What to do in Sarajevo?

Baščaršija dates back to 1462, when Isa-beg Ishaković founded Sarajevo and built its first caravanserai and artisan workshops right here. From that moment on, it became the Ottoman Empire’s main bazaar, with streets dedicated to shoemakers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, and traders—keeping the craft tradition alive.

This Ottoman-era bridge became world-famous when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated here on June 28, 1914—the spark that ignited World War I. Under Yugoslavia it was known as “Princip’s Bridge,” but today it proudly carries its original name.

This Ottoman bridge became world-famous when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated here on June 28, 1914—the event that triggered World War I. During Yugoslav times it was called “Princip’s Bridge,” but today it proudly bears its original name.

The street originated in the 16th century, developing around the Ferhadija Mosque, built by Ferhad-beg Vuković-Desisalić, an Ottoman governor. The name “Ferhadija” reflects this origin; although the street was renamed several times—Petar II (1928–1941) and Vaso Miskin (1945–1993)—it officially reclaimed its original name in 1993.

Trebević is Sarajevans’ favorite nature escape, located only a 20-minute drive from the city. Surrounded by dense forests, fresh air, and panoramic views, it’s the perfect place to unwind without straying from urban life. Its biodiversity makes it a green haven ideal for hikes, picnics, and direct contact with nature.

Sarajevo Brewery was established on May 24, 1864, and is considered the first local industry and one of the oldest breweries in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It operated continuously through the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, as well as during both World Wars—making it a living symbol of Bosnian industrial heritage.

Founded on February 8, 1984, to honor the XIV Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, it was housed in the “Mandić” Villa—an architectural treasure designed by Karel Pařík in 1903. The villa once served as the U.S. consulate and has become a cultural symbol preserving the city’s Olympic and historical heritage.

The museum opened on February 1, 1888, under Austro-Hungarian rule as the nation’s oldest cultural and scientific institution. Planned as early as 1850 by architect Karel Paržik, its purpose-built home debuted in 1913 with four symmetrical Neo-Renaissance pavilions and a central botanical garden—the only museum complex in the region designed from the ground up for this mission.

Built between 1727 and 1739 as part of the Ottoman Vratnik defense system protecting Sarajevo, its distinctive sandstone walls and five bastions made it a key defensive point. Despite multiple restorations, it’s largely preserved and was declared a national monument in 2005.

In April 1993, amid the brutal siege, residents and Bosnian troops hand-dug the tunnel—using pickaxes and shovels—for nearly 800 meters (sources cite between 785 and 960 m) beneath the Sarajevo airport runway. In just four months, they opened this vital link between Dobrinja and Butmir. With only basic tools, they transported timber, cables, fuel, and even electrified parts of the besieged city.