A vibrant tapestry of color, culture, and pain—that’s Sarajevo, the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a city that proudly wears its architectural jewels alongside the scars of its turbulent past.
As you wander through its streets, you’ll notice striking contrasts all around you. On one side, a buzzing market hums with life, while locals chat and enjoy Bosnian coffee in cozy cafés. On the other, the red petals of a Sarajevo Rose mark the pavement, a sad reminder of lives lost. Look up, and you’ll see the majestic Olympic mountain standing quietly. Blending Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav influences, Sarajevo tells a story that is impossible to forget.
Let’s explore and find out what to see in Sarajevo together.
Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cost: Mix of free and paid entrance
Length: Whole day
How to get there: Get to the city center by car or public transport. Then the places listed are within walking distance from one another
Check out our full Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary
What to see in Sarajevo Old town?
How Many Pigeons Can You Count Around Sarajevo Sebilj?
To truly experience the energy of Sarajevo, head to Baščaršija Square. It’s always bustling, always full of life. Friendly chatter drifts from nearby cafés and shop stalls. Locals go about their day, while tourists pause to snap photos of the square’s iconic centrepiece: the Ottoman Sebilj fountain. With its wooden lace, intricate carvings, and green dome, this timeless fountain has been offering free refreshment to travellers for centuries.
Here, you will face an important choice. Do you want to return to Sarajevo one day? According to legend, you must drink the water from the fountain to ensure you’ll come back.
However, the fountain has a bit of competition for your attention. As soon as you arrive in the square, you’re greeted by pigeons—dozens, maybe hundreds of them. They flutter around your feet, settle on nearby rooftops, and take flight in unison, filling the air with soft coos. It’s as if the entire square is wrapped in a living, feathery blanket. Have you ever seen this many birds in one place?
Join Sarajevo Food and Culture Tour to Deep Dive in the cuisine and Tradition
Are you hungry?
If you want to experience Bosnia and Herzegovina fully, the question isn’t just what to see in Sarajevo, but also what to taste and explore. The Sarajevo Food Tour offers the perfect opportunity to dive into the rich culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina, engaging all your senses.
Your taste buds will delight in sweet baklava and even sweeter Turkish delights, while your mind is captivated by fascinating stories of local crafts and history. This isn’t just a food tour—along the way, your guide proudly shares tales of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing the city’s rich heritage to life. Whether you’re curious about the region’s history, culture, or the rhythms of daily life, your guide is happy to answer any questions, making the experience as personal as it is enriching.
Or Explore The Sarajevo Market (Baščaršija) on Your Own
With the rise of the Ottoman Empire, Sarajevo flourished as a city of trade. Centuries have passed, rulers have come and gone, but the Sarajevo market remains the beating heart of this magnificent city.
If you found yourself dazzled by the sights and sounds of Mostar’s market, get ready—Sarajevo takes that vibrant energy to a whole new level. The market is a grand tapestry of colors, patterns, and textures, a labyrinth of passages filled with countless little stores. As you wander through, you’ll discover an incredible array of treasures: local delicacies, traditional coffee makers, handmade jewelry, and even bullets transformed into striking works of art.
Whether you’re on the hunt for something specific or just browsing, Sarajevo’s market is sure to surprise you with its unique finds. One thing is certain: you won’t leave empty-handed.
In addition to all the fun shopping, Sarajevo market is also home to some fascinating pieces of architecture. Among them stands the Sarajevo Clock Tower, a historic marvel with a unique story to tell.
Sarajevo Clock Tower Still Shows Ala Turca Time
Do you know what Ala Turca time is?
If you glance at the Sarajevo Clock Tower and then check your own watch, you’ll notice they show different times. Surprisingly, both are correct. Confused? Let me explain.
In our modern world, each day is divided into 24 hours, with each hour lasting 60 minutes. But during the Ottoman Empire, a different system was used—Ala Turca time. In this system, the day was split into two 12-hour periods: one from sunrise to sunset (daytime) and the other from sunset to sunrise (nighttime). This meant that the length of an hour wasn’t fixed; it changed with the seasons. For example, during winter, a nighttime hour could be longer than a daytime hour, and in summer, the opposite was true.
Never heard of this? You’re not alone. That’s because there’s only one public clock in the world still keeping time Ala Turca—and it’s standing right in front of you. Many tourists walk right past it, unaware of the centuries-old rhythm it preserves. But now you know its secret. And here is another one: a clock like this requires manual adjustment, meaning the centuries-old profession of a timekeeper still exists in Sarajevo.
There is definitely a lot to learn about Sarajevo’s Ottoman architecture. But as variety is the spice of life, let’s mix it up and explore a bit of Sarajevo’s Austro-Hungarian legacy.
The Glamour of Vijećnica (Sarajevo Town Hall)
Sarajevo Town Hall is impossible to miss. Grand, glamorous, and radiating color, this iconic building commands attention. Its striking palette of warm yellow and vibrant orange, paired with playful stripes, feels like a burst of sunshine in the heart of the city. Yet, while its lively colours exude cheerfulness, the intricate details and architectural sophistication elevate it to a realm of undeniable grandeur.
As you stand before its façade, you might think of Sarajevo Ottoman architecture. The arches and ornate embellishments certainly echo an Islamic influence. However, this masterpiece was built in the Neo-Moorish style, a 19th-century European movement that sought to romanticise and reinterpret Islamic design. It’s a perfect fit for Sarajevo, a city where cultures and histories blend seamlessly.
