The ULTIMATE One Day In Sarajevo Itinerary – EVERYTHING You Need To Know
Are you looking for an awesome one day in Sarajevo Itinerary? You have come to the right place!
From the cosy cobbled streets of the old town to the panoramic views of the mountains that surround the city, Sarajevo is one of Europe’s biggest hidden gems and most underrated capital cities.
The city has a lively atmosphere that’s hard to resist. Its streets are filled with people enjoying the vibrant cafe and restaurant scene which is truly one of the best things about Sarajevo. Here you can find everything from cosy cafes to traditional Bosnian restaurants and Hookah bars.
Not only that, this capital city is a melting pot of culture and history that is well worth learning more about. From the 15th century, Ottoman architecture has been woven throughout the city to the shrapnel holes that still exist in the buildings from the recent war in the 1990s, this city has so many stories to tell.
Sarajevo surprised me to no end, and I was not expecting to fall in love with this city as much as I did. It is now one of my favourite cities in Europe and I am already very keen to go back!
So what’s included on a one day in Sarajevo itinerary?
Read on below to find out!
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About This One Day in Sarajevo Itinerary
This Sarajevo Itinerary follows the exact route I took during my time in Sarajevo. On this route, you’ll be able to leisurely enjoy all of the best things to do in Sarajevo and devour delicious Bosnian cuisine. All whilst being able to truly soak up your time in the city without feeling like you have rushed around trying to cram everything in.
Your itinerary will look something like this:
- Stop 1 – Bosnian Coffee at Cafe Divan
- Stop 2 – Breakfast at Buregdžinica Saraj Bosna
- Stop 3 – Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide
- Stop 4 – Walking Tour
- Stop 5 – Lunch At Ćevabdžinica Hodžić
- Stop 6 – Meander Through The Baščaršija (Old Town)
- Stop 7 – Gallery 11/07/95
- Stop 8 – Bosnian Tea at Teahouse Dzirlo
- Stop 9 – Sunset at The Yellow Fortress
- Stop 10 – Dinner & Drinks
Stop 1 – Bosnian Coffee at Cafe Divan
For me, enjoying local customs and trying traditional food and drinks is one of the best parts of travelling which is why there is no better way to begin your 24 hours in Sarajevo than enjoying some traditional Bosnian Coffee.
Bosnian Coffee is very similar to Turkish with slight differences, such as using lighter coffee beans than Turkish. If you’re an amateur like me you won’t be able to tell the difference, but I’m sure the locals won’t be best pleased with me saying that.
One of the best places in Sarajevo to try traditional Bosnian Coffee is Cafe Divan. It has thousands of 4 and 5-star reviews and it was jam-packed with locals (which is the best indicator of just how good a place is).
For Bosnians, the coffee culture is an experience and not just a drink so take some time to soak up the moment truly!
With that being said Bosnian coffee is an acquired taste, so if you would prefer a more standard coffee (or tea) then Fabrika coffee is a great choice (and the two cafes are located very close to each other).
?Cafe Divan
⏰ 7am – 11pm
?Fabrika Coffee
⏰7am-10pm
Stop 2 – Breakfast
Now you’re suitably caffeinated, it’s time for some food. One of the best traditional dishes you can try in Bosnia is the Burek. This is suitable for both meat eaters and vegetarians as they have a few variations on offer.
What I loved about this place is that you could see them making huge portions of Burek right in front of you, so that you could be absolutely certain you were getting some of the freshest Burek possible.
Again, this place was filled with locals, which is what drew me to go inside when I was searching for somewhere to eat and I’m so glad I did because the Burek did not disappoint.
If you would prefer a more “eggs on toast” style breakfast then be sure to take a look at either Brunch Sa or Mrvica Old Town.
Stop 3 – Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide
Stop 3 involves a visit to the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide. I’ll admit this is quite a heavy start to the day but I really feel like it’s an important place to visit during your time in Sarajevo if you want to understand more about the country.
The Bosnian War and Genocide took place a little over 30 years ago between 1992-1995. The war broke out as a result of the breakup of Yugoslavia where Bosnian Serbs launched a military campaign to seize back land, and ethnically cleanse Bosnia of its Muslim population.
This war is very much still fresh in the memory of most of the adult population here and it’s definitely worth learning more about!
The museum was founded by survivors of the war and helps to preserve the stories and the memories of all those who experienced and ultimately fell victim to this war.
?Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide
⏰9am-9pm
?️ 18 Bosnian Mark
Stop 4 – Walking Tour
One of the best ways to learn more about Sarajevo and its history and traditions is by booking a walking tour.
I booked this walking tour which was 2 hours long and I cannot recommend it enough! You got to visit all of the most important and famous sites in Sarajevo and I definitely learnt so much!
I am ashamed to admit that until going on this tour, I didn’t know that Franz Ferdinand was an actual human and not just a British indie band ?.
I also learnt about the “Sarajevo Rose” (see left picture above) which are red paint splats that can be found throughout the city and symbolise the spot where 3 or more people lost their lives during the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s war.
Also, you’ll notice lots of holes in some of the older buildings as you walk around Sarajevo on this walking tour (see right picture above). My guide mentioned that this is often mistaken for bullet holes but in actual fact it’s marks left from shrapnel from bombings during the Siege of Sarajevo.
My guide Neno was extremely knowledgeable and most importantly passionate and it was so interesting to hear his take on the history of Sarajevo as well as his personal experiences of the recent war in the early 1990s when he was just 8 years old.
If you’re not a “walking tour person” and would much prefer to explore the city by yourself then you can simply copy some the itinerary from the walking tour and visit all of the spots below:
- Sacred Heart Cathedral: Built in the late 19th century, it is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Liberation Square: A beautiful local park home to one of Sarajevo’s most famous statues, the “Multicultural Man”.
- Latin Bridge and WWI Franz Ferdinand’s assassination: The Latin Bridge was the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914, which triggered World War I.
- Emperor Mosque: This mosque dates back to the 15th century, making it one of the oldest in Sarajevo.
- Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque: A stunning example of Ottoman architecture with a beautiful courtyard.
Stop 5 – Lunch At Ćevabdžinica Hodžić
With all that walking and exploring you would have been sure to work up an appetite, so now it’s time for lunch. One of the best Bosnian dishes to try is something called Cevapi which is grilled minced meat served with pita and salad.
The best place to try Cevapi in Sarajevo has to be Ćevabdžinica Hodžić. It’s very well-known so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little while to get a seat (but trust me it is worth it).
If you can’t get a table here then a good alternative is Bosnian Cuisine Hadzibajric.
Looking for something vegetarian? One of the best places for you to try will be Falafel Restaurant.
Stop 6 – Explore the Baščaršija (Old Town)
The Baščaršija, meaning “Old Market” and better known as the “Old Town” to most tourists, is the cultural hub of Sarajevo.
Most of the best things to see and do in Sarajevo are located in and around the Old Town so you will spend most of your time here walking up and down these streets, however, I do think it a great place for people-watching and getting lost in the small alleyways and local market shops.
Stop 7 – Gallery 11/07/95
Gallery 11/07/95 is a photography gallery dedicated to the massacre at Srebrenica where Bosnian Serb forces killed over 8,000 Bosniak men.
This is another sad museum to visit but again very interesting, especially if you love photography. However, please be prepared for some tears, there is a short film running in the gallery where you will see men and boys get sent to their deaths which is extremely heartbreaking!
Out of the two museums I visited during my time in Sarajevo, this was my favourite one!
?Gallery 11/07/95
⏰9am-9pm
?️15 Bosnian Mark (5 Marks extra for an audio guide)
Stop 8 – Bosnian Tea at Teahouse Dzirlo
As much as Bosnians love their coffee, they also love their tea and I loved this teahouse. The owner was extremely quirky with long white hair and a beard giving a lot of hippie wizard energy which was great.
There are lots of fruity and flavoursome teas to choose from but the best thing I tried was a drink called Salep which is hot frothy milk with cinnamon, vanilla and other spices which was just so delicious!
Located next door is the Ministry of Ceif cafe which is another good option if you are looking for an alternative.
?Teahouse Dzirlo
⏰08:30am-11pm
?Ministry of Ćejf
⏰7am-11pm
Stop 9 – Sunset at The Yellow Fortress
Just a short uphill walk from Teahouse Dzirlo is the Yellow Fortress. The Yellow Fortress is the best place in Sarajevo to watch the sunset. Here you can see panoramic views of the city as well as the mountains that surround it and it is absolutely stunning! It does get quite busy up here so try to get there a little earlier so that you can reserve a good sunset-watching spot.
