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When you consider a European metropolis break, it is in all probability Paris and its grand Haussmann-era boulevards, London’s skyscraper-lined Thames riverfront, or perhaps Milan’s glamorous really feel and haute delicacies that come to thoughts, not an offbeat Sarajevo.
In reality, you could be questioning the place that even is.
The (a lot) missed capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a criminally-underrated nation itself, Sarajevo is making some waves lately, persevering with to see an uptick in arrivals after hitting its target 1.5 million overnights in 2024 (a 26.6% year-on-year improve).
Unheard-of as it might be on our facet of the pond, it is by no means been extra common than it’s at this very second amongst Europeans, with Turks, Croats, Serbs, and Germans leading the way—and it is excessive time we appeared into a number of the the reason why.
Why Are Tourists Suddenly Flocking Into Sarajevo?
Located close to the geometric heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is barely becoming for a capital, Sarajevo is certainly one of Europe’s most various capitals, residence to Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Catholics, a cultural hub of the primary order, and maybe the continent’s most unsung vacation spot, at that.
It has a wealthy (albeit advanced) historical past, encompassing durations of Ottoman and Austrian management, and for that purpose, it’s typically described as a spot the place cultures conflict:
Istanbul will be the most well-known metropolis to (actually) straddle two continents, but it surely’s in Sarajevo you will discover ornate medieval mosques and their adjoining bazaars inside brief strolling distance of imposing, Sixteenth-century Orthodox temples and Gothic church buildings.
Bosnia is a multi-faith nation born out of the necessity to let go of previous variations and grievances, and although that hard-fought peace reveals its cracks from time to time, nowhere else in the Balkans will you see a melting pot as fascinating as this.
Medieval Mosques, Picturesque Bridges & Cobbled Lanes
Taking a stroll across the riverside Old Town, with its cobbled streets, and a plethora of tea retailers and comfy cafes, you will encounter majestic mosques, like Gazi Husrev-beg, a centerpiece of Ottoman structure relationship again to the Sixteenth-century, but in addition Orthodox temples and Gothic church buildings.
Also constructed within the Sixteenth century, the Byzantine-inspired Church of the Holy Archangels is a testomony to Sarajevo’s deeply ingrained sense of multiculturalism. It serves the native ethnically Serbian group and is among the many capital’s oldest non secular websites.
Interestingly sufficient, a brief 6-minute stroll away is the towering Sacred Heart Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic marvel that includes a marble-cut altar and complicated stained glass designs. It caters primarily to the ethnically Croatian inhabitants of Sarajevo and is Bosnia’s largest cathedral.
We know World War I will not be as widely-taught in faculties throughout America as its way more catastrophic follow-up, however for those who have been ever curious as to how the unhappy story of wounded troopers in trenches and bayonet bearers began, look no additional than Sarajevo’s Latin Bridge:
Discover Sarajevo’s War Wounds
Yep, WWI began not over some disagreement in palatial chambers in Germany however proper there on town’s oldest stone pedestrian crossing, spanning the in any other case peaceable Miljacka River.
This is the place Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, an occasion that many Historians regard as having sparked the Europe-wide battle, and apart from crossing the bridge to absorb the eerie ambiance your self, you may go to a close-by museum the place you may study all about it intimately.
Unfortunately, Sarajevo’s standing within the Annals of Time didn’t take a flip for the higher in the identical century, as within the 90s, it will be rocked by grotesque occasions and instability as soon as extra.
You’ve heard of the Bosnian War, proper?
While spared the identical stage of human tragedy that introduced smaller cities like Srebrenica and Mostar to their knees, the capital endured a 4-year siege, and it, too, has its useless to mourn.
For these of you who’re into Dark Tourism, there are nonetheless some faculties, hospitals, and cultural landmarks that carry bullet holes and different struggle scars, most notably the National Library, an Islamic-inspired brick-and-concrete palace proper on the water that was almost burned to the bottom.
Yet one other common attraction is the Tunnel of Hope: regardless of its identify, it is the truth is a struggle tunnel used to smuggle folks and provides over the battlefront in the course of the siege, and it now hosts a museum.
However, not all is doom and gloom.
