Stolbovsky, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sarajevo

Where East meets West in the Balkans

Sarajevo stands as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s cultural heart with a long history shaped by diverse influences. The city grew where Eastern and Western traditions meet, reflected in its architecture, food and daily life. A central bazaar offers spices, fabrics and crafts alongside modern cafes that serve local coffee. Historic mosques stand near churches from different eras. Walking through old streets, visitors hear stories of resilience and reconciliation. Sarajevo maintains a calm atmosphere while preserving cultural layers shaped by centuries of change.

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City in Bosnia and Herzegovina

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.6

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger locals and those in hospitality. However, outside the city center, communication might be more challenging. Learning a few basic Bosnian phrases can be helpful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Sarajevo Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Strong in history and cultural mix. Walk Ottoman-era bazaars, visit historic mosques and churches and explore museums reflecting the city’s past.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Street food

Guided tours

Walkable

Local cuisine

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

💻 7

Digital Nomads

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM) £1 ≈ BAM 2.34
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in urban areas like Sarajevo, though cash is preferred in rural areas and for smaller purchases. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 10% being the standard in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in many public spaces, including parks and on some streets, though it is not common outside of designated drinking areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in most public spaces, including restaurants, public transport, and shops.

Statehood Day (November)	Expect celebrations and national pride events, some business closures.
New Year’s Day (January)	Expect quiet celebrations and limited business activity.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 122 (Police), 124 (Ambulance), 123 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Bosnia and Herzegovina offers a rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural sites, including the UNESCO-listed Old Bridge area of Mostar and the historic Old Town of Sarajevo.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

❄️

Jan

☁️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

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Oct

☁️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ski season on Jahorina and Bjelašnica, both about 30 to 45 minutes from the city, usually December to March

Sarajevo Film Festival takes place in mid-August, hotels fill up and prices rise

Air pollution from winter heating is worst December to February when fog traps smog in the valley

Don't miss

🌉 Walk across the historic Latin Bridge in the Old Town
🕊️ Visit the moving Sarajevo Tunnel of Hope Museum
🕌 Admire the blend of cultures at Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
🥙 Stroll through Baščaršija Bazaar and try local ćevapi
🚡 Take the cable car to Trebević Mountain for views
🔥 Reflect at the Eternal Flame memorial downtown

You've been here?

Why travel to Sarajevo?

Sarajevo is a city of resilience and charm. You can explore its rich history, from Ottoman-era bazaars to the scars of the Yugoslav Wars, all while enjoying stunning mountain views and delicious local cuisine. The city’s diverse cultural influences make it a unique destination for travelers seeking authenticity. Whether you're sipping Bosnian coffee in Baščaršija or taking a tram through the historic districts, there's always something to discover.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 City Hall
2 Avaz Twist Tower
3 Sebilj
4 Tunnel of Hope
5 War childhood museum
6 Baščaršija
7 Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque

🎡Places for activities

1 Vrelo Bosne
2 Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh Track
3 Vilsonovo šetalište
4 Olimpijski stadion Koševo – Asim Ferhatović-Hase

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Sutjeska National Park
2 Skakavac
3 Bijela tabija
4 Vrelo Bosne
5 part of the Rakitnica River canyon - Blatačko lake and village of Blace, cultural landscape

🛍️Shopping

1 Sarajevo City Center
2 Alta Shopping Center
3 Cosmetic Market

🎈Events

Sarajevo Film Festival
Sarajevo Winter Festival
Baščaršija Nights
Jazz Fest Sarajevo
MESS International Theater Festival
Sarajevo Wine Fest
Ramadan Bazaar
Red Bull Cliff Diving Mostar (nearby)
Summer on the River Miljacka
Christmas Market at Wilson’s Promenade

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Explore both Ottoman Old Town and Austro-Hungarian center for contrasting atmospheres.
Notice 'Sarajevo Roses' – mortar scars filled with red resin – somber reminders of the 1990s siege and conflict.
Take a guided war history or tunnel tour to better understand recent events that shaped locals' resilience and daily life.
Stay in Baščaršija area for easy walking access to mosques, churches, cafés, ćevapi eateries and evening promenades along Ferhadija.

How to travel to Sarajevo

Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) connects to major European hubs. Train and bus routes link Sarajevo to other Balkan cities, but buses are the more reliable option. If driving, the roads can be scenic but challenging due to mountainous terrain and occasional poor conditions.

Access summary

From Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): Taxi about 20 minutes; airport bus around 30 minutes.
From Dubrovnik: Long-distance buses through mountains, typically about 6–7 hours.
From Belgrade: Direct buses only, generally around 6–8 hours depending route.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Sarajevo

Sarajevo offers a mix of boutique hotels, modern apartments and budget-friendly hostels. The Old Town (Baščaršija) is best for history lovers, while the newer city center has more upscale options. Mountain lodges outside the city provide a peaceful retreat.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Malak Regency

8.6

Hotel Hills Sarajevo Congress & Thermal Spa Resort

Hotel President Sarajevo

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Sarajevo

The city is compact and walkable, especially in the old town. Trams, trolleybuses and minibuses provide cheap and reliable public transport. Taxis are affordable but should be booked via app to avoid overcharging. Renting a car isn’t necessary unless planning trips outside the city.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-52 %

Daily expenses in Sarajevo are around 52% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BAM) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£34	£66	£161
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£26	£53
🍝 Food per day	£18	£35	£95
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£5	£13

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£12.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£7
🍟 Fast food combo	£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.15

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£3.30

Safety information overview

General safety

Sarajevo is generally safe, with low violent crime rates. However, be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas. Avoid discussing politics with strangers, as topics related to the war can be sensitive.

Health & Medical

Healthcare is adequate in Sarajevo, but facilities can be limited in rural areas. Travel insurance is recommended. Tap water is safe, but bottled water is widely available if preferred.

Accessibility

The Old Town has cobbled streets and steep hills, making mobility challenging. Public transport is not always wheelchair-friendly. Some modern buildings and hotels have better accessibility.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink and of good quality. Public fountains in Baščaršija provide free drinking water. In some rural areas, bottled water might be a safer option.