My Sarajevo itinerary means that you can uncover the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” in comparatively nice depth, and at a tempo that it neither sluggish nor breakneck. I knew what course my schedule would finally find yourself taking from the second I arrived in Sarajevo and noticed fellow vacationers strolling gleefully over the Latin Bridge.
The allure of Sarajevo transcends the a part of its historical past when Franz Ferdinand was shot right here, in fact, even when trauma in that vein does tie into its popularity because the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” Proceed studying to be taught what I grow to be so smitten with Sarajevo—and why I’m sure you can be, too.
The place to Keep in Sarajevo
First impressions are every part, and the Sarajevo lodge I checked into after the aforementioned bridge scene definitely made a fantastic one. Located within the coronary heart of outdated Sarajevo as its identify suggests, Outdated City Lodge offered a house in Bosnia’s capital that was charming, snug and handy. There are “nicer” locations in Sarajevo, in fact, and likewise cheaper ones, however to me that is the property amongst resorts in Sarajevo that checks probably the most bins.
What to Do Throughout Your Sarajevo Itinerary
See Sarajevo’s Fundamentals
After checking in and chilling out, I headed out into Sarajevo Outdated City to start out exploring my new house for the following couple of days. Whereas main sights akin to Bascarsija market, Sebilj fountain and Vijecnica metropolis corridor have been picturesque, my actual infatuation was as a result of various folks and cultures that flowed via the streets, not in contrast to the threads of humanity that weave collectively in Jerusalem itself.
After actually hours scouring its nook and crannies, passing church buildings, synagogues, mosques and exchanging smiles with all who prayed inside them, I exited the Outdated City and arrived on the north financial institution of the Miljacka River. I crossed over the Sarajevo Latin Bridge and again once more, questioning in Franz Ferdinand had felt as awestruck as I did by Sarajevo’s magnificence within the moments earlier than his assassination.
Style the Flavors of Sarajevo
After getting my fill of Sarajevo mosque and church images, I started exploring town on a deeper degree. A technique I did this was by taking in a panorama, specifically the one from the Yellow Fortress, which is a few 20-minute stroll from the Outdated City. For my part, the view truly grew to become higher after I continued strolling a bit, which extra stunning juxtaposes town’s medieval structure with fashionable buildings just like the Avaz Twist Tower.
One other manner I dug deeper was to dig into Bosnian delicacies in the most effective Sarajevo eating places akin to Pod Lipom, which isn’t the highest-rated place to eat within the Outdated City, however got here extremely (and personally) really useful. Wherever you resolve to eat, make certain to take a look at the sausage-and-pita cevapi (Bosnia’s unofficial nationwide dish), borek meat pie and the Sarajevski Sahan sampler, provided (as far as I can inform) solely at Pod Lipom.
Delve Into Sarajevo’s Checkered Previous
As darkish as you may really feel for wanting to take action, it’s unsurprising that the Sarajevo genocide might be close to the highest of your checklist for Sarajevo sightseeing. It definitely was on mine, although I need to say that after the sobering Museum of Crimes In opposition to Humanity and Genocide 1992-1995, I felt too unhappy to go to different war-related locations just like the Sarajevo Tunnel, and as an alternative took a pensive stroll to the extra uplifting Everlasting Flame.
I thought-about visiting the Sarajevo Bobsled observe (formally, Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Monitor, which was constructed for the 1984 Olympics), however as night time set in, I remained considerably affected by my go to to the genocide museum. I made a decision to forgo a go to to the dystopian Olympic web site (I definitely couldn’t abdomen a good darker go to to Srebrenica, the place lots of the most egregious wartime atrocities happened) and took one final stroll across the Outdated City.
Day Journeys from Sarajevo
In case you’re finishing your Sarajevo itinerary within the reverse order I did, you may board a Sarajevo Mostar bus and after a few hours, you’ll arrive in Mostar, which as I discussed is certainly one of my favourite locations on your complete European continent. Whether or not you spend the whole thing of your time marveling on the picturesque Stari Most (Outdated Bridge) or exploring outlying attraction like Kravice waterfalls or the Catholic pilgrimage metropolis of Medjugorje, this can be a very worthy Sarajevo day journey.
Alternatively, when you board a Sarajevo to Dubrovnik bus, you may bypass Mostar and the remainder of Bosnia (although I extremely advocate towards this!) and head straight for Croatia‘s Dalmatian Coast. This positively isn’t a day journey from Sarajevo, however is a logical strategy to proceed touring via the Balkans from Bosnia’s capital. That is very true for an extended Sarajevo itinerary, 4 days or so.
The Final Sarajevo Itinerary
If you end up overwhelmed by Sarajevo issues to do, don’t be. Fairly than pressuring your self into following my Sarajevo itinerary precisely, use this concise checklist of Sarajevo sightseeing to construct your individual:
- Sarajevo Outdated City
- Latin Bridge
- Yellow Fortress View Level
- Museum of Crimes In opposition to Humanity and Genocide 1992-1995
- Sarajevo Tunnel
- Everlasting Flame
- Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Monitor
- Srebrenica
- Mostar
When you’ve sorted out what to see in Sarajevo, make certain to take a look at my complete itinerary for two weeks within the Balkans, which completely enhances my Sarajevo journey weblog.
Different FAQ About Touring to Sarajevo
Is Sarajevo value visiting?
Sarajevo is completely value visiting! Whether or not you hint historical past within the Outdated City and at Latin Bridge, benefit from the view from the Yellow Fortress or take a day journey to solemn Srebrenica, I feel you’ll discover Sarajevo to be some of the underrated cities in Europe, and positively among the many finest within the Balkans.
Is Sarajevo protected for vacationers?
Sarajevo is extraordinarily protected for vacationers. Sadly, as a result of legacy of battle reporting within the Nineties, folks falsely imagine that Bosnia is a harmful nation that vacationers ought to keep away from; this couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Is Sarajevo an exquisite metropolis?
Sarajevo is a fully attractive metropolis, notably within the Outdated City, which mixes mosques and different Muslim buildings with classically European structure from the 18th and 19 century. If you wish to see Sarajevo at its most stunning, contemplate watching sundown from the Yellow Fortress.
The Backside Line
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications akin to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Each day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric features of life as a traveler.