Sarajevo is not just a city. It’s an experience, a contrast, and a story that can’t be understood through a single photo or a short guide. In one moment you hear church bells and the call to prayer at the same time, smell roasted chestnuts and fresh coffee, while walking between buildings that tell stories from five different eras. If you’re planning a visit, here are ten places that will show you what Sarajevo truly is.
What makes this place even more special is that it’s not just any city – Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unlike many European capitals, it isn’t built on grandeur or polished facades. Instead, it’s a city of layers: Ottoman bazaars next to Austro-Hungarian avenues, modern glass towers overlooking red rooftops, and mountains hugging the valley on every side.
People don’t come here only to see landmarks; they come to feel the atmosphere, taste the food, and experience the warmth of locals who treat strangers like old friends. Sarajevo may be small in size, but it’s one of those capitals that stays with you long after you leave.
If you’re planning a visit, here are ten places that will show you what Sarajevo truly is.
Table of Contents
1. Baščaršija – the heart of Sarajevo
If you want to feel the real spirit of the city, start with Baščaršija. This old bazaar from the 15th century is still alive and buzzing today. Narrow streets, stone pavement, coppersmiths at work, and the smell of grilled ćevapi – all combine to create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.
Even though it’s more than five centuries old, Baščaršija is not a museum. It’s a living place where locals and tourists walk every day, where you can buy handmade souvenirs and at the same time sit in a modern café just a few steps away. Located in the very center, it’s easiest to explore on foot. Late afternoon is the best time to visit – the sun is softer, the streets are lively, but not overcrowded. Take a seat on a terrace and order Bosnian coffee. Here, coffee isn’t just a drink – it’s a small ritual.
But Sarajevo is more than cobblestones and markets. When you need a break from the crowds, the city offers something completely different only a few kilometers away – the freshness and power of Skakavac Waterfall.
2. Skakavac Waterfall – escape into nature
Just 12 kilometers from the center lies a completely different world – Skakavac Waterfall, the highest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Surrounded by dense forest and standing more than 90 meters tall, it’s the perfect getaway from city noise.
Walking along the forest path, one moment you still hear cars in the distance, and the next it’s only birdsong and the roar of water. To reach it, most people drive or take a taxi to the village of Nahorevo, from where a marked trail leads into the woods. The hike is not too demanding, but good shoes and a bottle of water are recommended. The waterfall is most impressive in spring and autumn, when the water is strongest and the forest is full of colors.
After the calm of the forest and the sound of the falls, it’s time to return to the city – but from above. Bijela Tabija has been guarding Sarajevo for centuries, and from its walls you can see just how much the city is surrounded by mountains and life.
3. Bijela Tabija (White Fortress) – the city from above
High above Sarajevo, on a hill that carries Ottoman history, stands Bijela Tabija, a fortress from the 16th century. From here, you get the best panoramic view of the city.
Standing on the fortress walls feels like holding Sarajevo in your hands: red rooftops, minarets, church towers, and modern buildings stretching through the valley. At dusk, when the lights begin to glow, the view becomes almost cinematic. You can walk up from Baščaršija in about 20 minutes or simply take a taxi. The best time to come is at sunset – this is where the most iconic photos of Sarajevo are taken.
And if you look further from the fortress, you’ll notice the mountains that embrace the city. One of them is especially famous – Bjelašnica, the mountain that introduced Sarajevo to the world during the 1984 Winter Olympics.
4. Bjelašnica – the Olympic mountain
Bjelašnica hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics and today it’s one of the most visited spots near Sarajevo. In winter it’s a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, while in summer it attracts hikers and mountain bikers.
What makes Bjelašnica special is the contrast: while you’re up there in snow and cold air, just a 30-minute drive away the city is busy and the smell of fresh burek from bakeries fills the streets. You can get there by car or minibus from the city center. In winter, check road and weather conditions before going; in summer, the green meadows and trails make it ideal for a full-day trip.
After mountain air and wide views, returning to the city leads you back to its architectural beauty. And nothing shows that better than the Vijećnica – a building that, like Sarajevo itself, rose again from ashes.