For two of the very best sundown views on the town, both take the cable automobile from Stari Grad (Old Town) to Trebević Mountain (costing roughly $18), or hike a brief quarter-hour from the middle, as much as the Yellow Fortress, a fort perched atop certainly one of Sarajevo’s many hills.
This one’s free.
From each viewpoints, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the minaret and belfry-dotted townscape, the landmark-lined meander that’s Miljacka, and the lush greenery throughout it.
One Of The Cheapest European Capitals
We’d exit of our technique to go to Sarajevo any day, no matter native costs, but it surely actually helps that all the pieces from meals to lodging to transportation is shockingly-affordable.
If you are actually on a strict price range, you may pattern scrumptious native delicacies like Bosnian ćevapi, hand-mixed mince meat shaped right into a funnel, typically served with spices and flatbread, for round $5 in most Old Town eateries, and the identical goes for börek pastries, hen soup with bitter cream, and the checklist goes on.
Even small luxuries in Sarajevo will not precisely break the financial institution:
For occasion, Dveri is a well-reputed Old Town restaurant, and a fairly touristy one at that, common for its do-it-yourself borscht and beef goulash, and a spread of rakija flavors (the native spirit, for these which can be unaware).
On common, eating right here will set you again by round $11–$16 by ordering a major dish.
Across from the City Hall, Inat Kuća is equally well-known for its fashionable twist added to some Bosnian classics, and its homegrown wine and hearty stews will not run you up by greater than $16 for a sit-in lunch with river views.
After the second stew, you may understand Bosnian meals, tasty as it might be, is not precisely sitting properly in your abdomen, so for those who’re ever in fancy of a Balkan-Asian fusion, be certain Mala Kuhinja is in your checklist, or the upscale trattoria Tavola, proper within the metropolis heart.
Looking for a spot to remain? Sarajevo has an intensive supply of lodging, starting from price range to luxurious, but when you end up someplace within the center, there are complete, fully-furnished residences can be found on Booking.com from solely $48 per evening for two adults.
This Is How Authorities Are Improving Sarajevo For Tourists In 2025
You get the gist of it: Sarajevo (and Bosnia as a complete) is very cheap, it is incredibly-beautiful, and it is but to be ruined by the identical crowds which have made Italy’s Amalfi, or the French Riviera a dwelling hell.
Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), serviced by low-cost flights from throughout Europe and choose Middle Eastern locations, has already reported a 44% uptick in passengers this yr, as confirmed by Statistika, so it has been gaining traction.
You higher get there earlier than it is too late, as this gem will not keep hidden for lengthy.
On prime of that, authorities within the capital are investing closely in making Sarajevo better-connected, and extra tourist-friendly: the small airport has now expanded to host flights from main hubs like Dubai, Riyadh, and Kuwait, and the Old Town is present process revitalization.
It’s not unusual for historic facilities within the Balkan Peninsula to be a bit of rundown, given native authorities’s horrible observe file of defending monuments and materials heritage, however in Sarajevo’s case, important efforts have been made to revive its pre-war glory.
Reconstructions apart, it is seen the opening of recent museums, like Sevdah Art House, each an artwork exhibit and a restaurant with an emphasis on sevdalinka, Bosnian folks music, and even the buzzing Obala Maka Dizdara, a pedestrian promenade, is present process renovation.
On prime of that, for all of the biking lovers on the market, a brand new, official bike path connecting Dubrovnik, in Croatia, to Sarajevo has just opened.
The 217-mile route has stops in lovely mountain villages, town of Mostar, well-known for its arched Ottoman bridge, and scenic lakes earlier than reaching the Miljacka River valley, the place Sarajevo lies.
Getting To Bosnia From America
Flying from the United States, the best technique to attain Sarajevo is touching down first in a bigger transit airport, like Istanbul (IST), Vienna (VIE), Frankfurt (FRA), or Munich (MUC), and from there, board a low-cost flight to the Bosnian capital.
Prices for an intra-Europe flight to Sarajevo (SJJ) begin from solely $40, and cities like Vienna or Budapest, served by price range carriers Wizz Air and Ryanair, have a tendency to supply the bottom fare.
Alternatively, it’s possible you’ll attain it by bus from neighboring international locations that host U.S. flights, like Serbia or Croatia, for equally-cheap costs, or driving.
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