks and will get you to Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija in 25 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fantastic views of Sarajevo, the besieged city.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I hope you<\/span>\u2019ve<\/span> enjoyed<\/span> this list of<\/span> the best things to do in Sarajevo<\/span>,<\/span> and <\/span>I really hope <\/span>you<\/span>\u2019ll<\/span> love<\/span> the city as much as I did. <\/span>Whether you want to reflect on life or immerse yourself in history, t<\/span>he capital of Bosnia<\/span> and Herzegovina<\/span> is <\/span>the perfect<\/span> destination for <\/span>your next<\/span> solo escape<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you been to Sarajevo? <\/span>What did you enjoy most about the trip? Share your experience with us in the comments below!<\/span><\/p>\n

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*\u00a0Disclosure:\u00a0Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, if you make a reservation through the links above, I will earn a small percentage. This helps me to keep my website running. I really appreciate your support. Thanks!<\/h6>\n