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Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Sarajevo – a brief overview
Reviving from its most recent war traumas, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a city in transition, young and forward-looking. Mostly flat but ringed by mountains, its many attractions reflect its long historical influences, spanning Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The city centre has been largely rebuilt since the 1990s conflict, though some buildings are still pockmarked by bullets.
Old Sarajevo’s backstreets are lined with atmospheric bazaars, while buzzing modern outdoor cafés and bars overlook the river dissecting the city. Sarajevo holds several renowned arts festivals each year, including the Winter Festival and the Jazz Festival, and it was named European Capital of Culture in 2014.
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Top 10 sights in Sarajevo

Svrzo House
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: +387 33 535 264
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1800 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Mon-Fri 1000-1600 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Sat 1000-1500
Based in a former home of a wealthy Muslim family from the 18th century, this museum faithfully recreates domestic life in Sarajevo’s Ottoman era. The ornately furnished rooms are decorated with Persian rugs, their whitewashed walls hung with handmade utensils.
Gazi-Husrebey Mosque
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: +387 33 534 375
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1200, 1430-1600 and 1730-1900
Closed during Ramadan
Shorter hours during winter months
This magnificent 16th-century mosque stands in the heart of Old Sarajevo. Its cool interior, decorated with carvings and Arabic scripts, is stunning. The complex also includes a minaret, fountain, and former madrassa, now a museum.
Baščaršija Square
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Nicknamed Pigeon Square for the birds that also flock here, this is one of Old Sarajevo’s social hubs. Spread around Seblij Brunnen fountain, it’s close to key sights including the Latin Bridge, where Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated.
Vijećnica
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1600
The University Library was one of Sarajevo’s finest architectural works from the Austro-Hungarian era. It was destroyed by a Serbian missile during the 1990s war, but rebuilt and reopened in 2014. Today, the building is a library again and is also used for official events, concerts and exhibitions.
Jewish Museum
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1800 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Mon-Fri 1000-1600 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Sat 1000-1500
Housed in the city’s 16th-century synagogue, this museum tells the story of the Sephardic Jews, from their expulsion from Spain in 1492 to the Holocaust, with photographs, letters and personal items.
Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Opening times:
Tue-Sat 1200-2000 (Apr-Nov)
Tue-Sat 1000-1800 (Nov-Apr)
This former department store houses the city’s premier art collection, with some 6,000 works, from medieval icons to modern photography. Focusing primarily on the country’s own artists, the gallery is imaginatively displayed, thematically rather than chronologically.
Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700 (Apr-Oct)
Daily 0900-1600 (Nov-Mar)
During the 1990s siege of Sarajevo, a tunnel was built as a lifeline between the city and the airport. The private house where the tunnel began is now a museum, with the short remaining section open to visitors, as well as photographs and military paraphernalia from the war.
National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: +387 33 668 027
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Opening times:
Tue-Fri 1000-1700 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Tue-Fri 1000-1500 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Sat-Sun 1000-1400
The country’s largest museum spans natural history, science and culture, including a good collection from Sarajevo’s Ottoman era. Its star exhibit is the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the oldest illustrated Sephardic manuscripts in the world, dating from around 1350. The museum is currently closed due to funding problems, but there are plans to reopen it in 2014.
History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: +387 33 534 375
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1900 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Sat-Sun 1000-1400 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Sat-Sun 0900-1300 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
This small and simply presented collection looks at Bosnian history, with a large proportion devoted to the 1990s war with Serbia. The section on the siege of Sarajevo is especially moving. Behind the museum, the Tito Café offers some light relief.
Orthodox Cathedral
This beautiful domed cathedral is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans. Five domes top the cross-shaped basilica, and its interior is richly decorated with gilt icons and wooden carvings.
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Country information
Country overview
Most notable among Bosnia and Herzegovina’s charms is its lush, mountainous landscape, best seen from the vantage point of one of the national parks.
