This is a fascinating country that is the crossroads of East and West with an intermingling of Serbian, Croatian, and Bosniak cultures. It’s capitol Sarajevo, known as the Jerusalem of the west, is where the match was lit that set off WWI. It hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984 and six years later had an unbelievable civil war with violent ethnic cleansing. It’s a country still struggling to recover with the effects of war still very evident. It’s also a country with fantastic food, amazing history, pleasant sites, intermingling of cultures, friendly people, and a proud and thriving capitol city.

See the critical information in our Bosnia-Herzegovina at a Glance.

Itineraries

Eat & Drink

Cajdzinica Dzirlo-Tea House

This teahouse is fantastic! As it was on the way to our hotel right up from Pigeon Square, we happened to stop by. The owner was incredibly nice and informative concocted us his “house special” a sweet tea with milk (though they had a varied and large tea menu and Bosnian coffee as well). He took the time to explain how to drink the tea the correct Sarajevo way.

Restoran Hindin Han

This restaurant is located in an ideal location: very close to the Old Bridge in Old Town with a beautiful terrace overlooking the river. Food was great and the portions were large. The service was not ideal and we had a difficult time acquiring the check and getting an issue on our bill fixed.

Buregdzinica Sac

This restaurant has been serving traditional Burek (Bosnian pies that are sort of like spanakopita) for more than 200 years.

Pivnica HS

For a break from the more touristy downtown Old Town, wander across the river to this great brewpubin located in the part of Stari Grad called Bistrik, very close to the Sarajevska pivara (Sarajevo Brewery). The food was well-priced, hearty, and good. They have local unfiltered unfiltered light Sarajevsko and dark Sarajevsko beer only sold onsite.

See

War Tunnel Museum

Located in outer Sarajevo, this museum near the airport is a fascinating look at Sarajevo during the war.

Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track

Situated in the hills of Mountain Trebević, this bobsled course was used in the 1984 Olympics and then 9 years later it was the front lines of the Bosnian war. The Bosnian Serb Army used it as a base for artillery and cover. Today you can walk down the abandoned bobsled track covered with graffiti and sniper nests.

Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque

Mostar is home to many mosques. This mosque, perched on a cliff over the river, was built in the early 17th century.

Do

Stay

Ada Hotel

This hotel in Sarajevo was located in the perfect location to walk (5 min) to the Old Town major sites and Bascarsija Street.