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Travel Guide
Sarajevo
02
Quick view
04
Phone calls & Internet
08
Nightlife
02
Bosnia and Herzegovina
05
Top 10 sights
09
Calendar of events
03
Travel etiquette
07
Shopping in Sarajevo
12
Hotels
04
Health
07
Restaurants
© Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Sarajevo
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Quick view
Sarajevo – a brief overview
Reviving from its most recent war traumas, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina
is a city in transition, young and forward-looking. Mostly flat but ringed by
mountains, its many attractions reflect its long historical influences, spanning
Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The city centre has been largely rebuilt since the
1990s conflict, though some buildings are still pockmarked by bullets.
Old Sarajevo’s backstreets are lined with atmospheric bazaars, while buzzing
modern outdoor cafés and bars overlook the river dissecting the city. Sarajevo
holds several renowned arts festivals each year, including the Winter Festival and
the Jazz Festival, and it was named European Capital of Culture in 2014.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
General Information
Country overview
Most notable among Bosnia and Herzegovina's charms is its lush, mountainous
landscape, best seen from the vantage point of one of the national parks.
Geography
Roughly triangular in shape, and the geopolitical centre of the former Yugoslav
Federation, Bosnia and Herzegovina shares borders with Serbia in the east,
Montenegro in the southeast, and Croatia to the north and west, with a short
Adriatic coastline of 20km (12 miles) in the south, but no ports.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 3875723
Population Density (per sq km): 76
Capital: Sarajevo.
Language
The official languages are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian. The Croats and
Bosniaks use the Latin alphabet, whereas the Serbs use the Cyrillic.
Currency
Bosnia and Herzegovina Konvertibilna Marka (BAM; symbol KM) = 100 feninga.
Notes are in denominations of KM200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 and 50 feninga.
Coins are available in denominations of KM2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 feninga.
Some Euro notes (but not coins) are widely accepted.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
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Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2017 - December 2018 period.
Note
In addition to the Public Holidays listed, the government of Bosnia and
Herzegovina has decided to allow its citizens two working days per year to fulfil
their religious needs. These days are not considered official holidays and the
measure has been introduced to respect the religious and ethnic diversity of the
country.
2017
New Year's Day: 1 and 2 January 2017
Epiphany: 6 January 2017
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 January 2017
Republic Day: 9 January 2017 **
Orthodox New Year: 14 January 2017
Independence Day: 1 March 2017*
Catholic Good Friday: 14 April 2017
Orthodox Good Friday: 14 April 2017
Catholic Easter: 16 and 17 April 2017
Orthodox Easter: 16 and 17 April 2017
Labour Day: 1 and 2 May 2017
Victory Day: 9 May 2017
Ramadan Bayram (End of Ramadan): 26 June 2017
Kurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice): 2 September 2017
All Saints' Day: 1 November 2017
Dayton Agreement Day: 21 November 2017**
Statehood Day (Republic Day): 25 November 2017
Christmas Day: 25 December 2017
2018
New Year's Day: 1 and 2 January 2018
Epiphany: 6 January 2018
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 January 2018
Republic Day: 9 January 2018 **
Orthodox New Year: 14 January 2018
Independence Day: 1 March 2018*
Catholic Good Friday: 30 March 2018
Catholic Easter: 1 and 2 April 2018
Orthodox Good Friday: 6 April 2018
Orthodox Easter: 8 and 9 April 2018
Labour Day: 1 and 2 May 2018
Victory Day: 9 May 2018
Ramadan Bayram (End of Ramadan): 16 June 2018
Kurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice): 21 and 22 August 2018
All Saints' Day: 1 and 2 November 2018
Dayton Agreement Day: 21 November 2018**
Statehood Day (Republic Day): 25 November 2018
Christmas Day: 25 December 2018
All information subject to change.
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Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
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Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterised by its ethnic and religious diversity and
visitors should respect the customs and traditions of the various ethnic and
religious groups. The main ethnic groups are the Bosniaks (48%, also sometimes
referred to as Bosnian Muslims), the Serbs (37.1%) and the Croats (14.3%).
Visitors should be aware that drinking alcohol in public may be considered
offensive by more orthodox Muslims. Visitors should avoid expressing opinions
about the war or other sensitive issues.
