Sarajevo has undergone significant changes over the years, including wars and invasions, but it has emerged stronger than ever. Despite its tumultuous past, the city is now safe for tourists, and visitors can explore its many attractions without fear. If you’re interested in rich cultural heritage, traditional food, and historic architecture, Sarajevo is a must-visit destination when traveling in the Balkans.

When we tell others we are full-time travelers, one of the most popular questions people ask is: “Where should I go?” The honest answer is it depends. As we explain, the best destination depends on what you want to do on your trip.

Every city is different and has its pros and cons. We can’t say which city is best or our favorite because we like them all (or, at least, most of them) for very different reasons.

We consider several factors when thinking about where we will go next. Some are given more weight than others, but we want to ensure the destination has what we’re looking for and that there are no disqualifying issues (like weather or crowds).

To help you decide if Sarajevo is worth visiting, on your next trip we’ve analyzed a list of factors we consider when choosing a destination and answered the frequently asked questions about Sarajevo.

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We spent the whole month of July in Sarajevo. Based on our experience, we assigned each factor a score from 1 to 5, with one being the worst and five being the best. If the attribute is unavailable or does not apply, we give it a 0.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Sarajevo worth visiting?” Hopefully, this information will help you make a more informed decision.

Some factors may sway you in one direction or another, depending on your circumstances and interest—for example, the weather. If you like to go to the beach, you may be looking for hot weather in the summer. If you like winter sports, you may be looking for cold weather in the winter. On the other hand, if you want to explore the old town (like us), you may be looking for milder weather in the summer and winter. For this reason, you may need to take your situation into account.

While there are some exceptions, we assume the weather will be good in the Spring and Fall everywhere we consider visiting. So, we focus primarily on the Summer and Winter weather. What is Sarajevo weather like?

Hot in the Summer – 2

We were in Sarajevo for the entire month of July. It was very hot for most of our time there, but a cool front came through with rain in the middle of the month. That cooled it down for a few days, and we spent all day exploring during that time. One lovely thing about the summer heat in Sarajevo is that it cools down a lot at night and doesn’t get uncomfortably hot until noon. So, if you get up early and plan your sightseeing around the morning hours, the weather is excellent. The average highs for June, July, and August are 75℉, 80℉, and 80℉, respectively.

Cold in the Winter – 1

We were not in Sarajevo during the winter, but it is known as cold and snowy in the winter. The average highs for December, January, and February are 39℉, 38℉, and 42℉, respectively.

Few Tourists in Large Groups – 4

Sarajevo is not crowded with tourists. There are tourists in the Old Town, and the most congested area is around the Sebilj fountain, but it is not bad. We saw some tourists in large groups, but most were couples or small families.

Few Cruise Ship Passengers – 5

There is no cruise ship port anywhere near Sarajevo, so there are no cruise ship tourists.

Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families – 4

Almost all the tourists in Sarajevo Old Town are couples or small families, but walking around is still very comfortable.

Pedestrian-Only Areas – 4

Sarajevo Old Town is a pedestrian-only area and is lovely for slow leisurely walking.

Lines at Attractions – 5

The things to do in Sarajevo have little to no lines.

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) – 0

There are no beaches in Sarajevo.

Beaches with Rough Water – 0

Boating Activities/Kayaking – 2

Boating activities in Sarajevo get a two because they all require driving. For fun water activities to cool down during the summer see the highly-rated experiences below.

Rocky Swim Spots – 0

Sunbathing – 1

Sarajevo is not a sunbathing destination. In addition to having a large conservatively-dressed Muslim population, hotels with pools to lie in the sun are not widely available.

Experiences

Book fun water activities now with these exciting Sarajevo tours! 

Wine – 3

Sarajevo is not in the wine region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but you can enjoy the wines of the Herzegovina region while visiting Sarajevo. The regional Herzegovina wines pair perfectly with Sarajevo food.

