Sarajevo 2026: the Balkans capital finally accessible on a direct Transavia flight from Paris (complete guide)

The Ottoman grand bazaar — the historic and vibrant soul of the city

No visit to Sarajevo can begin anywhere other than Baščaršija — the Ottoman grand bazaar that forms the historic and vibrant heart of the city. Its name comes from the Turkish for « main market », and the reality lives up to it: according to Lonely Planet, the quarter is lined with stalls, a lively coppersmiths’ alley (kazandžiluk), grand Ottoman mosques, restaurants and welcoming cafés.

At the centre of the square stands the Sebilj fountain, an octagonal wooden monument erected around 1753 during the Ottoman Empire — an absolute symbol of Sarajevo. Nearby, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (1531) is one of the finest in the entire Ottoman Balkans, with its adjacent medersa (Quranic school) still in operation. According to Balkans Courriers, Sarajevo is nicknamed the « Jerusalem of the Balkans » because a mosque, a Catholic church, an Orthodox church and a synagogue coexist within a few hundred metres of each other.

Must-do in Baščaršija

• Wander through the Ottoman alleyways and watch the copper craftsmen at work
• Sit by the Sebilj fountain with a Bosnian coffee (€1–2)
• Visit the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (free entry, modest dress required)
• Look for crafts made from bullet casings — a striking souvenir
• Try a baklava at Baklava dućan

Ferhadija — where East meets West

Walking west from Baščaršija along Ferhadija Street transports you to another century — and another culture. According to Meet Bosnia, a marker engraved in stone on the pavement reads: « Sarajevo: Meeting of Cultures ». Standing on that precise spot and looking east, you see Istanbul; looking west, you see Vienna.

The Austro-Hungarian architecture lining the pedestrian boulevard is magnificent. The neo-Moorish Vijećnica (City Hall), built in 1896, is the crown jewel: destroyed during the war, its reconstruction completed in 2014 made it one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire region. Inside, a stained-glass dome illuminates visitors. Along the Miljacka river stands the Latin Bridge (Latinska ćuprija), the small stone bridge where on 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated — triggering the First World War. An adjoining museum traces the context of this pivotal event.

The cable car, the Olympic bobsled track and the panoramic views

Mount Trebević offers one of the most singular experiences in all of Europe. From the lower station, a few minutes’ walk from the Vijećnica, the cable car ascends in 10 minutes to the summit, offering a spectacular panoramic view over the entire valley of Sarajevo. According to Voyages et Vagabondages, the cable car at ~€10 return is the best investment of your stay.

From the upper station, a 10-minute walk leads to what remains one of the most unique and photogenic sites in Europe: the bobsled and luge track built for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. According to Wikipedia, the 1.3-km track was damaged during the siege (used as an artillery position), then covered in vibrant street art, and fitted in 2025 with an « Olympic Story » educational trail featuring 13 panels with QR codes.

Ćevapi, burek, Bosnian coffee — the three pillars of Bosnian cuisine

Bosnian cuisine is one of the great culinary surprises of the Balkans. According to Voye Global, nestled between East and West, it reflects centuries of influences: Ottoman spices, Balkan soul and Austro-Hungarian indulgence.

Ćevapi are the national dish. These fingers of grilled minced meat (a blend of beef and lamb) are served in a somun (warm flatbread), with raw onions and kajmak (dairy cream). The legendary address: Ćevabdžinica Željo in the old town. Burek is similarly a religion: spiral flaky pastry baked in a cast-iron pan. In Sarajevo, burek strictly means meat filling; the cheese version is called sirnica, potato krompiruša, cheese-spinach zeljanica. Best addresses: Buregdžinica Bosna or Buregdžinica Sac.

Stari Most — Mostar’s immortal bridge, symbol of reconciliation

Located 130 km south of Sarajevo (2 hours by bus or train), Mostar and its Stari Most (Old Bridge) are unmissable for any stay of four days or more. According to Génération Voyage, this bridge built in 1566 by Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin, destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian conflict, was rebuilt in 2004 using traditional techniques and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Members of the Mostar Diving Club perform spectacular jumps from its centre — once enough tips have been collected.

For shorter stays (4–5 days), the best guided day trips from Sarajevo combine: Mostar, Počitelj (medieval fortress), Blagaj (source of the Buna river and dervish monastery), Jablanica and the Kravice waterfalls. According to Funky Tours, these tours arrive in Mostar around 15:00–16:00, when day-trippers have left — the city is yours.