Overview
Sarajevo is very much a city that has risen from the ashes of war over the last thirty years. During the Yugoslav wars in the 1990’s, the city was under siege for years, leaving blown up buildings and tough memories. Being Bosnia’s cultural hub and biggest city, it was an easy target for Serbo-Croat aggression. Through the trials and tribulations of war, Sarajevo endured.
Since then, the city has made a swift recovery to return to the glory of older days. An embodiment of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Yugoslav and Bosnian traditions, the historical city is not only gorgeous but a great place to spend a day, or a month.
Sarajevo sits in a river valley with the Miljacka cutting it right down the center. Home to the 1984 Winter Olympics, the site where World War 1 officially began and a beautiful mix of cultures, the diversity and unique atmosphere is truly unmatched.
Is it Cheap
YES. Sarajevo may actually be the cheapest capital city you can find anywhere in the Balkans. Food, even in the old city is reasonably priced and it is something that you will definitely want to try. Hostels are great, and quite cheap, leaving you extra spending money to enjoy the beauty of the city.
Ferdinand Bridge
The White Fortress
Sarajevo Valley
What to Do
While being relatively small, there are still plenty of great things to do while in Sarajevo. Whether you are up for a day trip, want to hike or simply enjoy a coffee by the river, Sarajevo is a place that is perfect for every kind of traveler.
Catch the Views at the White Fortress
The White Tower sits high above the city just to its north. Once a beautiful monument built in years far gone, the tower now sits in ruin. Knocked down walls, graffiti and blast marks adorn the structure in a way that is both troubling yet endearing. You can get there by walking up the hill, through a traditional Bosnian neighborhood. Don’t be surprised to be greeted by smiling grandma’s sitting on their porches or to be chased around by young children wanting to get a picture with you.
Explore the Ruins of the 1984 Olympic Games
The first thing every person in Sarajevo recommends you do while in the city is to hike up to its east side and check out the old Bobsled track used during the Winter Olympics. The park is eerily empty and many signs caution against leaving the trail as landmines are still a serious issue in the Sarajevo hillside. It’s worth the trek.
Get Historical at the Bridge
In Sarajevo, you can actually visit the site where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated by Serbian revolutionaries. This attack of course sent the world on a course for war in 1914.
Across from this spot just a few streets in towards the city center, you can find the Bosnian genocide museum, an excellent preservation of the atrocities that occurred at the hands of the Serbians and Croats during the 1990’s.
Celebrate Diversity By Checking Out Sarajevo’s Mosques and Churches
Sarajevo along with the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most diverse countries that you can find anywhere. In a city dotted with some of the planet’s most beautiful mosques, you can find churches, a synagogue and various other religious sites. Make sure to be by the Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque (The oldest in Bosnia built in 1532) in the city center for the call to prayer around sundown.
What to Eat and Drink
Bosnian cuisine is an excellent mixture of east and west and you can really see it on the plate. Years of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslavian rule has left Bosnia with some of the world’s most delicious and unique food.
Bosnian Coffee: Traditionally served in small “shooter” like coffee mugs, it is somewhat similar to espresso yet richer as they do not filter out the grounds. Typically it is served with sugar and drank quickly.
Cevapi: Being part of Yugoslavia for over 50 years certainly left an impression on Bosnian cuisine. Cevapi is something you will find all over the Balkans and Bosnia certainly loves the small beef kebabs. Ground beef, flavored with local spices is grilled and served with a flat bread, raw white onion, Ajvar (A paste made from red peppers and eggplant) and Kajmak (a thick sour cream like substance).
Burek: Burek is as essential to the Bosnian way of life as the language itself and is a favorite breakfast item in Mostar and Sarajevo. Essentially, it is filo dough stuffed with either cheese, meat, spinach or potatoes and then either deep fried, baked or cooked in a large cast iron pot over wood fire. The exterior is crispy while the interior is rich and chewy. One of the best ways to start your day.
