3-Day Itinerary in Sarajevo: the best things to see in Bosnia’s capital!

Sarajevo is a city full of history and surprises. It is by far one of our favorite cities in the Balkans because it is so diverse and unique. This guide is for you if you’re planning a trip to Sarajevo and want to get the best out of your time there. And guess what? You can easily fit all the best things to do in Sarajevo in just 3 days!

In this guide, we’ve put together an itinerary that covers the best things to do in 3 days in Sarajevo so you can make your trip as memorable as possible. We have combined a bit of our personal experience with interesting tips we got from locals during our visits to create this epic 3-day Sarajevo itinerary.

Sarajevo Itinerary Day 1: Exploring the Old Town

Sarajevo is a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, and this is one of the things that make this city so special. On one side, you have mosques, bazaars, and a clear influence of the Ottoman times. On the other, you have Catholic and Orthodox churches along with Austrian-style buildings and a modern side of town.

On the first day of your 3 days in Sarajevo, the idea is that you explore the capital’s Old Town, which represents the Western side. Sarajevo’s Old Town is the heart and soul of the city.

Below we will guide you step-by-step through everything you need to see on this first day in Sarajevo:

The Sarajevo Sebilj and the Baščaršija region

The Baščaršija region is a lively pedestrian zone filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. This is the center of Sarajevo’s Old Town and a point you can use for reference when getting a taxi or searching for accommodation (more about this later!).

One of the most important attractions of the Baščaršija region is the Sarajevo Sebilj, a wooden fountain also known as Pigeon Square (for obvious reasons). The Sebilj is one of the most famous landmarks in Sarajevo and it dates back to 1753. There is a local legend that says that whoever drinks the water from the Sebilj fountain will return to Sarajevo someday – so make sure you have a sip just to be safe.

Wander around and do some shopping at the Old Town Bazaar

The Old Town Bazaar is one of the most popular attractions in Sarajevo and it reminds us a lot of Bazaars in Istanbul and other Ottoman-influenced cities. The market extends through the entire Baščaršija region and it is filled with souvenir shops, traditional restaurants (in fact, some of the best places to eat are here!), and coffee places. 

If you are looking to bring home some souvenirs from your trip to Sarajevo, this is the best place to get them as you will find the most variety. They also sell beautiful handmade pots and džezva, which they use to make traditional Bosnian coffee.

PS: Make sure you carry cash with you if you intend on buying things at the Bazaar.

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque

You will quickly notice that the Old Town revolves around the mosque located in the center, called Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Tourists can visit the mosque if dressed appropriately, outside of prayer hours. You can buy the ticket directly on-site. I really recommend doing so, the mosque is beautiful from the inside!

On a quick walk around the mosque, you can notice that many other buildings have the same name Gazi Husrev-beg. That is because there is an entire complex built to support the community – from schools to a library and museum. The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is a very important spot in the city, not only as an attraction but also for the locals.

Pass by the Old Bezistan Covered Market

Since you will be in the area, make sure you pass by the Old Bezistan Covered Market. It has changed a lot throughout the years but it is an important part of Sarajevo’s history. During the Ottoman Empire, this was an important market used to trade things like fabrics and spices, even though nowadays the building is prettier from the outside than inside. 

On that same square, you can also see the ruins of Tašlihan, which was used as an inn for merchants during the Ottoman times.

Visit the Markale for fresh local produce & see the Sarajevo Roses

The Markale is not a place many travel guides recommend visiting, but for us, checking out the local market is one of the best ways of getting in contact with the local culture. This is where you can find fresh produce directly from the farmers. We tried some amazing cheese and charcuterie in there, we can strongly recommend it.

In Sarajevo, the Markale is very worth the visit not only for the local produce but also for its historical importance. During the Siege of Sarajevo, a violent massacre happened just outside the market that caused the death of many people. The place where it happened is marked by a red symbol on the floor, called a Sarajevo Rose.

You can find the Sarajevo Roses throughout the entire town, they are memorials of places where attacks happened, which were in most cases mortar explosions. The exact location where the mortars exploded was then painted with red resins around to make up the memorial roses.

Stand in the middle of Sarajevo’s Meeting of cultures

Remember that I started this guide by saying that one of the most special things about Sarajevo was how the Eastern and Western cultures are able to coexist in one place?

Well, this is the exact place that marks the encounter of both sides.

