There are numerous amazing sights to see in Sarajevo. From exploring the captivating old town to delving into the city’s rich history, there is something for everyone. If you’re interested in architecture, the best things to see in Sarajevo are:

1. 1. Bascarsija Shops
   2. Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque
   3. Sebilj Fountain
   4. Bascarsija Mosque
   5. Gazi Husrev Bey’s Sadrvan
   6. City Hall
   7. Latin Bridge
   8. Sacred Heart Cathedral
   9. Old Clock Tower
   10. Ferhadija Street

We spent the entire month of July visiting the sights in Sarajevo. Based on our experience, we compiled this list of the best things to see.

If you don’t have a month to explore, you can follow our suggested Sarajevo Walking Tour and see all ten sights on our list in less than an hour. This is enough time to stop for photos and take a peak inside the sights, but it does not include tours of the attractions. Also, the entire tour requires less than 1 mile of walking!

This website contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Baščaršija is Sarajevo’s old bazaar and the historical and cultural center of the city. It was founded in 15th century with the construction of a market and numerous shops.

A fire in the 19th century destroyed half of the district, but it is still home to many interesting shops selling souvenirs, restaurants serving cevapi, and cafes offering Bosnian coffee. It is the main tourist attraction in Sarajevo.

The Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque (Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque) was built in the 16th century and is the largest mosque in Sarajevo. It is considered the most important architectural monument from the period of the Ottoman Empire in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Sebilj Fountain is an Ottoman-style wooden fountain located in the center of Baščaršija Square. Local Bosnians and tourists alike are often seen filling jugs and water bottles.

The fountain is one of the symbols of the city and is a popular tourist attraction.

The Bascarsija Mosque underwent major reconstruction following damage during the war from 1992 to 1995. It was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006.

Gazi Husrev Bey’s Sadrvan is an important public water fountain in the center of the courtyard in front of Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque. It offers a beautiful and tranquil setting in the bustling Old Town.

The Sarajevo City Hall was the most expensive architectural project in the Austro-Hungarian Empire when it was completed in 1896. It was designed by the Czech architect Karel Parik, and the blending of Eastern and Western architectural styles symbolizes the meeting of world civilizations.

It was severely damaged during the Siege of Sarajevo in 1992 along with the destruction of thousands of books. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2014.

The Latin Bridge stretches across the River Miljacka and cemented its place in history when the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I, occurred on the northern end of the bridge in 1914.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral aka Sarajevo Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its construction was completed in 1887 and was consecrated by the Bishop of Dubrovnik. It suffered some damage during the Siege of Sarajevo and required repairs.

Sarajevo’s Old Clock Tower is 30 meters tall. The tower’s clock is the only public clock in the world that keeps lunar time to indicate the times for Muslims to perform five daily prayers.

The entire length of Ferhadija Street is a pedestrian zone and an enjoyable stroll. A short walk down Ferhadija Street, where the pedestrian zone ends, is the Sarajevo Eternal Flame. The Flame is a World War II memorial. Sarajevo was occupied by Nazi Germany and the fascist Independent State of Croatia for four years during the second world war. The flame was dedicated on the first anniversary of the liberation of the capital city.

If you’re still on the fence after reading about the seven best things to see, check out “Is Sarajevo Worth Visiting.” We review a long list of factors you should consider before reserving a room and booking your flight.

Sarajevo is easily walkable. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended sites in the following order:

• • Latin Bridge
  • City Hall
  • Bascarsija Mosque
  • Sebilj Fountain
  • Bascarsija Shops
  • Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque and Sadrvan
  • Old Clock Tower
  • Sacred Heart Cathedral
  • Ferhadija Street

Following the suggested itinerary, you will pass the 10 Best Things to See in Sarajevo, including historically significant locations like the Latin Bridge and City Hall, as well as the Bascarsija and Ferhadija Street pedestrian areas.

Our suggested Sarajevo Walking Tour starts at the Latin Bridge on the Miljacka River, passes numerous must-see Sarajevo attractions, including Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, and ends at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on the famous Ferhadija Street.

Want to learn about the history of Sarajevo with a guide? Book a highly-rated city tour!

Sarajevo is best known for its rich history, diverse culture, and beautiful architecture. It is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. Sarajevo has been influenced by various cultures throughout its history, including Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav. Some of the most popular attractions in Sarajevo include the historic Baščaršija district, the Latin Bridge (the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand), the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. The city also hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics and has a vibrant arts scene, with many theaters, galleries, and festivals throughout the year.

There are many good places to stay on both sides of the river in Sarajevo. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Old Town, Bascarsija, (the castle marker on the map below). The best restaurants and bars are in the Old Town, which is the most beautiful area in Sarajevo.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

No, Sarajevo is not expensive. Sarajevo offers a beautiful Old Town destination with great value in local food and accommodation. A grilled meat platter for two with two beers costs about $30. Both hotels and apartments are some of the best value we have seen in Europe.

You can explore Sarajevo Old Town, visit a few Mosques, have a Bosnian coffee at a cafe, and enjoy a meal of grilled meats and veggies in one day or on a day trip. But, we recommend two to three days to slow down, enjoy the city, and see a few additional sites. For example, the cable car to Mount Trebevic offers beautiful views of the city. Also, the Sarajevo Tunnel, aka the Tunnel of Hope, provides an opportunity to learn more about the Sarajevo siege during the Bosnian War. Finally, the Yellow Fortress, also known as the Yellow Bastion, is worth visiting for the stunning views of the city. Watching the sunset from this spot is particularly memorable and offers a unique perspective on Sarajevo’s history and beauty.

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Sarajevo is April, May, September, and October. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit. We spent the month of July in Sarajevo and thought the weather was very hot in the afternoon. There were lots of tourists, but the crowds were not horrible.

Yes, Sarajevo is very safe. We spent a month in Sarajevo and walked in the center as well as the outer neighborhoods and always felt safe. We often saw women walking alone in the early morning hours while we ran or took photographs, which shows the local women also feel safe.

It is not necessary to speak Bosnian to visit and enjoy Sarajevo. A large percentage of the locals speak English. They don’t have an expectation for you to speak their language or an attitude that you don’t.

The city of Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and has an airport with flights connecting from all over Europe. You can get from the Sarajevo airport to the Old Town neighborhood by bus or taxi. Taxis are very affordable and are, therefore, our recommended method. To schedule a taxi or private transfer in advance, check out the below highly-rated options.

We recommend ladies bring their more conservative summer clothes for their stay in Sarajevo. It’s not required, and you will be safe in a tube top and short skirt, but you will stick out.

Do you need wifi during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

Sarajevo is slightly east of central Bosnia and Herzegovina in the heart of the Balkans. It’s a 2hr 15min drive north of Mostar, Bosnia, and a 5hr 15min drive southwest of Belgrade, Serbia.