As the capital of Bosnia Herzegovina, Sarajevo has a long history that tells a mesmerizing story. The must-see Sarajevo sights span several centuries – and are concentrated in the heart of the city.
We created a Self-Guided Free Walking Tour of Sarajevo to help other travelers see and understand those top sights. Our Sarajevo Tour serves as a perfect introduction for any Bosnia Itinerary.
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Sarajevo Free Walking Tour
Sarajevo sightseeing is best done on foot and we designed a Self-Guided Sarajevo Walking Tour that features the top attractions.
This route is about 5 miles long and will take approximately 3-5 hours. Our Sarajevo Free Tour is accompanied by detailed information, step-by-step directions, and a Sarajevo Map of Sights at the end of the article.
Sarajevo Sights History
Before setting off on a Sarajevo City Tour, it helps to know a bit about the history. Although it’s past is complex and often difficult, having a basic understanding of these events is essential when sightseeing Sarajevo.
Early Sarajevo History
Civilizations have resided in the area since the Neolithic Butmir Culture, eventually followed by the Illyrians. The Kingdom of Bosnia was formed in the 12th century, when the town was called Vrhbosna (top of Bosnia).
However, it wasn’t until the Ottomans arrived in the 1400s that the city of Sarajevo was established. Accepting of people from all cultures and religions, the city welcomed Muslims, Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Jews.
Ottoman Rule in Sarajevo
The 16th century was the golden age of Ottoman rule. There was a water system and bathhouses, a clock tower and library, schools and religious buildings.
Sarajevo reigned as the biggest and one of the wealthiest cities in the region, with a population of 80,000 residents. However, the oncoming demise of the Ottoman Empire led to an invasion.
The city was attacked and destroyed by fire in 1697. The next 200 years saw further decline, as Sarajevo was devastated by the Plague, more fires and war.
Sarajevo and the Austro-Hungarian Empire
In 1878, the Austro-Hungarian Empire took control under the Treaty of Berlin and the subsequent Battle of Sarajevo. Under the Catholic Habsburgs, the city saw significant changes and expansion.
New structures were built using modern Western architecture, while parts of the historic Ottoman city remained.
Prominent buildings – like the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the National Museum and City Hall – were constructed.
Although Sarajevo appeared to be thriving again, there was an underground movement to overthrow the empire and create a united Slavic kingdom.
In 1914, a conspirator named Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand (the next heir of the throne). The assassination sparked a series of events, which ultimately led to World War I.
Yugoslavia
In the peace treaty that ended World War I, Sarajevo became part of the newly established Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
During the Second World War, Nazi Germany occupied the city and eliminated the Jewish population.
At the end of that war, Sarajevo fell within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which was led by President Josip Broz Tito.
Yugoslavia was comprised of six states: Bosnia Herzegovina (of which Sarajevo was the capital), Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
Belgrade served as Yugoslavia’s national capital. Regardless of the ethnic and religious differences, President Tito promoted unity.
To the west of the historic center, block apartments were rapidly built in an area named Novo Sarajevo. The city grew – in both population and importance.
In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics, a supreme honor for the city and the country of Yugoslavia.
Siege Of Sarajevo
After the death of Tito in 1980, the government struggled to keep the country united. The collapse of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s led to individual states seeking independence from the republic.
That ultimately triggered a series of brutal wars. When Bosnia & Herzegovina declared independence the city came under attack, first by the Yugoslav People’s Army, then by the Army of Republika Srpska (the Bosnian Serb Army).
The Serbian-led Siege of Sarajevo lasted for 1,425 days – from April 5, 1992 until February 29, 1996. From the hills that encircle Sarajevo, the Bosnian Serb Army besieged the city with gunfire and mortar blasts.
An average of 329 shells hit the city every day, with an astounding 3,777 falling in one day (July 22, 1993). Supplies were blocked – including food, medicine, water and electricity.
Civilians and cultural sights were targeted – and the Sarajevo library containing invaluable manuscripts was destroyed. During the Sarajevo siege, the Bosnian War raged on throughout the region.