Stop 10 – Dinner & Drinks
Dinner and drinks are well deserved after this full day of exploring. One of the most popular dinner restaurants in Sarajevo is Nanina Kuhinja. If you can I would recommend reserving a table as it gets extremely busy here. The menu serves up warm and hearty traditional Bosnian food that is super tasty, filling and well-priced.
After dinner, I recommend heading to La Cava bar for drinks. It’s important to note that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Muslim country so not everywhere will serve alcohol, however, La Cava is a great option if you would like a draught beer, some wine or even an Aperol and some cocktails. Another popular place to visit for a drink in Sarajevo is the City Pub.
Other Things To Do In Sarajevo
If you are after more things to do during your time in Sarajevo then I recommend the following:
Visit Bobsleigh Track
In February 1984 Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and an abandoned bobsleigh track covered in graffiti, overgrown plants and bullet holes is now what remains. The bobsleigh track is up a steep hill and takes about 2 hours to walk there but thankfully you can take a cable car up the hill which is 20 Bosnian Marks for a return trip.
Sarajevo War Tunnel
The Sarajevo War Tunnel was constructed by the Bosnian Army to connect Sarajevo with the outside world during the Siege of Sarajevo during the 90’s. This allowed for the transport of food and medical supplies when the city was largely cut off.
During a visit here you’ll be able to walk through a portion of the tunnel and view photographs as well as personal stories from the siege.
How To Get To Sarajevo
Flight
Sarajevo is a well-connected city, you can easily get here from most main European airports. I always search for cheap flights using Skyscanner. Both Ryanair and Wizz Air fly into Sarajevo so you should be able to get some good budget deals if you time it right!
To get from the airport to the city centre you can take a taxi which will cost around €25. However, if you are looking for something cheaper you can catch the Centrotrans airport bus to the city for 5 Bosnian Marks (€2). You will see the bus stop directly in front of you near the car park as you exit arrivals. The bus runs from 5am to 11pm.
Bus
Sarajevo is also well connected by both national and international bus routes. It’s fairly easy to get here from other countries in the Balkans, such as Serbia and Croatia. I recommend checking out both the FlixBus and GetbyBus websites for the best bus route options available.
Please note that if you are travelling by bus you may be charged a small bus station tax so make sure to have some cash on you (normally the bus stations will accept Euro if you don’t have local currency).
Train
Whilst it is easy to travel domestically from Sarajevo by train, international routes are not very common, so it’s best to get here either by flight or bus. If you are travelling to Sarajevo from another city in the country then you can check out train routes and timetables here.
Where To Stay In Sarajevo
During your time in Sarajevo, I recommend staying as close to the Baščaršija (Old Town) as possible as you will be spending most of your time near there.
Some of the top places I recommend include:
To check out more hotels near the Baščaršija click here.
How To Get Around Sarajevo
Sarajevo is a very walkable city. Everything that you will be seeing during your 24 hours in Sarajevo is within a short walking distance from each other.
With that being said, the city is well connected via bus and tram. To learn more about the public transport that Sarajevo has to offer then please check out this website.
It is also very easy and cost-effective to find taxis in Sarajevo, there is no Uber or Bolt here so you must use local companies.
Is One Day In Sarajevo Enough?
Yes, one day in Sarajevo is definitely enough to see all the best things here, which makes it a great destination to visit if you are having a quick weekend trip away.
Saying that, Sarajevo is a very cool city so if you are a lover of cafes and restaurants then I would maybe recommend 2 days in Sarajevo to give you enough time to try out more places.
What Currency Do They Use In Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, they use the Bosnian Mark, however, some establishments and tour providers will accept the Euro. This is solely at their discretion so I would recommend having local currency on you at all times!
Is Sarajevo Safe For Solo Female Travellers?
So, I felt completely safe as a solo female traveller in Sarajevo, however, there were moments when I felt slightly uncomfortable and I think it’s important to note that there is a difference as I never felt in danger. However, I did experience being intensely stared at by local men, and even a local shop owner stroking my arm whilst saying “what a beautiful woman”. It’s safe to say I left the shop pretty promptly after that!
Other important things to know about Bosnia and Herzegovina
It’s important to know that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a predominantly Muslim country so please be mindful and respectful of the culture. That being said things did not feel too conservative whilst walking around the city in comparison to other predominantly Muslim countries I have been to.
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Happy Exploring
I hope this post has helped you plan the perfect 24 hours in Sarajevo Itinerary. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out!