5. Vijećnica – the phoenix of stone
One of Sarajevo’s most beautiful buildings is the Vijećnica. Built in the late 19th century in pseudo-Moorish style, it served as the city hall and later as the national library. During the war it was burned and destroyed, but today it has been fully restored and shines once more.
Inside you’ll find colorful details, stained glass, and ornate arches that feel like a scene from a fairy tale. It’s located right next to Baščaršija, so it’s easy to combine with a walk through the old town. Mornings are the best time to visit, before the large tour groups arrive. If the Vijećnica tells the story of the past, the King Fahd Mosque speaks about Sarajevo today. While the old city is filled with Ottoman mosques, this one shows the modern face of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
6. King Fahd Mosque – Sarajevo’s modern side
Unlike the Ottoman mosques in the old town, the King Fahd Mosque shows a different Sarajevo – modern and contemporary. Opened in 2000, it’s the largest mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina, built as a gift from Saudi Arabia.
Its size and modern design stand in contrast to the smaller, historic mosques of Sarajevo, but together they reflect the city’s diversity. The mosque is located in Alipašino Polje, about 15 minutes by car from the center, and is most peaceful in the afternoon hours.
And just as the mosque reflects Sarajevo’s modern identity, the Avaz Twister Tower shows its ambition for the future. any medals, but it received global praise for the warmth of its welcome and the flawless organization.
7. Avaz Twister Tower – the city’s skyscraper
For a completely different view of Sarajevo, climb the Avaz Twister Tower. At 176 meters, it’s the tallest building in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the top there’s an observation deck with views over the city and surrounding mountains. Compared to the old fortress views, this one is all about glass, steel, and modern energy. The tower is in the business district and the elevator takes you to the top in seconds. Early evening is the perfect time – the city lights up beneath you and Sarajevo looks like a modern European capital. But Sarajevo is not only glass and steel. In the very center, while cafés and shops are crowded, stands the Sacred Heart Cathedral – quiet, dignified, and deeply rooted in the city’s tradition.
8. Sacred Heart Cathedral – silence in the city center
In the heart of Sarajevo stands the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the largest Catholic church in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its neo-Gothic towers make it one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
What makes it unique is the contrast: while you stand in front of the cathedral, you can also hear the call to prayer from a nearby mosque. That is Sarajevo – different faiths, side by side. Located in Ferhadija, the main pedestrian street, it’s easy to visit while exploring downtown. The best experience is in the morning, when the interior is calm and the church bells echo through the street.
And just a few minutes away is the place where local history became world history – the Latin Bridge.
9. Latin Bridge – the bridge that changed the world
Latin Bridge looks like an ordinary stone bridge, but its name is carved into world history. It was here in 1914 that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, an event that sparked the First World War.
The bridge is a symbol of how one local place can have a global impact. It stands right next to the Vijećnica, making it an easy stop during your walk through the old town. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and take a moment to imagine how this quiet spot once changed the course of history.
After so much history, the best way to end your day is above the city, where Sarajevo reveals its most beautiful side – at the Yellow Fortress.
10. Yellow Fortress – a sunset to remember
For the perfect end to your day in Sarajevo, head to the Yellow Fortress. It offers panoramic views similar to the White Fortress, but with a more relaxed, intimate vibe.
As the sun sets behind the mountains, the city lights begin to glow below. Many locals come here with drinks or snacks to sit on the old walls and enjoy the view – and once you’re there, you’ll understand why. The walk up from Baščaršija takes about 15 minutes, and the climb itself adds to the experience.
When the sun disappears and Sarajevo turns into a sparkling valley of lights, you realize this city is much more than a list of landmarks. It’s a story – and everyone who visits becomes a part of it.
Our Most Popular Tours To Sarajevo
We offer many tours that include a visit to Sarajevo and its most popular locations:
- Sarajevo Siege Tour & War Tunnel 1992 / 1996 (Most Popular)
- Full Day tour from Sarajevo to Međugorije & Mostar
- Full Day Tour from Sarajevo to Travnik and Jajce
- Full-Day 5 Cities Tour from Sarajevo to Herzegovina (Mostar)
- Full day Tour from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik (Kotor or Split)
- Full Day tour from Sarajevo to Belgrade
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Got any questions about our tours or the city? Don’t hesitate to contact us anytime for more info and booking.
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