You only have one day in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina and still don’t want to miss any things to do and highlights during your city trip? No problem at all with the travel tips and BIG5 checklists from JOURNICATION! This Sarajevo travel guide shows you with maps the route to the best places within the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina. In addition to my personal experience report, you will receive recommendations on the best hotels, restaurants and photo spots in Sarajevo and an overview of the costs. You will see, in 24 hours in Sarajevo, there are more sights to discover than just the old town Baščaršija. Let’s go for a perfect day in Sarajevo in 2023!
What do you learn in this article?
One day in Sarajevo itinerary 🇧🇦 – Your highlights checklist
Best suited for screenshots 📷📝
Your morning in Sarajevo
Explore the Old town Baščaršija
- Sebilj fountain
- Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque
- Sahat-kula bell tower (note the clock)
- Morića Han caravanserai
- Sacred Heart Cathedral (+ red garnet holes)
- Vječna Vatra (Eternal Flame)
- Latin bridge
- Vijećnica
Your afternoon in Sarajevo
- Kovači cemetery
- Žuta Tabija – the Yellow Bastion
- Bijela Tabija – the White Fortress
Your evening in Sarajevo
- Old town “Baščaršija” in the dark
- Enjoy the Bosnian cuisine
In addition to the BIG5, I have summarized the things to do in Sarajevo in one day and the circular route for you in an overview map:
Click on the icon at the top left to use the full range of map options!
BIG5 Things to do in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina & Travel Tips
You don’t want to miss any Sarajevo highlights in one day? Find all travel tips and your city trip checklist for one day in Sarajevo here:
BIG5 Sarajevo – Speed Date
What is outstanding in Sarajevo?
The mix of cultures – Ottoman / oriental flair in the middle of Europe
What sucks in Sarajevo?
For non-smokers: The locals’ cigarette, which can be found everywhere in everyday life
What you should definitely DO in Sarajevo?
Have a cup of Bosnian coffee in a café with the locals
DO NOT:
Accidental black driving in the trams – tickets can be bought directly from the driver or at certain kiosks
Don’t tell your mother:
There are still mines from the war and some buildings that are in danger of collapsing – I might not mention it …
BIG5 Sarajevo – Rapid Fire Q&A
Is it worth a short trip to Sarajevo?
Yes absolutely. Because of its recent past it doesn’t sound like a desirable travel destination. BUT the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina is ideal for a city trip and surprises extremely positively as a very contrasting, full of exciting history and an impressive mixing of different cultures. With it’s compact old town, you can perfectly explore Sarajevo in one day. There are a lot of things to do, eat, see! Sarajevo – from Istanbul to Vienna in a minute!
How many days should I plan for Sarajevo?
You can explore the city’s BIG5 in the morning and afternoon, two days are enough to visit all the highlights and the surrounding area
Can Sarajevo be combined with other travel destinations?
Yes, the connections to Balkan Highlights like Mostar and Dubrovnik are particularly good
Is Sarajevo safe for travelers?
Yes, except for the usual pickpockets etc., the city is considered very safe. In some quarters, however, there are mines after the war and many buildings at risk of collapse (marked)
Do I need a rental car in Sarajevo or day ticket for public transportation?
No, the old town and surrounding hills can easily be explored on foot
BIG5 Sarajevo – Orga
What is the best travel time for Sarajevo?
The best months for traveling to Sarajevo are July, August and September (warm and little rain)
How to get to Sarajevo?
Do you need a visa for Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina?
Visum: Checkherewhether you need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina with your passport
- Flight: Many airlines fly to Sarajevo International Airport (IATA: SJJ) every day
- Bus: From / to Mostar (approx. 2.5 – 3 hours, max. 10 euros, several times a day)
- Bus: From / to Dubrovnik via Mostar (approx. 6 hours, 14 – 23 euros, several times a day)
Next it goes to … Mostar/ Bosnia & Herzegovina or Dubrovnik/ Croatia.