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Health
Health
Food & Drink
Tap water is of good quality and safe to drink. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit
and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, although it is advisable to
peel vegetables and fruit and only eat cooked meat and fish. Unpasteurised milk
must be boiled. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from
unboiled milk.
Other Risks
Immunisation against hepatitis B, tuberculosis and tick-borne encephalitis is
recommended. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Paralija, Belma
Clinical Centre of University Sarajevo
Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases & TB
Bardakcije 90
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Tel. +387-33444343
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
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Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
/Mobile Telephone
Dialing code: +387
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies.
Coverage is average.
Internet
Internet cafes are on the increase in the larger towns throughout the country.
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Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Sarajevo
Svrzo House
Based in a former home of a wealthy Muslim family from the 18th century, this
museum faithfully recreates domestic life in Sarajevo’s Ottoman era. The ornately
furnished rooms are decorated with Persian rugs, their whitewashed walls hung
with handmade utensils.
Glođina 8
Opening times:
71000 Sarajevo
Mon-Fri 1000-1800 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mon-Fri 1000-1600 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Tel: +387 33 535 264
Sat 1000-1500
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
Gazi-Husrebey Mosque
This magnificent 16th-century mosque stands in the heart of Old Sarajevo. Its cool
interior, decorated with carvings and Arabic scripts, is stunning. The complex also
includes a minaret, fountain, and former madrassa, now a museum.
Sarači 18
Opening times:
71000 Sarajevo
Daily 0900-1200, 1430-1600 and 1730-
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1900
Tel: +387 33 534 375
Closed during Ramadan
Shorter hours during winter months
vakuf-gazi.ba
Baščaršija Square
Nicknamed Pigeon Square for the birds that also flock here, this is one of Old
Sarajevo’s social hubs. Spread around Seblij Brunnen fountain, it’s close to key
sights including the Latin Bridge, where Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated.
Baščaršija
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vijećnica
The University Library was one of Sarajevo’s finest architectural works from the
Austro-Hungarian era. It was destroyed by a Serbian missile during the 1990s war,
but rebuilt and reopened in 2014. Today, the building is a library again and is also
used for official events, concerts and exhibitions.
Obala Kulina bana
Opening times:
Sarajevo 71000
Mon-Fri 0800-1600
Bosnia and Herzegovina
www.nub.ba
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Jewish Museum
Housed in the city’s 16th-century synagogue, this museum tells the story of the
Sephardic Jews, from their expulsion from Spain in 1492 to the Holocaust, with
photographs, letters and personal items.
Velika avlija bb
Opening times:
Sarajevo 71000
Mon-Fri 1000-1800 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mon-Fri 1000-1600 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Sat 1000-1500
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina
This former department store houses the city’s premier art collection, with some
6,000 works, from medieval icons to modern photography. Focusing primarily on
the country’s own artists, the gallery is imaginatively displayed, thematically rather
than chronologically.
Zelenih beretki 8
Opening times:
Sarajevo 71000
Tue-Sat 1200-2000 (Apr-Nov)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tue-Sat 1000-1800 (Nov-Apr)
ugbih.ba
Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
During the 1990s siege of Sarajevo, a tunnel was built as a lifeline between the
city and the airport. The private house where the tunnel began is now a museum,
with the short remaining section open to visitors, as well as photographs and
military paraphernalia from the war.
Tuneli 1
Opening times:
Sarajevo 71000
Daily 0900-1700 (Apr-Oct)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Daily 0900-1600 (Nov-Mar)
www.tunelspasa.ba
National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The country’s largest museum spans natural history, science and culture, including
a good collection from Sarajevo’s Ottoman era. Its star exhibit is the Sarajevo
Haggadah, one of the oldest illustrated Sephardic manuscripts in the world, dating
from around 1350. The museum is currently closed due to funding problems, but
there are plans to reopen it in 2014.
Zmaja od Bosne 3
Opening times:
71000 Sarajevo
Tue-Fri 1000-1700 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tue-Fri 1000-1500 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Tel: +387 33 668 027
Sat-Sun 1000-1400
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History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
This small and simply presented collection looks at Bosnian history, with a large
proportion devoted to the 1990s war with Serbia. The section on the siege of
Sarajevo is especially moving. Behind the museum, the Tito Café offers some light
relief.
