Things to do in Sarajevo
- Sarajevo is one of the few cities globally to feature a synagogue, mosque, Catholic church, and Orthodox church within the same neighborhood.
- The city hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, the first to be held in a socialist state.
- Sarajevo's topography dictates its climate, often leading to severe air inversion and winter smog due to the surrounding mountain ranges.
- The Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the oldest and most valuable illuminated Jewish manuscripts, has been preserved in the city since the late 19th century.
- The city's 'Sarajevo Rose' markers consist of concrete scars left by mortar shells during the 1990s siege, which have been filled with red resin to commemorate victims.
About Sarajevo
Sarajevo serves as the administrative and cultural hub of Bosnia and Herzegovina, uniquely defined by its convergence of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture. The city occupies a narrow valley along the Miljacka River, flanked by the Dinaric Alps. Visitors often begin at the Baščaršija bazaar, which reflects the city's 15th-century origins, before exploring the historical impact of the 20th century at the Tunnel of Salvation. The urban layout integrates religious landmarks like the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque with major political sites like the Sarajevo City Hall.
Highlights of Sarajevo
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Navigate the dense network of artisanal workshops and traditional coffee houses in this 15th-century Ottoman bazaar.
Historical places
Observe the city's most iconic wooden fountain, which acts as the symbolic center of the historic Ottoman quarter.
Museums
Walk through the preserved underground passage that served as the city's only link to the outside world during the 1990s conflict.
Places of interest
Visit the site where the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered the start of World War I.
Places of interest
Climb to this former defensive fortification for an expansive, elevated view of the city valley and its cemetery landscape.
Temples
Explore the largest historical mosque in the country, showcasing classic Ottoman architectural style dating back to 1530.
Venues
Admire the meticulously restored neo-Moorish facade of this former library and current municipal landmark.
Museums
View extensive collections detailing the natural history, archaeology, and ethnology of the Bosnia and Herzegovina region.
Top things to do in Sarajevo
The 286 highest-rated places in Sarajevo, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
Baščaršija is the 15th-century historical and cultural heart of Sarajevo, established by Isa-Beg Ishaković. The district...
2
Parks
Vrelo Bosne, or Bosna Spring, is the protected natural monument serving as the primary source of the Bosna River. The si...
3
Historical places
The Sebilj is an Ottoman-style wooden kiosk-shaped fountain situated in the heart of Sarajevo's Baščaršija square. Origi...
4
Amusement parks
Sunnyland is a recreational amusement park located in East Sarajevo, distinguished primarily by its 600-meter-long Alpin...
5
Museums
The Tunnel of Salvation, or Tunel Spasa, is an 800-meter-long underground passage constructed in 1993 beneath the Saraje...
6
Parks
Park Safet Zajko is a prominent urban green space covering approximately 10 hectares in the Novi Grad municipality of Sa...
7
Places of interest
The Latin Bridge is a historic Ottoman-era stone bridge spanning the Miljacka River in Sarajevo. It gained global histor...
8
Historical places
Vječna vatra, or the Eternal Flame, is a prominent war memorial located at the intersection of Ferhadija and Titova stre...
9
Places of interest
Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) is a 18th-century artillery fortification situated on the Jekovac cliff overlooking the hi...
10
Temples
The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is the largest historical mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the centerpiece of the 16th-ce...
11
Venues
Sarajevo City Hall, known as Vijećnica, serves as the city's primary landmark and is a masterpiece of Pseudo-Moorish arc...
12
Museums
The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country's oldest cultural and scientific institution, established i...
13
Parks
Ilidža Thermal Riviera is a large indoor-outdoor water park complex located near Sarajevo, utilizing natural geothermal...
14
Zoos
Pionirska Dolina is Sarajevo's primary recreational center, combining a zoological garden with a large landscaped park a...
15
Places of interest
Ravne 2 is a multifunctional archaeological and recreational park situated in the Visoko valley, serving as a primary si...
16
Venues
Stadium Grbavica is the home venue of FK Željezničar, one of the most prominent football clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
17
Venues
The Sarajevo National Theatre is the premier cultural institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, housed in a prominent Neo-R...
18
Temples
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna and the largest Catholic church in Bosnia and Herze...
19
Parks
Bijambare is a protected landscape located in the Dinaric Alps, characterized by a complex of eight karst caves. The Cen...
20
Parks
Ravne 2 is an archaeological and recreational park situated in the valley of the Bosnian Pyramids, maintained by the Arc...
21
Temples
The Emperor's Mosque is the oldest mosque in Sarajevo, originally commissioned in 1457 by Isa-Beg Ishaković, the founder...
22
Venues
Asim Ferhatović Hase Olympic Stadium, originally known as Koševo Stadium, is the largest sports venue in Bosnia and Herz...
23
Temples
The King Fahd Mosque in Sarajevo is the largest mosque in the Balkan region, distinguished by its modern architectural s...
24
Temples
Ali Pasha’s Mosque is a 16th-century Ottoman structure commissioned by Hadim Ali Pasha, a former governor of Egypt. It s...
25
Temples
The Istiklal Mosque, also known as the Indonesian Mosque, is a prominent religious landmark in the Otoka neighborhood of...
26
Museums
The War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo is the world's only museum dedicated exclusively to the experiences of children who...
27
Museums
Sevdah Art House is a specialized museum in Sarajevo dedicated to the history and preservation of Sevdah, the traditiona...
28
Historical places
The White Fortress (Bijela Tabija) is an Ottoman-era bastion located on a cliffside overlooking the entrance to the Milj...
29
Natural attractions
Bjelašnica is a prominent Dinaric mountain massif located 25 kilometers southwest of Sarajevo, reaching a peak elevation...
30
Places of interest
Skakavac Waterfall is a 98-meter-high cascade located within the Skakavac Nature Monument near Sarajevo. The waterfall i...
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Sarajevo on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Sarajevo
May to June or September to October, when the weather is mild and favorable for hiking the surrounding mountains or exploring the city center.
3-4 days to fully explore the historical core, museum sites, and nearby scenic lookouts.
The city features an extensive tram system complemented by buses and trolleybuses; the central historic district is best explored on foot.
Stay in Stari Grad (Old Town) for immediate access to historical sites or the Centar municipality for proximity to museums and modern infrastructure.
Mid-range; while luxury options exist, the cost of dining and accommodation is generally lower than in major Western European capitals.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 286 curated attractions in and around Sarajevo, ranked by traveller ratings.
Baščaršija is the highest-rated place to visit in Sarajevo right now.
The largest category is temples, with 149 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Zenica, Mostar, Banja Luka.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
