History casts a large shadow over Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yes, some of the best things to do in Sarajevo let you explore the seismic historical events that are associated with the city. But visitors are missing out if they don’t move past this history to see just how culturally exciting and downright beautiful Sarajevo can be, from its hilltop viewpoints and the Miljacka riverfront, to the endless old-fashioned stores and cafés of Bascarsija Bazaar.
Summer's June–August, as well as the months on either side, offer the best weather for sightseeing in Sarajevo. Summer is also a lively time to be in the city, with prominent events such as the Baščaršija Nights cultural festival and Sarajevo Film Festival creating buzz for much of the season. Even though this is generally the busiest time of year for tourism, Sarajevo doesn’t suffer the kinds of crowds some European capitals do.
Getting from one end of Sarajevo to the other would take a long time on foot. So while you can easily walk around the city’s old town, it’s better to take advantage of Sarajevo’s public transport, made up of trams, buses, and trolleybuses. You’ll likely find the city’s trams to be the most useful way to get around, with the tram lines following the river from the modern center up and around the old town.
There’s no better spot for enjoying views of the city, especially at sunset, than from the walls of the Yellow Fortress in the neighborhood of Kovači. While there’s a café in the fortress, locals tend to bring their own food and drink up with them. Alternatively, take the gondola up to the Trebević station for the panorama across the whole city.
