Things to Do in Sarajevo (2026)

Sarajevo is one of those cities that hits harder than you expect. The Ottoman bazaar, Austro-Hungarian boulevards, socialist-era blocks, and war scars all sit within walking distance of each other. It’s also absurdly affordable and the food is some of the best in Europe.

Explore Baščaršija

Sarajevo’s Ottoman bazaar quarter has been the heart of the city since the 15th century. Copperware shops, tiny coffee houses, the Sebilj fountain, and the smell of grilled meat everywhere. It’s touristy on the main square but authentic in the side streets. Don’t miss Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (free, donations welcome) — one of the finest Ottoman mosques in the Balkans.

Drink Bosnian coffee

Not Turkish coffee — Bosnian coffee. It’s served in a džezva with sugar cubes and a piece of lokum (Turkish delight). The ritual matters more than the caffeine. Find a small café in Baščaršija — any one without an English menu — sit down, and take your time. Around €1.50.

Visit the Tunnel of Hope

During the 1992–96 siege, this 800-metre tunnel under the airport runway was Sarajevo’s only lifeline. The museum at the tunnel entrance shows a 25-metre preserved section. Powerful and essential for understanding the city. Entry €10, located near the airport — 15 minutes by taxi from the centre.

Eat cevapi

Cevapi in Sarajevo is its own religion. Hand-rolled beef fingers in somun bread with onion and kajmak. The local debate is fierce about which place is best. Around €8 per plate. Order 10 pieces — you won’t regret it.

Walk Ferhadija street

The pedestrian avenue that runs from Baščaršija west through the Austro-Hungarian quarter. You’ll notice the architecture shift from Ottoman to Habsburg within a few blocks — Sarajevo’s famous “meeting of cultures” line is marked on the ground. Good shopping, cafés, and people-watching.

Take the cable car up Trebević

The Trebević cable car (rebuilt in 2018, replacing the one destroyed in the war) takes you from the old town area to the top of Mount Trebević in 10 minutes. Panoramic views, a restaurant at the top, and hiking trails through the forest. €20 return. The abandoned 1984 Winter Olympics bobsled track is a short walk from the top station.

Gallery 11/07/95

A memorial gallery dedicated to the Srebrenica genocide. Powerful audio-visual exhibits in a respectful, well-designed space near Ferhadija. Entry €10. Give it at least an hour. Not easy but important.

Yellow Fortress sunset

The Žuta Tabija (Yellow Fortress) is a 10-minute uphill walk east of Baščaršija. It’s Sarajevo’s best sunset spot — the whole city spreads out below with minarets, church spires, and mountains behind. Free, open access. Bring a drink and sit on the wall.

Latin Bridge

The spot where Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, triggering World War I. The bridge itself is small and easy to miss. The corner where it happened is now a small museum (€4). Worth 15 minutes for the historical weight alone.

Day trip to Mostar

2 hours south through spectacular mountain scenery. Walk across Stari Most, eat more cevapi, and stop at Konjic or Jablanica on the way. Private transfer is the best way — the stops along the Neretva valley are half the experience.

Where to eat

Sarajevo is incredibly affordable. Budget €25–40/day for three meals and you’ll eat extremely well. A cevapi plate is around €8, a full ascinica (traditional canteen) lunch is €5–8, and a proper restaurant dinner with drinks is €12–18/person.

How long to stay

Two nights covers the essentials — Baščaršija, tunnel, Trebević, and food. Three nights is ideal — add a museum day, Yellow Fortress sunset, and a day trip to Mostar. Four nights if you want to go deeper into the war history or take a day trip to Jahorina.

Getting there

Sarajevo connects to Mostar (2h), Dubrovnik (4.5h), and Split (4h) by private transfer. All routes pass through stunning scenery — the Neretva valley and Dinaric Alps.