SARAJEVO Economic Travel Guide
Sarajevo is the capital and also the largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The city is located within the Sarajevo Valley, so it is referred to as “Sarajevo”, which means this in many languages and is read as “Sarayova” in Turkish.
For centuries, Muslims, Christians and Jews have lived together. Churches, mosques and synagogues are located almost side by side in the city where he lives, which is the reason why it is called the Jerusalem of Europe.
Conflicts, massacres, demolitions, bombs, etc. lasting for years. In its history, which was full of thousands of people who lost their lives as a result of this, great suffering has been experienced in the country until the recent past.. After the declaration of independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, the traces of the massacre and destruction experienced during the Bosnian War that lasted until 1995 are still visible on the streets of the city today.
One of the traces of the war is the Sarajevo Roses.. The traces left by the mortars on the ground are called the Sarajevo Rose and are painted red inside.. While walking on the streets of the city, you may come across these roses from time to time, and one of them is located in the garden of the house where the Tunnel of Hope is located, which we will explain a little later.
ACCESS TO SARAJEVO: HOW TO GET TO SARAJEVO?
By plane: You can go to Sarajevo Butmir Airport, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, visa-free in 2 hours by plane from Istanbul.. It is also possible to find more affordable tickets for Sarajevo from many airlines compared to other European countries.
By bus: It is possible to reach Sarajevo by road from Istanbul by bus.. However, we do not recommend it because the journey will take a little longer.. If you buy your plane ticket a few months before your trip and get it cheaper, you will close the difference with the bus prices, so you don’t have to go through the trouble of busing for 100-200 TL.
There are two bus terminals in Sarajevo.. One of them is ‘Autobusna Stanica’, located right next to the main train station.. From here, there are bus services to Croatia, Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Novi Pazar, Mostar and Eastern Europe.
The other bus terminal, Doğu Garaj (Lukavica, Serb-dominated), Serbia and Montenegro. There are expeditions to Novi Sad, Podgorica, Foça and Belgrade, mainly to Novi Sad. Or you can use the trolleybus.
You can buy your ticket from the newsagents/ kiosks that look like a kiosk on the streets, but don’t forget to run the bus immediately when you get on the bus.
Taxi from the airport to the city center We recommend you to use it, since the distance is not very long (about 10 km), the prices will be very reasonable.. However, we do not recommend using a taxi unless you need it.. For example, you can use buses instead of taxis to go to Mostar, both conveniently and cheaply.
ACCOMMODATION IN SARAJEVO: WHERE TO STAY IN SARAJEVO?
If you want to avoid using public transportation in urban transportation, be close to everywhere and explore the city on foot, we recommend that you stay in the vicinity of Başçarşı.. Apart from the hotels in the city, you can choose affordable hostels from booking.com or rent an apartment from airbnb.
THINGS TO DO IN SARAJEVO?
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Sarajevo is a city that is visited only for 1 day, especially in the Balkan Tours organized from our country.. For this reason, its importance and real value are ignored.. If possible, we recommend that you stay here for at least 2-3 days and spend time feeling both the history and the culture.
The Tunnel of Hope and Mostar are must-see places while you’re here.
SARAJEVO’ WHAT TO EAT? WHAT TO DRINK?
Ćevapi (ćevapčići) is a flavor unique to the Balkans and a local dish in Bosnia.. You can say “Bosnian meatballs” made from minced meat, garlic, onions, various vegetables and spices and served with dairy products such as yoghurt and sour milk.. While you’re at it, you should taste the original.
You can choose Bosnian Coffee, which is actually similar to Turkish Coffee, and Tuhafije, a local dessert, next to it.
SHOPPING IN SARAJEVO: FROM SARAJEVO WHAT TO BUY?
For shopping in Sarajevo, Bascarsjia, Gazi Hüsrev Bey Grand Bazaar, Ferhadija Street, which continues until Başçarşı and is open to pedestrian traffic, and Sarači street at the end of this street, and the old city center You can find various souvenirs in the shops in the section.
We have not encountered such an original product of a kind that is not available in Turkey.. Generally, there are souvenirs you can buy from the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, such as magnets, t-shirts, coffee pots, etc., but it is very enjoyable to visit these bazaars.
