Jazz Fest Sarajevo
The largest jazz festival in Southeast Europe brings international and regional musicians to Sarajevo's concert halls and clubs. The 30th anniversary edition takes place November 4 to 7, 2026.
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ℹ️Practical info — Sarajevo
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Drink water from the fountain at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque; it's said that whoever drinks it will return.
- Take the Sarajevo Cable Car (Žičara) to Trebević mountain for fresh air and panoramic views of the valley.
- Find the 'Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures' line on Ferhadija street where East meets West architecture.
- Use the tram for longer distances, but Baščaršija (the old town) is best explored strictly on foot.
- Respect local customs when entering religious sites; scarves are often provided at mosque entrances.
🍽 Food
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Sarajevo Ćevapi
Look for traditional family-run 'ćevabdžinica' shops in the Baščaršija district.
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Burek under the Sač
Try meat pie prepared under a metal lid (sač) with hot coals for the most authentic flavor.
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Bosnian Coffee
Enjoy coffee served in a traditional 'džezva' with a piece of 'rahat lokum' (Turkish delight).
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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Gazi Husrev-beg Bezistan
A 16th-century covered bazaar for textiles, jewelry, and traditional souvenirs.
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Kazandžiluk Street
The oldest street where coppersmiths still handcraft traditional items and coffee sets.
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Ferhadija Street
The main pedestrian artery with a mix of local shops and global retail brands.
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Trebević Mountain
Accessible by cable car, offering forest trails and fresh air far from the city noise.
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Vrelo Bosne
A beautiful park with the source of the Bosna river (take a horse carriage from Ilidža).
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The White Fortress (Bijela Tabija)
Visit at sunset for a silent, panoramic view over the entire Sarajevo valley.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
6
Sarajevo Half Marathon
The official half marathon of Sarajevo takes runners from around the world through the streets of the capital, as part of the NGO Marathon Sarajevo program. The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday, September 13.
Sarajevo Film Festival
Southeast Europe's largest and most prestigious film festival showcases regional and world premieres across more than ten venues in the city. The 32nd edition runs August 14 to 21, 2026, drawing filmmakers and audiences from around the world.
Sarajevo City Night Race
The popular evening city run through the streets of Sarajevo is known for its unique atmosphere and strong international turnout. The ninth edition was rescheduled to July 12, 2026, starting at the Asim Ferhatović Hase and Grbavica stadiums.
WARM Festival and Academy
An international festival combining exhibitions, book launches, film screenings, theatre and music around themes of conflict, power and memory. The accompanying WARM Academy offers lectures and masterclasses from international experts. The 2026 edition runs July 6 to 12 in Sarajevo.
Baščaršija Nights
The long-running summer cultural festival in Sarajevo's old town brings concerts, theatre, opera, ballet and literary evenings, mostly with free admission. The 26th edition in 2026 runs from June 30 to July 31 through the narrow Ottoman-era streets of Baščaršija.
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is positioned in a valley of the Dinaric Alps along the Miljacka River. The city is globally recognized for its religious and cultural diversity, earning it the nickname 'Jerusalem of Europe' as mosques, churches, and synagogues stand in close proximity. Historically, the city gained infamy as the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which triggered World War I. In recent history, Sarajevo endured the longest siege in modern warfare between 1992 and 1996. Despite this, the city has evolved into an animated cultural hub that hosts the prestigious Sarajevo Film Festival annually. The Ottoman-era old town, Baščaršija, with its iconic Sebilj fountain, remains the heart of the city's tourism. Sarajevo was also the host city for the 1984 Winter Olympics, the remains of which are still visible in the surrounding mountains.
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A postcard from Sarajevo
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Create a postcard- Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Highlights: Museum of the Jews of Bosnia and Herzegovina · The Brusa Bezistan · The Despić House
- Nearby: East Sarajevo (5 km)
- Population: ~696.731
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 4 | -1 |
| Rain mm | 63 | 64 | 69 | 69 | 99 | 103 | 75 | 61 | 77 | 71 | 74 | 73 |
Geography
Facts
- Capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Site of the Sarajevo assassination on June 28, 1914
- Host city of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games
- Endured the longest siege in modern history (1,425 days)
- Home to one of the oldest tram networks in Europe (since 1885)
- Host of the world-renowned Sarajevo Film Festival
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Sarajevo (18)
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I plan for Sarajevo?
