Cheap city trip Sarajevo

When is the best time to go?

April to October are the best months for Sarajevo: dry and pleasantly warm (18 to 28 degrees). September is the hidden gem: summer festivals are over, the boulevards are quiet and hotel deals are sharper. Want to ski? Jahorina and Bjelasnica (1984 Olympic ski resort) are just 30 kilometres from the centre and open December to March. The Sarajevo Film Festival draws international audiences every August.

Best neighbourhoods in Sarajevo

• Bascarsija The 15th-century Ottoman old town with copper craftsmen, bazaar streets, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the oldest cafes in the city. Best neighbourhood to be close to all the sights.
• Stari Grad Adjacent historic quarter with the Latin Bridge (site of the WWI assassination) and countless restaurants for cevapi and burek.
• Marijin Dvor The Habsburg part of the city with impressive 19th-century architecture, good restaurants and Sarajevo's most modern hotels.
• Kovaci Hillside neighbourhood above Bascarsija with an authentic residential character and the least tourism. Ideal for a sunset walk towards the Yellow Fortress.
• Ilidza Suburban municipality with the beautiful Vrelo Bosne park (springs of the Bosna river) and a tram connection to the city centre. Good for a peaceful day out.

Top 5 things to do in Sarajevo

• Bascarsija and Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque Walk through the 15th-century coppersmith street (Kazandziluk) and visit the most beautiful Ottoman mosque in the Balkans. The mosque is free to visit outside prayer times. Combine with a traditional Bosnian coffee (1.50 to 2 euros) in a cajna kuca (teahouse).
• Tunnel of Hope Museum The 800-metre tunnel that connected Sarajevo to the outside world during the siege (1992-1996). Moving and historically informative. Entry around 6 euros. Take a taxi or the city bus to Ilidza and then walk (20 minutes).
• Yellow Fortress (Zuta Tabija) The Ottoman fortress on the hill above Bascarsija, free entry, with the best panorama over the city. Best time: golden hour before sunset. Combine with the 16th-century Bijela Tabija (White Fortress) just above.
• Gallery 11/07/95 The most moving and best documentary photo exhibition in the Balkans about the Srebrenica genocide in July 1995. Not heavy-handed but unmissable: this is something you have to see. Entry around 15 euros.
• Latin Bridge and Sarajevo 1878-1918 Museum The spot where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, sparking the First World War. The small museum next to the bridge costs around 4 euros. Walk across the bridge free of charge: always open.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

Wizz Air flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) to Sarajevo (SJJ) in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Return prices range from around 60 to 130 euros depending on the season. From Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), the most convenient connection is via Vienna with Austrian Airlines or KLM in about 4 to 5 hours total. Local transport: the Sarajevo tram (lines 1, 2, 3) runs through the centre for around 1.80 KM (about 0.90 euros). Bus 31E or 31A connects the airport to the centre in 30 minutes for around 4 KM (2 euros). A taxi from the airport costs around 25 to 35 euros. A rental car is not needed for the city itself.

What does a city trip to Sarajevo cost?

Hostels (2026) from 18 euros per night, mid-range hotels 50 to 100 euros. Food is very cheap: cevapi with bread 5 euros, burek 2 euros, dinner at a restaurant 12 to 20 euros. Bosnian coffee 1.50 euros. Tunnel of Hope 6 euros, Gallery 11/07/95 15 euros, most other sights largely free. For 3 nights including a flight from Eindhoven, budget around 280 to 380 euros per person.