Spending 48 hours in Sarajevo

Imagine this: you’re travelling to Sarajevo, the largest, most beautiful, and capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The catch is, you’re only there for two days, so you’ve got to make the most of the trip. But there’s so much to do, it’s hard to know what to go for. Unless, of course, you’re taking tips from here. Instead of outlining a typical itinerary, we’re listing some of the most popular and highly recommended destinations and activities in Sarajevo. You can either follow our listing or mix and match attractions suiting your travel plans.

DAY ONE

Try not to explore too much on the first day since you might still be recovering from jet lag, or could get exhausted easily. Here are the prime spots:

Olympic Ruins

In 1984, the Winter Olympics were held in Sarajevo. Fast forward a couple of years, and the same site was used as battlements and artillery storage during the siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1996. What followed next were various installations for the Olympics, like the Bobsled Track and the Ski Jumps, becoming a breeding ground for explosive mines. It wasn’t until recent years that the Olympic Ruins were finally cleared of land mines, and tourists were allowed to visit. The change was so drastic, so imposing, and so magnificent that the Olympic Ruins now stand as an impressive historical landmark for tourists.

Old Town

If you’re visiting the Bobsled Track, it’s impossible not to veer off into the Old Town or the Baščaršija. The old bazaar was built during the 15th century, when Isa Beg-Ishakovic founded Sarajevo. Naturally, Baščaršija has quite the tale to tell, and it comes with charming streets, unique architecture, intriguing history, and of course, rundown stores that hand you touristy knick-knacks. You’re welcome to spend the whole day here, though if you’re short on time, it’s better to get a guided tour and then hop on to the next stop.

Latin Bridge

If you’ve got the time, squeeze in a trip to the Latin Bridge, the Ottoman-era masterpiece that still stands today. The Latin Bridge isn’t just a pretty destination; it holds a dark past: the bridge is where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, so you could say this bridge had a big hand in the First World War. But don’t worry; it’s now a spot for tourists to walk around and take pretty pictures over the river.

Valiki Park

Since you’ll be pretty tired by now, it’s best to slow down and admire Sarajevo’s beauty. And if there’s one place you can do that, it’s Valiki Park, where the serene garden puts you in the right mood. Valiki Park isn’t just a grassy spot; it’s the largest public park in the city, so you’ll have lots of walking paths, where you and your loved ones can stroll, exploring the city’s beauty. It’s also lined with vendors serving hot, fresh food.

DAY TWO

You’ll be feeling a lot more energetic, so let’s try to squeeze in as many activities as we can:

Yellow Bastion

Every traveller thinks they’ve seen the best sunset, but they haven’t; at least, not until they’ve visited the Yellow Bastion. The Yellow Bastion or Yellow Fortress is a cannon fortress that protects the entry of what was once the Walled City of Vratnik. The Yellow Bastion is a delightful little destination, one that usually excites tourists because of its history and architecture, but sit and wait for the sunset, and you’ll see all there is to love.

Gazi Husrev Beg’s Mosque

If there’s one place in Sarajevo that screams architectural marvel, it’s the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque. Dating back to the 16th century, the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque is the largest historical mosque in the country, and one that’s been impressing tourists for centuries. Interestingly, the mosque showcases Ottoman architecture, a stark contrast from the rest of the city’s buildings, and serves as a delightful area of worship for Muslims.

Vilsonovo Šetalište

One of the most beautiful streets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vilsonovo šetalište is a promenade that’s worth a visit. The Vilsonovo šetalište is usually crowded, mainly because it’s still operational and is an important street for the city, so you’ll have to time the visit. Weekends and afternoons make the Vilsonovo šetalište a recreational outdoor spot, where you can stroll and watch the beautiful autumn foliage.

Sarajevo Cathedral

The Sarajevo Cathedral, namely the Sacred Heart Cathedral, has a rich history, but we’d rather you get a glimpse from the tour guides themselves. This is because the Sarajevo Cathedral dates back several centuries, but was reconstructed a few times, so it wasn’t declared completed until 1998. That’s pretty recent for a cathedral that began its construction in 1887. You’re welcome to skip the guided tour and stroll the cathedral yourself, but trust us, those history pointers are pretty fun.

Avaz Twist Tower

The tallest building in the country (without an antenna), Avaz Twist Tower, is a historic little delight. This is where the Dnevi Awaz, a Bosnian newspaper, starts its morning, and although it’s still a working space, the Avaz Twist Tower is a pretty fun skyscraper to explore. We definitely recommend going all the way up so you can get a clear picture of stunning Sarajevo.

Sarajevo City Centre

Now, if there’s one place you can learn all about Sarajevo and join in on the fun, it’s the city centre. Usually, city centres don’t sound too interesting, but when you’ve got all sorts of boutiques and stores awaiting your credit card, the trip just clicks. It’s where you can dine on scrumptious food (definitely try the borek and baklava) and pick out all the souvenirs for those folks waiting back home.

Sebilj Fountain

Tie off your day with a romantic stroll around the Sebilj Fountain. An Ottoman masterpiece, this wooden fountain was first built in 1753, but was reconstructed after a fire destroyed most of it in 1852. Nevertheless, you can still glimpse the stunning restoration in its stature, reminding us how art truly never stops living. Make sure you stay until sunset because the fountain really comes alive against the dark sky, creating an unimaginably romantic setting.