Geography
Roughly triangular in shape, and the geopolitical centre of the former Yugoslav Federation, Bosnia and Herzegovina shares borders with Serbia in the east, Montenegro in the southeast, and Croatia to the north and west, with a short Adriatic coastline of 20km (12 miles) in the south, but no ports.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 3875723
Population Density (per sq km): 76
Capital: Sarajevo.
Language
The official languages are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian. The Croats and Bosniaks use the Latin alphabet, whereas the Serbs use the Cyrillic.
Currency
Bosnia and Herzegovina Konvertibilna Marka (BAM; symbol KM) = 100 feninga. Notes are in denominations of KM200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 and 50 feninga. Coins are available in denominations of KM2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 feninga. Some Euro notes (but not coins) are widely accepted.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 – December 2019 period.
Note
Public holidays may vary according to entity (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic Srpska).
* Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina only
** Republic Srpska only
2018
New Year’s Day: 1 and 2 January 2018
Epiphany: 6 January 2018
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 January 2018
Republic Day: 9 January 2018**
Orthodox New Year: 14 January 2018
Independence Day: 1 March 2018*
Catholic Good Friday: 30 March 2018
Catholic Easter: 1 and 2 April 2018
Orthodox Good Friday: 6 April 2018
Orthodox Easter: 8 and 9 April 2018
Labour Day: 1 and 2 May 2018
Victory Day: 9 May 2018
Ramadan Bayram (End of Ramadan): 15 and 16 June 2018
Kurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice): 21 to 24 August 2018
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2018
All Souls’ Day: 2 November 2018
Dayton Agreement Day: 21 November 2018**
Statehood Day (Republic Day): 25 November 2018*
Christmas Day: 25 December 2018
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 and 2 January 2019
Epiphany: 6 January 2019
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 January 2019
Republic Day: 9 January 2019**
Orthodox New Year: 14 January 2019
Independence Day: 1 March 2019*
Catholic Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Catholic Easter: 22 and 23 April 2019
Orthodox Good Friday: 26 April 2019
Orthodox Easter: 28 and 29 April 2019
Labour Day: 1 and 2 May 2019
Victory Day: 9 May 2019
Ramadan Bayram (End of Ramadan): 5 and 6 June 2019
Kurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice): 11 to 14 August 2019
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2019
All Souls’ Day: 2 November 2019
Dayton Agreement Day: 21 November 2019**
Statehood Day (Republic Day): 25 November 2019*
Christmas Day: 25 December 2019
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Sarajevo
You’re spoilt for choice for entertainment in this cosmopolitan city, from live jazz and rock in basement bars to turbo folk in packed nightclubs to classical concerts in world-class theatres.
The main hotspot is Old Sarajevo, particularly along Bazerdžani around the Hacienda.
Zlatna Ribica
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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This crazily decorated bar with a similarly eclectic mix of live music is a unique experience.
Hacienda
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Sip cool daiquiris and dance to Latino sounds in this Mexican-themed club.
Baghdad Cafe
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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This late-night cocktail bar with DJ house-electronic mix attracts a hip young crowd.
Pink Houdini
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnien und Herzegovina
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One of the city’s top jazz and blues clubs, with funky, futuristic décor.
Sarajevo National Theatre
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnien und Herzegovina
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Sarajevo’s top classical auditorium offers a world-class programme of opera, theatre and ballet.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Sarajevo
You can eat well in Sarajevo without blowing your budget, from rustic market stalls serving freshly made burek (stuffed filo pastry), to sophisticated restaurants offering gourmet fusion cuisine.
One of the nicest districts for eating out is Old Sarajevo, with plush riverside restaurants and open-air cafés on pedestrianised boulevards.
Plava Prizma
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Price: Expensive
For a special occasion, this revolving restaurant at the top of the Radon Plaza hotel offers great night-time views.
Hedona Wine Club
Poljine village
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Price: Expensive
Make the short journey to this beautiful vineyard overlooking Sarajevo for gourmet cuisine and excellent wines.
Mala Kuhinja
Sarajevo, 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Price: Moderate
Ask the chefs to cook what you want in this tiny but fantastic Asian fusion restaurant.
