Vrelo Bosne, Sarajevo - all you need to know

Vrelo Bosne translates as ‘the source of the River Bosna’ and is one of the most popular day-trip destinations in the Sarajevo area.

This extensive park, full of springs, ponds, streams and small waterfalls, lies at the foot of the Igman Mountains on the outskirts of the Ilidža spa district.

Don’t expect wild nature or a single mighty spring. Vrelo Bosne is more like a carefully maintained woodland park with wooden bridges, benches, swans and crystal-clear water. It is particularly popular with families and locals, who come here for walks, picnics or wedding photo shoots.

If you’re only spending a single day in Sarajevo, we’d recommend prioritising the historic centre. For a longer stay, however, Vrelo Bosne makes for a pleasant half-day trip and, in summer, a welcome escape from the heat.

View hotels in the centre of Sarajevo

What you’ll see

The main part of the park consists of several springs and waterways that gradually merge into the River Bosna.

Well-maintained paths and wooden bridges wind between the ponds, from which you can watch swans, ducks and trout.

The grounds include a children’s playground, plenty of benches and the Labud restaurant. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to walk through the park itself, but you can easily spend two hours here relaxing or having lunch.

Velika aleja is also a major part of the experience. This 3.5 km long, straight promenade is lined with thousands of mature plane and chestnut trees and connects the Ilidže spa centre with Vrelo Bosne.

Admission and opening hours

The park is open all year round from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm. In winter, we recommend planning your visit before dark, as it is almost exclusively an outdoor attraction.

Admission fees for international visitors:

Adults – 6 bam
Children aged 6 to 18 – 3 bam
Children under 6 free

It is best to bring cash in BAM. Prices and basic information are published by the Sarajevo Canton Protected Areas Administration.

How to get to Vrelo Bosne

By tram and on foot

From the city centre, take tram number 3 to Ilidža station. From the tram terminus, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the start of the Velika aleja promenade.

The promenade itself is 3.5 km long, and it takes about 45 to 60 minutes to walk along it to the springs. The path is completely flat, paved and shaded by trees for most of the way.

In total, the route from the tram stop to the springs is over 4 km. If you walk in both directions and also explore the park, you’ll cover approximately 9 to 10 km.

By bus

Several suburban bus routes run from the Ilidža bus terminal towards the Vrelo Bosne stop, such as numbers 28, 30, 33 or 46. The journey takes about 10 minutes, and from the stop it’s a further 5 to 10-minute walk to the park entrance.

Departures are irregular, with long intervals, particularly at weekends. It is therefore best to look up the next available service using the Javni Prevoz KS app and not rely on a specific route.

You may encounter both GRAS and Centrotrans buses on the route. Tickets from the two operators are not interchangeable, and you will need a new ticket when changing from a tram. We summarise practical information in the section on transport in Sarajevo.

The 28E express service is seasonal only. GRAS operates it at selected times, usually at weekends and on public holidays during May and June. Do not expect it to run outside these periods.

A horse-drawn carriage ride along the Grand Avenue

Traditional carriages known as ‘fijakers’ wait at both ends of the Grand Avenue. A one-way journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around 25 bam for the whole carriage, not per passenger.

It’s best to confirm the price before getting in. A pleasant option is to walk along the avenue in one direction and take the carriage back.

By taxi

A taxi will take you from the city centre directly to the park entrance in about half an hour. Depending on traffic and your starting point, you’ll pay approximately 35 bam to 45 bam one way.

A cheaper option is to take the tram to Ilidža and then continue by taxi for approximately 10 bam to 15 bam.

By car

If you want to drive directly to the springs, enter ‘Parking Vrelo Bosne’ into your sat-nav. The charge for a car is usually around 5 bam.

Velika aleja is closed to general traffic. If you wish to walk along it, park in Ilidža near its start.

If travelling by car or taxi, you can easily combine your trip with a visit to the nearby Tunnel of Salvation. Travelling between the two places by public transport takes considerably longer.

Accommodation near Vrelo Bosne

We recommend that most visitors stay in the city centre and simply take a day trip to Ilidža. Accommodation near Vrel Bosne makes sense if you’re travelling by car, have an early morning flight, or if you prefer parks and quieter surroundings to the bustling city centre.

Hotel Austria & Bosna – a historic hotel in a park right at the start of the Grand Avenue, with free parking
Heritage Hotel Krone – a small boutique hotel in a quiet part of Ilidža, near the tram stop and the spa park

For a standard visit to the city, accommodation in the centre of Sarajevo will be more practical.