Mostar was also under attack and, in the small town of Srebrenica, there was a horrific massacre of 8,000 Bosniaks (now recognized as genocide). Meanwhile, Croatia was also at war with Serbs, Montenegrins and for a time, Bosniaks.
Dayton Accords
The Siege of Sarajevo resulted in the deaths of more than 12,000 people, yet the Bosnian Serb Army never took control of the city.
The Dayton Accords – an agreement between Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia – officially ended the war in 1996.
Sarajevo once again began a period of rebuilding, this time with the help of foreign aid…and a lot of determination and even more patience.
Sarajevo Today
The city has taken great strides since the war. The Sarajevo City Center shopping mall is one of the biggest in the region and the modern Avaz Twist Tower is one of the tallest skyscraper in the Balkans.
The city hosts the annual Sarajevo Film Festival and the modern Mount Trebevic Cable Car was inaugurated in 2018.
26 Top Sarajevo Sights
Due to it’s triumphant and turbulent past, Sarajevo is evocative. The Sarajevo Old Town bustles with tourists buying copper Bosnian coffee sets alongside locals drinking the potent beverage in quaint cafes.
The lively Sarajevo markets are packed with produce, cheap trendy clothing and hand-knitted wool socks. Meanwhile, Sarajevo monuments document the atrocities that occurred here.
Sarajevo displays an eclectic mix of architectural styles – from the elegant buildings of the Austro-Hungarian era to concrete block structures of the Socialist era. The state of these buildings is varied – from dilapidated shells to brand new structures.
On the road, the Sarajevo public transportation fleet is inclusive of rickety-and-rusted trams to modern carriages donated from other countries.
While, at first glance, the city looks and feels normal, the whispers of war are always nearby. It’s impossible to tour Sarajevo and not acknowledge what happened here.
The city is scarred by the war – you can see it in the bullet ridden buildings and the neglected remnants of the 1984 Olympics.
Hundreds of simple white gravestones stand in hillside cemeteries – the etched dates of year born and year deceased much too close together.
Despite the wounds, there is a spirited side of Sarajevo that is also unmissable. Locals gather together in parks and in smoky cafes.
Young couples holding hands sneak into hidden corners. Shop owners dish out food for stray cats. People generously pass spare change and cigarettes into outstretched hands.
Our Free Sarajevo Walking Tour
Now that you have a better understanding of the city, lace up your travel shoes, grab your travel camera and begin your Sarajevo Sightseeing Tour.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Things To Do in Sarajevo for your trip to Bosnia.
#1 Bascarsija Sarajevo Sights
MAP. Begin your discovery in the oldest part of the city. The Bascarsija is one of the top Sarajevo places to visit. Designed by the Ottomans in 1462, it served as the main marketplace.
A central hub for trade, the narrow lanes accommodated shops, eateries and religious buildings…just as it does today.
#2 Sebilj Fountain Sarajevo
MAP. The landmark Sebilj Fountain sits in the main square within the Old Town bazaar. The wooden water fountain was built in 1753 in the traditional Ottoman style and renovated in the 19th century.
Directions: From Sebilj, walk south and turn left (east) onto Kazandziluk Street.
#3 Kazandziluk: Coppersmith Street Sarajevo
MAP. Handcrafted tin and copper wares are made and sold here, so take your time browsing the items. The coppersmiths are often found in their shops using their tools to hammer out new pieces.
Directions: Walk the length of Kazandziluk, following the curve south to Bravadziluk Street, turn right (west) onto the street.
#4 Bravadziluk: Locksmith Street Sarajevo
MAP. Once the street where they made locks and keys, today Bravadziluk is a bustling street full of restaurants selling cevapi – the national dish of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Be sure to read our tips for the Best Places To Eat in Sarajevo!
Directions: Walk west to the small square (nearly completing a circle) and turn around to face the…
#5 Bascarsija Mosque
MAP. Officially named Havadza Durak, the Bascarsija Mosque has been standing on this site since the early 1500s. It was damaged during the war, but was repaired and declared a National Monument in 2006.
Directions: Walk west across the square (away from the front of the mosque) and turn left (south) onto Abadziluk Street to the green domed market hall.
