City Quarter, Mosque, Fountain, Market

Baščaršija is an old Ottoman bazaar and the historic heart of Sarajevo. It is not a single monument, but a series of pedestrianised streets full of cafés, small eateries, mosques, shops and craft workshops that are still in operation. [btn "View hotels in the centre of Sarajevo" https://www.booking.com/city/ba/sarajevo.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-sarajevo-bascarsija] It is the most visited part of Sarajevo, and you cannot avoid the shops…

Historic Bridge, Museum

Latinska čuprija, or the Latin Bridge, is one of Sarajevo’s most famous landmarks. The stone bridge itself, spanning the River Miljack, is relatively small, but it was in its immediate vicinity that Gavrilo Princip shot and killed the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand d’Este, and his wife Sophie. [btn "View hotels in the centre of Sarajevo" https://www.booking.com/city/ba/sarajevo.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-sarajevo-latinska…

Library, Historic building, Town Hall

The colourful Vijećnica, standing on the banks of the River Miljacka, is one of Sarajevo’s most striking buildings. It is often still referred to as the National Library, but today it once again serves primarily as a town hall, a reception venue and an exhibition hall. The building was constructed between 1892 and 1896 in a pseudo-Moorish style inspired by Islamic architecture from Spain and North Africa. The initial design was created by…

Mountain

Bjelašnica is the highest mountain in the Sarajevo area. It rises to an altitude of 2,067 metres and hosted the men’s alpine skiing events during the 1984 Winter Olympics. In winter, it is mainly skiers who come here, whilst from summer to autumn it attracts tourists. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the foot of the mountain from the centre of Sarajevo. Babin Do is not the summit of Bjelašnica Most visitors head to the Babin Do…

Museum

The Sarajevo Tunnel of Salvation, also known as the D-B Tunnel or, in English, the ‘ Tunnel of Hope ’, is one of the most powerful reminders of the Siege of Sarajevo. If you want to understand the city’s modern history, we highly recommend a visit. The tunnel was built in 1993 beneath the runway at Sarajevo Airport. It connected the besieged neighbourhood of Dobrinja with Butmir on the other side of the airport, from where the route continued…

Park, Lake, Promenade

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…

Cable car, Mountain

The cable car will take you from the historic centre of Sarajevo to the forests on the slopes of Trebević in just under 10 minutes. Even during the ride, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of Baščaršija and the whole Sarajevo valley; once at the top, you can also visit the disused bobsleigh track from the Winter Olympics. In clear weather, the cable car is one of the best short trips in Sarajevo. Allow approximately 2 to 3 hours for the…

Skyscraper, Lookout

The Avaz Twist Tower is the tallest building in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of Sarajevo’s most striking modern structures. The building itself is 142 metres tall, reaching a total height of 172 metres including the antenna. The main attraction for visitors is the open-air viewing platform on the 36th floor. Unlike the viewing platforms on the surrounding hills, you can take a lift up here and visit even in the evening after dark. You’ll…

Street

Sniper Alley is not a single, precisely defined landmark. This nickname was given to the main Zmaja od Bosne street and its continuation, Bulevar Meše Selimovića, during the Siege of Sarajevo. Today, it is a busy, ordinary boulevard with trams running along it. Without any knowledge of its history, you might walk right past it without it catching your attention. The best way to experience it is to take a short walk around the Marijin Dvor…

Lookout, Fortress

Žuta tabija, or the Yellow Bastion, is one of the best free viewpoints over Sarajevo. The Old Town lies directly below you, and beyond its rooftops you can see practically the whole of Sarajevo, nestled amongst the surrounding mountains. If you only want to visit one viewpoint within walking distance of Baščaršija, choose Žuta tabija. The fortification itself is small, and the main reason to visit is the view. [btn "View hotels in the centre…

Bridge

The Festina Lente footbridge is one of the most interesting modern structures in Sarajevo. It isn’t worth making a special trip just to see the bridge itself, but you should definitely include it in a stroll along the Miljacka River between the historic centre and the Skenderija district. The bridge is freely accessible and takes just a few minutes to cross. The best view is from the north bank, where you can photograph it alongside the Academy…

Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the seat of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna. Compared to the grand European cathedrals, it has a rather intimate feel, but its light and pleasantly understated interior is well worth a brief visit. It was built between 1884 and 1889 to a design by the architect Josip Vancaš. Inside, be sure to note the colourful stained-glass windows, the painted…

Synagogue

The Ashkenazi Synagogue on the banks of the Miljacka River is the only synagogue in Sarajevo that is still in use today. It serves the local Jewish community, but is also open to visitors on weekdays. The building was completed in 1902 to a design by the architect Karel Pařík. From the outside, it features a pseudo-Moorish façade and four corner domes; inside, there is a richly decorated prayer hall with a gallery. Do not confuse it with the…