Beer – 4

Beer is very popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina and goes nicely with the local grilled meat, cevapi. The local Sarajevo beers are sold everywhere and are very budget-friendly.

Specialty Liquor – 3

Sarajevo has many different flavored local liquors called Rakija. Try them at a bar or purchase small bottles at the store.

Specialty Food – 4

Sarajevo has tasty specialty food. Burek, cevapi, and klepe were all items I enjoyed eating in Sarajevo.

Seafood – 1

Sarajevo is not a seafood destination. One day the grocery store had non-frozen salmon that I made the mistake of purchasing. I recommend sticking to the excellent grilled meat that Sarajevo offers.

Meat – 5

Sarajevo is a destination for meat lovers. There are good options for vegetarians, but grilled meats are king here.

Street Food – 4

Sarajevo has some good street food options (burek and cevapi) in the Old Town, but they are offered in more of a quick, sit-down environment.

Large Food Market with Restaurants – 3

Sarajevo has a large food market, the Pijaca Markale. I highly recommend checking it out to see Sarajevo’s traditional food items. I tried to shop at it but could not overcome the language barrier. So, I did most of my shopping at the Konzum in the BBI Center.

Experiences

Book Sarajevo food and wine experiences now! These highly-rated tours are a great way to learn about local food and wine.

History – 4

We watched many history shows on World War I and Eastern European History, which significantly improved our enjoyment and understanding of Sarajevo’s history.

Architecture – 3

Sarajevo’s Old Town (Baščaršija) has impressive architecture. The old bazaar is beautiful and wonderful to explore. There are several mosques, including the largest, Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque

So, why did I only give Sarajevo a three? Well, the area outside Old Town Sarajevo could be better for architecture.

I recommend prioritizing your hotel or Airbnb as close to the Old Town as possible.

Art – 2

Sarajevo has art museums, but it is not a destination for art.

Museums – 2

Sarajevo has museums about the 1990s Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo, which include the Sarajevo War Tunnel, but it is not known for its museums.

Castles – 0

There are no castles in Sarajevo.

Walled-City – 0

Sarajevo does not have a wall around the city.

Palaces – 1

Sarajevo doesn’t have palaces. I gave it a one instead of zero, just in case I missed something.

Hiking – 3

Sarajevo has a handful of hiking trails with beautiful scenery that start either in town or after taking the Sarajevo cable car. That said, you should do your research about land mines. I have read that it is important to stay on designated trails because the mountains around Sarajevo were highly mined during the 90s war.

For more information on Sarajevo hiking, check out AllTrails.

Running – 3

We did run while in Sarajevo and saw many other runners at 6 am. We focused our runs up and down the two sides of the Miljacka River.

High – Fashion Stores/Shopping – 3

There are two large shopping malls in Sarajevo, but none with high-end fashion stores.

Nightlife – 3

Sarajevo has many bars, cafes, and restaurants, but they did not seem to be open late, and the city was relatively quiet at night.

Dog Friendly – 1

Sarajevo is not very dog friendly. Especially when you compare it to Western Europe. There are Airbnbs and hotels that allow dogs, but they are the only places our Frenchie, Gus, was allowed. He wasn’t allowed in clothes shopping stores, restaurants, or cafes.

Kid Friendly – 3

We don’t have kids, but Sarajevo did not appear to have many activities in the Old Town, except the cable car, that appeal to kids.

For fun kid-friendly activities, please take a look at the above water sports excursions

Experiences

Are you interested in learning about Sarajevo’s history during your stay? Book now a highly-rated history tour!

Great Grocery Stores – 2

Sarajevo has many grocery stores, and the ones in the shopping malls are the largest. But, the grocery stores are limited in selection, and you will need to stretch your knowledge and cooking skills.

English Widely Spoken – 4

English is widely spoken in Sarajevo, and you can survive knowing just a couple of Bosnian words.

Outwardly Friendly Locals – 2

Locals in Sarajevo are friendly, but it does take a little time for them to warm up to you.

