Bosnia and Herzegovina may not be a country that is on everyone’s radar, and it definitely has a dark and tragic history. However, two days in Sarajevo is an excellent addition to any Balkans or Eastern Europe vacation. With two days in the capital city, visitors can learning about its history and embark on some fantastic day trip options.
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History of Sarajevo
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was founded in the 15th century by the Ottoman general Isa-Beg Ishaković, who developed it into a thriving cultural and commercial center. The city still reflects the rich Ottoman legacy of mosques, markets, and public buildings. Over time, Sarajevo became known as “Little Jerusalem” for its rare coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The city’s multicultural character remained intact through centuries of shifting empires.
In 1878, Sarajevo came under Austro-Hungarian rule, leading to rapid modernization and Western-style urban development. It became globally significant in 1914 when the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand there triggered World War I. After decades under Yugoslavia, the city endured the Siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1996 during the Bosnian War. Despite heavy destruction and immense suffering, Sarajevo has since rebuilt itself as a vibrant cultural hub, symbolizing resilience and the enduring spirit of coexistence in the Balkans.
When to Spend Two Days in Sarajevo
May and fall are two of the best times to spend two days in Sarajevo, as the weather is perfect and there are fewer crowds. However, Sarajevo is a nice place to visit during the summer as you may find fewer crowds than in many places in Western Europe. The weather in summertime can be quite warm, and winter can be cold, so keep that in mind when choosing to visit.
How to Get to Sarajevo
To get to Sarajevo, the easiest way is to fly into Sarajevo International Airport. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights. We flew here from Kenya via Istanbul.
If you are in Mostar, you can take the train to Sarajevo and vice versa. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station. Flixbus is also an option.
The last option for getting to Sarajevo is by hiring a private transfer. This is a good option if you are coming from somewhere else in the Balkans.
Transportation in Sarajevo
If you stay in the main part of Sarajevo, it is very easy to get around most places by walking. Alternatively, there is a tram that runs around the city. You can pay cash for your ticket on board the tram. Each ride costs about $1.
Where to Stay in Sarajevo
Sarajevo is not a huge city, so most of the hotels within the city center are within walking distance of all of the main sites. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Sarajevo here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. We stayed at the Courtyard Sarajevo, which was a decent location, but not as convenient as other hotels. Other hotel options include the Residence Inn Sarajevo and Hotel Europe.
What to do During Two Days in Sarajevo
Day 1: Sarajevo
Today you will spend the day exploring what Sarajevo has to offer. There are a ton of awesome things to do during two days in Sarajevo, and this itinerary will take you to some of the top things to do. If you want a guided tour of old town Sarajevo, check out this Old Town and Fortress tour. There is also this nighttime walking tour if you prefer to explore in the evening.
Sarajevo City Hall
Start the morning by walking by the Sarajevo City Hall. This is a great photo spot where you can take your picture in front of the Sarajevo sign. The original city hall was destroyed during the Siege of Sarajevo and later rebuilt and restored.
Latin Bridge
Next, head to the Latin Bridge, a historic Ottoman-era stone bridge that is best known as the site where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, sparking World War I. With its elegant arches spanning the Miljacka River, the bridge stands today as a powerful symbol of the city’s layered history.
Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide
Cost: $10
Hours: 9am-9pm
The Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide is a must-visit during two days in Sarajevo. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the atrocities committed during the Bosnian War. It contains testimonies of survivors and personal artifacts. Through these things, the museum educates visitors about the harsh events of this period.
Nanina Kuhinja
Hours: 9am-11pm
This traditional Bosnian restaurant is the perfect lunch stop during your two days in Sarajevo. Its name translates to “Grandma’s Kitchen.” Nanina Kuhinja serves a lot of classic Bosnian dishes, and you cannot go wrong with whatever you order.
Siege of Sarajevo Museum
Cost: $10
Hours: 9am-9pm
The Siege of Sarajevo Museum is another museum that you should visit during two days in Sarajevo. It focuses on the siege of the capital city during the Bosnian War. Like the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, this museum contains photographs, video footage, artifacts, and personal stories to document the story.
Sarajevo 80s Museum
Cost: $10
Hours: 9am-9pm
The Sarajevo 80s Museum gives a glimpse into what life was like in a Yugoslav home during the 1980s. The setup includes a living room, kitchen, children’s corner, and office space, each filled with authentic artifacts. Additionally, it is also very hands-on and interactive.
