Underrated Sarajevo

Sarajevo is probably one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Shaped by its tragic history, Sarajevo stands as a true testament to the last centuries. However, precisely because of this, the city today is among the most impressive cultural assets in the Balkan region. Allow me to guide you through Sarajevo and its history and find out why the city is a real hidden gem.

If you plan to visit Sarajevo, I recommend planning a whole road trip through this beautiful country. The hilly landscape, green forests, and light green rivers are characteristic of Bosnia's idyllic and peaceful scenery. Numerous small villages and ruined towns such as Mostar, Počitelj, Trebinje, Neum, and Blagaj define the diverse charm of the country and lead you into a seemingly enchanted world. However, since Bosnia and Herzegovina currently lacks a good highway network, I recommend traveling by plane or train. Both Tuzla and Sarajevo are easily reachable by air. If you want to see more sights besides Sarajevo, I suggest renting a car. Most attractions are within a maximum radius of 200 kilometers.

Guru Tip: The local currency is the Convertible Mark (KM). One Mark is approximately half a Euro.

As a German citizen, you can enter with a passport or a temporary passport. However, your travel documents must be valid for at least three months at the time of departure. Please note that you cannot enter with an ID card. You do not need a visa unless you plan to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 90 days. You can find more information on the Foreign Office website.

In recent centuries, Sarajevo has experienced quite a lot. Over time, the city has been repeatedly beset by takeovers and today impresses with its diverse character. Founded as a Slavic settlement, Sarajevo developed into part of the Ottoman Empire, later became part of Austria-Hungary, was in socialist hands after World War II, and today is a democratic country. The city gained fame in 1914 due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. The Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne, for whom the Bridge of Mostar was laid with hand-knotted carpets, died as a result of the planned assassination in Sarajevo. This event is considered the trigger for World War I.

After World War II, Sarajevo became part of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Influences from that time can still be discovered in the city's buildings. In 1984, Sarajevo and the country experienced a true upswing - as the host of the Winter Olympics, Bosnia and Herzegovina drew attention and brought new opportunities to the country.

Bosnia Today: Bosnia and Herzegovina is a safe country. Since the end of the war in 1995, there have been no political unrest.

During the Bosnian War, Sarajevo ultimately had to withstand a four-year siege. Even today, countless scars from this time can be found in the city that remind one of the dark days of the past. However, since the end of the war in 1995, Sarajevo has changed significantly. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a safe country. People still remember the past and have turned Sarajevo into a city that navigates a delicate balance between old remembrance and new beginnings.

Sarajevo bears witness to numerous influences. You will find adherents of various faiths in Sarajevo living peacefully side by side. Large mosques stand next to Christian and Orthodox churches, and Sarajevo's turbulent history is reflected in its architecture: You will find a colorful mix of Ottoman, socialist, and modern buildings throughout the city.

The city is considered a prime example of how easily Eastern and Western cultures can unite.

Therefore, it is regarded as a prime example of how easily Eastern and Western cultures can unite. Of the approximately 200 mosques, you should especially visit the Gazi-Husrev-Beg Mosque. Built in 1530, it is not only the largest but also one of the oldest mosques in Sarajevo. As tourists, you can visit the mosque outside of prayer times. Please remember that it is still actively used. Therefore, please behave respectfully and dress appropriately. You can borrow a headscarf at the entrance.

The heart of Sarajevo, the Old Town Stari Grad, is a must-see. This is where pure life unfolds. Like in a Turkish bazaar, coffee houses, mosques, shisha bars, and pubs line up next to each other, attracting a colorful and diverse crowd. The people are hospitable and open: nowhere else will you feel the special atmosphere of Sarajevo as you will in the Old Town. Here, some women wear veils, while others wear short summer dresses; here, you can hear the call to prayer from the muezzin while enjoying a Sarajevsko Pivo. Tradition and modernity go hand in hand. In Sarajevo's Old Town, you will also find Baščaršija, the large marketplace, and the Sebilj Fountain, a true landmark of the city. Stroll through the narrow streets, visit one of the coffee houses, and enjoy the oriental flair. In Sarajevo's Old Town, you feel as if you've been transported to another world, yet not a bit foreign.

