a river running through a city with a bridge over it

Sarajevo

Walk Baščaršija’s Ottoman-era lanes, visit museums tied to the city’s history, then head to the mountains that hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.

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Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, set in a valley of the Dinaric Alps along the Miljacka River. Start in Baščaršija, the old Ottoman commercial district, then see the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and Sarajevo Cathedral. A mosque, Catholic church, Orthodox church and synagogue stand in the same neighbourhood, one reason Sarajevo is sometimes called the “Jerusalem of Europe.” The National Museum displays the Sarajevo Haggadah, and the War Childhood Museum tells personal stories from the 1992–1996 war. Sarajevo Roses, red resin-filled shell scars in pavements, mark places where people were killed during the siege.

Trams, trolleybuses and buses serve the city, and the compact centre is practical to explore on foot. Narrow streets and limited parking make a car less useful in the centre. Winter suits skiing on nearby Olympic mountains, including Bjelašnica and Jahorina; warmer months are better for hiking. Air pollution is a major issue, so travellers with breathing problems should take care.

Sarajevo in five

Start in Baščaršija before the lanes fillThe tourist board dates the bazaar to the 15th century and counts over 1,000 shops there, with the Sebilj fountain built in 1753. Bravadžiluk street is where the board points visitors for ćevapi and pies.Sarajevo in 2 days
Use tram line 1 between the station and the old townThe tourist board says the main train station is a 10-minute walk from the center, with line 1 linking it to Baščaršija. Tickets must be validated after you board.
Give the Tunnel of Hope a half day with IlidžaThe tunnel museum lies near Ilidža, where the tourist board shows 25 m of the 800 m tunnel dug under the airport during the siege. Pair it with the Vrelo Bosne springs and the plane-tree alley.
Keep valuables out of sight in crowds and carsThe UK government warns of pickpockets in tourist and pedestrian areas and of thefts from cars around Mount Trebević. Lock the car and leave nothing on the seats.UK travel advice
Ask your host to register you with the policeForeign nationals must register within 72 hours of arrival. Hotels and some hostels usually do it for you; for an apartment, confirm it before you arrive.Where to stay

Things to do in Sarajevo

See all attractions in Sarajevo

Museum · SarajevoHistory Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Museum · SarajevoDespić House

Restaurant · Sarajevosarajevo

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SarajevoPut the places you like in Sarajevo on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Sarajevo (SJJ), 12 km from the center
Getting there: Airport bus or taxi; train from Mostar; buses from Banja Luka and Trebinje
Getting around: Trams, trolleybuses and buses; the old town is walkable
Best base: Baščaršija or the city center
Time needed: 2 days; 3 with Mostar or the mountains

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Snow, ski
FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low1°Cold
MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low3°Late snow
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Spring showers
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, green
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Warm
JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Hot, sunny
AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Film festival
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Warm, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Autumn color
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cool, wet
DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cold, snow

Average daily high and low in Sarajevo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Jul Baščaršija Nights

Right now in Sarajevo

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 3°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 93%

Sarajevo

04:22 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+1

Today7°5°93%Tuesday: Rain. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 93%.
Wed7°4°73%Wednesday: Rain. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 73%.
Thu8°4°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri8°3°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat9°0°18%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sun13°3°25%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 25%.

Updated 03:53 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.747 BAM

Amount

Converted to

BAM · Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Sarajevo

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JulBaščaršija NightsSarajevo
AugMladifestMostar, a day trip

Day trips by train

Mostar130 km by road, or by trainThe rebuilt Old Bridge and bazaar lanes on the Neretva.Read the guide
Vrelo Bosne and the Tunnel of HopeIlidža side, by tram and taxiThe source of the Bosna river and the siege tunnel museum.
Lukomir villageBjelašnica area, by car or guideA hiking day to the highest village in the country, at 1,469 m.

Before you go to Sarajevo

Stays by the bazaar or the centerLanes, tram lines and quiet nightsCheck availability

Guided siege and city toursTunnel of Hope and old town historyCompare day trips

eSIM for SarajevoMaps and taxi apps outside EU roamingRead the guide

Insurance for SarajevoWinter trips, mountain roads, theftRead the guide

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Rules for Sarajevo, checked

Foreign nationals must register with the police within 72 hours of arrival; hotels and some hostels usually do this for guests.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
City transport tickets are mandatory and must be validated in the vehicle after you board.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Landmines remain from the 1992 to 1995 war in rural areas; do not step off roads and paved areas without an experienced guide.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

All Sarajevo guides

ItinerarySarajevo in 2 days: Baščaršija, Latin Bridge, Tunnel of HopeChecked Oct 4, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Sarajevo: Baščaršija, center, station or IlidžaChecked Oct 4, 2026

Head to headSarajevo to Mostar: train, bus, car or day tour comparedChecked Oct 4, 2026

Plan around Sarajevo

Mostar

The rebuilt Old Bridge on the Neretva

Read the guide Banja Luka

Vrbas rafting and the Kastel fortress

Read the guide All of Bosnia & Hercegovina

Sarajevo, Mostar, Neretva valley and entry rules

Read the guide

Sarajevo FAQ

How many days do you need in Sarajevo?

Two days cover Baščaršija, the center and either the Tunnel of Hope or a mountain viewpoint. Add a third day for Mostar or Lukomir, and a fourth if you want museums at a slow pace.

Is Sarajevo safe for tourists?

Most visits are trouble-free. The UK government advises care with pickpockets in tourist areas, locking cars near Trebević, and staying on paved roads and marked paths because of old landmines in rural areas.

Where should you stay in Sarajevo?

In Baščaršija for lanes and cafés, in the city center for flat walking and museums, near the station for early trains, or in Ilidža for spas and the airport. The where-to-stay guide compares the four.

Can you visit Mostar as a day trip from Sarajevo?

Yes. The road is 130 km and trains run on the Sarajevo to Čapljina line through Mostar. A day trip is possible, but an overnight leaves time for the old town after the tour groups leave.

What currency does Sarajevo use?

The convertible mark (BAM). Cafés and bakeries in the old town often prefer cash, and taxis and small shops give change in marks even when euros are offered.