The “Meeting of cultures” is marked by a line on the floor. It is easy to spot as very often there are groups of tourists around it. If you stand in the middle and look to one side, you will see the Western side only. If you turn around, you will be facing the Eastern side. The differences between them are very clearly visible, which makes this such a strong symbol of the city.

Go for a traditional Bosnian coffee and baklava

You cannot say you have truly experienced Sarajevo until you have stopped for a traditional Bosnian coffee. The place we recommend going to is called Coffee Dućan.

From the outside, you cannot see much but once you walk in, you will see the entire courtyard filled with tables and people having coffee and tea outside. It has a very interesting vibe and they serve true Bosnian coffee.

Kovači Martyr’s Cemetery

During the afternoon part of this first day of your Sarajevo itinerary, we recommend walking up to the Kovači Martyr’s Cemetery. This is the main cemetery for soldiers who died during the Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo.

Those were very violent times in Bosnia’s capital, with over 300 grenades per day and almost 12,000 residents deceased, including 1,500 children. If you want to learn more in-depth about the city’s history, we recommend doing a Free Walking Tour that is led by local guides who share the story of the war and much more.

Climb up to the Yellow Fortress to see Sarajevo from above

Just a few meters higher than the cemetery is the Yellow Fortress, where you can see an ample view of the city of Sarajevo. It was built between 1727 and 1739 and it used to serve as one of the defense points against the Austro-Hungarian empire.

Entrance to the Yellow Fortress is free and you can enter from 8 am to midnight every day. There is a small cafe located at the top, but the best thing about this place is the view. Sarajevo is surrounded by hills and from here, you can get a very good idea of how the entire city is displayed.

Pro tip: The Yellow Fortress is one of the best places in Sarajevo for watching the sunset! Walk up at the end of the day if you want to catch the sunset light from the top.

Sarajevo Itinerary Day 2: Getting to know the Eastern side of the city

Since the first day of the 3-day Sarajevo itinerary was dedicated to the Western part of the city, it is now time to explore the Eastern side.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Only a few meters after the “Meeting of Cultures” point that you have been on the first day of this Sarajevo Itinerary, you will find the largest catholic church in Bosnia and Herzegovina called Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The Cathedral is considered one of the most important landmarks of Sarajevo and it is even featured in the flag of Sarajevo Canton and the coat of arms of Sarajevo.

Throughout the year, there are often events happening in the square in front of the Cathedral.

See the Eternal Flame

The Eternal Flame of Sarajevo is a memorial for the victims of World War II and a must-visit landmark. A simple tribute, the monument has been burning since 1946, the first anniversary of the liberation of Sarajevo after it was under the control of the German Nazis for four years.

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos

In this 3-Day Sarajevo Guide, we have guided you through a Mosque and a Catholic church, so now it is time to see the largest Orthodox Church in Sarajevo.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos is a Serbian Orthodox Church located in a beautiful square. The entrance is free.

Walk to the Latin Bridge

The Latin Bridge is one of the most important places in Sarajevo when it comes to world history. It was on this bridge in 1914 that a shot rang out and Gavrilo Princip assassinated Austrian Archduke Ferdinand – the event which started WWI.

Today there is a memorial plaque at the site of the shooting and also a museum around the corner that covers all about this historical event. It is worth taking time to go stand at the very spot where the world changed forever.

Take a nice walk through Miljacka Riverfront

The Miljacka Riverfront is one of my favorite places in Sarajevo. We strongly recommend you spare some time on your schedule to just walk through the streets and take in the atmosphere of the town.

By the river, you will find many important buildings such as the National Theatre, and some of the university buildings such as the Academy of Fine Arts, which is a remarkable building.

Walk up to Vijećnica, the old City Hall

On one of the edges of the river, one building stands out: the Vijećnica.
The building was built in 1896, during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Vijećnica has had an eventful history: it was used as the old City Hall, then the National Library, until it was severely damaged during the Siege of Sarajevo when most of the books were destroyed.

Nowadays, Vijećnica is one of the strongest symbols of Sarajevo. It has since been fully reconstructed and reopened in 2014. It is currently used for official political and cultural events.

You can buy a ticket at the door to visit the inside.

Emperor’s Mosque

The most impressive mosque located on the other side of the Miljacka river is the Emperor’s Mosque. The Mosque is rather small compared to other mosques, but it stands out because of its unique design and beautiful colors.

The Emperor’s Mosque is open for visits outside of praying times, provided that you are dressed accordingly.

Have a beer at the iconic Sarajevska Pivara (the Sarajevo Brewery)

We left this recommendation for the end of Day 2 of the Sarajevo Travel Itinerary on purpose – we recommend going for a visit to the Brewery in the afternoon.

