Comparison · Sarajevo vs Zagreb · Bosnia and Herzegovina / Croatia
Sarajevo vs Zagreb
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 Zagreb for Upper Town, St Mark's Church and free sights. Sarajevo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 290 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 290 km
- Less expensive
- Sarajevo
- Best time for Sarajevo
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Zagreb
- May–June, September–October and December
Side by side
| Sarajevo | Zagreb | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Croatia |
| Known for | Baščaršija, Ćevapi and Bosnian coffee | Upper Town, St Mark's Church and Dolac market |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June, September–October and December |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $80–$140 | $110–$190 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 27°C (81°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 4°C (39°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 12 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SJJ | ZAG |
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…
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Choose Zagreb for…
Upper Town, St Mark's Church and free sights. Croatia's capital splits into the medieval Upper Town (Gornji Grad and Kaptol) on its hill and the grid of 19th-century squares, parks and boulevards of the Lower Town below, joined by one of the world's shortest funiculars. Ban Jelačić Square, the Dolac…
Top sights compared
| # | Sarajevo | Zagreb |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baščaršija and the Sebilj | Ban Jelačić Square |
| 2 | Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque | Dolac Market |
| 3 | Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures | Zagreb Cathedral |
| 4 | Sacred Heart Cathedral | St Mark's Church |
| 5 | Latin Bridge and Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918 | Stone Gate |
Food compared
| Sarajevo | Zagreb |
|---|---|
| Ćevapi | Štrukli |
| Burek and pita | Zagreb schnitzel |
| Bosnian coffee | Turkey with mlinci |
| Begova čorba | Fresh cheese and cream |
Which is cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $80–$140 per person there, against $110–$190 in Zagreb (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Sarajevo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Sarajevo and Zagreb are about 290 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Sarajevo and 3 in Zagreb.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Sarajevo or Zagreb cheaper?
Sarajevo is usually less expensive: about $80–$140 a day mid-range against $110–$190 (estimates).
+Is Sarajevo or Zagreb better for a first trip?
Pick Sarajevo for Baščaršija, Ćevapi and lower day-to-day costs, or Zagreb for Upper Town, St Mark's Church and free sights.
+How far is Sarajevo from Zagreb?
About 290 km in a straight line.