#6 Brusa Bezistan: Market Hall & History Museum
MAP. Constructed in 1551 for the silk trade, today the old covered bazaar houses the Sarajevo City History Museum (which can be visited for a small fee).
Directions: From the northeast corner, walk west on Curciluk Veliki to Trgovke Lane. Turn right (north) and walk to Saraci Street and find…
#7 Morica Han
MAP. Built in 1551 as an inn for travelers coming to the bazaar, Morica Han is now a lively hub of shops and restaurants and one of the top Sarajevo tourist attractions.
Directions: Exit to the north, by the fountain, and walk to Mula Mustafe Baseskije Street. On the opposite side of the street is the…
#8 Old Serbian Orthodox Church
MAP. The 16th century Old Orthodox Church is set below street level and has an exquisite interior, including an ornate iconostasis and upstairs gallery. There is also a museum on site (ticket required).
Directions: Walk west on Mula Mustafe Basekije a half block and turn left (south) on Dulangina Street. Go south one block to Saraci Street. Turn right (west) and walk to…
#9 Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque
MAP. The most important mosque in Sarajevo, the Gazi Husrev-Bey Mosque, is a must-see. Completed in 1532, it’s part of a complex that includes a school, library, market and public bathhouse.
Inside the courtyard, visitors will find a beautiful fountain, where water is streamed in from the mountains and is used for washing before prayers. The mosque is open for all visitors.
Directions: Continue walking west on Saraci Street just past the mosque to the…
#10 Sarajevo Clock Tower
MAP. The tall slender Old Clock Tower, a National Monument, stands next to the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque – as it has since the 17th century.
Although it may appear that the clock is not keeping proper time, it follows Lunar Time. The clock strikes midnight at sunset…which is when Muslims pray the Maghrib prayer.
Directions: Continue walking west, past the Gazi Husrev-beg’s Bezistan market hall, which is now occupied mostly by souvenir shops. Take a peek inside if you would like, then continue walking to…
#11 Sarajevo Meeting Of Cultures
MAP. A symbolic and understated monument in the middle of the street, the Meeting of Cultures monument recognizes and celebrates Sarajevo’s major influences.
The line across the street is essentially where two very different cultures – the Islamic Ottomans and Christian Austro-Hungarian – meet together.
Directions: Continue west. Pass the Sarajevo Museum of Crimes Against Humanity (which is an excellent place to learn about the horrific crimes during the war) to the…
#12 Cathedral of The Sacred Heart
MAP. The Catholic Sarajevo Cathedral, which features Neo-Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles, was built between 1884 and 1889.
The two bell towers rise to the height of 140-feet. Fronted by an open plaza, the church was left particularly exposed during the siege and was severely damaged.
The plaza now features a monument to Pope John Paul II, who was a vocal supporter of Sarajevo during the war, and an iconic resin-filled Sarajevo Rose.
#13 Sarajevo Roses
MAP. During the Sarajevo War, mortar blasts left large indentations on sidewalks. Rather than repairing the damaged areas, they were filled in with red resin and named Sarajevo Roses.
As time has passed, many of the sidewalks have been replaced and only a few remain today.
Directions: From the Cathedral plaza, walk north along the west side of the church to Mula Mustafe Baseskije. Turn left (west) and walk into the…
#14 Pijaca Markale: Sarajevo Market
MAP. The Pijaca Markale covered produce market operates as usual now, but during the war it endured two bombings that targeted civilians.
The first, in February 1994, killed 67 people. The second, in August 1995, killed 43. These civilian casualties are said to have prompted NATO to intervene. A plaque in the back of the market bears the names of the victims.
Directions: Continue walking west to Gajev Trg. Turn left (south) and go past the indoor food market, then into the open space, Trg Oslobodenje – Alija Izetbegovic.
This square has changed names numerous times and was once the site of the main railway station and customs office.
Today it is named in honor of the city’s WWII liberation and after the first president of independent Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the southeast corner of the square is the…
#15 Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos
MAP. Built in the 1860s, this massive Orthodox Church features a classic cross plan and five domes. The soaring central tower, which exceeded the height of many minarets, was a point of contention when it was built. You can visit the interior for a small fee.
