Comparison · Belgrade vs Sarajevo · Serbia / Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgrade vs Sarajevo
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ZlatanJovanovic, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Belgrade for Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park; choose Sarajevo for Baščaršija and Ćevapi. Sarajevo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 192 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 192 km
- Less expensive
- Sarajevo
- Best time for Belgrade
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Sarajevo
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Belgrade | Sarajevo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Serbia | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Known for | Belgrade Fortress, Kalemegdan Park and Nightlife and river clubs | Baščaršija, Ćevapi and Bosnian coffee |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$160 | $80–$140 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 30°C (86°F) | July, 27°C (81°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 5°C (41°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BEG | SJJ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Belgrade for…
Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park. Serbia's capital stands on a ridge where the Sava flows into the Danube, crowned by the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park. From there the pedestrian Knez Mihailova street leads to Republic Square, the bohemian kafanas of Skadarlija and the huge domed…
Choose Sarajevo for…
Baščaršija and Ćevapi. Sarajevo stretches along the narrow Miljacka river valley, ringed by the mountains that hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. Walking west from the Ottoman bazaar of Baščaršija, you pass mosques, a Catholic cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral and a synagogue within…
Top sights compared
| # | Belgrade | Sarajevo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park | Baščaršija and the Sebilj |
| 2 | Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square | Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque |
| 3 | Skadarlija | Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures |
| 4 | Church of Saint Sava | Sacred Heart Cathedral |
| 5 | Nikola Tesla Museum | Latin Bridge and Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918 |
Food compared
| Belgrade | Sarajevo |
|---|---|
| Ćevapi | Ćevapi |
| Pljeskavica | Burek and pita |
| Burek with yogurt | Bosnian coffee |
| Kajmak | Begova čorba |
Which is cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $80–$140 per person there, against $90–$160 in Belgrade (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Sarajevo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Belgrade and Sarajevo are about 192 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Belgrade and 3 in Sarajevo.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Belgrade or Sarajevo cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually less expensive: about $80–$140 a day mid-range against $90–$160 (estimates).
+Is Belgrade or Sarajevo better for a first trip?
Pick Belgrade for Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, or Sarajevo for Baščaršija and Ćevapi.
+How far is Belgrade from Sarajevo?
About 192 km in a straight line.