My Sarajevo itinerary permits you to uncover the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” in comparatively nice depth, and at a tempo that it neither sluggish nor breakneck. I knew what course my schedule would ultimately find yourself taking from the second I arrived in Sarajevo and noticed fellow vacationers strolling gleefully over the Latin Bridge.
The attraction of Sarajevo transcends the a part of its historical past when Franz Ferdinand was shot right here, in fact, even when trauma in that vein does tie into its popularity because the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” Continue studying to be taught what I turn into so smitten with Sarajevo—and why I’m sure you’ll be, too.
Where to Stay in Sarajevo
First impressions are every little thing, and the Sarajevo lodge I checked into after the aforementioned bridge scene definitely made a fantastic one. Situated within the coronary heart of outdated Sarajevo as its identify suggests, Old Town Hotel supplied a house in Bosnia’s capital that was charming, comfy and handy. There are “nicer” locations in Sarajevo, in fact, and likewise cheaper ones, however to me that is the property amongst inns in Sarajevo that checks essentially the most bins.
What to Do During Your Sarajevo Itinerary
See Sarajevo’s Basics
After checking in and chilling out, I headed out into Sarajevo Old Town to begin exploring my new house for the following couple of days. While main sights equivalent to Bascarsija market, Sebilj fountain and Vijecnica metropolis corridor had been picturesque, my actual infatuation was as a result of various individuals and cultures that flowed via the streets, not in contrast to the threads of humanity that weave collectively in Jerusalem itself.
After actually hours scouring its nook and crannies, passing church buildings, synagogues, mosques and exchanging smiles with all who prayed inside them, I exited the Old Town and arrived on the north financial institution of the Miljacka River. I crossed over the Sarajevo Latin Bridge and again once more, questioning in Franz Ferdinand had felt as awestruck as I did by Sarajevo’s magnificence within the moments earlier than his assassination.
Taste the Flavors of Sarajevo
After getting my fill of Sarajevo mosque and church pictures, I started exploring town on a deeper degree. One method I did this was by taking in a panorama, particularly the one from the Yellow Fortress, which is a few 20-minute stroll from the Old Town. In my opinion, the view really turned higher after I continued strolling a bit, which extra stunning juxtaposes town’s medieval structure with trendy buildings just like the Avaz Twist Tower.
Another method I dug deeper was to dig into Bosnian delicacies in the most effective Sarajevo eating places equivalent to Pod Lipom, which isn’t the highest-rated place to eat within the Old Town, however got here extremely (and personally) really helpful. Wherever you resolve to eat, be sure to take a look at the sausage-and-pita cevapi (Bosnia’s unofficial nationwide dish), borek meat pie and the Sarajevski Sahan sampler, supplied (as far as I can inform) completely at Pod Lipom.
Delve Into Sarajevo’s Checkered Past
As darkish as you may really feel for wanting to take action, it’s unsurprising that the Sarajevo genocide might be close to the highest of your record for Sarajevo sightseeing. It definitely was on mine, although I need to say that after the sobering Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide 1992-1995, I felt too unhappy to go to different war-related locations just like the Sarajevo Tunnel, and as a substitute took a pensive stroll to the extra uplifting Eternal Flame.
I thought-about visiting the Sarajevo Bobsled monitor (formally, Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track, which was constructed for the 1984 Olympics), however as night time set in, I remained considerably affected by my go to to the genocide museum. I made a decision to forgo a go to to the dystopian Olympic web site (I definitely couldn’t abdomen a good darker go to to Srebrenica, the place most of the most egregious wartime atrocities happened) and took one final stroll across the Old Town.
Day Trips from Sarajevo
If you’re finishing your Sarajevo itinerary within the reverse order I did, you’ll be able to board a Sarajevo Mostar bus and after a few hours, you’ll arrive in Mostar, which as I discussed is considered one of my favourite locations on your entire European continent. Whether you spend the whole thing of your time marveling on the picturesque Stari Most (Old Bridge) or exploring outlying attraction like Kravice waterfalls or the Catholic pilgrimage metropolis of Medjugorje, this can be a very worthy Sarajevo day journey.
Alternatively, in case you board a Sarajevo to Dubrovnik bus, you’ll be able to bypass Mostar and the remainder of Bosnia (although I extremely advocate in opposition to this!) and head straight for Croatia‘s Dalmatian Coast. This definitely isn’t a day journey from Sarajevo, however is a logical approach to proceed touring via the Balkans from Bosnia’s capital. This is particularly true for an extended Sarajevo itinerary, 4 days or so.
The Ultimate Sarajevo Itinerary
If you end up overwhelmed by Sarajevo issues to do, don’t be. Rather than pressuring your self into following my Sarajevo itinerary precisely, use this concise record of Sarajevo sightseeing to construct your personal:
- Sarajevo Old Town
- Latin Bridge
- Yellow Fortress View Point
- Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide 1992-1995
- Sarajevo Tunnel
- Eternal Flame
- Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track
- Srebrenica
- Mostar
Once you’ve sorted out what to see in Sarajevo, be sure to take a look at my complete itinerary for two weeks within the Balkans, which completely enhances my Sarajevo journey weblog.
Other FAQ About Traveling to Sarajevo
Is Sarajevo value visiting?
Sarajevo is completely value visiting! Whether you hint historical past within the Old Town and at Latin Bridge, benefit from the view from the Yellow Fortress or take a day journey to solemn Srebrenica, I believe you’ll discover Sarajevo to be some of the underrated cities in Europe, and definitely among the many finest within the Balkans.
Is Sarajevo secure for vacationers?
Sarajevo is extraordinarily secure for vacationers. Unfortunately, as a result of legacy of warfare reporting within the Nineteen Nineties, individuals falsely imagine that Bosnia is a harmful nation that vacationers ought to keep away from; this couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Is Sarajevo a ravishing metropolis?
Sarajevo is a completely beautiful metropolis, significantly within the Old Town, which mixes mosques and different Muslim buildings with classically European structure from the 18th and 19 century. If you need to see Sarajevo at its most stunning, contemplate watching sundown from the Yellow Fortress.
The Bottom Line
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.