Are you interested in a Balkan road trip? Have a look here: Balkans Road trip – Incredibly versatile adventure
Where to stay in Sarajevo?
Where should I book a hotel in Sarajevo?
Recommended location: Take a hotel in or near the old town of Baščaršija, then everything is easily accessible on foot
- Budget: Villa La (Fojnička 17, 71000 Sarajevo; ~ 25-30 €), practical kitchen with in the apartment
- Medium: Best of Bascarsija apartments (Telali 15, 71000 Sarajevo; ~ 50 €), apartment in a great location
- Noble: Boutique Hotel Central (Cumurija br. 8, 71000 Sarajevo; ~ 60-70 €), extremely good location
What is the Price Level / Budget for Sarajevo?
- What is the currency of Bosnia & Herzegovina? – The currency in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM), currently the conversion rate is approx. 1 BAM = 0,50 Euros.
- Can I pay with Euro in Bosnia & Herzegovina? – No, in Bosnia & Herzegovina you pay everywhere with Bosnian Mark.
Withdraw money: Easily possible at the airport and at ATMs in the city
Beer indicator: 0.5 liter can in the supermarket = 1 mark (~ 0.5 euros); 3.50 – 4.00 marks in the restaurant
What is the Taxi fare in Sarajevo?: For example from the city center to the bus station: ~ 5 euros. It is best to negotiate the fare in advance with the driver
Cost for public transport in Sarajevo: 1.60 BAM at the newsstand and 1.80 BAM on the bus
Do you need a power outlet adapter for Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina?
In Bosnia & Herzegovina, F sockets are used with a voltage of 230 V with a voltage of 50 Hertz.
Do you need a travel adapter for the sockets in Bosnia & Herzegovina? Then I can recommend you SKROSS Pro World travel adapter, which I myself have in my luggage for some time:
What are the best Restaurants, Bars & Cafés in Sarajevo?
- Inat Kuća (Veliki Alifakovac 1, Sarajevo 71000), great location on the river and interesting history
- Bahana (Djulagina Cikma 8, Sarajevo 71000), comfortably furnished with local dishes
- Café Kamarija (Pod bedemom, Sarajevo 71000), premium view of Sarajevo
BIG5 Sarajevo – The must do Activities
What activities should you not miss in any case? Here are my BIG5:
- Discover the Ottoman-influenced old town of Baščaršija with many sights
- Climb up to the Yellow Bastion & White Fortress (during the day or for the sunset!)
- Stroll along Sarači (“Istanbul”) and Ferhadija (“Vienna / Budapest”) via the “Meeting of Cultures” line
- Visit the former town hall of Vijećnica – imposing Moorish interior and exterior
- Sprint through the old abandoned bobsleigh run of the 1984 Winter Olympics
BIG5 Sarajevo – The best Photo spots
You may wondering about the best photo locations to take pictures for Instagram or your holiday album. Here we go:
- City & mountain panorama from the Yellow Bastion (Žuta Tabija)
- Baščaršija main square from the tram stop: Sebilj fountain with Baščaršija mosque in the background
- The abandoned bobsleigh run of the 1984 Winter Olympics – every curve offers a new picture
- Great overview of the entire city from Trebević mountain
- 180 ° panorama from the Meeting of Cultures line – on the one hand Ottoman, on the other typical K&K architecture
BIG5 Sarajevo – Insider Tips / Things to do off the beaten track
- Enjoy a cafe on the 35th floor of the Avaz Twist Tower with great views
- Take the tram – the old cars (some donations from Vienna, Brno or Pyongyang!) Allow you to travel back in time
- Stroll along the small Kovači alley – small restaurants, bars and cafés invite you to linger
- Take a trip to Trebević mountain
- Visit the War Tunnel Museum & Galerija 11/07/95 – impressive memories of the war and the siege of Sarajevo
BIG5 Sarajevo – Culinary Journey: What to eat in Sarajevo?
