Itineraries for Your Trip to Sarajevo
2 Days in Sarajevo for First Timers
Two days in Sarajevo lets you branch out and explore the city in greater depth, from learning wartime history to tasting your way through Old Town cafés. A compact center makes it easy to explore a little bit of everything. Here’s how to make the most of a 2-day stay in Sarajevo.
With narrow streets and lots of history, Old Town Sarajevo is the perfect place to start exploring, whether you’re strolling on your own or joining a tour. With so much to see, don’t miss the mazelike bazaar that’s drawn merchants for centuries, as well as religious landmarks that show Sarajevo’s Jewish, Christian, and Muslim heritage.
Cozy cafés are dotted between those historic sites, so reward yourself for all that sightseeing with a well-earned treat.Ćevapi—a tasty combination of sausage, flatbread, and minced onions—is a good first course. Next, head to a pastry shop for a sweet and a tiny cup of thick, Turkish-style coffee.
Make like the locals and spend the evening strolling pedestrianized Ferhadija Street, which is lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants. There are plenty of bars to duck into, too, or you can find a ready-made party crew on a guided pub crawl of the city.
On your second day, learn about the long siege and war that shaped Sarajevo in the late 20th century. Since many here are old enough to remember key events, joining a war-themed tour can mean personal recollections and stories. Along the way, you’re likely to see the craters and bullet holes that scar the city.
Pick a destination that you didn’t cover in the morning for an in-depth visit. Options include the Sarajevo War Tunnel that was used for smuggling goods into the city, the War Childhood Museum, and the moving Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide.
Locals drink more than coffee: Another favorite beverage is rakija, a powerful fruit brandy served everywhere. Be sure to try some on your final night here, whether on your own or as part of a gourmet tour.