There is also a cosmetic/personal care store chain called DM in the city.. These are places that taste like our Gratis. It is announced to those in need
SARAJEVO CITY TOUR
- The important structures to visit in Sarajevo city center, in the vicinity of Bascarsija, are lined up along Ferhadija Street, so you can complete it on foot in half a day. is easily accessible. We will detail the places to see on this route below, but you can click here to review the walking route first.
Bascarsija walking route
Baščaršija (Baščaršija) : As the name suggests, the central market, which is one of the must-see places of the city. In addition to antique shops, cafes, restaurants, coffee houses and gift shops, mosques, inns and madrasas belonging to Gazi Hüsrev Bey, who had many buildings built in the city, are located here.
Sebil (Sebilj) : Ottoman’s Bosnian vizier Mehmet Pasha Kukavitsa had two copies of the fountain built on the upper part of Bascarsija in 1753, one in Belgrade and the other in America.. These copies were gifted to the Serbs and their Americans by the Bosnians.
The square where the fountain is located is also known as Pigeon Square, since there are plenty of pigeons.
This The square also includes the Clock Tower (Sahat Kula). The tower, which was built in the 17th century, was severely damaged by a fire and was restored in 1762.
Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque (Gazi Husrev-Begova Džamija): by Gazi Husrev Bey in 1531 The mosque, which was built by Mimar Sinan in Turkey, was damaged during the Bosnian War, but was restored in accordance with its original form in 1996.
Bascarsija Mosque, located near the fountain in the square, is Bascarsija Mosque, Ferhadija Mosque located on Ferhadija street, it is in the top three among many mosques in this city.
Gazi Hüsrev Bey Madrasa:Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Gazi Hüsrev Bey Madrasa, the first educational institution; It is one of the institutions that have survived to the present day without interrupting education, even during the war period, since its establishment. In 1537, the Sultan 2. It was built by Gazi Hüsrev Bey, the grandson of Bayezid and the Sanjak Bey of Semendire.
Moric Hann or Moriça Han: Han-ı Atik among the people. The inn, located just ahead of the madrasah, was built in 1551 and was restored after the fire in 1697.. Besides cafes, authentic rugs etc.. There are shops selling goods.
Bezistan: This is a covered market place built by Rüstem Pasha in 1551 for the sale of Bursa Silk.. Today, it also serves as the Sarajevo Museum.
Sarajevo Cathedral (Cathedral Srca Isusova): Cathedral of the Great Heart of Jesus Translated as the cathedral, it was built in 1889 inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.. It is considered the center of Catholics in the city, as proof of the tolerance of religions. Located on Ferhadiye Caddesi, the cathedral is a 2-minute walk from Gazi Hüsrev Bey Mosque.
Holy Mother Congregational Church (Saborna crkva u Sarajevu) ): This is an orthodox church, and the statue in its garden is referred to as the Statue of the Multicultural Man. A part of this church, which has five minarets, is used as the Faculty of Economics today.
The Monument of the Never Ending Fire (Vječna Vatra): Marshal Tito Boulevard and Ferhadiye Street at intersection 2. The fire that burned in this monument, which was built in memory of those who lost their lives in World War II, has never gone out except for the Bosnian war and some traffic accidents.
The following expressions are written on the monument in the colors of the Yugoslav flag:
“ With their courage and blood spilled together, the National Army of Yugoslavia consisting of Bosnian, Herzegovinian, Croatian, Montenegrin and Serbian brigades: liberated the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 6, 1945 with Muslim, Serbian and Croatian patriots. With endless gratitude and gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for this victory…”
- After walking along the Miljacka (Turkish pronunciation: Milyatska) River, you will find the most beautiful fortress on the hills surrounding the city. you can continue towards the known Yellow and White Fortress. We have prepared a separate google map for the places to see on this route.
You can click here to review the walking map of this route.
Latin Bridge (Latinska ćuprija): In the notes of the Bosnian Sanjak of the Ottoman Empire in 1541, it is mentioned as the oldest bridge in the city. This bridge, which is located on the Miljacka River that divides Sarajevo into two, is 1. It is known as the place where World War II started, because Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the Prince of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated here.