Sarajevo's past has marked the city. You will repeatedly discover old bullet holes in the facades of buildings, reminding you of the dark chapter of Sarajevo's history.

Everywhere a grenade exploded and left holes in the asphalt, residents filled them with red resin.

Despite these memorial reminders, the residents of Sarajevo do not allow themselves to lose their joy of life. Instead, it reminds them of the importance of living together peacefully and tolerantly. As you walk through the city, you will also discover a rose of Sarajevo here and there. These apparent splashes of color on the streets tell a sad story: everywhere a grenade exploded and left holes in the asphalt; residents filled them with red resin in memory of the deceased.

The Sarajevo Tunnel, which served as a transport route for food, medicine, weapons, fuel, and also for the wounded during the siege, can now be visited. From the Kolar family's house, you can walk a piece of the tunnel and get an impression of what life must have been like there back then. The Latin Bridge also harbors a dark history: the pretty stone bridge was the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

A little outside the city, the Yellow Bastion, Žuta Tabija, watches over the hilly landscape. Here you have a fabulous view of the city. In the evenings, many locals and tourists gather to enjoy the sunset. Just a few hundred meters away, you can explore the ruins of the white fortress Bijela Tabija.

The Trebević Cable Car is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A round trip costs 20 KM (~10€).

The old walls are freely accessible - but be careful, it's best not to go too close to the edge. In 2018, the Trebević Cable Car was reopened after being destroyed during the Bosnian War. With the gondola, you can comfortably ascend to the local mountain Trebević. From here, numerous hiking trails lead you to the old bobsled track built for the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Today, nature is gradually reclaiming its space. Numerous graffiti adorn the old track, turning it into a true lost place. Outside the city, the Vrelo Bosne awaits you, a beautiful large park where you can relax. Here, the Bosna springs and makes its way through the country. Numerous swans and birds have made themselves comfortable here and contribute to the enchanting character of this vast park.

Guru Tip: There may still be old mines hidden in the forests around Sarajevo. So be sure to stay on the paths!

The local cuisine is frankly not necessarily suitable for vegetarians. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the food is hearty and meat-heavy. Local classics like Ćevapčići, Burek, and Dolma can be found in Sarajevo at almost every corner. But coffee and tea also have a long tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina and are regarded as true delicacies.

Ćevapčići is usually made from lamb or beef. These elongated, intensely spiced meat rolls are grilled and usually served plain, though sometimes with a bit of bread. Burek, on the other hand, has various fillings. This pastry specialty is often filled with meat but can also be found with spinach and feta cheese and tastes incredibly good. Dolma is a local vegetable dish that can be served with or without meat. Feel free to express your wishes; restaurant owners often prepare a small selection of dishes for you or try to whip up something vegetarian.

As traditional as the local cuisine is the tea and coffee culture in Sarajevo. The city is teeming with small tea houses and coffee shops.

Sarajevsko Pivo not only tastes good, but it also has a very special significance for the city.

Be prepared for the coffee here to be quite strong and bitter. Perhaps you prefer a local beer. Sarajevsko Pivo not only tastes good, but it also has a very special significance for the city. During the siege, the brewery in Sarajevo was of immeasurable value. But not because of the beer, but because of the water source to which the brewery is connected. Locals therefore associate a great emotional value with their beer; you will search in vain for another variety than Sarajevsko Pivo in the capital.

In Sarajevo, the past meets the future. Here you can experience the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina while exploring a dynamic, up-and-coming city. Stroll through the little alleys, explore the oriental bazaar, or hike through the beautiful nature. East and West cultures coexist peacefully here and are part of the city's atmosphere. Sarajevo not only speaks of its past but also enchants with its magical charm and friendly atmosphere. A trip to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one you will surely not regret.