Inat Kuća
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Price: Moderate
Hearty local cuisine is the speciality of this romantic riverside restaurant.
Buregdzibnica sac
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Price: Cheap
Feast on some of the best borek in town; it’s great value for breakfast here too.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Sarajevo Winter
7 February – 21 March 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
Held every year since Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984, this winter festival keeps audiences entertained for the best part of two months. Over 1,000 artists from around the world present a thrilling mix of concerts, literary discussions, film screenings, dance displays and art exhibitions.
Collegium Artisticum Exhibition
April 2018
Venue: Collegium Artisticum
Held for two weeks beginning on or near Sarajevo’s Liberation Day on 6 April, the Collegium Artisticum gallery’s annual exhibition is a highly anticipated event. Around 200 Bosnian artists display their recent work, hoping to win one of three prestigious prizes awarded by the nation’s leading art and architectural associations.
Sarajevo Evenings of Music (SVEM)
May 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
Symphony orchestras, brass bands and classical choirs from across both Bosnia and its neighbours perform at this fabulous five-day music festival. The carefully planned programme often ties in with anniversaries of composers or historic events and features a superb array of concerti, opera overtures and folk tunes.
Kids’ Festival
June 2018
Website
Venue: ZETRA, Olympic Centre Juan Antonio Samaranch
Over 40,000 children take part in this fantastic festival at the end of the Bosnian school year. A colourful parade of kids wearing national and fancy dress kicks off the festivities, followed by four days of fun ranging from dancers and magicians to movies and a mini circus.
Nights of Baščaršijske
July 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
Throughout July, Sarajevo’s Old Town plays host to a terrific series of events at cultural venues and on open-air stages. Among the free performances are film screenings beneath the stars, dramatic opera singing, boot-stomping rock concerts and enchanting puppet shows.
Sarajevo Film Festival
10 – 17 August 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
Founded in 1995 towards the end of the four-year Sarajevo siege, this festival has been going strong for two decades. Around 100,000 movie fans are treated to high-quality cinema from across South-East Europe in a variety of venues from the intimate (seating fewer than 200) to 3,000-seater open-air cinemas.
MESS International Theatre Festival
September – October 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
One of the region’s oldest theatre festivals, MESS has been entertaining audiences for more than half a century. The festival stages local, national and international plays by leading playwrights, but also aims to unveil works by up-and-coming writers. Theatre companies travel from across Europe to perform in this much-loved event.
Jazz Fest Sarajevo
October – November 2018
Website
Venue: Bosnian Cultural Centre (Bosanski kulturni centar)
Sarajevo’s international jazz festival stages a cracking programme of music, with one or two concerts taking place every night. The line-up invariably features an enviable rundown of some of the world’s leading (and often Grammy award-winning) jazz artists, such as Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter and John McLaughlin.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s upscale hotels are mostly in the modern Novo Sarajevo business district; another popular area is the quiet and leafy Ilidza in the west of the city.
For city-centre buzz though, go to Old Sarajevo, where you can find charming boutique hotels in grand old buildings, and good-value budget hostels.
Bristol Sarajevo
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Category: Expensive
One of the city’s top classic hotels, the Bristol has sumptuous rooms and many amenities.
Hotel Hecco Deluxe
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Category: Expensive
This small design hotel has comfy and airy rooms, some with great views from the balcony.
Imzit Dobrinja
Saraievo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Category: Moderate
This traditional hotel is conveniently close to the airport and with ample parking space.
Villa Melody
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Category: Moderate
Key features of this modern hotel are its rooftop terrace, central location and stylish décor.