Hünkar Mosque: The first built in Sarajevo and the city’s It is located on the opposite side of the Hünkar Bridge, one of its iconic structures.
İnat Evi (Inat Kuca): Opposite the National Library The story of the house, which is located and serves as a restaurant today, is as follows:
20. In the century, the Austro-Hungarian Empire started to work to expropriate the region and they were demolishing all the magnificent buildings in the city one by one.. However, when they came to Benderija’s house, they encountered Bosniak stubbornness, and after long efforts, Benderija allowed the house to be demolished on the condition that it was built from the same side to the opposite shore.. This building, which has been built on the opposite shore since then, is known as the House of Inat.
Sarajevo City Hall (Gradska Vijećnica Sarajevo): rising on Obala Kulina Bana Street at the far end of Başçarşı. Viyechnitsa was built during the Austro-Hungarian period, first used as a town hall and then as a national library.. The building, referred to as “the memory of Sarajevo”, was heavily damaged by the Serbian bombardment during the Bosnian War, and more than 2 million historical documents and books were destroyed.. Viyechnitsa was restored in 2014 and continues to serve as a museum today.
Aliya Izetbegovic Cemetery: Aliya Izetbegovic, who led the Bosnians and was the first president of independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bascarsija He willed to be buried next to his comrades in the Kovaçi Cemetery (Šehidsko Mezarje Kovači), located within walking distance of. At the bottom of Izetbegovic’s tombstone, which does not bear any title, the following words are written:
“By Allah, we will not be slaves (Velikim bogom se kunemo da robovi biti nečemo)”.
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Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) and White Fortress (Bijela Tabija): There are many fortresses on different hills surrounding the city, but the most well-known of them is Yellow and White Fortress.
The stone in the martyrdom You can reach Sarıhisar by following the road. The fortress, built during the Ottoman period, is a point where you can watch the bird’s-eye view of Sarajevo.. On the other hand, Beyaz Hisar is located at a higher position than Yellow Hisar.. You can watch the sunset in both fortresses.
- Other places to see:
National Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Milyatska’s The building, whose architectural features were created by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and used as a town hall before, was converted into a library in 1949.
Tunel of Hope (Tunel Spasa):It was under siege for 1472 days. In order to enable aid to reach Sarajevo, it was decided to build a tunnel under the two-storey house in the Free Bosnian Region belonging to the Kolar family and through the Sarajevo area on the other side of the airport.. The bilateral excavation started on March 26, 1993 and lasted 4 months and 4 days; The tunnel, which is 1 meter wide, 1.50 meters high and 800 meters long, was completed on 30 July 1993 as a result of the meeting of the two sides.. Thanks to the humanitarian aid materials and military ammunition coming from the tunnel, the war was won.
ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE IN SARAJEVO
Obviously, we have a pleasure to experience Sarajevo’s nightlife. Since we did not intend to, we returned to the hotel directly after our city tour and continued to be sad. The history of the city hurts so much that it is not possible to even think of having fun.
But this does not mean that there is no nightlife, of course.. There are many bars and nightclubs in the area where the Bascarsija is located, because the people and young people who came out of the war now want to experience the fun side of life.. It goes without saying that night clubs and alcohol prices are much cheaper than in our country.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO SARAJEVO: ALTERNATIVE TOURS
Mostar is definitely the best place to go and see. a place where you should spend at least half a day. Therefore, we have prepared a separate article for this region.
You can click this link to read our Mostar article..
Trebevic Olympic Facility: The Sarajevo Olympic Facility on Mount Trebevic (Trebević) was built for the 1984 Winter Olympics. The facility has also hosted some World Cup matches.. Today, it is a frequent destination for nature lovers.
Bosnia Spring(Vrelo Bosnia): Vrelo Bosne A national park located at the foot of the Igman Mountain, where the source of the Bosnian river is located.. 15 minutes to Hotel Hollywood. Taxi is the most ideal alternative to go to this region, which is within walking distance.
SARAJEVO TRAVEL NOTES
- Sarajevo is definitely a place where you should spend at least two days and gradually slow down. It is a place where you should feel the city.. Definitely one of the important cities to experience.