Directions: Leave the square on the north side, heading west on Ferhadija. Walk two blocks west to the…
#16 Vjecna Vatra: Sarajevo Eternal Flame
MAP. Marking the Old Town western boundary, the Eternal Flame honors the fallen soldiers and civilian victims from World War II.
Adjacent to the Eternal Flame Memorial is the entrance to Hecco Deluxe Hotel, which features a rooftop cafe with outdoor seating. Consider stopping in for a break and enjoy the stunning views.
Directions: Walk west on Marsala Tita to Veliki Park on the north side of the street.
#17 Veliki Park
MAP. This park is home to poignant memorials and ancient tombstones. The following are found along the southern edge – from east to west – along Marsala Tita Street.
Ottoman Gravestones
Throughout the city there are many Ottoman-style gravestone markers – which feature carved turbans on top. Some of these historic markers date to the 17th century.
Srebrenica Monument: Man Calling To Son
The Srebrenica Monument in Sarajevo pays tribute to the victims of genocide in the Bosnian town.
The sign reads, “One of the most horrific scenes of the Srebrenica genocide against innocent Bosniak population is a scene when the father Ramo call to his son Nermin to surrender to the Serbian soldiers, as allegedly they will not do any harm to them. The exhumation team found Ramo and his son Nermin in a mass grave near Srebrenica in 2008.”
Memorial to the Children of Sarajevo
This heart wrenching memorial honors the more than 1,500 children who were killed during the siege. In the basin are the footprints of the younger siblings of the children who died.
Sarajevo Rose
Another Rose of Sarajevo is found on the sidewalk, not too far west from the Memorial to the Children.
Directions: Continue west on Marsala Tita. At Ali Pasha’s Mosque, veer to the left and continue southwest. Across the park to your right, you can see the Avaz Twist Tower in the distance.
At the stoplight, where the street curves to the west, you will see the modern Sarajevo City Center Mall. Just past it, on the south side of the street, is a large Medieval Tombstone – and behind it is the Sarajevo Parliament Building. Keep walking west along…
#18 Sniper Alley Sarajevo – Zmaja od Bosne
MAP. The most infamous of all Sarajevo streets, Zmaja od Bosne is the main thoroughfare from the airport to the historic center – and, during the war, it was nicknamed Sniper Alley.
Serbian snipers positioned in the hillsides would target anyone walking here. An estimated 225 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured on Sniper Alley during the siege.
Directions: Walk west on Zmaja od Bosne to the boxy, yellow…
#19 Hotel Holiday (former Sarajevo Holiday Inn)
MAP. The bold, yellow Holiday Inn was built for the 1984 Olympics. However, it was during the Siege of Sarajevo that the hotel became known worldwide.
Used first as a quasi-headquarters for the Bosnian Serb Army, snipers stood in the windows and shot at protesters who gathered across the street in front of Parliament.
Then, when journalists came to cover the war, they used the property as a base. Located on a dangerous section of Sniper Alley, the hotel was constantly barraged by bullets.
Today, the building no longer bears the logo of the hotel chain, but is open under a similar name: Holiday Hotel.
Directions: Continue west past the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the walkway on your left (before you get to the BiH History Museum) turn left and walk south.
The walkway passes the notable Tito Café, which is a good place to stop, rest your feet and have a beverage.
Be sure to check out the Yugonostalgia that covers the walls, the military tank in the yard and the ICAR Canned Beef Monument (the canned mystery meat provided during the war).
Go south to the Miljacka River, then turn left (east) onto the Woodrow Wilson Promenade. Walk along the tree-lined promenade to the next bridge.
#20 Sarajevo Romeo and Juliet Bridge
MAP. Not an exceptional bridge by sight, the Suada and Olga Bridge saw two historic events during the war.
Suada Dilberovic and Olga Sucic are considered to be the first two victims of the Sarajevo War. They were both killed here by snipers during a peace rally on April 5, 1992.
