SARAJEVO

In the 1990s Sarajevo was on the edge of destruction. But, it managed to recover and now represents a historic center with mix of Ottoman, Yugoslav and Austro-Hungarian architecture. Bascarsija which is the antique like allay made out of stone is a delightful Old Town that give a certain Turkish feel to it. A little bit north and south there are steep valleys fuzzed with red-roofed Bosnian houses and prickled with uncountable minarets, climbing their way towards green-topped mountain ridges. 10 km further to the west you can visit Novo Sarajevo and dreary Dobrijna.

FUN FACTS

• During the Roman Empire Sarajevo together with Bosnia was a border city between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. 
• The city-wide tram service was the very first in Europe. Locals proudly insist that the Austro - Hungarians compelled Vienna's tram system on theirs.
• Sarajevo had the longest-running siege of any town in modern war history.
• In the last 100 years Sarajevo has been a hammer of six different states.
• The city has 10 bridges over the Miljacka River. The most famous one is the Latin Bride or Princip Bridge, the name of assassin of Archiduke Franz Ferdinand. The bridge is on the coat of arms of Sarajevo.

REASONS TO VISIT SARAJEVO

      1. Hospitable and kind people

Sarajevo is very famous for its hospitality and kind residents. They will go out of their way to make a visitor in their town feel special.

      2. Delicious and organic food

Traditional morning in Sarajevo is spent with Bosnian coffee which is served in small copper pots. For lunch you can choose to have some wine with your food which is made in Bosnia. Evening entertainment is impossible to have without Sarajevsko Pivo. Traditional Bosnian food is both delicious and organic. There is a rich selection between traditionally cooked meals and in buregdzinice you can choose some very delicious Bosnian pies.

      3. Architectural diversity

Architecture of Bosnia is very diverse. Tough it did sustained a lot of damage during wars it has recovered a lot. The Old Town, section where most tourists usually spend their time, is built in traditional Ottoman architectural style. If you walk toward the Latin Bridge, you will find yourself in a neighborhood of Austro-Hungarian style buildings.

      4. Gorgeous nature

With all the great things one capital has to offer, Sarajevo also has its untouched nature, surrounded by greenery and the shade of trees, fresh rivers and streams, where you will be mesmerized by the fragrance of flowers and the lovely sounds of birds. All of this is just 10 min drive from the city center.

      5. A safe destination

Sarajevo is considered one of the safest capital cities in Europe. There are no neighborhoods that should be avoided, but we suggest that you stick to well-lit streets during evening hours.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

1. Mostar

City of Mostar has a lot of beautiful architecture to offer. One of them being the Stari Most which was reconstructed after the Bosnian-Croatian war. It is situated on the bank of the Neretva river and represents the cultural heart of this region.

2. Kravice Falls

Kravice Falls offers a magnificent series of waterfalls which wall into a beautiful lake at the base of the falls. It is surrounded by rich forest and are a great hiking destination for both experienced and novices alike.

3. Jahorina

Jahorina is a mountain that is famous as a ski resort. It is connected to the Sarajevo airport so it is easy to get there. Every year it draws snow lovers and hikers alike.

4. Buna

Buna is a short river which is famous for the Buna spring-one of the strongest springs in Europe and which has extremely cold water. The river flows through a variety of charming villages which may seem like a fairy tale.

5. Sutjeska National Park

This National Park is the oldest one in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it also features one of the last two primeval forests in Europe. This area is filled with mountains and forests and also has one of the highest waterfalls in the country, Skakavac.

6. Sarajevo

Bosnia’s capital city is a capital that is heading full speed into the modern age. During its history it has experienced many wars and conflicts. Because of that, city has memorials to the fallen and killed. But there is also a new found confidence and panache flowing through the central streets. There are also many mosques, fresco beer bar, aromatic Turkish restaurants, pretty city parks and arched stone bridges.

7. Travnik

It is bisected by the babbling Lasva river which flows through the central mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The pretty city of Travnik has a great balance of interesting historic parts and modernity day adventure sports and outdoor activity. The first, historic, aspect you will notice about this city is the array of traditional eastern-style edifices and monuments one of them being Ottoman clock tower and a 15^th century old town heart. The second, outdoor, aspect is the slopes of Vlasic Mountain on the horizon which is now one of the Bosnia’s best skiing, Nordic walking and hiking destinations.

