With so many wonderful things to do in Sarajevo, it can be hard to know what to do on a 1 or 2-day Sarajevo itinerary. Below I’ve listed some key activities and attractions based on recommendations from the locals I spoke to during my stay.
Please note that this blog post most likely contains affiliate links to products or services I use and love! If you click on the links, it means I get a little extra pocket money at no additional cost to you.
This is what keeps my website ticking over – thank you!
From historical museums that will upset and educate you on important European history to beautiful nearby walks and viewpoints back over the city, Sarajevo sightseeing isn’t for the faint-hearted.
That said, there are fun, must-see tourist attractions to enjoy alongside great food and friendly locals, and it remains one of my favourite places in The Balkans. The fascinating capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a destination you won’t forget.
THINGS TO DO IN SARAJEVO IN 1 DAY
STROLL THROUGH THE OLD TOWN
This is the perfect way to begin one day in Sarajevo. So many places of historical interest sit amongst unique architecture, and you’ll barely break a sweat seeing it all. In a single short walk, you can pass some of the best things to see in the city within a short time! It’s a great way to get your bearings in Sarajevo.
Key places of interest (in ‘walking order’):
ETERNAL FLAME
This memorial is to the civilian and military lives lost in WW2 in Sarajevo. On 6th April 1946, Sarajevo was liberated from a 4-year occupation by Nazi Germany and the fascist Independent State of Croatia.
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL
I saw this cathedral many times as my hostel was very close to it, and every time I looked twice at the beautiful architecture. It is a Catholic cathedral built in a neo-gothic style, built in 1889.
SARAJEVO MEETING OF CULTURES
This is the spot where the original prominent cultures of Sarajevo merge. It is known as an ‘east meets west’ city, and in this exact spot, you can see buildings of an Austro-Hungarian style change to Islamic and Ottoman architectures in just one step.
You will see this spot clearly marked in giant bold letters on the street floor, or you can quickly locate it on Google Maps.
GAZI HUSREV-BEG MOSQUE
Built-in 1537, this beautiful mosque sits in the heart of Sarajevo. You can go inside and see the video about Husrev-beg, an Ottoman governor who was once renowned.
Baščaršija
Here you will find many distinctive buildings and lively alleyways, from coppersmiths alley to laneways lined with rows of cafes hosting locals and tourists alike. It’s also a great spot to enjoy some famous Bosnian coffee.
The Baščaršija mosque is perhaps the most distinctive building in the area, located on the main square. It was most likely built in the early 14th century and was named a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006.
Opposite the mosque is the Sebilj drinking fountain, an Ottoman-style wooden fountain built in 1753.
Apparently, some people call this area ‘pigeon square’, and you’ll see why – it seems to have hundreds of pigeons flying about! But really, Baščaršija simply translates to ‘main market’.
THE LATIN BRIDGE
This Ottoman bridge is most famous for being the location of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 – the critical trigger of World War I.
Walking along the river, you will also see City Hall on the other side of the bridge. This building has a distinct Austro-Hungarian architecture.
VISIT A MUSEUM / LEARN ABOUT THE WAR
Perhaps, unfortunately, many of the key places to visit in Sarajevo revolve around the devastation that occurred here during the 1990s Yugoslavia war.
There are a number of free walking tours available to learn about the history of Sarajevo, though you may prefer to do it independently. In my opinion, this is a must-do on any Sarajevo itinerary.
With one day in Sarajevo, you will have time to visit the many museums about the war that took place here in the mid-1990s. I highly recommend visiting a museum and learning about the war during your stay here. If you are in your late 20s or older, this took place during your lifetime. The genocide is the BIGGEST in Europe since the Holocaust, yet many of us, including people from other parts of Europe, never learned about it at school or at home. I find that frankly astonishing.
The highest recommended option all-round seemed to be Galerija 11/07/95. More of an immersive gallery than a museum, this gives visitors a chance to learn about the tragedy in a thoughtful way. Despite outlining the horrors in both photographic and written formats, I found it more emotive than provocative. It thoughtfully humanised the thousands of people killed and made you question how this could possibly have happened to them. And how you did not know about it. https://galerija110795.ba/
The mass executions and ethnic cleansing involved were later declared genocide. The gallery focuses on the Siege of Sarajevo in which 14000 people were killed.
