Comparison · Sarajevo vs Split · Bosnia and Herzegovina / Croatia
Sarajevo vs Split
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Julian Nyča, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Sarajevo for Baščaršija, Ćevapi and lower day-to-day costs; choose Split for Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade, beaches and free sights. Sarajevo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 163 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 163 km
- Less expensive
- Sarajevo
- Best time for Sarajevo
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Split
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Sarajevo | Split | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Croatia |
| Known for | Baščaršija, Ćevapi and Bosnian coffee | Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade and Island ferries |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $80–$140 | $140–$250 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 27°C (81°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 4°C (39°F) | January, 11°C (52°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Bačvice |
| Airports | SJJ | SPU |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Split for…
Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade, beaches and free sights. Split, Croatia's second-largest city, grew inside and around the palace the Roman emperor Diocletian built on the Dalmatian coast around 300 AD. The palace walls still enclose a maze of lanes, cafés, homes and the cathedral, listed by UNESCO in 1979, while…
Top sights compared
| # | Sarajevo | Split |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baščaršija and the Sebilj | Diocletian's Palace |
| 2 | Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque | Peristyle and Vestibule |
| 3 | Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures | Cathedral of Saint Domnius and bell tower |
| 4 | Sacred Heart Cathedral | Temple of Jupiter |
| 5 | Latin Bridge and Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918 | Palace substructures (cellars) |
Food compared
| Sarajevo | Split |
|---|---|
| Ćevapi | Pašticada |
| Burek and pita | Black risotto |
| Bosnian coffee | Brudet |
| Begova čorba | Peka |
Which is cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $80–$140 per person there, against $140–$250 in Split (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Sarajevo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Sarajevo and Split are about 163 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Sarajevo and 4 in Split.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Sarajevo or Split cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually less expensive: about $80–$140 a day mid-range against $140–$250 (estimates).
+Is Sarajevo or Split better for a first trip?
Pick Sarajevo for Baščaršija, Ćevapi and lower day-to-day costs, or Split for Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Sarajevo from Split?
About 163 km in a straight line.