Best areas and places to stay in Sarajevo

When it comes to choosing the best place to stay during your visit to Sarajevo, it’s important to consider which area is right for you. Even though this city is relatively small compared to other European capitals, there are still plenty of options when it comes to accommodation and location. 

In this post, we will cover the best areas to stay in Sarajevo considering different budgets and travel styles. We will also share which is the best neighborhood in our opinion as every time we visit Sarajevo, we always stay in the same area (that’s how much we love it).

4 main neighborhoods to stay in Sarajevo

When it comes to the best area to stay in Sarajevo, you will quickly find that there are four main neighborhoods in town that stand out: Baščaršija, Marijin Dvor, Bistrik, and Gorica.

Each of these areas has its own unique charm and attractions. Here is a short summary of each of them so you can have a better idea:

Baščaršija is the Old Town and it is located in the heart of Sarajevo. This neighborhood offers the most interesting cultural sites in town, such as mosques and museums. It is our favorite area to stay in Sarajevo. 

Bistrik is a great option for travelers looking for budget options that are still very well located. It is a vibrant neighborhood situated on the other side of Miljacka River, very close to many restaurants, bars, and nightlife spots.

Marijin Dvor is one of the newest districts in Sarajevo where you get to experience the modern side of the city. It is becoming a very popular area to stay in Sarajevo among tourists.

Gorica is a residential area located outside the city center with great views of the surrounding hills and forests. Gorica is a great area for travelers who want to stay in a quiet, peaceful area.

Pro tip: Sarajevo may be a small city, but it is built in a valley, which means there are hills all around. On the map, you don’t always get the feeling if your hotel is high or not, but make sure you consider this if booking something further away. If you get something up on the hill, you will have to be walking up and down every time.

Now that you have a good general idea, let’s discover more about each of them.

Baščaršija – Best places to stay in Sarajevo’s Old Town

If this is your first time visiting Sarajevo, we recommend staying in Baščaršija. This is the heart of the city, so by staying in this area, you will be within walking distance of every interesting spot in town.

Being the Old Town, the general assumption is that hotels would be pricey but this is definitely not the case. You can find amazing options of places to stay in Baščaršija on all budgets – from low-cost to high-end. 

One thing to look out for is parking. If you will be traveling with a car, make sure that you get a place that offers a parking place because finding places to park on your own is not a funny business. Luckily there are a lot of accommodation options that either offer private parking or have public parking located nearby.

Here are a few of our suggestions:

• 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.
• Ferhadija Luxury Apartment: This large and spacious apartment is located right in the heart of the Baščaršija region.
• Old Town Apartments Sarajevo Bascarsija Square – SEBILJ: This apartment is ideal for a couple. It is small, but very spacious for two people and also has a great location.

Bistrik – Where to stay on the budget side of Sarajevo

Bistrik is the best option for travelers looking to stay in Sarajevo on a budget. This neighborhood combines amazing vibes, great restaurants, bars, and nightlife with low-cost accommodation options. 

Bistrik is always the second place we look for accommodation, in case we don’t find anything in Baščaršija. The best thing about Bistrik is that it is a quieter neighborhood while still being only a short walk away from the most interesting sites.

We have selected below a few options of great places to stay in Bistrik, Sarajevo:

• ApartArt Free Parking: Great place to stay in the Bistrik region, very close to the city center and with a parking garage located close by. This guesthouse offers a few options for apartments.
• GreyLux Heart of OldTown Sarajevo: If you are traveling in a larger group or a family, this is a great option for a place to stay! The apartment is very spacious and has everything you need.

Marijin Dvor – Where to stay in the new part of Sarajevo

Marijin Dvor is a neighborhood located within the modern part of Sarajevo. This area brings a very interesting mix of historical buildings and new skyscrapers, so you get to experience a different side of Sarajevo. There are a lot of new hotels popping up in this area, as it grows in popularity among tourists.

Marijin Dvor is a great option for travelers who come with a car or business visitors because it provides easy access to the city center, the airport, and many other locations of interest.

These are a few options for places to stay in Marijin Dvor when visiting Sarajevo:

• Sophies World: Do you like staying at places that feel like home? Then this is the right pick for you. A cozy apartment, very well located, and highly rated.
• Apartment Vils Promenade: Suitable for up to 4 people, this apartment has a more minimalistic style but still offers great comfort.
• Studio Apartment – A Bit Of Joy: A small studio that has everything you may need for a short stay. Ideal for 2 people.

Gorica – Where to stay in Sarajevo’s best upcoming neighborhood

Gorica is the best area to stay in Sarajevo if you are looking for somewhere quiet, yet close to the city center. This residential neighborhood is only recently opening up for tourists as more and more accommodation options start to emerge.

Since it is a very residential region, you will feel a world away from the city center, but at the same time, it is only a short drive away. Gorica is quickly becoming one of the best regions to stay in Sarajevo, especially for families.

We have put together below a list of hotel recommendations in Gorica, Sarajevo:

• Luxury Galla Apartments in the City Center: A small guesthouse that offers a few different studios and apartments for 2 or 4 people.
• Apartman Buna: Traveling in a large group? This apartment hosts up to 8 people and is fully stocked with everything you may need for your vacation.
• Luxurious and Cosy Brick Apartment – Free private parking: If you will be coming to Sarajevo with a car, this is a great option for a place to stay with parking right in front. The apartment is very cozy and within walking distance of the center.

Check the different options and best offers on the map below:

What to do in Sarajevo?

Now that you already know the best areas to stay let’s take a look into the best things to do in Sarajevo. We have prepared a full itinerary for you, which includes our favorite attractions and restaurants in town.

Do you need a car in Sarajevo?

If you plan to stay only in Sarajevo, there is no need to have a car. Most attractions are located in the city center, which you can easily visit on foot. There are only a handful of places located a bit outside and, for visiting those, you can get either a taxi or a bus.

We personally find that having a car in the center of Sarajevo is more of a hassle than it is helpful. Finding parking in the center is not easy and the traffic is often busy.

Read more:

• Driving in Bosnia
• Renting a car in Bosnia
• The full itinerary for traveling through Bosnia

We hope our guide has helped you decide where best to stay during your visit to Sarajevo so that you can make the most out of what this city has to offer! Sarajevo is one of our favorite cities in the Balkans so we really hope that you love is as much as we do!

Happy travels,

Fe & Edo