What to see in Sarajevo City Hall
The interior of Sarajevo Town Hall is just as breathtaking as its exterior. Step into the grand entrance hall, and you might feel your jaw drop. Every inch is a feast for the eyes. Your gaze moves from the richly patterned floor to the columns adorned with decorative arches. Then your eyes catch the intricate wall paintings, only to be drawn further upward to the second tier of arches and an elaborate ceiling. Finally, the pièce de résistance: a massive stained-glass mosaic covering the roof, casting colourful light across the hall. It’s hard to imagine how so much glamour could be contained in a single space.
After this dazzling display, the other rooms do feel simpler by comparison, focusing primarily on exhibitions. But it may just be that the light doesn’t seem as bright because we have just been looking at the sun.
The next part of this article talks about darker parts in Sarajevo history including mentions of war. If you find these topics triggering feel free to skip over it and jump to the last part of the blogpost.
But as bright and vibrant the building is, it also has a very dark part. On the bottom floor of Sarajevo there is an exhibition on War time Crimes against humanity. It’s the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen. I came out crying and unable to comprehend how one could take another human being through so much suffering.
On this sad note we are stepping into the sad chapters of Sarajevo story. It is the city that survived a sage and a city where World War One started, so there are more exhibits to see in Sarajevo on this topic, but these are a couple of places where as much as I was able to handle.
The Heartbreaking Stories of Sarajevo
Pay Respect at Sarajevo Eternal Flame
In a laurel wreath an eternal flame burns in memory and honour for those who lost their lives during the Second World War when Sarajevo was fighting for its freedom. It’s a powerful symbol of Sarajevo’s resilience.
The Pain Behind Sarajevo Roses
As you walk through Sarajevo, you will notice unusual marks on the pavement—cracks in the concrete filled with red, resembling splatters of blood. These are Sarajevo Roses, silent yet powerful memorials that mark places where mortar shells exploded, claiming countless lives during the siege of Sarajevo.
Each rose tells a story of unimaginable loss, turning scars into poignant reminders of the city’s resilience. There are around 200 of these roses scattered across Sarajevo, blending into the urban landscape yet impossible to ignore once you know their meaning.
After this I believe we need a bit of fresh air to clear up our minds and dry our tears. And what better way to refresh than with some crisp mountain air? So let’s head to Trebević Mountain.
What to See in Sarajevo Olympic Mountain?
Breathtaking Heights Without Breaking a Sweat: Sarajevo Cable Car
Ticket prices and working hours
While hiking Trebević Mountain might sound adventurous, the ~8-hour journey one way isn’t exactly practical for a packed itinerary. Thankfully, there’s a much easier option that saves your legs without sacrificing the views—the Sarajevo Cable Car.
As you ascend, you glide over the city’s rooftops, which grow smaller and smaller until they resemble tiny tiles in a mosaic. The cable car offers a unique perspective of Sarajevo, blending the urban landscape with the surrounding natural beauty.
Once you reach the top, you’re welcomed by a symbol of Sarajevo’s Olympic legacy: the iconic Olympic rings. And then, something unexpected—wild horses roam freely in the area. These majestic creatures, with their glossy coats catching the sunlight, move gracefully across the mountain. While they are beautiful to watch, it’s important to keep a respectful distance. These are wild animals, and approaching them could be dangerous. Admire them from afar, letting their presence add a touch of magic to your visit without disturbing their natural behaviour.
The panoramic views at the summit are nothing short of breathtaking. Blue, fog-kissed mountains stretch endlessly into the horizon, while the city of Sarajevo lies below, its red-roofed houses dotting the valley. It’s a picture-perfect scene you’ll never forget.
Walking the Olympic Legacy: Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track
A lot has changed since Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984, but a few relics from that grand event remain. Among them is Vučko, the cheerful wolf mascot, whose face you’ll still find on souvenirs and murals. And then there’s the abandoned bobsleigh track, just a short walk from the cable car station—a haunting yet fascinating piece of Olympic history.
Stepping onto the bobsleigh track feels bittersweet. This concrete path, once alive with the rush of sleighs and the roar of the crowd, is now overgrown with plants and adorned with colourful graffiti. Some say it’s become an open-air gallery, but I can’t help to think of the vibrant street art just masking the sadness of its slow decay. It’s both a reminder of the city’s shining moment on the global stage and the passage of time since.
Thoughts?
Although there are so many intriguing things to see in Sarajevo, I believe it’s the stories the city tells that truly set it apart from any other place I’ve visited. So, if you visit Sarajevo, be sure to read the information and listen to the stories of locals. Every tour guide I’ve met in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been kind-hearted and willing to share the tales of traditions and history that have shaped Sarajevo into the vibrant and unforgettable city it is today.
FAQs about visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Is Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina walkable?
We used the car to get from our Airbnb to the Sarajevo city centre, but from there all the attractions I’ve listed on our guide on what to see in Sarajevo were within walking distance. To get to the top of the mountain you would either have to drive or go by the cable car though.
What to see in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina if you have very limited time?
If I was pressed on time and had to pick only one or two places to see in Sarajevo, I would go with the Market and the Sebilj. Both perfectly reflect the lively, bustling vibe of the city.
What foods to try in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Check out my blogpost about the food tour we did.
What to see in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina if it rains?
Most of the places in our list of what to see in Sarajevo are outdoors. I do believe you can still enjoy most of them with an umbrella or a raincoat. But if you are looking for what to do in Sarajevo indoors you could consider – Sarajevo War tunnel, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and Sarajevo townhall.
What to see near Sarajevo?
Great options for daytrips are Tito’s bunker and historic town of Mostar.
Enjoyed our story on what to see in Sarajevo?
Check out the full itinerary of our Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina road trip