Free things to do · Sarajevo · Bosnia and Herzegovina
6 free things to do in Sarajevo
Sarajevo without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: sundeviljeff, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Sarajevo without paying an entry fee: Baščaršija and the Sebilj, Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) are all free. The convertible mark (KM/BAM) is pegged to the euro at roughly 2 KM per euro; some places accept euros, but at less favourable rates.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 9
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- October–April
Free sights and experiences
Market · Baščaršija
1.Baščaršija and the Sebilj
Drink from the Sebilj; local legend says anyone who does will return to Sarajevo.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Shopping
- Kids
Street · Ferhadija and the Austro-Hungarian centre
2.Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures
Stand on the marker and look east, then west, to see the change in architecture.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Ferhadija and the Austro-Hungarian centre
3.Sacred Heart Cathedral
Visit in the morning, when the square is quiet and light falls on the façade.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Viewpoint · Kovači and Vratnik
4.Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija)
Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the wall; the walk up through Kovači takes about 15 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Historic site · Baščaršija
5.Morića Han
Order a Bosnian coffee in the courtyard and watch how it is served in a copper džezva with rahat lokum.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Architecture
Historic site · Ferhadija and the Austro-Hungarian centre
6.Sarajevo Roses
Look down as you walk the centre; many visitors pass several roses without noticing them.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Baščaršija | Baščaršija and the Sebilj and Morića Han | 2–3 hours + 30 minutes |
| Ferhadija and the Austro-Hungarian centre | Ferhadija and the Meeting of Cultures, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Sarajevo Roses | 1 hour + 20 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Kovači and Vratnik | Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Baščaršija
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
Visit outside prayer times; scarves are usually available at the entrance for women.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Historic site · Baščaršija
Latin Bridge and Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918
Read the plaque on the corner, then walk east along the river to City Hall to retrace the archduke's route.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Architecture · Baščaršija
Sarajevo City Hall (Vijećnica)
Look up at the restored glass ceiling of the central hall, then visit the exhibition in the basement.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Historic site · Ilidža
Tunnel of Hope (Sarajevo War Tunnel)
Combine it with Vrelo Bosne; both are on the western edge of the city near the airport.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Kovači and Vratnik
War Childhood Museum
Allow time to read the stories slowly; it is a small museum but emotionally intense.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Bistrik
Trebević cable car and Olympic bobsleigh track
Go up in the late afternoon for the view, then walk a section of the bobsleigh track before heading down at sunset.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Kovači and Vratnik
Svrzo's House
Combine it with the climb to the Yellow Fortress, a short walk uphill.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Museum · Marijin Dvor
National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ask at the entrance whether the Haggadah room is open during your visit, as access to it varies.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Park · Ilidža
Vrelo Bosne
Take tram 3 to Ilidža and walk or ride the carriage along the avenue; bring a picnic.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
More ways to save
- The convertible mark (KM/BAM) is pegged to the euro at roughly 2 KM per euro; some places accept euros, but at less favourable rates.
- Eat in ćevabdžinicas, buregdžinicas and aščinicas for filling meals at very low prices.
- Many of the best sights — Baščaršija, the cathedrals, the Sarajevo Roses and the Yellow Fortress — are free.
- Buy tram tickets at kiosks rather than from the driver.
- Accommodation prices rise sharply during the film festival in August; book early or avoid those dates.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Sarajevo expensive to visit?
Sarajevo is very affordable for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Sarajevo?
Baščaršija and the Sebilj: Drink from the Sebilj; local legend says anyone who does will return to Sarajevo.