- Ćevapi / Ćevapčići – classics of Balkan barbecues and typical of meat-based cuisine, served with flatbread, kaymak (cheese) and onions
- Bosnian coffee (Bosanska Kava) – corresponds to the Turkish version, even if not everyone would admit it immediately. Enjoy cheap, tasty and best enjoyed in small cafés in the company of locals
- Enjoy Burek in an original Bosnian Buregdžinica (restaurant) – you usually pay “per kilo”
- Sarajevsko pivo – the local beer
- Dining in a typical Bosnian restaurant (Aščinica): Here you choose from the buffet
BIG5 Sarajevo – Communication
What language do you speak in Sarajevo?
In Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina you speak Bosnian. Here are the BIG5 words for basic friendly communication in the local language:
- thank you – hvala
- yes – da
- no – ne
- hello – Zdravo / Dobar dan
- good bye – doviđenja or prijatno
BIG5 Sarajevo – Helpful Websites / Links
- Official Website of Sarajevo
- Free Walking Tour Sarajevo
- If you don’t want to take care of everything organizational yourself, just enjoy your vacation and still don’t want to miss any sights in Sarajevo, great tours are offered on site:
BIG5 Sarajevo – Overview Map for your city trip
Welcome to Sarajevo
Arriving made easy: Centrotrans Eurolines buses (departing a bit to the right of the terminal) and lines 31e and 103 (in the nearby Dobrinja district) run directly from the very manageable international airport to the city center. The trip costs around 5.00 or 1.60 marks and takes about 30 minutes.
Yes, you read it right: In Bosnia you pay with Mark! During the trip, this gave a few moments to smile and remember old times. How much is the beer? “One mark!” Let’s see what you can experience with a lot or a little mark in your pocket …
Everywhere in the city you can see traces of the 500 years of Ottoman rule in the Balkans, countless mosques with their minarets, Turkish-style traditional clothing and culinary delights such as Burek and Cevapcici (Cevap = Kebab) create the atmosphere of Istanbul. The streets, which were mainly built under Austro-Hungarian rule, are separated by a line embedded in the sidewalk in the old town.
It looks like in Vienna or Budapest. The site of the Sarajevo assassination in 1914 is also there. Everywhere in the city you can still clearly see the traces of the Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo 1991-1995. Bullet holes in the houses, destroyed buildings, and places where grenade hits are marked with red paint.
One day to experience the best things in Sarajevo
Depending on the time of arrival, you can split the day in two halves, that’s how we did it.
Sarajevo attractions in the morning
Explore the old town Baščaršija
As in most cities, I recommend a free walking tour as a first orientation. The tour lasts around 3 hours and includes all highlights in the old town “Baščaršija”. In addition, all kinds of interesting facts about the country, people and culture are told.
My first association with Sarajevo was always the “Sarajevo assassination” in 1914, which is considered to have triggered the First World War. From a distance it quickly becomes clear that the city has a lot more to offer in terms of history. In my view, four essential epochs can be recognized, which have clearly left their mark on the cityscape:
Baščaršija is an old bazaar from the 15th century that was created by the Ottomans after the conquest of the Balkans. The cityscape here is shaped by Ottoman architecture and actually resembles that of Istanbul.
Be sure to check out the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque, the old Morića Han caravanserai in a picturesque courtyard, and the Sebilj, an exotic, beautiful fountain in the form of a kiosk in the main square. The 30 meter high bell tower near the mosque is particularly remarkable. The clock runs after “moon time”. 12 o’clock in the evening corresponds to the time of sunset (time of the Muslim Maghrib prayer). The clock is manually reset every week.
Things to do in Sarajevo: From Istanbul to Vienna on Ferhadija Boulevard
After a few steps on the promenade and shopping street Ferhadija, the cityscape changes completely. The multi-storey houses along the street date from the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Bosnia. Here the cityscape is reminiscent of Vienna or Budapest.
