Things to do and where to stay in Sarajevo
Where to stay · Bosnia

Where to stay in Sarajevo — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Sarajevo is the rare capital where East meets West within a single block — step out of Baščaršija, the Ottoman-era bazaar with its wooden Sebilj fountain and 16th-century mosques, and a few paces later you're among grand Austro-Hungarian facades. It's a city built on Bosnian coffee rituals, sizzling ćevapi, and layers of history, from the Latin Bridge where the assassination that sparked WWI took place to the wartime Tunnel of Hope. The compact center is easy to explore on foot, with trams linking the main districts.

🕌BaščaršijaBosnian Coffee🌉Latin Bridge🍢Ćevapi🚋Trams
4areas to consider
1ranked guides
14See & Eat
🤝 Curated by the TopOfHotel team · scores from real guest reviews · live price comparison across 3 sites · no hidden adsHow we review →

Why stay in Sarajevo

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Where East Meets West

Cross from the Ottoman bazaar to Austro-Hungarian boulevards in a few steps — the 'Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures' line marks the divide.

Bosnian Coffee Culture

Turkish-style coffee served with sugar cubes and Turkish delight, sipped slowly in old Baščaršija cafes.

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Layers of History

From the Latin Bridge assassination site to the wartime Tunnel of Hope and the red-resin Sarajevo Roses.

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Easy on Foot

A compact center keeps the major sights close together, with trams handling the longer hops out of town.

Pick an area first — where to stay in Sarajevo

Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel

BaščaršijaBaščaršija

Ottoman bazaar · Sebilj fountain · walking distance to everything

Coming soon
BistrikBistrik

Quiet & local · leafy streets · short walk to the old town

Coming soon
Marijin DvorMarijin Dvor

Austro-Hungarian architecture · malls · near the museums

Coming soon
VratnikVratnik

Old hillside quarter · city walls · Yellow Fortress views

Coming soon

Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Sarajevo

Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights

Find the right Sarajevo hotel for you

1 ranked reviews

Local dishes to try in Sarajevo

  1. 1🍢

    Ćevapi

    Juicy grilled fingers of minced beef and lamb served in warm somun flatbread with raw onion and a spoonful of creamy kajmak — the dish every Bosnian loves.

    📍 National Dish
  2. 2🥟

    Burek

    Filo pastry rolled with minced beef and onion, baked under a sač pan; soft yet crisp. Cheese, potato, or spinach versions are called pita.

    📍 All-Day Eat
  3. 3

    Bosnian Coffee

    Turkish-style coffee served in a copper džezva with sugar cubes and Turkish delight — a slow ritual at the center of daily life.

    📍 Old Town Cafes
  4. 4🍎

    Tufahija

    A whole stewed apple stuffed with chopped walnuts, topped with cream and sugar syrup — sweet and rich, perfect against bitter Bosnian coffee.

    📍 Dessert
  5. 5🍯

    Baklava

    Layered filo with walnuts or pistachios soaked in honey and syrup — a staple of weddings, holidays, and celebrations.

    📍 Ottoman Sweet
  6. 6🫓

    Somun

    A round, soft oven-baked flatbread served with ćevapi and grilled dishes — best ten minutes out of the oven.

    📍 The Bread
  1. 1🕌

    Baščaršija & Sebilj Fountain

    The 15th-century Ottoman bazaar at the city's heart: cobbled lanes, coppersmiths, carpets, and the wooden Sebilj fountain — legend says those who drink from it will return to Sarajevo.

    📍 Old Town
  2. 2🟢

    Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque

    The largest historical mosque in Bosnia, built in the 16th century and one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans.

    📍 Baščaršija
  3. 3🌉

    Latin Bridge

    An old Ottoman bridge and the spot where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914 — the trigger for World War I. A small museum sits beside it.

    📍 Miljacka Riverbank
  4. 4🕯️

    Tunnel of Hope (War Tunnel)

    An underground passage dug in 1993 that kept the besieged city alive during the Bosnian War. A powerful, unforgettable museum.

