Sarajevo guide
Let’s start a new travel article series. I have been considering to write about the places I have visited. This one will be the first article of it. For those who like to travel abroad to see foreign countries on their own without bounding themselves to private tour agencies, might find this article series useful.
Turkish version of the article
Istanbul -> Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country where I had wanted to visit for a long time. Finally, I had the opportunity and time to see it.
Our journey starts on the 5th of April. We are heading to Sarajevo from Istanbul Atatürk airport on the day which marks the last day of the airport. After that day, the airport is being closed for commercial flights. All of the new flights will be diverted to the new Istanbul Airport.
Sarajevo International airport is small, you can easily find your way when you land on it. After exiting the airport, we are moving towards the bus stop.
Sarajevo
Generally, I stayed 2 nights and 3 days in Bosnia. I made a hotel reservation from the Internet. The location of the hotel is closer to Baščaršija. As an advice, it is better to book somewhere closer to the main square of the city.
First of all, let’s start examining the city by sharing some photographs and explaining the point of interests first.
Alongside the Miljacka river, there a lot of buildings which had been built during the Austrian-Hungarian era. This can be easily noticed because of the architectural styles of the buildings.
Latin bridge
Everybody knows the famous assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the crown prince of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. The assassination took place on this bridge.
The hotel where I stayed, is closer to one of the most famous landmarks of the city, City hall. The area is called Vijećnica.
Also in this area, there is a tram and bus stop where is the final station of the airport bus.
The scenes across the riverside and tram.
Baščaršija & Sebilj
Baščaršija is located in the heart of Sarajevo. In the middle of the square, a famous landmark is located. Sebilj was built in the 18th century. The chances are highly likely that you have come across. There is a common belief that if you drink water from Sebilj, you will come to visit Sarajevo again.
Normally, the whole area is crowded during the day. Luckily, I managed to capture this picture while nobody is around early in the morning. As new day arises more people will walk through the main square to do their daily routine.
If you wake up earlier, you can buy pastries from pekaras (bakehouses) or eat a delightful bureg in a local place. After that, I recommend you to take a quick morning stroll around the city.
Gazi Husrev beg mosque
Gazi husrev begova dzamija is the Ottoman era mosque which was built during the reign of Gazi Husrev beg. He was the most prominent governor of the Sanjak of Bosnia. During his reign, the whole city was the most prosperous city of the Balkans. Once the population of the city was peaked at 50000. The museum is next to the mosque.
For more details about the reign of Gazi Husrev beg in Bosnia, check out this resource
While walking on the streets in the morning, I captured another picture of the main street which is one of the crowded streets of the city. This street connects the east&west parts of the city.
Eternal flame marks the liberation of the city from the Nazi occupation in the world war 2.
Places to eat and drink
Cevapi
Most well-known meal to eat in Bosnia. There are a lot of decent places to eat in Sarajevo. However, I share it two of the restaurants I went to.
- Ćevabdžinica Petica Ferhatović
- Ćevabdžinica Željo 2
Bureg
The other well-known meal to taste in Sarajevo is bureg. The one who visits Bosnia must try it. I can write the place where I went two times;
- Buregdžinica Bosna
Tito cafe
Tito cafe is a fashionable place to sit and drink something. The place has old Yugoslavian period style items, statues, posters of Josip Broz Tito etc.
Sarajevo brewery
Sarajevo brewery is one of the places where I recommend it to visit. The brewery has both museum and restaurant. You can try Sarajevska which is a local beer. The beer has a smooth taste.
Transportation
Tram: A single ticket costs 1.8 km. The ticket can be purchased inside the tram. Tram is commonly used as a public transport.
Bus: Bus should be preferred when going to the city centre from the airport. A single ticket costs 5 km. The ticket can be purchased inside the bus.
Taxi: Taximeter costs 1 km (Bosnian mark) per kilometre.
Tren: Railway station is located near the highest tower (Avaz twist tower) of Sarajevo. I took a train to Mostar from here.
Observations
Even though I stayed only a couple of days in Bosnia, I would like to give a couple of observations.
Just like most of the other places in the world, drinking coffee is highly preferable. There are a lot of local coffee shops around the city. You can grab a seat and enjoy your drink.
Currency: km (Bosnian mark)
Next travel article will be about my journey to Mostar. Another picturesque place to visit.
