I Visited Sarajevo For 4 Days And Was Shocked By What I Professional

Share The Write-up

Very last Up-to-date

Welcome To Sarajevo, The Melting-Pot Of Europe  

The money of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo is a town with a troubled past but a very dazzling potential. This little Balkan money is comprehensive of record, colourful locals, incredible foodstuff, and unlimited cobblestone alleys to discover.

Not too long ago named a ideal worth vacation spot for 2023, the explanations to visit Sarajevo just maintain expanding. I used 4 days exploring this metropolis and still left with a solid effect of not only Sarajevo, but Bosnia and Herzegovina as a entire. 

Aerial view of city of sarajevo

In some cases referred to as the Jerusalem of Europe, Sarajevo is a city of contrasts around each corner. In the similar afternoon, you can go to a Mosque, a Synagogue, an Orthodox Church, and a Catholic Church. Convert a corner in this city, and you can see hints of Vienna and Istanbul in its architecture and record in all places you search. 

Is It Safe and sound?

The very point out that you are traveling to Sarajevo may possibly be achieved with some trepidation or fear from your loved ones, as it’s known for its violent past. Though the infamous siege from 1992 -1996 is one particular of the most important factors persons know about Sarajevo, right now, it is harmless to take a look at.

sarajevo, a stream runs in front of a historic building

The Balkan location is no stranger to politically sophisticated cities, and Sarajevo is no exception. The complexities of the political predicament that led to the Siege of Sarajevo in 1992 are a historical past lesson in by itself, so I won’t get into it here. There are several assets to learn about the longest siege in army history and how it came to be. A go to to Sarajevo is a background lesson in itself, and the many community guides who lived via it will be your most effective way to find out about this major historical celebration. 

So, why did I venture to Sarajevo, and what type of impact did it depart on me? 

Let’s just say that soon after an 8-thirty day period vacation discovering the Balkans, this town was a person spot that really trapped with me for many causes.

5 Factors You Ought to Think about A Journey To Sarajevo 

sarejvo fountain in a square

Historical Importance 

Did you know Globe War I technically started off proper in the middle of Sarajevo?

The Latin Bridge in the middle of town is exactly where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife ended up assassinated whilst using in his motorcar. This celebration brought on a political disaster between the main European superpowers and led to a domino impact of conclusions primary to the commence of WWI.

sarajevo bridge with people walking over

Infinite Points To Do

There is just so substantially to see and do in this smaller cash metropolis, and my 4 days had been not enough time to take a look at every thing. The entire town is basically a background lesson in by itself, with lots of going for walks excursions devoted to the siege, historical past, architecture, or road art.  When you are discovering, make absolutely sure to seem for the Sarajevo Roses. I will not spoil it for you here, but let’s just say they are not what you believe. 

When there is SO substantially to do in Sarajevo, in this article is a brief list of matters I did and 100% recommend:

sarajevo street with people walking across it and a church in the background
  • Get a siege tour to seriously get the complete experience of what occurred when the town was blocked off from the rest of the globe in the 90s. I went with FunkyTours, and they are identified as the most reliable company in city for a excellent motive. Our information spoke passionately about his working experience, and the tour was extremely eye-opening. 
  • You are unable to skip the war tunnel working experience, wherever you can witness the drastic steps locals took to transfer items in and out of their city.
  • Head up Trebević Mountain and wander along the abandoned bobsled keep track of made use of in the 1984 Wintertime Olympics. 
  • Check out out the historic Sarajevo Brewery, style the community brews and find out why this brewery is deemed to have saved the metropolis
  • Commit hours wandering close to the outdated bazaar, complete of metal is effective and other stalls. Sit in Baščaršija Square and sip a Bosnian Coffee up coming to the well known Sebilj Fountain. I spent considerably lengthier than I treatment to admit viewing the locals and holidaymakers feed, photograph, and get bombarded by the popular pigeons that connect with this area dwelling. 
  • Head up previous the placing Alifakovac cemetery to the Yellow Bastion for a good sunset more than the metropolis. Whilst you are up there, test out the minor concealed Kamarija cafe close by. This put has amazing views more than the valley, nestled in the trees of the hillside. 

A City Whole Of Characters 

The persons of Sarajevo have been by way of a large amount, that goes without having saying. The siege was not all that long in the past and most of the residents are old adequate to keep in mind the day by day terror they lived via for 4 several years, and each individual nearby I spoke with had missing spouse and children or close friends in the violence. 

sarajevo market with wares lining the streets

Regardless of their bloody previous, the men and women of Sarajevo are complete people. I couldn’t believe that the smiles, tummy laughs, and over-all happiness that I noticed in this city. I was anticipating rough and difficult and was blown away by the opposite. Sarajevo is total of talkative, helpful, and of course at times solemn locals. If you talk to queries, they are keen to solution and educate foreigners on the complexity of their city’s earlier. Immediately after 8 months of touring throughout the Balkans, I quickly detailed Sarajevans as the friendliest individuals I had encountered.  

Connectivity

Sarajevo is starting to be progressively connected to the U.S. and Canada, with a lot more airways which include it in their 2023 routes, and this is one of the main explanations I was able to sneak it into the stop of my Balkan vacation. 

cable car going down a mountain

Discovering ourselves in Break up, Croatia, and needing to get back to New York somewhat speedily, the finest flights I could locate have been truly out of Sarajevo. Immediately after a quick research, I understood that reaching Sarajevo from split was quite clear-cut, price-successful, and permitted us to stop in Mostar on the way. So not only did we conserve hundreds of dollars on flights, we also received to discover Bosnia and Herzegovina a bit. 

Aside from traveling, Sarajevo is perfectly connected to the relaxation of the Balkan region via bus and rail, and traveling these techniques is easy and inexpensive. Situated involving Belgrade and Croatia, the city will make a reasonable halting stage to explore. 

One point not to pass up when talking about Sarajevo transportation is the tram network. In reality, this might be the place my really like of tram travel started out. Sarajevo’s trams crisscross the city and into the suburbs. Some are quite old and rustic, even though some others are a bit extra modern day. A area advised us that the Sarajevo tram community is in fact a single of the oldest in Europe and was made use of as the design for other famed tram techniques, these types of as Vienna. 

One Phrase: Mostar

As I outlined right before, our trip from Split, Croatia to Sarajevo essential a cease in the little town of Mostar. Being one of those areas I have constantly wanted to see for myself, there was no way I was settling for just an afternoon in this minor gem tucked into the southwest corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although we stayed 3 times and experienced to pry ourselves away, Mostar is an easy working day vacation from Sarajevo if you want to get out of the city for a little bit. 

mostar city view with mountain in the background

Reachable in below 2 several hours from the metropolis by bus or train, a working day trip to Mostar is a will have to when visiting Sarajevo. Amble among the the hilly cobblestone streets and market place stalls, and head for Stari Most (Old Bridge), very easily the most well known landmark in Mostar. If you are blessed, there will be high-rise divers on the day of your take a look at, gathering revenue and using the demise-defying plunge into the shallow Neretrva River under. 

Traveler Alert: Really do not Forget Vacation Coverage For Your Upcoming Trip!

↓ Be part of Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Route Community FB group has all the newest reopening news, discussions, and Q&A’s happening day-to-day! 

Travel-off-Path-group-1-1
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR Newest POSTS

Enter your e mail tackle to subscribe to Vacation Off Path’s latest breaking travel information, straight to your inbox

This write-up initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com