You can also buy a combination ticket for the three museums for about $27.
La Cava Sarajevo
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10am-12:30am, Fri-Sat: 10am-1am
After spending some time at the museums, take a break at La Vara Sarajevo. This is a great place to try some local wine or grab a cocktail to take a load off at one of the many outdoor tables.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Sarajevo
Next during your two days in Sarajevo, stop at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. This is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovinia and serves as the center of Catholic worship in the country. It was built during the 1800s but was damaged during the Bosnian War.
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is another stop to visiting during two days in Sarajevo, located in the Old Town area of Sarajevo. It was built during the 1530s during the Ottoman era and serves as a central place of worship for Muslims in Sarajevo. Make sure to dress appropriately when visiting.
The Singing Nettle
Hours: Mon-Sat: 2pm-10:30pm
End your first of two days in Sarajevo with dinner at the Signing Nettle. This restaurant is known for its Bosnian cuisine and local ingredients. Favorite dishes from visitors include nettle pie and rakija.
Day 2: Mostar
For your second of two days in Sarajevo, plan on taking a day trip to Mostar, a gorgeous Bosnia city. I recommend booking a tour like this one through Get Your Guide to take you to see all the gorgeous places. This will give you a great overview of the Herzegovina part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Alternatively, you can take a train from Sarajavo to Mostar if you just want to explore Mostar. The train is a very scenic ride and is quite popular. The route was built specifically to view the countryside. Train tickets start around $8 each way. This is also a good way to get to Mostar if you want to spend more than one day there.
If you opt for a tour, your day will go some thing similar to the following itinerary. You will be picked up at your hotel and have a guide and driver with you all day.
Konjic
On the way out of town, you will pass Konjic, a charming riverside town with its historic multi‑arched Ottoman bridge and beautiful green Neretva surroundings. This is a great place to snap a couple pictures before continuing onward.
Kravica Waterfalls
First, you will start your day by visiting the Kravica Waterfalls.These 28 meter tall waterfalls cascade over 120 meters wide. It is a great place for photos or relaxing. During the summer months, make sure to bring a swimsuit to go for a swim.
Počitelj
Next during your two days in Sarajvo, stop in Počitelj. Here you will wander through this 14th-century stone town which is essentially an open-air museum. It has preserved Ottoman architecture, a medieval fortress, mosque, and panoramic views. You cannot beat the views you get from the overlook here.
Blagaj Tekke
For your next stop, you will visit the Dervish monastery (Tekija), which is nestled at the source of the Buna River. This architectural gem blending Baroque and Ottoman styles and was declared a national monument in 2003. Note that to go inside you will need to take off your shoes and make sure you are all covered up. This is also a great area to grab some food or a snack.
Mostar
End your second of two days in Sarajavo with exploring the town of Mostar. This city has a pretty famous old town that is known for its iconic UNESCO-listed Stari Most (Old Bridge), a magnificent Ottoman-era reconstruction spanning the Neretva River. If you are lucky, you can catch people jumping off the bridge and diving into the water below. Alternatively, you can hire a boat to take you under the bridge.
Padrinos
Hours: Tues-Sun: 9am-11pm
Once back in Sarajovo, grab a quick dinner at Padrinos to finish off your two days in Sarajavo. They have delicious pizza and pasta. You cannot go wrong with whatever you order, and make sure to order a spritz to complement the meal.
More Than Two Days in Sarajevo
If you have more than two days in Sarajevo, you may want to check out the following options.
- Olympic Museum: Goes over the history of the Olympics in Sarajavo.
- Olympic Cauldron: See the stadium where the Olympics were held.
- Winter Olympics tour: See the main sites of the Olympics.
- Yellow Fortress: Best spot in the city for sunset views of Sarajavo.
- Tunnel of Hope tour: Learn about this historic underground passage that helped during the siege of Sarajavo.
- Bosnian cooking class: Learn to cook Bosnia food.
Final Tips for Two Days in Sarajevo
Two days in Sarajevo is the perfect amount of time to explore this amazing city. It is definitely one of the lesser-visited capitals, but well worth heading to if you are visiting other countries in the area like Croatia, Montenegro, or Serbia.