Visiting the Sarajevo Brewery was one of our favorite things to do in the city. When we went, the factory itself was closed for visits but they used to offer a tour, so you should definitely check if it is available during your visit.

Whether you do the tour or not, you can always have a beer at the Sarajevo Brewery’s bar. We cannot recommend it enough! The atmosphere of the bar is so unique, it feels like stepping back in time as soon as you pass through the doors. It is a great spot for a happy hour drink.

To wrap up this second day of the Sarajevo itinerary, we recommend going out for dinner in the Old Town. Continue reading to see the restaurants we recommend.

Sarajevo Itinerary Day 3: Learn more about the city in its museums

The last day of this 3-day Sarajevo itinerary is dedicated to learning more about the history of the city and Bosnia in general. Sarajevo is full of museums and galleries so it can be a bit daunting trying to figure out which ones are worth going to. I am sure there are many of them worth your buck, but two of them deserve specific attention.

Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum

The Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum is one of the most interesting museums we have been to during our entire time in Bosnia. As the name suggests, the museum is about the story of the Sarajevo War Tunnel, a tunnel built under the airport during the siege that was crucial for keeping the people and the city alive.

We won’t spoil too much about what you will see there, but the War Tunnel Museum is very interactive and very rich in history. It is definitely on the top of the list of things we recommend seeing in Sarajevo, regardless if you have only 2 or 3 days in town.

Visiting the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum will take up a bit of your time because it is not located in the city center and it is not connected to any public transport. If you will not be traveling in your own rental car, the best way to get to the museum is to either organize the trip with a taxi or go on a tour. The taxi company we used is called Crveni Taxi (number +387 033 760 600) and you can arrange for the driver to wait for you or come pick you up at a certain time.

Gallery 11/07/95 or Srebrenica Gallery

The second museum we strongly recommend visiting is the Gallery 11/07/95, located in the same square as the Sacred Heart Cathedral. This museum takes you on a journey via photos and videos through the Srebrenica massacre that happened on 11/07/95.

This is a very impactful museum, but it is very well made and it is a story that is worth knowing so it hopefully does not ever repeat itself. In addition to the main exhibition, they often have additional showings which vary throughout the year. You can expect to spend a couple of hours in the gallery as the exhibition is extensive.

Finish your day going up to Mount Trebevic

To wrap up your experience in Sarajevo, the last item on our list of best things to do is go up to Mount Trebevic. Located on the opposite side of the river as the Yellow Fortress, from the top of Mount Trebevic you also get a nice overview of Sarajevo from a different angle.

You can go up by cable car or hiking (we recommend the first!). Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympic Games which was a big deal to the Bosnian people, they celebrate it until this day. One of the most iconic places during the 84 Games was the bobsled track built on top of Mount Trebevic. Nowadays, the track is abandoned but you can still walk through a part of it. It is now full of graffiti paintings.

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This wraps up our recommendations of the best things to do in Sarajevo in 3 days. We truly believe that if you follow our Sarajevo Itinerary, you will get to know the most important places in the city and learn many things about its history in the meantime.

Tours in Sarajevo

If you want to know more about Sarajevo, the best thing to do is get a tour as the guide will be able to give you insights from a local perspective, which is very unique.

These are the best options if you are looking for a tour to visit Sarajevo:

• Do a self-tour by downloading the free app Guide2Sarajevo. It is provided by city tourism and will give you information on each site you visit. It is very useful.
• Book a guided tour via Get Your Guide 
• Join the Free Walking Tour that happens every day in Sarajevo. They have a couple of different tour options – see which one you like best.

How many days do you need in Sarajevo?

We recommend staying at least three full days in Sarajevo if you really want to visit the best things the city has to offer.

Sarajevo is a large city, with a lot to see and do. You can still fit in most of the attractions listed in this Sarajevo Itinerary if you only have 2 days in the city but know you will be missing out on some of the things (especially the museums, which take time).

We visited Sarajevo during our road trip through Bosnia – check here our full Bosnia itinerary.

What is the best month to visit Sarajevo?

The best months to visit Sarajevo are from April to October. During this time, temperatures are mild and the city is filled with things to do. The peak months for tourism are July and August, which is when the city is at its fullest. I recommend avoiding those months because it can get a bit too hot, so it is not that comfortable to walk outside all day.

My favorite month to visit Sarajevo is September, as it has the perfect summer-like weather and far fewer crowds than August.