If you follow the Ferhadija to the Marsala Tita junction, you will come to the Eternal Flame (Vječna vatra), the memorial to all victims of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Second World War. From here on, the buildings look different again. Here one moves between testimonies of communist Yugoslavia with Soviet influence.
Countless bullet holes in many buildings are reminiscent of a dark, not too distant section of the city’s history: the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War 1992-1996. In some places in the city, red-colored holes from grenades remind the victims. Such a “monument” can be found, for example, in front of the Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus (Katedrala Srca Isusova).
Things to do in Sarajevo: Walk along river Miljacka
Not far from the Latin bridge over the Miljacka river is the scene of the Sarajevo assassination at the crossroads – the trigger of the July crisis and ultimately of the First World War. A plaque at the museum commemorates the murder of the Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand and his wife by Serbian separatists.
The Vijećnica also dates from this period. However, the former town hall is built in the (pseudo) Moorish style and could also be located in Seville or Granada. Sarajevo – an architectural journey through Europe … A tour costs entry, but at least have a look in the foyer, it is worth seeing!
The city is still influenced by the Ottoman culture and especially the cuisine. For lunch, you can immerse yourself in the culinary delights of the country. There are countless restaurants in and around the old town. We recommend Börek, Cevap and, for dessert, a Bosnian coffee with baklava.
Things to do in Sarajevo in the afternoon
Enjoy the view from Žuta Tabija – the Yellow Fortress
How about a little digestive walk? The ascent to the old fortresses above the city is highly recommended. The ascent to the Yellow Bastion (Žuta Tabija) is very close to the Vijećnica on the small Nadmlini street. Pass the imposing Kovači cemetery (Šehidsko mezarje Kovači). The climb is sometimes steep, but worth it!
The fortress offers a great panoramic view of the whole city, the suburbs on the surrounding hills and the mountains over Sarajevo. A beer garden (… but I think there was no beer …) invites you to linger. Enjoy the view and look at the bustle in the old town from above.
Things to do in Sarajevo: Climb further up to the White Fortress
From the Yellow Bastion we continue to the White Fortress (Bijela Tabija) – very colorful. The facility is partially closed for construction work, if you are lucky the security guard lets you enter anyway. From here you can enjoy the panorama from a different height and have the opportunity to look into the mountains beyond the city limits.
On the way down you will pass the Café Kamarija, which in turn offers a great view of the city. In addition a cool or hot drink – what more could you want on vacation?
Maybe you will stay on the yellow fortress until sunset !?
Things to do in Sarajevo in the evening
Stroll relaxed through the illuminated streets of the old town “Baščaršija”.
Enjoy the Balkan kitchen! After an informative day with an overdose of history and many kilometers through time in the bones, a dinner in the old town is a good idea. For this I recommend “Inat Kuća” with a beautiful location on the river opposite the old town hall (don’t forget your reservation!) And “Barhana” in the old town.
You have more than one day in Sarajevo? Excellent!
… because there are much more things to do in Sarajevo!
For friends of a great mountain panorama of the city and from hiking, a ride on the cable car to Trebević is just the thing. The valley station is easy to reach on foot near the Vijećnica (former town hall) near the old town.
Definitively a special place is the War Museum / Sarajevo Tunnel. The tunnel served as an escape and transport tunnel during the siege of the city. A section of the original tunnel can be visited.
A visit to the History Museum is also worthwhile.
Outdoor fans can hike to the Skakavac waterfall (takes around 4 hours) or visit the old Jewish cemetery in Sarajevo.
Sarajevo is a perfect starting point to Mostar or exciting day trips to all parts of the country:
Conclusion: is a city trip to Sarajevo worthwhile? – Absolutely YES, you see what there is to discover!
Are the suitcases for the Balkans already packed? 🇧🇦 What are your BIG5 of Sarajevo?
Are you interested in a Balkan road trip? Have a look here: Balkans Road trip – Incredibly versatile adventure
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