    📍 Near Airport
  5. 5🟡

    Yellow Fortress

    A favorite viewpoint, especially at sunset, looking out over a sea of red roofs and minarets across the whole city.

    📍 Vratnik
  6. 6🚠

    Trebević Cable Car

    Rides up Mount Trebević for a panorama of the city ringed by green mountains, near the abandoned 1984 Olympic bobsleigh track.

    📍 Mt. Trebević
  7. 7🦢

    Vrelo Bosne

    A peaceful park at the source of the Bosna River with tree-lined paths, swans and ducks, and horse-drawn carriage rides — a local favorite for a day out.

    📍 Ilidža
  8. 8🕯️

    Sarajevo Roses & Old Town

    Shell craters filled with red resin scattered across the center, memorials to those killed during the siege — best explored slowly and respectfully.

    📍 City Center

Things to do in Sarajevo

Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Sarajevo — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.

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★ TEAM'S TOP PICKS

3 Sarajevo hotels our team picked for you

Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison

Hotel Boutique Sevdah Art House★ 9.3Upper-mid

Hotel Boutique Sevdah Art House

📍 Sarajevo⭐⭐⭐⭐

#6 boutique · in the old market

From~$80/night
read the full review →
Hotel President Sarajevo★ 9.2Upper-mid

Hotel President Sarajevo

📍 Sarajevo⭐⭐⭐⭐

#4 Old Town boutique · 100 metres from the Latin Bridge

From~$97/night
read the full review →
Hotel Colors Inn★ 9.2Upper-mid

Hotel Colors Inn

📍 Sarajevo⭐⭐⭐⭐

#9 boutique · quiet local Mejtaš neighborhood

From~$74/night
read the full review →
🏨 ALL PICKS

โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในSarajevo

ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ

#4

Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo

★ 9.1⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Sarajevo

#3 Modern · Marriott brand on the river

~$129/night
#5

Swissotel Sarajevo

★ 9.0⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Sarajevo

#1 luxury · the city's top 5-star

~$149/night
#6

Hotel Old Town Sarajevo

★ 9.0⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Sarajevo

#7 boutique · best value in the old town

~$69/night
#7

Hotel Latinski Most

★ 8.9⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Sarajevo

#8 boutique · right on the Latin Bridge, the WWI flashpoint

~$63/night
#8

Hotel Astra Garni

★ 8.8⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Sarajevo

#5 Old-town boutique · steps from the Sebilj Fountain

~$86/night
#9

Hotel Europe Sarajevo

★ 8.7⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Sarajevo

#2 City legend · right at the Baščaršija gate

~$120/night
#10

Hotel Hayat Sarajevo

★ 8.6⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Sarajevo

#10 Budget · Old Town panorama

~$43/night

🚆 Getting around Sarajevo

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SJJ Airport

Sarajevo International Airport is in Ilidža, about 12 km from the center. A taxi takes around 20 minutes — confirm the fare before you set off.

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Airport Bus

Centrotrans runs buses between the airport and the center timed to flights. One-way is 5 KM, return 8 KM.

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Trams

Trams run between Baščaršija and Ilidža through the main districts — the easiest way to cross the city along its long axis.

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Tickets

Buy at kiosks for 1.40 KM or from the driver for 1.80 KM. Valid on trams, trolleybuses, buses, and minibuses — keep it for inspection.

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Cash in KM (BAM)

The currency is the Convertible Mark (KM/BAM). Small shops and kiosks are mostly cash — carry small notes.

Where to go next near Sarajevo

Frequently asked — where to stay in Sarajevo

Is Sarajevo safe?+

Very safe for tourists year-round, day or evening. Just watch for pickpockets in crowded spots and on public transport, as you would in any city.

How many days do you need in Sarajevo?+

About 3-5 days is ideal — enough for the old town, Baščaršija, the War Tunnel, the viewpoints, and an unhurried day trip into the surrounding nature.

When is the best time to visit Sarajevo?+

Late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September-October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds than peak summer. Winter brings snow and lower prices.

Ready to book your Sarajevo stay?

Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking