Welcome to Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nestled within the greater Sarajevo valley of Bosnia, it is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans.

It is situated 518 meters above sea level and lies in the Sarajevo valley, in the middle of the Dinaric Alps. The valley itself once formed a vast expanse of greenery, but gave way to urban expansion and development in the post-World War II era. The city is surrounded by heavily forested hills and five major mountains. The Miljacka river is one of the city's chief geographic features. It flows through the city from east through the center of Sarajevo to west part of city where eventually meets up with the Bosna river.
Sarajevo is the leading political, social and cultural center of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a prominent center of culture in the Balkans, with its region-wide influence in entertainment, media, fashion, and the arts.
Sarajevo finds itself at the very top of lists of European capital cities where visitors can certainly get a good value for their money.
Whether it’s accommodation, purchasing souvenirs, taking interesting tours around town, visiting attractions, eating delicious meals in quality restaurants with spectacular views, spending an evening in one of the top clubs, looking for wellness treatments and health services or having unforgettable weekends in some of the ski resorts near town.

In Sarajevo you can find traces of the Neolithic Butmir Culture, Illyrians, Romans, Slavs, as well as remains representing the medieval Bosnian Kingdom, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires...
Over the past 100 years, Sarajevo has found itself a member of six different states and has witnessed the Sarajevo Assassination, the First and Second World Wars, the XIV Winter Olympic Games, the longest-running siege of any town in modern history.... Sarajevo is steeped in history and is always eager to share its many fascinating stories with visitors.
For several hundred years, the borders of two great empires, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian, which represented the two poles of the world at that time – East and West, Islamic and Christian – met in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This made the country and its capital a crossroads for different worlds – a place where Orient met Occident in the heart of the Balkans.

Every town has its own specific rhythm and Sarajevo’s is an easy-going and relaxing one.
Sarajevans can spend hours sitting and socializing with friends over coffee or some other drink, and it’s this “contagious” habit that soon passes to those visiting Sarajevo.

Sarajevo is large enough that there is a lot to see and experience, yet also small and compact enough to get wherever you want on foot.
The best way to take in nearly all of Sarajevo’s attractions is on foot, as most of them are only a few kilometers from one another. It’s also the best way to discover the charm of the narrow streets in the old part of town, as well as the beauty of Sarajevo’s many façades, which are decorated with fascinating bas-reliefs. If walking is not really your thing, don’t worry – the taxi rates here are among the most inexpensive in Europe, so you can use this means of transportation not only to get around town, but also to visit some of the nearby picnic grounds.
With all of the advantages that one capital city can offer its visitors, in Sarajevo you’ll have a chance to find yourself totally outside the urban milieu in lovely and untouched nature, surrounded by greenery and the shade of trees, fresh rivers and streams, where you will be intoxicated by the fragrance of flowers and the lovely sounds of birds.
Winter turns everything white and the ski lanes, where the XIV Winter Olympic Games were held, are only 30 minutes from the city, so in no time at all, you can reach a lovely mountain cabin, where you can enjoy the winter wonderland beside a crackling fire in the fireplace.

If the beauty of a city is determined by its inhabitants, then Sarajevo definitely ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world!
If there’s one thing Sarajevo is known for, it’s the hospitality and kindness of its residents, who will do their best to make a visitor’s stay in their town special. Whether you need advice about where to go or you’re lost and need some directions, don’t hesitate to stop passersby, waiters or merchants to ask them whatever you need. More often than not, you’re sure to hear an interesting story along with their answer, so don’t be surprised if you come to Sarajevo as a tourist and leave as a Sarajevan!