Balkan Tourism – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Last month alone, I went to Sarajevo, Bosnia, and got an education in Balkan Tourism. Wow!

It’s really called Bosnia and Herzegovina, but for short, I’ll call it Bosnia. By the way, if you go to Herzegovina, check out the city Mostar. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it but, I was told it is worth visiting.

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia.

I’ve probably been to 100 cities worldwide, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any city like Sarajevo.

Where is it?

Sarajevo is kind of in the center of the old Yugoslavia.

On a map or globe, you will find Bosnia south of Croatia, west of Serbia, and north of Montenegro. The city is beautiful because it is nestled in the mountains of the central Balkans.

If you’re a Gen-Xer like me, you probably saw the green mountainous land of Bosnia on TV because of the terrible war in the 1990s. The land looks just like that.

What to Do in Sarajevo?

I got to Sarajevo at about 11:30 pm on Friday, May 20, 2022. (Remember: May and September are the best months to travel to Eastern and Central Europe)

The following day, I got up and went to a place that was the biggest reason I went to Sarajevo in the first place – Where World War I started.

The Start of World War I

For better or worse, when I thought of Sarajevo, the first thing I always thought of was the corner and the bridge where Arch Duke Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914. I don’t know why this started the war, but it did.

At that location, there are always tour groups and tour guides. I mixed in with a free walking tour and learned about the assassination. A quick summary of the assassination: Here

The Ruins of Taslihan

I walked with the tour group around the corner to the Ruins of Taslihan next to the Europe Hotel.

The Ruins of Taslihan are an abandoned Ottoman-era building located in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Built in the 16th century, the structure was once a caravanserai (inn) and marketplace. Today, the ruins offer a glimpse into the city’s rich history and architecture. The stone arches and remaining walls provide a unique backdrop for photography.

Katededrala Cathedral

Next, we walked over to the Katedrala Cathedral.

The Katedrala Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Jesus’ Heart, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Sarajevo, the cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and is considered a masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture. Its prominent twin spires and intricate details make it a standout among Sarajevo’s many religious buildings. The cathedral is also famous for its stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.

Sarajevo Sebilj

I eventually left the group and went to the main square in Sarajevo. I think it’s called Sarajevo Sebilj. If you’ve ever seen a photo of Sarajevo, this is the iconic wooden fountain in the middle. Most of the souvenirs in the old town area will have this fountain on them.

Later that same day, I went to the National Museum of Bosnia.

The museum was about the very beginning of the area and not much about present-day Bosnia. Therefore, I wasn’t that interested. Unless you’re interested in the beginning of civilization, you can probably skip it.

Holiday Inn Sarajevo

After going back to my hotel and resting a bit, I went down to the mall and also went by the famed Holiday Inn Hotel.

The Holiday Inn was where all the officials and dignitaries stayed and was the most important location during the 1984 winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Unfortunately, it also became the symbol of the war in the 1990s

Olympic Museum

On my second day, I went to the Olympic Museum. This was about the 1984 Olympics and was really cool. I’ve been to many museums over the years, and this one was definitely in the top 5. Not only is it about the Olympics back in 1984, but there’s also a section about the war in the 1990s.

There’s also a cool exhibit about the 1992 Barcelona Olympics that paid homage to the tragedy in Sarajevo in the 1990s.

Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide Museum and the Srebrenica Museum (Called Galerija 11/07/95)

These are two museums near each other about the tragic war in Bosnia.

I thought the Srebrenica Museum was better, but both were sad and depressing.

Mt. Trebevic Cable car

This was an incredible experience. Conveniently, if your hotel or Airbnb is in Old Town Sarajevo, which I suggest you should, you can walk 1/2 mile to the start of this amazing scenic ride. I think the tickets cost $8-$10 each way if I remember. It is definitely worth it.

Check out the view:

Cable Car overlooking Sarajevo — Storied Sarajevo below

What I Didn’t See

The only thing I didn’t see in Sarajevo was the abandoned Olympic bobsledding track.

You may have seen it. It has graffiti all over it and the Serbs used it to shell Sarajevo back in the 90s. It’s not in a central location, actually way out by the airport. But if you have time, go check it out.

Social Life in Sarajevo

Food

If you go to Sarajevo, and I assume anywhere else in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ve gotta try a few of their dishes.

I liked the “Burek.” I’m not exactly sure what it is, but it looks like a pastry but has meat and cheese in it. I assume you can get other fillings in it. But the one I had was great.

I also had the “Cevapi.” I was told this was the region’s traditional dish, and I must try it.

It’s basically sausage-looking meat that you get with a pita and onions. And that’s it. It wasn’t bad, but the Burek was better.

Finally, I also had Bosnian coffee and Baklava. Not very good, but maybe I just picked the wrong Chocolate Baklava in the shop)

The vibe

You still see bullet holes on some of the buildings in Sarajevo and feel something went down here.

Also, there’s a bit more of a Middle East feel to the city than I was expecting. Yes, you’ll seek churches and synagogues all around, but my impression was that Mosques dominate the area.

It really is a coming together of cultures, as they say.

Girls

As a male solo traveler, you’re going to want to know about the girls.

Bosnian girls a very nice. You’ll find more attractive girls elsewhere, but few places have girls that are as nice and friendly.

They are conservative, and they probably only meet guys through friends and social circles. I did meet a girl at a bar, and she appeared to be Middle Eastern. Most of her Instagram was in Arabic.

Ironically, Bosnian girls were the opposite of girls in Belgrade, Serbia. In Belgrade, girls are beautiful but not the friendliest girls you’ll ever meet.