American Tourists – 2

We encountered a few American tourists in Sarajevo. Most tourists spoke English as a common language, but few were Americans.

Accessible by Train – 1

Sarajevo does have a train station with daily trains to Mostar. Unfortunately, you can’t get to Sarajevo from other European cities by train. You need to rent a car or hire transfers to get around Bosnia.

For private transfers, check out the below highly-rated transfers. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

Day Trips by Train – 1

The Sarajevo train station will take you to Mostar for a day trip. Unfortunately, it is not a short trip and trains only occasionally run.

Clean Streets – 2

The streets of Sarajevo could be cleaner.

Noise – 4

Sarajevo is not a noisy city during the day or night.

Private Transfers

Need a taxi or a private transfer? Book your Sarajevo taxi or private transfer with the highly-rated options below!

Food Cost – 5

Sarajevo is an inexpensive destination for food. Enjoy the fantastic food and incredible value.

Accommodation Cost – 5

Accommodations in Sarajevo are not expensive. It was not our cheapest destination, but one of the lowest. Our biggest challenge was that our Airbnb host canceled our month-long stay a week before our arrival. That left few last-minute booking options for a 30-day stay. Luckily, Sarajevo has a dog-friendly Residence Inn that we booked for three weeks combined with a one-week stay at an Airbnb.

Activities Cost – 5

The activities in Sarajevo are inexpensive.

Transportation Cost – 2

Transportation in Bosnia is costly because the train system is limited.

We use private transfers and rental cars when moving around Bosnia. For taxis and private transfers, check out the above highly-rated options. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

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!

Sarajevo is a city that has seen its fair share of conflict, including the brutal Siege of Sarajevo during the collapse of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Despite this dark history, the city is now emerging as a top tourist destination in the Balkans.

Visitors can learn about the scars of war by visiting places like the Tunnel of Hope, which was used as a lifeline during the siege, and the tunnel museum, or seeking out bullet holes in apartment buildings and the marks on the sidewalk filled with red resin called “Sarajevo Roses,” which represent where mortar shells exploded, or simply listening to personal stories from locals who lived through it.

Sarajevo also offers plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking in the nearby mountains or skiing at the nearby Jahorina ski resort. Overall, Sarajevo is a vibrant and welcoming city with plenty to offer visitors.

As of now, the US Department of State has not issued any travel warnings or alerts for Americans traveling to Bosnia. However, it is always important to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when traveling in any foreign country. Additionally, it’s a good idea to research local customs and laws, as well as any potential political or social tensions that may affect your safety. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, you can enjoy a safe and fulfilling trip to Bosnia.

Yes, Sarajevo is very safe. We spent a month in Sarajevo and walked in the city 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 felt safe. Of course, like any other major city, petty theft and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas, so it’s essential to keep your valuables secure and avoid carrying large sums of cash.

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

Sarajevo is famous for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at the Latin Bridge, which was the beginning of World War I. It is also famous for its beautiful Ottoman-style Old Town.

Yes, Sarajevo Old Town is beautiful and very memorable.

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. But to slow down and enjoy the city, I recommend two days. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “10 Best Things to See in Sarajevo.”

Sarajevo is located in the Bosnia region of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo has an airport with flights connecting from all over Europe. You can get from the airport to the Old Town neighborhood by public transport or taxi.

Taxis are very affordable and are the best way to get to the airport with luggage.

For airport or other popular city transfers, check out the above highly-rated private transfers.

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 August in Mostar and thought the weather was very hot in the afternoon. There were lots of tourists, but the crowds were not horrible.

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.

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 cellular data 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 lose it). Click below for more info.

Sarajevo is slightly east of central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a 2 hr 15 min drive north of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 5 hr 15 min drive southwest of Belgrade, Serbia, and a 4 hr 15 min drive north of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Sarajevo is a Balkan country, which is a region of Europe known as the Balkan peninsula.