Pansion Harmony
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Category: Cheap
This small, family-run pension has compact but cosy rooms, and great hilltop views.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Tuesday, 24.04.2018 21:00 UTC

partly cloudy
temperature
16°C
wind direction
northwind speed
4.375 mph7 days forecast
Thursday
26.04.2018
25°C / 11°C
Friday
27.04.2018
24°C / 10°C
Saturday
28.04.2018
23°C / 17°C
Sunday
29.04.2018
23°C / 14°C
Monday
30.04.2018
23°C / 13°C
Tuesday
01.05.2018
27°C / 18°C
Wednesday
02.05.2018
25°C / 16°C
Climate & best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dominated by mountainous and hilly terrain, and drained by major rivers to the north (Sava) and east (Drina), Bosnia and Herzegovina has a climate that is as variable as the rest of the former Yugoslav federation, with moderate continental climatic conditions generally the norm (very cold winters and hot summers).
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute min | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 16 °C | -22 °C | 2 °C | -4 °C | 80 % | 71 mm | 10 | 1.8 h |
Feb | 19 °C | -23 °C | 5 °C | -2 °C | 75 % | 67 mm | 9 | 3.0 h |
Mar | 24 °C | -15 °C | 10 °C | 0 °C | 68 % | 70 mm | 10 | 4.1 h |
Apr | 30 °C | -6 °C | 15 °C | 4 °C | 66 % | 74 mm | 10 | 5.1 h |
May | 31 °C | -2 °C | 20 °C | 8 °C | 68 % | 82 mm | 10 | 6.2 h |
Jun | 35 °C | 2 °C | 23 °C | 11 °C | 68 % | 91 mm | 11 | 6.9 h |
Jul | 36 °C | 4 °C | 25 °C | 12 °C | 66 % | 80 mm | 8 | 8.3 h |
Aug | 38 °C | 4 °C | 25 °C | 12 °C | 63 % | 71 mm | 8 | 7.7 h |
Sep | 33 °C | -2 °C | 22 °C | 9 °C | 69 % | 70 mm | 8 | 6.2 h |
Oct | 32 °C | -3 °C | 16 °C | 5 °C | 76 % | 77 mm | 8 | 4.8 h |
Nov | 24 °C | -11 °C | 9 °C | 1 °C | 80 % | 94 mm | 10 | 2.7 h |
Dec | 17 °C | -22 °C | 3 °C | -2 °C | 81 % | 85 mm | 11 | 1.3 h |
year | 38 °C | -23 °C | 15 °C | 4 °C | 72 % | 932 mm | 113 | 4.8 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
/Mobile Telephone
Dialing code: +387
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.
Internet
Internet cafes are on the increase in the larger towns throughout the country.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Sarajevo
Key Areas
Most visitors flock to Old Sarajevo’s Bascarsija district for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs in a pleasant, traffic-free setting. Modern malls are popping up, particularly in the western suburbs, with restaurants and entertainment in air-conditioned comfort.
Markets
There are daily fresh fruit and vegetable markets, including Markale (Mula Mustafe Baseskije). On Sundays, check out the basic but fascinating flea market in Stup, about half an hour from the centre, in the west of the city.
Shopping Centres
Most malls are out of the city centre, particularly in the upscale western suburbs. Alta Shopping Center (Franca Lehara 2) is small but good quality, with some decent restaurants on the upper floor. Grand Centar (Butmirska 14, Ilidža), is a big new mall with a wide range of shops from fashion to electronics, as well as restaurants, kids’ play areas, and ample parking.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterised by its ethnic and religious diversity and visitors should respect the customs and traditions of the various ethnic and religious groups. The main ethnic groups are the Bosniaks (48%, also sometimes referred to as Bosnian Muslims), the Serbs (37.1%) and the Croats (14.3%).
Visitors should be aware that drinking alcohol in public may be considered offensive by more orthodox Muslims. Visitors should avoid expressing opinions about the war or other sensitive issues.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Food & Drink
Tap water is of good quality and safe to drink. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, although it is advisable to peel vegetables and fruit and only eat cooked meat and fish. Unpasteurised milk must be boiled. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk.
Other Risks
Immunisation against hepatitis B, tuberculosis and tick-borne encephalitis is recommended. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Paralija, BelmaClinical Centre of University Sarajevo
Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases & TB
Bardakcije 90
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Tel. +387-33444343
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.