BalkanTourGuide
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo travel essentials

Where East meets West — Ottoman bazaars below Austro-Hungarian boulevards.

🚨 Emergency help in Sarajevo

Tap to call. EU 112 routes to the right service in any Balkan country.

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Sarajevo is the most atmospheric capital in the Balkans. Bascarsija's bazaar smells of coffee and grilled ćevapi; 200 metres west you're in a Habsburg-era city. The 1992–95 siege is still visible in pockmarked walls — and the city is more alive for it.

Sarajevo on the map

Nearby emergency services

🏥 Hospitals

🚓 Police stations

  • MUP Kantona Sarajevo
    La Benevolencije 16
    📍 Maps

💊 Pharmacies

  • BH Pharm Baščaršija
    Mula Mustafe Bašeskije 18 — Daily 08:00–22:00
    📍 Maps
  • Apoteka Bosanka
    Marsala Tita 36 — 24/7
    📍 Maps
Search nearest hospital on Google Maps →

Currency in Sarajevo

Currency
Convertible mark
Code / Symbol
BAM (KM) · KM
Rate
1.95 BAM = €1 (fixed)
  • · BAM is pegged to the euro — exchange rate never moves.
  • · Euros accepted in tourist core (poor rate).
  • · Cards work in mid-range venues; carry cash for ćevapi.

What to eat in Sarajevo

  • Ćevapi
    Skinless mince in lepinja bread — Željo or Petica in Baščaršija.
  • Burek
    Real burek is ONLY meat. Cheese is sirnica, spinach is zeljanica. Buregdžinica Bosna.
  • Bosnian coffee
    Served in a džezva with rahat lokum and a sugar cube.
  • Tufahija
    Walnut-stuffed poached apple — at Slasticarna Ramis.

Is Sarajevo safe? Travel safety tips

Landmine warnings
Stick to marked paths outside the city. Signs warn of un-cleared minefields on Mount Trebević and the Bjelašnica back-country.
Bascarsija crowds
Standard pickpocket caution in the bazaar — keep your phone away from the sebilj fountain photo zone.
Stray dogs
Sarajevo has visible street dog packs — generally harmless but give them space.

Top things to do in Sarajevo

  • Baščaršija
    Quarter
    Ottoman bazaar, copper workshops, Sebilj fountain.
    Open in Maps →
  • Tunnel of Hope (Tunel Spasa)
    Historic
    Wartime tunnel under the airport — unmissable history. €5.
    Open in Maps →
  • Trebević cable car
    Nature
    12-min ride to the 1984 Olympic bobsled track — €20 return.
    Open in Maps →
  • Latin Bridge
    Historic
    WWI started here — Franz Ferdinand assassination spot.
    Open in Maps →
  • Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija)
    Viewpoint
    Sunset over the city — free.
    Open in Maps →

Useful Sarajevo info

Best time to visit
May, June, September. Winter is magic — skiing 30 min from centre.
Public transport
Tram (line 3 runs the length of the centre), trolleybuses and buses. Tickets 1.80 BAM on board.
Airport
Sarajevo Int'l Airport (SJJ) — 12 km. Taxi €15 fixed-fare via Sarajevo Taxi.
Plug & voltage
Type C/F, 230V
  • · Train to Mostar (2.5 h) — one of Europe's most scenic rail rides, twice daily, €10.
  • · Vans to Belgrade (5 h) and Dubrovnik (5 h) — book at Centrotrans.
Get out of Sarajevo

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More in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar
The Ottoman bridge town where divers leap 24 metres into the Neretva.

Sarajevo travel essentials — FAQ

Is Sarajevo safe?+

Yes — very safe by European standards. Stick to marked paths in the surrounding hills; landmine signs still exist outside city limits.

How long do I need in Sarajevo?+

Two full days: Old Town + Tunnel Museum on day one, Trebević + a Mostar day-trip on day two.

Is the tap water safe?+

Yes — Sarajevo's tap water is among the cleanest in Europe, sourced from Mount Igman springs.