Sarači 18
Opening times:
71000 Sarajevo
Mon-Fri 0900-1900 (mid-Apr to mid-Oct)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sat-Sun 1000-1400 (mid-Apr to mid-
Tel: +387 33 534 375
Oct)
Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (mid-Oct to mid-Apr)
Sat-Sun 0900-1300 (mid-Oct to midApr)
www.muzej.ba
Orthodox Cathedral
This beautiful domed cathedral is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the
Balkans. Five domes top the cross-shaped basilica, and its interior is richly
decorated with gilt icons and wooden carvings.
Zelenih beretki 1
Opening times:
Sarajevo 71000
Various
Bosnia and Herzegovina
www.sabornacrkva-sarajevo.org
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Shopping in Sarajevo
Shopping in Sarajevo
Key Areas
Most visitors flock to Old Sarajevo's Bascarsija district for traditional handicrafts
and souvenirs in a pleasant, traffic-free setting. Modern malls are popping up,
particularly in the western suburbs, with restaurants and entertainment in airconditioned comfort.
Markets
There are daily fresh fruit and vegetable markets, including Markale (Mula Mustafe
Baseskije). On Sundays, check out the basic but fascinating flea market in Stup,
about half an hour from the centre, in the west of the city.
Shopping Centres
Most malls are out of the city centre, particularly in the upscale western suburbs.
Alta Shopping Center (Franca Lehara 2) is small but good quality, with some
decent restaurants on the upper floor. Grand Centar (Butmirska 14, Ilidža), is a big
new mall with a wide range of shops from fashion to electronics, as well as
restaurants, kids’ play areas, and ample parking.
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Restaurants
Restaurants in Sarajevo
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You can eat well in Sarajevo without blowing your budget, from rustic market stalls
serving freshly made burek (stuffed filo pastry), to sophisticated restaurants offering
gourmet fusion cuisine.One of the nicest districts for eating out is Old Sarajevo,
with plush riverside restaurants and open-air cafés on pedestrianised boulevards.
Plava Prizma
For a special occasion, this revolving restaurant at the top of the Radon Plaza
hotel offers great night-time views.
Džemala Bijedića 185
Price: Expensive
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hedona Wine Club
Make the short journey to this beautiful vineyard overlooking Sarajevo for gourmet
cuisine and excellent wines.
Gornji Kromolj 9
Price: Expensive
Poljine village
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mala Kuhinja
Ask the chefs to cook what you want in this tiny but fantastic Asian fusion
restaurant.
Tina Ujevića 13
Price: Moderate
Sarajevo, 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Inat Kuća
Hearty local cuisine is the speciality of this romantic riverside restaurant.
Veliki Alifakovac 1
Price: Moderate
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Buregdzibnica sac
Feast on some of the best borek in town; it’s great value for breakfast here too.
Mali Bravadziluk 2
Price: Cheap
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nightlife
Nightlife in Sarajevo
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You’re spoilt for choice for entertainment in this cosmopolitan city, from live jazz
and rock in basement bars to turbo folk in packed nightclubs to classical concerts
in world-class theatres.The main hotspot is Old Sarajevo, particularly along
Bazerdžani around the Hacienda.
Zlatna Ribica
This crazily decorated bar with a similarly eclectic mix of live music is a unique
experience.
Kaptol 5
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hacienda
Sip cool daiquiris and dance to Latino sounds in this Mexican-themed club.
Bazardzani 1
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Baghdad Cafe
This late-night cocktail bar with DJ house-electronic mix attracts a hip young
crowd.
Bazardzani 6
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pink Houdini
One of the city’s top jazz and blues clubs, with funky, futuristic décor.
Branilaca Sarajeva 31
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnien und Herzegovina
Sarajevo National Theatre
Sarajevo’s top classical auditorium offers a world-class programme of opera,
theatre and ballet.
Obala Kulina bana 9
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnien und Herzegovina
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Calendar of events
Calendar of events
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Sarajevo Winter
Held every year since Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984, this winter
festival keeps audiences entertained for the best part of two months. Over 1,000
artists from around the world present a thrilling mix of concerts, literary discussions,
film screenings, dance displays and art exhibitions.
7 February - 21 March 2017
sarajevskazima.ba
Venue: Various venues
Collegium Artisticum Exhibition
Held for two weeks beginning on or near Sarajevo’s Liberation Day on 6 April, the
Collegium Artisticum gallery’s annual exhibition is a highly anticipated event.
