A city where Ottoman heritage meets European architecture, and where my nine-day Balkan journey both began and ended.
Sarajevo was both the first and final stop of my nine-day Balkan journey. I arrived from Istanbul on 16 July 2026, ready to explore the Bosnian capital before continuing my journey through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Day 1 – Arrival in Sarajevo
After landing at Sarajevo International Airport, I took the airport bus to the city centre and headed towards Baščaršija, the historic heart of Sarajevo.
Walking through Baščaršija for the first time was a great introduction to the city. Its narrow streets, traditional shops, cafés, mosques and Ottoman-style buildings immediately gave me a sense of Sarajevo’s distinctive atmosphere.
I had my first meal at Libertas Restaurant before going to my accommodation to leave my things and rest for a while.
At around 6 pm, I returned to Baščaršija and made my way towards the Sarajevo Cable Car.
The cable car took me up to Trebević Mountain, where I had the chance to see Sarajevo from above. Surrounded by mountains, the panoramic view of the city was one of the highlights of my first day.
After spending some time on Trebević, I took the cable car back down and returned to Baščaršija. I spent the rest of the evening walking around the old town before returning to my accommodation at around 11 pm.
Day 2 – Exploring Sarajevo on Foot
The following morning, I returned to Baščaršija and started the day with burek at Buregdžinica Sač.
After breakfast, I began exploring Sarajevo on foot. My route took me through some of the city’s most interesting historical and cultural landmarks:
- Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
- Sarajevo Clock Tower
- Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures
- Sebilj
- Morića Han
- Sarajevo City Hall – Vijećnica
- Alija Izetbegović’s grave
- Yellow Fortress – Žuta Tabija
- White Fortress – Bijela Tabija
- Latin Bridge
- Emperor’s Mosque
One of my first major stops was the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, an impressive reminder of Sarajevo’s Ottoman past. From there, I continued through Baščaršija, passing the Sarajevo Clock Tower, Sebilj and the old streets of the historic centre.
At Morića Han, I stopped for a traditional Bosnian coffee. Sitting in the courtyard of this historic Ottoman han was a nice opportunity to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.
I then continued towards Sarajevo City Hall – Vijećnica before heading uphill to explore another side of the city.
Sarajevo from Above
My route took me to the Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) and the White Fortress (Bijela Tabija).
Both offered a different perspective over Sarajevo. From above, it was easy to see how the city stretches through the valley, surrounded almost completely by mountains.
Together with the view from Trebević the previous evening, these were some of my favourite viewpoints in Sarajevo.
I then continued exploring the city, including Latin Bridge and the Emperor’s Mosque, before making my way back through the centre.
Where East Meets West
One of the details I found particularly interesting was the Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures.
This point represents the transition between two very different sides of the city. Look towards Baščaršija and the Ottoman influence is immediately visible in the architecture and narrow streets. Turn in the opposite direction and Sarajevo gradually takes on a more Central European appearance.
It is a simple but fascinating representation of the city’s history and perhaps the best explanation of why Sarajevo is often described as a place where East meets West.
During the day, I also tried another Bosnian classic, ćevapi at Željo.
While spending time around the city, I unexpectedly came across a traditional Bosnian folk dance performance. It wasn’t something I had planned to see, which made the experience even more memorable. The traditional music, clothing and dancing added another dimension to my experience of Sarajevo and its local culture.
Through the Centre of Sarajevo
I continued towards Vječna Vatra – the Eternal Flame, where I also spent some time shopping around the city centre.
From there, I visited Sacred Heart Cathedral and walked along Ferhadija Street before continuing towards Veliki Park.
Later, I reached the area around the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After spending most of the day walking through Sarajevo, I took the tram back to Baščaršija.
It had been a long day, but exploring the city on foot was one of the best ways to see how Sarajevo changes from its Ottoman old town to its more European side.
Leaving Sarajevo
The following day, it was time to begin the road-trip part of my journey.
I went to the area near the Academy of Fine Arts, where I picked up my rental car.
From there, I left Sarajevo and headed towards Mostar, beginning the next stage of my nine-day journey through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
But Sarajevo wasn’t really a goodbye. I would return to the city at the end of the trip.
Back to Sarajevo
Nine days after my journey began, I found myself back in Sarajevo.
Returning to Baščaršija felt different this time. The streets that had been completely unfamiliar when I first arrived now felt recognisable.
I spent some more time walking around the old town, enjoying its atmosphere and buying a few souvenirs before preparing to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina.
There was something special about finishing the journey in exactly the same place where it had started.
Final Thoughts
Sarajevo is a city shaped by different cultures and different periods of history. Ottoman streets and mosques sit alongside Austro-Hungarian architecture, churches and historic bridges, all surrounded by the mountains that define the city’s landscape.
But some of my favourite memories came from the smaller experiences along the way: having burek and ćevapi, drinking Bosnian coffee at Morića Han, unexpectedly coming across traditional Bosnian dancing, wandering through Baščaršija and seeing Sarajevo from Trebević, Yellow Fortress and White Fortress.
Sarajevo was where my nine-day Balkan journey began and, nine days later, where it came to an end.
A city where East meets West, and a memorable beginning and ending to my journey.
Next stop: Mostar.