Baklava: Much like baklava found all over the Middle East, the Bosnians do their Baklava similarly, baked in sheets with sweet syrup, filo dough and nuts.
Sarma: Sarma are stuffed vegetables stewed in a thin tomato broth and normally served warm. The typical ingredients used include zucchinis or red peppers stuffed with rice and ground beef. You can get this in an awesome dish called the Bosna Pot along with other stuffed veggie items!
Rakija: Rakija can be found all over the Balkans and is much like German Schnapps. The alcohol content varies but it’s typically over 40 percent and extremely potent. Bosnians drink it in small vial like shot glasses, preferring to sip rather than shoot it back. Great flavors include honey, grape and blackberry.
Transportation
Most people will generally arrive in Sarajevo by bus or train, which would leave you in the western part of the city, away from many of the hostels and about 2 km away from the old town.
The best way to get around in Sarajevo is definitely by taxi or local bus. The buses are incredibly cheap and the taxis are also more than fair priced. If you are staying in the old town, there is no need for any transportation, as most sites can be reached by foot.
WARNING: Be ready to walk up some very steep hills if you are staying in the old town, as we said Sarajevo is set in a river valley. It’s very San Francisco-esque and definitely takes a toll on your calf muscles.
Also: If you are headed to Mostar after your trip in Sarajevo, take the train! The bus takes longer and is more expensive. The views on the way to Mostar are incredible as the train winds through river valleys, along lakes and through pine forests.
Clubbing and Nightlife
Sarajevo is definitely not the best city to visit if you are looking for your typical clubs although they do have a few vibrant and culturally interesting nightlife venues as well as a large convention center that they rent out to traveling music acts including some of the Europe’s best DJ’s.
A great way to start a night would be to head down to Muvetika street and Cheers Pub. Many expats enjoy their cheap beer and fun atmosphere, centered around one of Sarajevo’s bar streets. If Cheers isn’t for you, you won’t have an issue finding tons of other places selling alcohol at a good price.
If you want a bit of a cultural experience go find Kino Bosna, a theater that often has traditional Bosnian music nights featuring accordions, traditional dress and the like.
If you just want to go out in a bit more of a modern sense of the word, Cinemas Sloga is an awesome place to catch live music and DJ sets until early in the night. The venue is set in an old school theater and yes, you can smoke inside. It fills up quickly and is the perfect place for starting a night or ending it.
My Travel Essentials For A European Backpacking Trip
Below you'll find a list of my must bring backpacking items. I have gotten this list down to my essentials through trial and error over 4 years of living in a backpack. I hope you'll find these items helpful on your journey!
►Main Backpacking Backpack: https://amzn.to/3vUHdik [Amazon]
►Great Front Facing Duffle-bag : https://amzn.to/3SjK6Ra [Amazon]
►Quick Dry Towel : https://amzn.to/3uarxH8 [Amazon]
►Multi Country Charger Adapter : https://amzn.to/3Ul37p0 [Amazon]
►Refillable Water Bottle : https://amzn.to/48SnG0n [Amazon]
►Padlock : https://amzn.to/3SdyYp7 [Amazon]
►Earplugs : https://amzn.to/498xTpl [Amazon]
►Power Bank : https://amzn.to/3SyXP8e [Amazon]
Travel Photography & Video Favorites
If you're interested in creating your own video content on your trip, these are some of my favorite items I've had. They work, they're effective and besides the Sony Aa7C, they aren't going to break the bank either!
►On the Go Video | Go Pro Hero 12 : https://amzn.to/3u38oHh [Amazon]
►Photography | Sony A7C : https://amzn.to/3u1Y6ap [Amazon]
►Portable Tripod | https://amzn.to/42ojHqc [Amazon]
►Lavalier Microphone | https://amzn.to/3SbL41U [Amazon]
►Drone | https://amzn.to/47TCwSY [Amazon]
►Portable Monitor | https://amzn.to/3Hzv2dg [Amazon]
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