Sarajevo

Bosnia & Herzegovina

A city where even strangers feel at home.
With its abundance of busy cafes and abiding tradition of hospitality, Sarajevo has a unique charm.

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a cosmopolitan European city with an Eastern twist. It sits amongst endless hills and towering mountains, giving one a sense of isolation. The Old Town of Sarajevo is full of cobblestone streets, mosques and oriental-style shops. Sarajevo is a melting pot of diverse cultures. The capital is located on the original border between the Western and Eastern Roman empires after the original empire split in two. Few places on earth feature an Orthodox and a Catholic church, a mosque, and a synagogue almost next to each other. We recommend a walking tour to get to know the city.

The people of Sarajevo are incredibly friendly and welcoming. People here say that a man's wealth is not measured in his material belongings but rather in his friendships. Memories of the 1990s war and siege are still fresh. You'll see bullet holes throughout Sarajevo. Don't miss the Tunnel of Hope outside the center. It really captures the city's devastating past. Meat lovers will enjoy Sarajevo. Grilled meat is always on the menu, and no trip to Sarajevo is complete without sampling Cevapcici. This mincemeat kebab is the most famous dish in the country, along with burek (puff pastry filled with meat), which is usually served with yogurt.

What we love about Sarajevo

Lidija

Trip Planner

Usually overloooked by visitors to the region, Sarajevo is one of my favorite places in Europe. It is a place where a lot of complicated history comes together, and despite all odds, it manages to cherish all of its heritage, customs and cultures. Sarajevo is a big modern capital in lots of ways, but at the same time it has a small town vibe, where you get the feeling everybody knows everybody. And, above all, legendary hospitality and warmth - this is a place where people will welcome you sincerely no matter what.

Josipa

Dubrovnik City Host & Adriatic Destination Expert

Sarajevo is an exceptional city by all means. Four centuries of Eastern domination are manifest in numerous graceful monuments throughout Sarajevo. Not to mention the local food! There you will try the most delicious cevapcici - calorific rissoles of spiced minced meat typically served with kajmak, a cream cheese. And even though you will surely not be the only tourists in Sarajevo, it is less crowded than other European capitals. You can wander the streets and most of the people you see are actually locals. This is one of my favourite cities in the former Yugoslavia.

Andrea

Dubrovnik City Host & Adriatic Destination Expert

I've visited Sarajevo numerous times and I always love to come back. This city has a soul and this is not just some meaningless phrase - mix of cultures and difficult history created specific atmosphere you won't have a chance to experience anywhere else. It's also Heaven for meat lovers!

Where to stay in Sarajevo

Since we first started offering Sarajevo, the hotel scene has grown in leaps and bounds and we are pleased to be able to offer everything from cozy three-star and B&B-type places alongside four star design hotels, and a historic five star. For the experience alone, we recommend the converted hammam (Turkish baths) hotel that opened in 2015. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.

Historical Hotel

The most unique hotel in the city, this is the location of the first Turkish bath (hammam) in Sarajevo. You'll be immersed in that special Turkish style.

Luxury Hotel

This uniquely designed, centrally located hotel is your best option for luxury in Sarajevo. Great views over the city, interesting decor and much more.

Heritage Hotel

A charming hotel that merges traditional elements and modern design with superior comfort.

Things to do in Sarajevo

Our local expert guides will provide guided tours that are second to none. Sarajevo is a city full of opportunities from the Old Town center representing the country's Islamic influences, to its breathtaking natural surroundings. Sarajevo can be difficult to access, but once you are there, you will need at least two nights to enjoy all that this unique destination has to offer. Not to be missed are a tour to the Tunnel of Hope and the Bascarsija Old Town. When we send you your customized itinerary you will be able to choose additional excursions to include in your vacation package or consider for adding later.

Fall of Yugoslavia and Sarajevo Siege Small Group Tour

Traditional Bosnian Dinner with a Local Family Small Group Tour

Jajce and Travnik Small Group Tour

East Bosnia UNESCO Heritage Small Group Tour

Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Sarajevo

Spend some time in Sarajevo on a tour that takes in other cities in Bosnia & Herzegovina and neighboring countries. Our vacation packages including Sarajevo and other destinations make traveling in Central & Eastern Europe hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.

The Highlights of the Former Yugoslavia

Zagreb, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Kotor

10 Days

A Balkan Road Less Traveled

Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Tirana

11 Days

Croatia & Bosnia Combined

Dubrovnik, Korcula, Mostar, Sarajevo, Split

13 Days

Grand Ex-Yugoslavia Tour

Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Skopje

14 Days

Balkan Food and Drink Exploration

Ljubljana, Rovinj, Zagreb, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Kotor, Tirana, Skopje

21 Days

Glowing Reviews from Our Guests

4.9 / 5

Average of our Guest's Ratings of our Sarajevo vacation packages

Based on 4 reviews

Michael & David

Texas

JayWay Travel provides flexibility in arranging an affordable trip tailored to your desires

Year : 2019
Visited : Hungary, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia
Itinerary : Budapest, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2019
Visited : Hungary, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia
Itinerary : Budapest, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Nancy, Hughbert, Joseph & Lisa

Florida

JayWay Travel makes all the arrangements based on our wishes. All details are addressed, and makes vacation worry-free. This is our 2nd trip with JayWay Travel and have not been disappointed and would use again.

Year : 2018
Visited : Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Itinerary : Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Mostar, Sarajevo
Rating :

4.8 / 5

Year : 2018
Visited : Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Itinerary : Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Mostar, Sarajevo
Rating :

4.8 / 5

Howard & Dayna

Oregon

We have not regretted for a moment, we entered the Jay Way world. Within minutes they had sent us an itinerary for our proposed trip and later gave us several selections for accommodations at various levels of comfort. We saved ourselves hours of self inflicted searching, pondering, reserving and unnecessary risk. We were comforted greatly at the transition points, i.e., being met as we arrived at each location, having a city tour to orient us to each city, and then transport to either the train station or by shuttle to our next destination. We recommend Jay Way Travel without any reservation. The time, energy, and effort they saved us was worth every dollar of their fee, which by any accounts was very reasonable.

Year : 2018
Visited : Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany
Itinerary : Dubrovnik, Split, Sarajevo, Plitvice, Rovinj, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, Prague, Berlin
Rating :

4.8 / 5

Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Sarajevo

What are prices like in Sarajevo?

A quick lunch with a drink in the city center, is around 11 KM/$6. Museum and landmarks cost from 2KM- 10KM ($1-$6). For dinner, budget for around 27 KM/$15 a person.

How can I get around Sarajevo?

Sarajevo's Old Town is compact, so getting around by foot is pretty easy. If you need to get a ride, the local taxi rates are quite low.

Is Sarajevo safe?

Sarajevo is a safe city, although the usual precautions should be taken against pickpockets in crowded areas. If coming by rental car, don't leave valuables in sight when leaving the car, and park in a hotel or public garage if possible.

What options does Sarajevo have for those with dietary restrictions?

Although Bosnian cuisine is mostly about meat, Sarajevo has more and more restaurants focused on providing options for people with dietary restrictions and intolerances. Many restaurants offer gluten-free options as well as vegan/vegetarian options, such as Falafel, Dveri, and Klopa.