Not only does the gallery act as a tribute to those who lost their lives, but it also details the excruciating effort to return bodies to their loved ones after mass graves were later uncovered. The photographer Tarik Samarah (whose work is key to the exhibit)noted the hope he saw in many women, believing that someday their fathers, husbands, brothers or sons would somehow return home. They usually waited many many years to hear this would not be the case. Advances in DNA analysis and the newly formed International Commission on Missing Peoples made this possible.
The mixed-media exhibit is accessible to those who know little about the tragedy. I don’t usually like audio guides, but I would recommend them in this case as it gives a voice to their story.
I’d recommend finding out about the chain of events that led to the tragedy beforehand. There are also many other atrocities it does not mention, such as the mass assaults that took place. I believe this is to make the gallery appropriate for younger people and to be a respectful memorial.
Whether or not you usually enjoy museums, I would recommend that Galerija 11/07/95 is worth visiting.
THE YELLOW FORTRESS
The Yellow Fortress (also named the Yellow Bastion) is the best place to get a panoramic view of Sarajevo due to its proximity to the old town. It is only a 15-minute walk from the heart of the old town, so if you only have one day, it is an easy addition to your Sarajevo itinerary.
On the uphill (but mercifully quite short) walk to the yellow fortress, you will pass the striking Kovaci cemetery. It is well worth taking a moment here to reflect. It is the main cemetery for soldiers from the Bosnian Army who were killed during the war – the majority were killed during the Siege of Sarajevo. The similarity between the tombstone dates is striking and very, very sad.
When you arrive at the Yellow Fortress, more locals and tourists will approach the top as sunset approaches. But it’s a pleasant atmosphere and certainly not too crowded when I visited in late October. Due to the panoramic views, everyone can have an uninterrupted sunset spot.
THE WHITE FORTRESS
Walk a little further along the city walls to reach the White Fortress. This is a recommended Sarajevo sunset spot in high season when the Yellow Fortress can get crowded. In October, I didn’t have that problem and didn’t like walking in the dark so I stayed put. 🙂
The White Fortress is a further 15-minute walk from the Yellow Bastion (about a 30-minute walk from the Old Town).
WHAT TO IN 2 DAYS IN SARAJEVO
TAKE THE CABLE CAR TO TREBEVIC MOUNTAIN
If you have 2 days in Sarajevo, you’ll probably want to add Trebevic Mountain to your itinerary. It costs 15KM for tourists to take the cable car or 20KM return. At the top, you will find an amazing panoramic view over Sarajevo.
The cable car operates between 0900 – 1800 (at the time of writing, I believe it opens till 21:00 in the Summer season). Depending on when you visit, I might not serve as a sunset spot, but it will have a fantastic view at any time! If you have 2 days in Sarajevo, it’s a highly recommended activity.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE… VISIT THE ABANDONED OLYMPIC BOBSLEIGH TRACK
At the top of the cable car, you can take a scenic nature walk, eat some food or go to the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track. This activity seemed to be the hot thing to do for visitors to Sarajevo when I visited, and since the cable car only reopened this year after 26 years of closure, I’m sure it will only get more popular. It used to be a steep uphill walk.
VISIT THE SARAJEVO WAR TUNNEL
During the Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1995), the Bosnian Army built a tunnel to link the city with other territories still held by Bosnia. It was integral to the war effort as it allowed food, weapons, and other important aid to be transported into the city. Today, it is also known as the Tunnel of Hope.
It was 800m long and only 1.6m high, heading out to the airport. The secretly built tunnel helped supply civilians during the siege. Today, it also has information boards and an audio guide. Now a museum, the Sarajevo War Tunnel provides a more immersive way to learn about the war.
There are many tours available to the Tunnel of Hope though you can also take a taxi.
WAR CHILDHOOD MUSEUM
I would have also liked to add the War Childhood Museum to my Sarajevo itinerary, which uses short written testimonials that answer the question, ‘What was a war childhood for you?’ The writers, who all witnessed the tragedy at a young age, also donated personal items to the museum to be presented alongside their testimonials. A simple yet very sad and thought-provoking approach to the impact of conflict. https://www.warchildhood.org/
More than 2 days in Sarajevo?
If you have extra time to spare on your Sarajevo itinerary, there’ll be time to do a day trip to another stunning part of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Here are a few Sarajevo day trip suggestions:
- Mostar: Marvel at the iconic Stari Most Bridge (this UNESCO World Heritage Site is just as stunning in IRL as it is in pictures), visit museums, and stroll through the old town with its mix of architecture from different cultures.
