You asking yourself how many days to spend in Sarajevo and what are the best things to do in Sarajevo? Then you should continue reading.
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and stunning architecture.
Sarajevo is an amazing city, not big but with so much to explore and so many things to do. We weren’t sure how many days to spend in Sarajevo so we booked a hostel in the center of the city for 3 nights. We think 3 days is enough to explore around but we could easily stay longer.
You can explore the old town Bascarsija, eat some amazing local food, join a free walking tour, visit museums, hike. You can visit an abandoned bobsleigh on the hill Trebevic and ride a bicycle all the way back to Sarajevo.
So if you plan to visit Sarajevo and you don’t know how many days to spend in Sarajevo, you should continue reading.
How to get there – how many days to spend in Sarajevo
This time we were traveling with our car so it was quite comfortable for us to arrive in Sarajevo. But even if you don’t have a car it shouldn’t be a problem to reach it. There are many budget connections with buses and also trains to lots of cities in Europe.
What you can do in Sarajevo – how many days to spend in Sarajevo:
Join a free walking tour – How many days to spend in Sarajevo best things to do in Sarajevo
We arrived one day before in the afternoon, so we missed the walking tours for that day. So next day in the morning we were prepared! We decided for Sarajevo Free Walking Tour which has two tours, one at 10:30 and one at 15:00.
A very nice group (around 10 people) were already waiting there plus the guide was really nice. She showed us a lot of nice places and most importantly we learned a lot.
We think that the free walking tour is an amazing way to know the city and the history behind it.
In the end it is recommendable to leave a tip for the guide. We gave 10 BAM (5,1€;5,6$) each.
Eat some local food
Sarajevo has a rich culinary tradition, with many dishes influenced by Turkish, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan cuisines. Try the cevapi (grilled meat served with flatbread), burek (a savory pastry filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables), and tufahija (a sweet dessert made with apples, walnuts, and cream).
This is a must in Sarajevo, on every corner you have so many delicious options to choose from. We enjoyed the food very much! From burek to cevapcici and delicious salads and desserts.
Visit at least one museum
Sarajevo has a complex and fascinating history, which is reflected in its many museums and cultural institutions. Visit the Sarajevo City Museum, the War Childhood Museum, or the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina to learn about the city’s past.
We visited the Museum of crimes against humanity and genocide, located on Muvekita street. I have to warn you, the images there are graphic, especially in the videos, it can be hard to watch for the more sensitive ones.
The thing is, if you don’t know anything about the Bosnian war that happened between 1992-1995, you will from there with more knowledge and you will understand better what happened the politics, and the history.
Take a walk on the Miljacka River
The Miljacka River runs through Sarajevo and offers a peaceful escape from the busy city center. Take a stroll along the riverbanks, admire the bridges and the architecture, and enjoy the view of the city from a different perspective.
Go to the local market
Sarajevo has a couple of markets where you can buy homemade products and fresh fruits and vegetables. We visited one and for a good price we bought a lot of vegetables from gardens of local ladies. Even if you don’t buy anything you can walk around and feel the atmosphere and experience the local culture.
Visit the old town – How many days to spend in Sarajevo Best things to do in Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s old town, also known as Bascarsija, is a charming and lively area with narrow streets, colorful buildings, and many shops, cafes, and restaurants. Don’t miss the Sebilj fountain and the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, one of the most important Islamic buildings in the Balkans.
This is the most touristic part of Sarajevo, full of souvenir shops, restaurants and coffee places. Its located in the center, it’s small, with narrow streets and it for sure is the historical and cultural center of the city.
We weren’t bothered by many tourists and locals passing by, it was actually quite enjoyable to order a coffee, tea or natural juice and just observe the surroundings.
Head up to Trebevic with a cable car and see the abandoned bobsled track
The cable car was ruined during the war and after 26 years it is finally working again. While we were visiting the tickets cost 15 BAM (7,6€;8,3$), return ticket was 20 BAM (10,2€;11,1$). When you will arrive at the top of Trebevic, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view of Sarajevo.
After you are done with the view, you should check the abandoned bobsled track, it’s really close. It was built in 1984 when the city was hosting the Winter Olympics, and it is abandoned since then. It’s hidden in nature and covered with street art, a thing to see if you visit Sarajevo.
If you have enough energy you can walk it back to the city, more adventurous ones can even drive the bicycle all the way down. We came with the car so we didn’t do that but otherwise, I think we would do one or the other.
Attend a cultural event or hang out with locals
Sarajevo has a vibrant cultural scene, with many festivals, concerts, and exhibitions throughout the year. Don’t miss the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Sarajevo Jazz Festival, or the MESS Theater Festival.
One of the best parts of traveling and the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture is by spending time with locals. And I think that it’s the people that make a place unique. And I promise you, you will meet one of the most welcoming, sociable, helpful and good people – it is not hard to make friends in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We had an amazing evening spend with locals and fellow travelers in our hostel.
Fascinating and welcoming city
Overall, Sarajevo is a fascinating and welcoming city with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. With a bit of planning, you can have a wonderful travel experience in this unique destination.