8. Trebinje

Trebinje is the city that represents the real gem of the Republika Srpska side of Bosnia. It reflects beautifully against the waters of the winding Trebisnjica River as it cuts through the heart of the city’s historic center. You can also see the pretty arched bridge on the edge of the town, along side gorgeous Serbian Orthodox cathedral. If you are interested in crumbling remnants then you can visit Klobuk fortress on the hill which also offers a stunning views of the Trebisnjica river.

9. Banja Luka

Banja Luka was razed all over many times cause of the destruction caused by earthquake and wars. It is a not so much known town cause it has little of the historic Ottoman and Slavic richness, Cathedrals and such but it is not the sights that people come here to see, but the enjoy beer and get loose to the sounds of the regions famous thumping electro - folk, sample Trappist wines and hit the hiking trails of the mountains on the horizon.

10. Una National Park

Located in the beautiful swathes of virgin forest, the Una National park represents one of the most recent additions to Bosnia’s gems. It is situated in the hills bellow the Dinaric Alps on the cusp of Croatia. Visitors who make their way here can look forward to the striking waterfalls at Marting Brod, sights like the soaring Ostrovica Fortress and the newly-reconstructed Rmanj Monastery.

11. Tuzla

The colorful and confident town of Tuzla is a great place if you want to feel the pulse of real and raw Bosnia. It is a clean and well-pruned town that is filled with stone-clad squares where you can also enjoy sunbathing at the edge of curious salt lakes, experience the country’s most prestigious literary festival.

12. Bihac

This little town is situated between the ridges of the verdant Una Valley. Bihac comes shrouded in blooming shades of green and the rugged hills of the Bosanska Krajina. In the center is a square-cut medieval like keep and its concomitant church tower. You can also see numerous islands by the turquoise-green channels of the Una itself make for some seriously good urban park strolling. There is also a pretty new town square to wander through.

13. Blidinje Nature Park

This wide plateau that connects the Cvrsnica and Vran peaks in the south-western edge of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the nations less-trodden and off-the-beaten-track natural gems. It is famous for its colossal trunks of its endemic Bosnian pine trees, while it also has thick forests where white-bark evergreens shroud a flower-peppered woodland floor. It has many elaborately carved medieval stole that hearken back to the Orthodox traditions of pre - Ottoman Bosnia. Blidinje Nature park has many marked hiking trails that make it a great place for those who love walking and enjoying the nature.

TOP PLACES

1. Old Town Bascarsija

Sarajevo’s old Bazaar is the heart and soul of Sarajevo and a meeting point for many locals. The vibe didn’t change much since its use int he 15^th century, and thanks to that it still has its incredible old world feel to it. City streets are made out of cobble stone and are very narrow filled with great shops and cafes. Sebij, which is located at the center of the town is lined with narrow streets and great shops and cafes.

2. The Gazi Husrev-Bey Mosque

This Mosque was built in 1532 by a famous Ottoman architect Acem Esir Ali. It is located in Sarajevo and represents the first mosque in the world to receive electricity.

3. Vjecnica

The Vjecnica was built between 1892-94 with purpose to house the city’s local officials and administrative staff. Towards the end of WWII it was turning into a National library. It even now remains the biggest and most representative building from the Austro - Hungarian period in Sarajevo.

4. Sarajevo War Tunnel

The Sarajevo Tunnel was an underground tunnel constructed during the Siege of Sarajevo in the midst of the Bosnian War. It was built by the Bosnian Army in order to ling the city of Sarajevo with Bosnian held territory on the other side of the Sarajevo airport. After the was, it was turned into a museum. Visitors can still walk down a small length of the tunnel.

5. The Yellow fortress

The Yellow Fortress used to make up the defensive wall of the old town called Vratnik. It is located up on the Jekovac Cliff, so it is also known as Jekovac Fortress. It offers a fantastic view of the city and is one of Sarajevo’s most popular spots.

6. Sacred Heart Cathedral

This Christian church in Sarajevo is now referred to as the Sarajevo Cathedral, and is the largest cathedral in Bosnia. Built In honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it represents an important Catholic concept. Cathedral was built in Neo - Gothic style, with Romanesque elements.

7. Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Sarajevo

This Church is the largest Serbian Orthodox church in Sarajevo and one of the largest in the Balkans. It was dedicated to the nativity of the Theotokos and erected at the request of the Orthodox parish of Sarajevo. The church was constructed as a three-section basilica and has five domes.