Sarajevo

If the beauty of a city is determined by its inhabitants, then Sarajevo definitely ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world!

Sarajevo is located in the heart of Southeastern Europe and is an excellent starting point when taking in the entire region. Only 126 kilometers further south is the seat of Herzegovina – sunny Mostar – whose symbol, the Old Bridge, is included on UNESCO’s list of protected cultural monuments.

Fascinating Dubrovnik, a living museum on the coast, is 239 kilometers from Sarajevo; and Split, the main city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is 246 kilometers from Sarajevo. The distance between Sarajevo and regional capital cities is as follows:  293 kilometers from Belgrade, Serbia; 405 kilometers from Zagreb, Croatia and 231 kilometers from Podgorica, Montenegro.

Sarajevo finds itself at the very top of lists of European capital cities where visitors can certainly get a good value for their money. Whether it’s accommodation, purchasing souvenirs, taking interesting tours around town, visiting attractions, eating delicious meals in quality restaurants with spectacular views, spending an evening in one of the top clubs, looking for wellness treatments and health services or having unforgettable weekends in some of the ski resorts near town, Sarajevo is sure to surprise visitors with the superb quality they can enjoy for the money.

In Sarajevo you can find traces of the Neolithic Butmir Culture, Illyrians, Romans, Slavs, as well as remains representing the medieval Bosnian Kingdom, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia….

Over the past 100 years, Sarajevo has found itself a member of six different states and has witnessed the Sarajevo Assassination, the First and Second World Wars, the XIV Winter Olympic Games, the longest-running siege of any town in modern history…. Sarajevo is steeped in history and is always eager to share its many fascinating stories with visitors.

For several hundred years, the borders of two great empires, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian, which represented the two poles of the world at that time – East and West, Islamic and Christian – met in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This made the country and its capital a crossroads for different worlds – a place where Orient met Occident in the heart of the Balkans.

Sarajevo is one of those rare cities where, during a ten-minute walk, you can see places of worship for the world’s most important monotheistic religions: Orthodox and Catholic churches, synagogues and mosques. All of these traditions have given Sarajevo a specific aroma and a particular cultural mix.

For several hundred years, the borders of two great empires, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian, which represented the two poles of the world at that time – East and West, Islamic and Christian – met in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This made the country and its capital a crossroads for different worlds – a place where Orient met Occident in the heart of the Balkans.

Sarajevo is one of those rare cities where, during a ten-minute walk, you can see places of worship for the world’s most important monotheistic religions: Orthodox and Catholic churches, synagogues and mosques. All of these traditions have given Sarajevo a specific aroma and a particular cultural mix.

Sarajevo is large enough that there is a lot to see and experience, yet also small and compact enough to get wherever you want on foot. The best way to take in nearly all of Sarajevo’s attractions is on foot, as most of them are only a few kilometers from one another. It’s also the best way to discover the charm of the narrow streets in the old part of town, as well as the beauty of Sarajevo’s many façades, which are decorated with fascinating bas-reliefs. If walking is not really your thing, don’t worry – the taxi rates here are among the most inexpensive in Europe, so you can use this means of transportation not only to get around town, but also to visit some of the nearby picnic grounds.

With all of the advantages that one capital city can offer its visitors, in Sarajevo you’ll have a chance to find yourself totally outside the urban milieu in lovely and untouched nature, surrounded by greenery and the shade of trees, fresh rivers and streams, where you will be intoxicated by the fragrance of flowers and the lovely sounds of birds.

And all of this can be reached after a 10-minute drive or in less than an hour’s walk. Winter turns everything white and the ski lanes, where the XIV Winter Olympic Games were held, are only 30 minutes from the city, so in no time at all, you can reach a lovely mountain cabin, where you can enjoy the winter wonderland beside a crackling fire in the fireplace.

While the city still bears visible scars from the war, Sarajevo is considered one of the safest capital cities in Europe.

There are no neighborhoods that should be avoided, but we suggest that you stick to well-lit streets during evening hours. We also recommend that you watch out for pickpockets, especially while using public transport and that you not carry your wallet in a back pocket or backpack. If you have come by car, it would be advisable to park it in some of the parking lots that offer on-site security and we advise you to be careful when going out into nature – for there are still landmines in some areas. As long as common sense prevails, you shouldn’t encounter anything unpleasant during your stay in Sarajevo.

Mornings in Sarajevo traditionally start with Bosnian coffee, which is served in small copper pots (džezve).

For lunch, you have a choice of wines that are produced in the many vineyards of Herzegovina, including authentic grape varieties such as Žilavka and Blatina, and evening entertainment would be almost unthinkable without Sarajevsko Pivo (beer) from the local brewery which has been in operation since 1888. Traditional food is both delicious and organic. Ćevabdžinice serve ćevapčiće, small, grilled ground meat rolls served in flat bread (somun); aščinice have a rich selection of traditional cooked meals and in buregdžinice you can choose from among some Bosnian pitas (pies).

If the beauty of a city is determined by its inhabitants, then Sarajevo definitely ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world!