The span also has the nickname of the Romeo and Juliet Bridge. In 1993, a young couple – one Bosniak, the other Bosnian Serb – tried to escape the war so they could be together.
Unsuccessful in their departure, they were shot and killed while running across the bridge. Their embraced corpses remained there for several days before it was safe to move them.
Directions: Cross the bridge then turn left (east) and continue alongside the river to the…
#21 Skenderija Bridge
MAP. The picturesque Skenderija footbridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel (the engineer of the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris). Today, couples use the bridge for Love Locks.
Directions: Continue east along the river, passing the Sarajevo National Theater (with arches and columns on the north bank) and the Ashkenazi Synagogue (south bank) until you arrive at the…
#22 Latin Bridge
MAP. Called the Latin Bridge for the many Catholics who used to reside in the area, this Ottoman bridge is one of the oldest in Sarajevo.
However, the reason it’s famous is because it was the site of an event that changed the world. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated near the north end; many consider it to be the act that started World War I.
Directions: Continue east along the river to the grandiose striped…
#23 Sarajevo City Hall and Library
MAP. The original City Hall and Sarajevo Library was built in 1896. That building, however, was destroyed by artillery and fire in 1992.
It took more than two decades to rebuild the structure. The new building was reconstructed in the original style and reopened in 2014.
A plaque at the front reads: ‘On this place Serbian criminals in the night of 25th-26th August 1992 set on fire the National and University’s Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina; over 2 million books, periodicals and documents vanished in the flame. Do not forget. Remember and warn!’
Directions: At the east end of City Hall is the…
#24 Seher-Cehaja Bridge
MAP. Of the 13 bridges the Ottomans built in Sarajevo, the Seher-Cehaja is considered to be the prettiest. The name translates to Mayor’s Bridge.
Directions: Cross Bentbasa Street to the north of Sehercehaja Bridge and turn right (east). Veer to the left onto Nadmlini Street and follow it north or…
Detour!
Ambitious travelers may want to detour south of the river before continuing uphill to the final two stops.
Attractions on the south side of the river include the Trebevic Cable Car up to the Abandoned Bobsled Track, the Alifakovac Cemetery, the Sarajevo Brewery and the Emperor’s Mosque.
Once you finish adventuring, return to Sehercehaja Bridge and continue to the…
#25 Kovaci Cemetery Sarajevo
MAP. During the war, desperate Sarajevans cut down many trees in order to use the wood for cooking and as a source of heat in the winter.
The clearing of forests left fields of open spaces, which were soon turned into graveyards.
The Kovaci Cemetery – Martyrs’ Memorial Cemetery – was the main graveyard for victims of the war. The country’s first president, Alija Izetbegovic, is also buried here, under the small dome.
Directions: Stroll through the cemetery and exit on the trail to the east and follow it uphill to the…
#26 Yellow Bastion
MAP. The remains of this stronghold are part of the Sarajevo city wall that was built in 1739. Today the Yellow Bastion is a park the provides panoramic views.
That ends our Free Sarajevo Walking Tour! But wait, there’s more…
Sarajevo Walking Tour Map
Use this Google Map for an online version of our Sarajevo Walking Tour Map. Those who would rather navigate using a paper map should buy a Sarajevo Guide Book in advance.
More Sarajevo Tours
We believe our free walk is one of the Best Sarajevo Things To Do, but there are many guided tours, too!
Sarajevo War Tour
Let a guide lead the way on a Sarajevo Siege Tour. In addition to visiting key sights in the historic center, you also go on a Sarajevo Tunnel Tour and to the abandoned bobsled track.
Sarajevo Hiking & Biking Tours
With an expert guide, hike to the traditional village of Lukomir, where local residents enjoy a simpler way of life. Get the details!
Alternatively, check out this Sarajevo Bike Tour that navigates through the mountains to a waterfall.
Food Tour in Sarajevo
We love Bosnian food! You can find all of our tips of what (and where) to eat in our Sarajevo Food Guide. Otherwise, join a local guide who will take you to their fav spots in the city.
Start planning your trip to BiH! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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