Around 200 Bosnian artists display their recent work, hoping to win one of three
prestigious prizes awarded by the nation’s leading art and architectural
associations.
April 2017
collegium.omnitask.me
Venue: Collegium Artisticum
Sarajevo Evenings of Music (SVEM)
Symphony orchestras, brass bands and classical choirs from across both Bosnia
and its neighbours perform at this fabulous five-day music festival. The carefully
planned programme often ties in with anniversaries of composers or historic events
and features a superb array of concerti, opera overtures and folk tunes.
May 2017
www.maf.ba
Venue: Various venues
Kids’ Festival
Over 40,000 children take part in this fantastic festival at the end of the Bosnian
school year. A colourful parade of kids wearing national and fancy dress kicks off
the festivities, followed by four days of fun ranging from dancers and magicians to
movies and a mini circus.
2 - 5 June 2017
www.kidsfest.ba
Venue: ZETRA, Olympic Centre Juan Antonio Samaranch
Bosnia International Music Festival
Created in 2005 to help restore artistic collaboration in Bosnia, this classical music
festival hosts a sterling selection of renowned musicians from at home and abroad.
As well as staging a programme of world-class music, the festival gives Bosnian
music students the chance to work with international musicians through
masterclasses.
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June 2017
www.bimf.ba
Venue: Dom oružanih snaga
Nights of Baščaršijske
Throughout July, Sarajevo’s Old Town plays host to a terrific series of events at
cultural venues and on open-air stages. Among the free performances are film
screenings beneath the stars, dramatic opera singing, boot-stomping rock concerts
and enchanting puppet shows.
July 2017
www.bascarsijskenoci.ba
Venue: Various venues
Sarajevo Film Festival
Founded in 1995 towards the end of the four-year Sarajevo siege, this festival has
been going strong for two decades. Around 100,000 movie fans are treated to highquality cinema from across South-East Europe in a variety of venues from the
intimate (seating fewer than 200) to 3,000-seater open-air cinemas.
August 2017
www.sff.ba
Venue: Various venues
Baletfest Sarajevo
A relative newcomer to Sarajevo’s cultural scene, having started off in 2010, the
city’s ballet festival looks set to remain on the calendar for many years to come.
With its impressive line-up of dancers and captivating programme of modern and
classical ballet, Baletfest has been a hit with Sarajevo’s audiences.
September 2017
www.baletfest.ba
Venue: Sarajevo National Theatre
MESS International Theatre Festival
One of the region’s oldest theatre festivals, MESS has been entertaining
audiences for more than half a century. The festival stages local, national and
international plays by leading playwrights, but also aims to unveil works by upand-coming writers. Theatre companies travel from across Europe to perform in
this much-loved event.
September - October 2017
www.facebook.com/festivalMESS
Venue: Various venues
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Jazz Fest Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s international jazz festival stages a cracking programme of music, with
one or two concerts taking place every night. The line-up invariably features an
enviable rundown of some of the world’s leading (and often Grammy awardwinning) jazz artists, such as Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter and John
McLaughlin.
November 2017
jazzfest.ba
Venue: Bosnian Cultural Centre (Bosanski kulturni centar)
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Hotels
Hotels in Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s upscale hotels are mostly in the modern Novo Sarajevo business
district; another popular area is the quiet and leafy Ilidza in the west of the city.For
city-centre buzz though, go to Old Sarajevo, where you can find charming boutique
hotels in grand old buildings, and good-value budget hostels.
Bristol Sarajevo
One of the city’s top classic hotels, the Bristol has sumptuous rooms and many
amenities.
Fra Filipa Lastrića 2
Category: Expensive
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hotel Hecco Deluxe
This small design hotel has comfy and airy rooms, some with great views from the
balcony.
Ferhadija 2
Category: Expensive
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Imzit Dobrinja
This traditional hotel is conveniently close to the airport and with ample parking
space.
Lukavička Cesta 121
Category: Moderate
Saraievo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Villa Melody
Key features of this modern hotel are its rooftop terrace, central location and stylish
décor.
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Safvet-Bega Bašagića 55
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Category: Moderate
Sarajevo 71000
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pansion Harmony
This small, family-run pension has compact but cosy rooms, and great hilltop
views.
Vrbaska 26
Category: Cheap
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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