If there’s one thing Sarajevo is known for, it’s the hospitality and kindness of its residents, who will do their best to make a visitor’s stay in their town special. Whether you need advice about where to go or you’re lost and need some directions, don’t hesitate to stop passersby, waiters or merchants to ask them whatever you need. More often than not, you’re sure to hear an interesting story along with their answer, so don’t be surprised if you come to Sarajevo as a tourist and leave as a Sarajevan!

Sarajevo In Brief

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and serves as its administrative, economic, university and cultural center. The largest area of town lies at the foot of Mt. Trebević and the Miljacka River flows through the city.

The city of Sarajevo and the wider Sarajevo Canton (which is located in the Federation of BiH, one of BiH’s entities), as well as the municipalities which are part of the neighboring parts of town and East Sarajevo (which is located in the Republic of Srpska, another BiH entity).

Many archaeological finds testify to the fact that the area taken in by Sarajevo was inhabited even during the Neolithic period. There is also evidence that the Illyrians were here and the medieval town of Hodidjed was located in what is now part of “Destination Sarajevo”. Nonetheless, the name Sarajevo comes from the Turkish words, saray = palace and ovasi = field, and this certainly points to the fact that it was founded by the Ottomans, when the Turkish governor, Isa Bey Ishaković, founded Sarajevo in the 15th century as the seat of Ottoman power for this region.

Those who take a stroll through Sarajevo will notice four distinct types of architecture, which reflect the city’s different historical periods.

The foundations of Sarajevo were laid during the first 150 years of Turkish rule and it was during this time that many architectural jewels were constructed, such as Gazi Husrev Bey’s Mosque, the Emperor’s Mosque, the Old Orthodox Church and Baščaršija, which was once a grand marketplace. At the beginning of the 17th century, Sarajevo grew into a vibrant community of craftsmen which served as a major trading center and later became one of the most important cities in the European part of the Ottoman Empire.

Another period that saw architecture flourish coincided with Austro-Hungarian occupation at the end of the 19th century and lasted until the First World War started in 1914. The modernization of Sarajevo included the installation of a public transport system, the first telephone line, etc. There were also many cultural and educational institutions that were founded, such as the National Museum and the National Theater. Other additions to the fast-growing city included Vijećnica (City Hall), the Aškenazi Synagogue and the Cathedral of Jesus’ Heart. Sarajevo’s development came to a halt on June 28, 1914, when Gavrilo Princip assassinated Franz Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne, and his wife Sophie. This set off a series of unfortunate events which eventually led to the outbreak of World War I.

At the end of the First World War, Sarajevo became part of the newly-formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and it remained part of this state, which was later re-named the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, until the beginning of the Second World War, when it became part of the new Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Sarajevo experienced massive damage during the Second World War so it didn’t simply undergo major reconstruction during the post-war years, but also enjoyed tremendous growth.

By 1984, when it hosted the 14th Winter Olympic Games, Sarajevo had become a modern city with a population of more than 500,000.

Sadly, the Olympic flame burned only too briefly. Only eight years after hosting the Olympics, Sarajevo found itself caught in another flame, when the fire of war broke out in BiH in 1992, leaving destruction in its wake until 1995.

The fourth architectural period is represented by the modern, post-war era. In recent years, the metropolitan area associated with “Destination Sarajevo” has experienced rapid development. For its inhabitants, this makes it a better place to live, and for its growing numbers of visitors, it’s a better place to visit!

Climate

Sarajevo has a mild continental climate. The average temperatures reach 19.1°C (66°F) in summer and -1.3°C (30°F) in winter. The average yearly temperature is 9.5°C (49°F).

Language

The official languages are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian. English and German are the most popular foreign languages.

Time zone

Central European Time (GMT +1).

Population

503,109 (2013 census).

Ethnic groups/Religions

Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, Jews, Roma and other ethnic groups live in Sarajevo. The most widely practiced religions are Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism and Judaism.

Currency

The currency used in BiH is the Convertible Mark. The international abbreviation for the currency is BAM, while KM is used locally (1.95KM = 1 Euro). You can exchange money at any bank, post office or exchange office. In some shopping centers, exchange offices work until 10:00 p.m.

Banks and post offices

Banks normally work from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The main post office is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

Credit cards

It is possible to pay with credit cards in most shopping centers and in nearly all better restaurants. This is not the case, however, in most cafés, clubs and shops that sell handicrafts and souvenirs in the old part of town. Credit cards are also not accepted when paying for the following: parking services, tickets for public transport or special events.

Business hours

Most public places are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Small shops usually work up until 8:00 p.m. and shopping centers work until 10:00 p.m.

Telephone and internet access

There are three GSM operators in BiH: BH Telecom, M:Tel and Eronet. Pre-paid cards and additional minutes (credit) for cell phones and wireless internet are available for purchase at kiosks, small shops and at these operators’ stores. Wireless connection is free at many hotels, restaurants, cafés and shopping centers. All three operators offer 3G cell phone internet throughout Sarajevo, but roaming rates can be very high.

Share this tour