What to do in Sarajevo

Check out our travel notes

At Hostelsclub, we are also keen independent travelers and like sharing our private travel experiences. We have been to Sarajevo, loved it, and are going to share with you what we have done and seen in this wonderful Balkan city.

Discover Svrzo House
It's such a well preserved example of 18th-century family house, which makes it very easy to understand how a rich Muslim Sarajevo family could have lived during the Ottoman Empire; it is worth its while as it is fully furnished with original furniture, carpets, fabrics and utensils.


Take a stroll along the Miljacka
Take a stroll along the river Miljacka and don't forget to stop in Appel Quay, where the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand took place.

Check out "Pigeon Square"
Baščaršija Square is located in the western part of Sarajevo Old Town and it is also known as Pigeon Square; right in the middle you will find a wooden sebilj, a typical muslin public water fountain. From "Pigeon Square" we suggest you take any of the little alleys going up to the hill to enjoy nice views over Sarajevo.


Sit in one of the many coffee places along Ferhadija
It's a very long pedestrian street, linking Baščaršija to Marsala Tita: it's flanked with terraced coffee places and shops and it's perfect for a cake and a coffee fix!

Browse around Baščaršija
This is Sarajevo's ancient bazar area, populated by a net of narrow cobbledstoned alleys, flanked by little stands and shops (selling anything from cheap souvenirs to beautiful and precious crafts, spices, copperware, and carpets), restaurants, countless shisha bars and cevabdzinicas. Cevabdzinicas are restaurants serving pretty much only cevapi, grilled meat sausages served with chopped onion, flat bread similar to pita bread and topped with kaymak or sour cream for an extra kick; the most popular one in Baščaršija is hands down Zeljo.


There is also the Tunnel Museum and the Sniper Alley
Sarajevo is as lively as ever but in the 1990s it was a city under siege for more than 2 years. Traveling also lets you learn and evolve, become a better human being and question yourself. The Tunnel Museum, the Sniper Alley or the bobsled track may leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth but they will definitely make you understand why war is never the answer, and why you should work against even the smallest act of violence you might come across in your ordinary life.

Have a local beer at Sarajevska Pivara
Visit Sarajevska Brewery and taste Sarajevo's very own beer produced in the local brewery since the end of the 19th century. The brewery has an onsite cosy bar where you can sit and drink a fresh draught beer. If you wish to buy some, or an official glass, there is even an outlet for visitors.


Buy a ticket for the Sarajevo Film Festival
Traveling to Sarajevo in August? Well, don't miss the Sarajevo Film Festival, which is getting more and more popular. Movie screenings are available in venues throughout the city, and tickets can be easily purchased also at the last minute. The 20th edition runs from the 15th to the 23rd of August 2014.

Search here for Sarajevo's greatest hostels and don't forget to check our top 10 best Balkan hostels.

Flickr pics are by Jennifer Boyer and were under the Creative Commons licence at the time of publication.