If you’re visiting Sarajevo for the first time, stay in the city centre between the historic Baščaršija district and Ferhadija Street.

Most of the sights, restaurants and cafés will be within walking distance, and you’ll only need to use public transport when travelling to more distant locations.

Sarajevo lies in a narrow valley, and the streets outside the city centre climb steeply into the hills.

When choosing accommodation, therefore, don’t just check the distance from the centre, but also the exact location on the map. An apartment 700 metres from Baščaršija could mean a steep climb every day.

The 10 best hotels in Sarajevo

Where to stay – the best areas

Area	Choose this if
Baščaršija and Ferhadija	You’re visiting for the first time and want to get around on foot
Skenderija	You want a modern hotel or to be near the station
Bistrik	Views, local apartments, close to the centre
Ilidža	Do you need to be near the airport or are you looking for a spa?

Baščaršija and Ferhadija – the best choice for a first visit

We consider the area between Sarajevo Town Hall, the Baščaršija market, Ferhadija Street and the Vječna vatra monument to be the most convenient.

You can explore the historic centre on foot, and the surrounding area offers the widest selection of restaurants, cafés and shops.

Baščaršija itself has perhaps the best atmosphere, whilst the area around the pedestrianised Ferhadija Street feels slightly more modern. The difference in distance is minimal, however, and both areas are excellent for a short stay.

The busier streets and tricky parking may be a drawback.

It’s worth bearing in mind that Baščaršija is the most touristy spot in Sarajevo, so if you’re looking for a more local atmosphere, it’s worth staying a little further away. Just a few hundred metres will do.

I recommend these hotels

• Hotel Sana – a modern hotel just a few steps from Baščaršija, suitable for most travellers
• Hotel Kandilj – a smaller hotel with a traditional Bosnian atmosphere and often more affordable prices
• Casa ARTEE Free Parking – apartments in the centre with private parking, handy if you’re travelling by car
• 👉 View all accommodation in Baščaršija

Centar, Skenderija and Marijin Dvor – more modern hotels and the railway station

The wider city centre stretches west of the historic core around Veliki Park, the Sarajevo City Centre shopping centre and the Marijin Dvor district.

Choose this area if you prefer larger, modern hotels, are arriving by train or long-distance coach, or don’t mind walking to Baščaršija in around 15 to 30 minutes.

There are also trams running along the main street directly to the historic centre.

Locals very often refer to this part of the city as Skenderija, as this is the name of one of the neighbourhoods and also the former tram terminus.

The area is practical, but lacks the atmosphere of old Sarajevo. This may not be a problem for a stay of three nights or more, but for a quick weekend break we’d still prefer Baščaršija or Ferhadija.

I recommend these hotels

• Hotel Colors Inn – a highly rated modern hotel on the quieter outskirts of the city centre
• Holiday Inn– a convenient location near both the train and bus stations
• Swissôtel Sarajevo – one of the best luxury hotels in the city, with a spa and direct access to the shopping centre
• 👉Search for accommodation near Marijin Dvor

Bistrik – the best local neighbourhood with views

Personally, Bistrik is probably my favourite.

It’s just a short walk from the historic Baščaršija, but it’s not as touristy. In Bistrik, there are mainly villas where locals run family-run apartments or small hotels.

If you’re looking for a truly local atmosphere, opt for accommodation further up the hill, above the lower station of the Žičara gondola lift.

The downside of Bistrik is obvious. Everything is really quite a steep climb, and there’s no public transport to the higher areas.

But you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views.

I recommend these accommodation options

• AC House Apartments – a modern and spacious flat in the upper part of Bistrik
• Apartment Bistrik 1 – very affordable, simple apartments offering excellent value for money

Ilidža – airport, wellness and lower prices

Ilidža is situated on the western outskirts of Sarajevo, near the airport. Here you’ll find large hotels with swimming pools and wellness centres, more spacious flats and accommodation with free parking.

However, I wouldn’t really recommend Ilidža for a typical visit to Sarajevo.

The tram journey to Baščaršija takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes, so any potential benefits of a better hotel are offset by the long commute to the city centre.

Ilidža makes sense particularly in the following cases:

• You’re flying out early in the morning or arriving late in the evening (a short taxi ride to the airport)
• You want to combine a city tour with a spa break
• You’re travelling with children and want a hotel with swimming pools
• You’re travelling by car and planning trips outside Sarajevo

Recommended hotels in Ilidža

• Hotel Hills Sarajevo Congress & Thermal Spa Resort – a large hotel complex with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, particularly suitable for families
• Malak Regency Hotel – a quieter, upmarket hotel with a swimming pool, sauna and free parking
• Hotel Boutique Anoma – a modern hotel very close to the airport, particularly suitable before an early morning flight
• 👉View all accommodation in Ilidža

How much does accommodation cost in Sarajevo

Sarajevo is one of the cheaper capital cities by European standards. The prices listed are for a double room for one night:

• A basic apartment or guesthouse costs approximately 29 eur to 54 eur
• A well-reviewed hotel in the city centre costs approximately 62 eur to 104 eur
• A better 4* hotel costs approximately 116 eur to 187 eur

Prices rise during the summer holidays, the Sarajevo Film Festival and around New Year’s Eve celebrations.

If you’ve already bought your flights, it’s worth booking accommodation with free cancellation and checking later to see if the price has dropped.

• Compare prices for all hotels in Sarajevo

What to look out for when booking

• Location on the map – the distance from the city centre doesn’t tell you whether the accommodation is on a steep slope
• Air conditioning – it tends to get hot in Sarajevo in summer, and cheaper apartments may not have it
• Parking – in the city centre, choose accommodation that explicitly states it has private parking
• Payment method – some smaller apartments only accept cash
• Reception and luggage storage – it may not be possible to leave your luggage at the apartments before check-in or after departure