Lady’s Itinerary for 1 Day in Sarajevo

Today I want to share my travel itinerary for 1 day in Sarajevo with you. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is worth a trip for its rich history, great food, and wealth of exciting things to do.

1 Day in Sarajevo

Before I spent 1 day in Sarajevo, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the city (or the Balkans, for that matter).

My knowledge of Sarajevo was dominated by what I’d learned in school about the war in the 1990s, and I didn’t know many people who’d traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But I’d wanted to visit for a long time, and it fit well with my 90 under 30 Travel Project. I was excited to spend 1 day in Sarajevo on my two-week trip to the Balkans, and I couldn’t wait to discover what the city had to offer.

What I found during my trip to Sarajevo completely surpassed my non-existent expectations.

Where to Stay in Sarajevo

I landed at Sarajevo International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and was picked up by the owner of my hotel, the Halvat Guesthouse.

When we arrived at the accommodation, I discovered it was right in the heart of the picturesque old town, which was called Bascarsija. The location was ideal for spending 1 day in Sarajevo.

My room was on the ground floor next to the reception. It was a good size for a single. In addition to the bed, it had a television, a desk, and a bathroom with a shower.

There were plenty of maps and Sarajevo city guides in the room, and I helped myself to one before setting off to explore.

Sarajevo Sightseeing

I started my 1 day in Sarajevo by doing some sightseeing in the old town. There was a square in Bascarsija known as Pigeon Square because of its avian inhabitants.

In the middle was the beautiful Sebilj fountain, which was modeled after one in Istanbul.

All around the square—and in fact, all around Sarajevo’s old town—were mosques. Their minarets stood proudly above the tile rooftops and sounded the call to prayer at the appointed times.

But mosques weren’t the only religious buildings I saw during my 1 day in Sarajevo. No, this was a city with centuries of multiculturalism—sometimes more peaceful than others—under its skies.

Near the square was a beautiful Orthodox church that dated back centuries. Across the street was a synagogue, and down the road was a stunning Catholic cathedral.

It was amazing to see so many different houses of worship in one small area.

Another stunning place I discovered during my 1 day in Sarajevo was the waterfront. The Miljacka River cuts through the heart of the city and is spanned by many bridges.

The most famous of these is the Latin Bridge where Archduke Frans Ferdinand was shot in 1914 at the start of World War I.

It was a pretty amazing experience to walk across a structure that played such a pivotal role in 20th-century history.

On the other side of the Latin Bridge were more majestic mosques and several green spaces filled with cafes.

Speaking of cafes, Sarajevo’s old town was full of them. Most of the streets in Bascarsija were conveniently pedestrianized, and the restaurants and cafes lining them filled the walkways with tables and chairs.

I enjoyed dinner al fresco at one such place, a corner restaurant called Cevabdzinica Special. There I enjoyed a classic Bosnian dish called cevapi. It consists of minced beef and onions in flatbread with sour cream.

Earlier in the day I had a strong Turkish coffee at a One Thousand and One Nights-style spot in the heart of the old town.

Afterwards I continued my 1 day in Sarajevo by taking a walk around the historic shopping markets, which were laden with metal goods, earrings, scarves, and all kinds of other wares.

When I needed a break from the bustle, I walked across the river and up a high hill. On it was a historic Muslim cemetery, its thin white tombstones resplendent in the afternoon sunshine.

From there I enjoyed great views over the city and the surrounding Dinaric Alps.

Back down at the Halvat Guesthouse, I slept through the night and woke up to enjoy a huge breakfast in the downstairs dining room.

Afterwards I walked around the old town a bit more before hopping on a tram to get to the bus station. The next destination on my Balkans itinerary was Mostar, a pretty Bosnian city with another famous bridge.

1 Day in Sarajevo

As excited as I was to see more of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I couldn’t help but feel like I should have spent more than 1 day in Sarajevo.

The Bosnian capital had won me over with its rich history, vibrant markets, unique mix of cultures and religions, and great food.

Far from the war-torn Sarajevo I remembered from my studies, it was a city full of life, and I wanted to spend more time living in it. I hope I get a chance to someday.

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