If you’re planning a winter trip to Sarajevo, make sure you pack warm clothes as it gets really chilly. During the winter, you can combine your visit to Sarajevo with a ski trip as there are a few snow slopes around the city.

How to get to Sarajevo?

If you will be coming from abroad, the easiest way to get to Sarajevo is to fly into town via Sarajevo International Airport. Bosnia has three other airports that you can check for flight options – read more about them in our Bosnia airport guide.

If you will be coming from one of the other Balkan countries, you can also prefer to drive to Sarajevo. This is what we normally do since we live in Slovenia. Read more about how is it to drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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If those options do not suit your budget or schedule, check the options available for public transport (we often use Omio or Rome2Rio to check the best alternatives) or book a tour to Sarajevo on Get Your Guide.

Do you need a car to move around in Sarajevo?

No, the great majority of things we recommended you to visit on this Sarajevo Itinerary can be visited by foot. The Old Town and Baščaršija are very small, so you will rarely need a car or public transport. In fact, the only attraction on this list that you will not be able to walk to is the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum.

Finding parking in the center of Sarajevo is not easy, especially for a foreigner. If you will be visiting Sarajevo with a vehicle, we recommend reserving an accommodation that offers a parking place. See some options below.

Where to stay in Sarajevo?

The best place to stay in Sarajevo is close to the Old Town. This way, you can be sure that you will be able to explore the best attractions in the city on foot.

Here are our recommendations for places to stay in Sarajevo:

• Apartment Sanny: This is the place where we stayed during our last trip to Sarajevo and we can definitely recommend it. The apartment was perfect for 4 people, with two rooms and two bathrooms. The location was amazing and our friendly host let us keep the car in her personal covered garage, which was perfect.
• Hotel Story: A 4-star hotel located in the heart of Sarajevo. This hotel is a great option for couples and families, with great comfort and an impeccable location.
• Apartmani 071: Simple and functional, perfect for couples. Located steps away from the Old Town, this accommodation offers free parking which is very convenient.

If you want to know more about the different neighborhoods, check out our detailed guide on where to stay in Sarajevo!

Where to eat in Sarajevo?

No travel guide is complete without proper food recommendations, right?

Sarajevo has some of the best and most affordable food we have eaten during our Balkan adventure. Everywhere we stopped to eat, we were always so satisfied and surprised by the flavors – even if they were the simplest of places.

Here is our top list of places to eat in Sarajevo:

• Inat Kuća – Our favorite restaurant for dinner. The atmosphere is amazing, we got a table right by the river, and the menu is filled with traditional Bosnian recipes. Everything we had was delicious.
• Željo 2 – This is the best place for having čevapi in Sarajevo. Čevapi is the traditional Bosnian barbecue (you can see it in the picture above) and you have to try it at least once while in the country.
• Čevabdžnica Nune – Another great option for having čevapi, would be second on our list of preferences.
• Buregdžnica Bosna – The best place in Sarajevo for eating burek, a traditional pastry-filled dish that is to die for. Our favorite ones are the meat and the potato (but you should ask for whatever is freshly made cause that will be the tastiest).
• Nanina Kuhinja – Small but great place for eating typical Bosnian food. Located in the Old Town, it is one of the few places where you can get alcoholic beverages with your meal.
• Staklo – If you are looking for a cheap and homemade meal, this place will be just right for you. It is easy to pass by it unnoticed because the front is very small but the food we had was amazing and incredibly affordable.

Where to go for a drink in Sarajevo?

When it comes to drinks, it is important to mention that in the Baščaršija region, most restaurants do not serve alcoholic beverages (with a few exceptions).

During our trip, these were our favorite places for having a drink in Sarajevo:

• Fabrikka Bar: Located inside a small alley, this small bar serves amazing craft beer. The best thing about Fabrikka is that it is quite isolated so it is not as noisy as the other places. We loved the vibe here so much that we came back a couple of times in 3 days.
• Vučko Gastro Bar: Another great pub for having a happy hour drink in the afternoon.
• Sarajevo Brewery: If you want to have a local beer in style, there is no other place to go than Sarajevo Brewery.

Sarajevo is a great destination for those who want to experience Eastern European culture and history. With its mix of modern and traditional things to do, 3 days in Sarajevo are guaranteed to be full of memorable experiences. We highly recommend visiting the attractions mentioned above as well as exploring the city on foot.

Don’t forget to indulge in the amazing food and drinks Sarajevo has to offer! Enjoy your trip!