Comparison · Ljubljana vs Sarajevo · Slovenia / Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ljubljana 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: Andrew Milligan Sumo, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Ljubljana for Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle and free sights; choose Sarajevo for Baščaršija, Ćevapi and lower day-to-day costs. Sarajevo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 393 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 393 km
- Less expensive
- Sarajevo
- Best time for Ljubljana
- May–June and September
- Best time for Sarajevo
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Ljubljana | Sarajevo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Slovenia | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Known for | Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle and Jože Plečnik architecture | Baščaršija, Ćevapi and Bosnian coffee |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$250 | $80–$140 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 27°C (81°F) | July, 27°C (81°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 4°C (39°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | LJU, ZAG, TRS | SJJ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Ljubljana for…
Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle and free sights. Slovenia's small capital wraps around a castle hill and the green Ljubljanica river, with a pedestrianised centre where the Triple Bridge, Prešeren Square, the Central Market and the cathedral are all within a ten-minute walk. Much of the townscape was…
Choose Sarajevo for…
Baščaršija, Ćevapi and lower day-to-day costs. 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
| # | Ljubljana | Sarajevo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ljubljana Castle | Baščaršija and the Sebilj |
| 2 | Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square | Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque |
| 3 | Central Market | Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures |
| 4 | Dragon Bridge | Sacred Heart Cathedral |
| 5 | Butchers' Bridge and the Ljubljanica embankments | Latin Bridge and Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918 |
Food compared
| Ljubljana | Sarajevo |
|---|---|
| Carniolan sausage | Ćevapi |
| Štruklji | Burek and pita |
| Potica | Bosnian coffee |
| Prekmurska gibanica | 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 $150–$250 in Ljubljana (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Sarajevo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Ljubljana and Sarajevo are about 393 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Ljubljana and 3 in Sarajevo.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Ljubljana or Sarajevo cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually less expensive: about $80–$140 a day mid-range against $150–$250 (estimates).
+Is Ljubljana or Sarajevo better for a first trip?
Pick Ljubljana for Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle and free sights, or Sarajevo for Baščaršija, Ćevapi and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Ljubljana from Sarajevo?
About 393 km in a straight line.