- Kravica Waterfall: the largest waterfall in the country, ideal for picnics or swimming in the summer!
- Visoko: Pyramid Valley consists of cone-shaped hills, which you can visit alongside stunning forests and a vast archeological complex in Ravne on a guided Visoko Pyramid Valley day trip.
- Počitelj – a stunning 14th-century fortified town that’s perfect for stepping back in time – don’t miss the views from the Kula fort at the top of the hill
- Konjic: Visit Tito’s Bunker, indulge in traditional Bosnian cuisine, and enjoy the pretty riverside views from the 17th-century 6-arch Old Bridge.
- Jajce: Explore the medieval fortress, wander through charming cobblestone streets, and walk to Pliva Waterfall. Book a tour of Jajce, including Pliva Lakes, Travnik’s castle and tasting ćevapi
- Sutjeska National Park: Hike through pristine forests, discover the Skakavac Waterfall, and admire the rugged beauty of the Tara River Canyon.
Can’t decide which to pick? See a bit of everything on this hassle-free Mostar, Konjic, Blagaj Tekke, Pocitelj and Waterfall day tour from Sarajevo – currently rated 5 stars with over 200 reviews!
Where I ate vegan and vegetarian food in Sarajevo
I was unsure about where to find vegan and vegetarian food in Sarajevo but it’s quite easy. Here were my favourite spots in 2 days of visiting the city… Yes, I was in Sarajevo for 2 days, but only explored for one as I got sick… still had to eat though 😛
KLOPA
I tried both the bean burger and the tofu/vegetable pot. I found the bean burger to be too plain and a little dry for me. But the vegetable pot is delicious and I would really recommend it!
There are other vegetarian options too, such as risotto the server recommended to me. It might be worth asking what is on the special menu as well, as they could have some unique vegetarian options.
This was a nice restaurant but laid back and suitable for solo travellers.
FALAFEL
This laid-back joint was a lot more ‘me.’ As the name suggests, the meals here mostly consist of Falafel! Options such as pitta and hummus or eggplant salads are also available.
Costs for a meal are between 5KM and 10KM.
APETIT
Apetit had 2 good veggie options when I went – a vegetable risotto (10KM) or a vegetarian wok with rice (12KM). I had the latter of the two and it was tasty.
If you are a solo traveller, you may prefer to visit at lunchtime. At dinner, it had a ‘fancier’ vibe than the other places I went, although the food cost was still typical for the area.
KARUZO
I actually decided not to come here but I thought it worth mentioning as it was recommended to me. It is seemingly the most talked-about vegetarian place in Sarajevo. It is fully vegetarian, and the chef is vegan.
The food has – on the whole – amazing reviews. The chef (who also acts as host) has mixed reviews, with the general consensus being he’s a ‘character’.
So if you want to treat yourself, be sure to book in advance. Or he might yell at you and make you cry. I think I would enjoy the experience of travelling with someone (other people thought he was truly entertaining). Still, as a solo travelling introvert, I am keen to be invisible when I eat haha.
What would you most like to see if you only have one day in Sarajevo? Or what would you add to a two-day Sarajevo itinerary?
Are you a vegetarian heading to Mostar?
This post only gave some quick suggestions on where to eat vegan and vegetarian food in Sarajevo, but I have a much more thorough guide on where to eat in Mostar:
The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Travelling between Sarajevo and Mostar by bus or train?
Here are my experiences and tips for travelling between the two cities by both train and bus:
A scenic bus journey between Mostar and Sarajevo (+ how it compares to the train)
The Balkans is such a beautiful region 🙂
The history is so devastating, it’s important to learn about. Highly recommend a visit 🙂
It is so interesting to get some touristy views of this city! For me the name of Sarajevo still reminds of the war in the 90s. I am glad to know that we can visit nowadays, and to see how beautiful it is thanks to you Cassie!
It’s a great guide Cassie. I would love to go to Balkan countries soon.
Aww such beautiful photos Cassie! I would love to visit one day 🙂
Love this guide! I visited Mostar last year, and I loved it. I hope I can visit Sarajevo one day as well.
What a great post. So happy to know about the vegan food 😉 Thanks for sharing it.
I am old enough to vividly remember the genocide in Sarajevo. In NZ we got a lot of refugees, so learnt a lot about it. I have been wanting to go, so have pinned for future reference. Galerija 11/07/95 sounds so sad but so good to learn and remember these events!