At least 2 to 3 days to see the old town, museums and surrounding mountains.
What is the most famous food?
Sarajevo Ćevapi in flatbread (somun) with onions and kajmak.
Is Sarajevo safe for tourists?
Yes, the city is generally safe; watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas.
Which transport is best?
The tram is well-suited for the center; taxis are cheap but insist on using the meter.
Where did the 1914 assassination take place?
At the Latin Bridge (Latinska ćuprija), marked by a plaque on the corner building.
Sarajevo: where is it located?
Sarajevo is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sarajevo: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museum of the Jews of Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Brusa Bezistan, The Despić House.
Sarajevo: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Sarajevo: why is it worth visiting?
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is positioned in a valley of the Dinaric Alps along the Miljacka River.
Nearby cities
East Sarajevo
East Sarajevo is a city in Republika Srpska adjacent to the city of Sarajevo.
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Lukavica
Lukavica is an administrative center in Republika Srpska, which forms a large part of East Sarajevo.
Briješće
Briješće is a settlement in the Novi Grad municipality, a suburb of the capital Sarajevo.
Vogošća
Vogošća is a municipality north of Sarajevo and a key industrial suburb of the capital.
Ilidža
Ilidža is a municipality in the Sarajevo Canton and a major health resort.
Tihovići
Tihovići is a small settlement near the capital Sarajevo.
Pale
Pale is located east of Sarajevo at the foot of the Jahorina Mountains.
Ilijaš
Ilijaš is located north of Sarajevo in the Bosna valley.
Igman
High plateau near Sarajevo known for the 1984 Winter Olympics and its refreshing mountain air.
Ravna Planina
A modern year-round resort near Pale, known for its gondola lift and artificial swimming lakes on the mountain top.
Hadžići
Hadžići is a municipality southwest of Sarajevo at the foot of the Igman and Bjelašnica mountains.
Trnovo
Trnovo is located southeast of Sarajevo in a mountainous region between the Igman and Treskavica mountains.
Trnovo (Federation)
Trnovo is a small municipality in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, bordering the Sarajevo Canton.
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Breza
A small Bosnian town known for its long coal-mining history and a significant early medieval archaeological find, located near Sarajevo.
Kiseljak
Kiseljak is located in central Bosnia and is famous for its natural mineral water.
History & landmarks
Sarajevo Film Festival
The premier and largest film festival in the Balkans.
Baščaršija
The old bazaar and the historical and cultural center of Sarajevo.
Orlovača Cave
One of the longest caves in Bosnia and Herzegovina, rich in stalactites and stalagmites.
Bjelašnica
Mountain near Sarajevo, known for hosting the Olympic Games.
Lukomir
The highest and most isolated village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Mount Bjelašnica.
Jahorina
A mountain near Sarajevo, known for hosting the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Nature
Sarajevo Zoo
The Sarajevo Zoo, locally known as Pionirska dolina, is the oldest zoo in the country.
Skakavac Waterfall
A 98-meter-high waterfall near Sarajevo, surrounded by dense spruce and beech forests.
Rakitnica Canyon
One of Europe's deepest and most untouched canyons, hosting extraordinary biodiversity.
More places
Tvrtko I Monument
This bronze monument in Sarajevo depicts King Tvrtko I Kotromanić, the most significant ruler of medieval Bosnia.
Sarajevo City Hall
Built in the Pseudo-Moorish style, the Vijećnica is one of the most magnificent buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period in Sarajevo.
Vraca Memorial Park
Vraca is a memorial dedicated to the victims of World War II in Sarajevo.
Trebević Protected Landscape
Sarajevo's local mountain is an important recreational area with a high diversity of fungi and plants.
Rajlovac Logistics Center
The logistics center in Rajlovac near Sarajevo serves as a central transshipment point for goods traffic between Central Europe and the B…
Tunnel of Hope
This 800-meter tunnel was the city's only link to the outside world during the Siege of Sarajevo.
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Mihaljevići Necropolis
Mihaljevići Necropolis near Sarajevo contains several preserved Stećci.
Krupac Necropolis
Krupac Necropolis includes several medieval Stećci.