Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a small city that is cosily nestled in a valley between Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo is a must visit place for history buffs. It is the city where the Roman Empire got divided. It is a city that has a long history of wars and conflict. Despite all this modern day Sarajevo is a symbol of peace and tolerance due to its multi-cultural population. Sarajevo has successfully recovered from the Yugoslav wars that were waged from 1992-95. It is now a cosmopolitan city with an interesting eastern element.
What to see
Sarajevo is a city that is filled with old world charm. It has a rich history that has made a mark on the landscape and architecture. The Old Town area is filled with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Mosques and Synagogues. The streets are made of cobble stones and lined by oriental style shops. Some of the other must see sites are the Latin Bridge, Markale Market Place, Yellow Fortress and the Morica Han. Nature lovers can trek to the surrounding hills where one can enjoy a spectacular view. The Vrelo Bosne is where the Bosna River begins. It is only 20 minutes from the city centre by walk and one can enjoy a picnic in the countryside over there. Sarajevo also has many museums that are worth visiting even though they are in poor condition nowadays. Old Orthodox Church, Emperor’s Mosque, Bey's mosque and St. Anthony’s Church are some of the religious buildings worth visiting.
When to visit
Sarajevo has a mix of the European continental and the Mediterranean climates. From January to July the average temperatures increase progressively, and then, similarly, drop to December. The coldest months are December and January with January dropping to minus degrees.
Like may eastern European countries it doesn’t get much sunlight and has around sixteen wet days in a month. The best time to visit would be in the months of May to September as they enjoy the most sunlight.
Where to stay
Sarajevo is a paradise for budget travellers and backpackers seeking a vacation off the beaten path. One can camp in the park next to the Miljacka River. Many locals in their town offer rooms in their houses for rent at reasonable rates. One can also go to the accommodation bureaus near Old town. Sarajevo Accommodation can arrange overnight stays in hostels, pensions, private rooms and hotels in Sarajevo and its surrounding areas. Some of the mid-range hotels are Garni Hotel Konak in Mula Mustafe Başeskije, Hotel Michele (recommended for families) and The Motel Sokak in Mula Mustafe Bašeskije and The MD Apartmani in Bistrik. The more expensive hotels in Sarajevo are the Hotel Bristol, Radon Plaza and The Holiday Inn.
Where to shop
Most of the best buys in Sarajevo are locally made items such as handicrafts, copperware and T-shirts. One can also find a rich collection of historical books at the local bookstores. Some of the bigger shopping complexes in Sarajevo are The Grand Centar, BBI Centar and the Mercatar Centar
Food
Sarajevo has restaurants that serve good food within a varied price range. There is something for everyone. There are many shops that sell Burek (meat pie). Pita is a filo type pastry pie that is served in various varieties with Bosnian Cheese, Zeljanica (spinach and cheese), pumpkin and spiced potatoes. It is also served with a traditional yogurt like sauce which is similar to sour cream. You must also note that most Cevapi places don’t serve liquor.
What to wear
It gets hot during summers so carry light clothing along with a light jacket just in case. Warm clothes during winter are a must. Remember to take an umbrella with you whichever time of the year you choose to visit. Lastly, Sarajevo is a city that can be easily explored by foot so don’t forget to pack a pair of good sturdy and comfortable shoes.
Transport
The Sarajevo airport is in the suburb of Butmir. One can get from the airport to the city centre easily by using the public transport. One can also enter Sarajevo by train, bus or car. Getting around in Sarajevo can be done by using the local tram service or by hiring taxis. Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have electric trams and not being a very large city, it can be explored on foot.
Money
The currency of Bosnia, the Convertible Mark has been tied to the Euro at a rate since Oct 2001.Money can be changed at post offices or banks. It doesn’t make much of a difference where you change your money as the variations in exchange rates are negligible. Most banks will take travellers cheques of American Express, Thomas Cook, VISA and Eurocheques.
There are ATMs of major banks all around the city. All VISA, VISA Electron, MasterCard, Maestro, Diners Club and American Express credit cards are acceptable.
Banks are open to the following timings:
Monday through Friday: 0830 – 2000 hours
Saturday: 0900- 1300 hours
Sunday: Closed
Medical
Sarajevo Health Care Centre is the main health care centre and it has four central outlets. In the event of a serious medical injury one can call 124 or 611-111. The after hours pharmacies in Sarajevo are "Bascarsija" Pharmacy in Obala Kulina Bana and Nova Sarajevo in Zmaja Od Bosna.
There are unexploded minefields and ordinances in Sarajevo which could be dangerous. Avoid going into damaged buildings. Try to stick to paved surfaces as not all the minefields have been marked out. Apart from that Bosnia in general is fairly safe for foreigners to visit. The air in Sarajevo is quite thick with pollution, so asthmatics should carry their medication with them.
Visa
US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa for travel to Sarajevo for a stay up to 3 months. For any extension beyond this, apply for a temporary residence permit to the office of the Foreigners’ Affairs Department of the Ministry of Security. Those not staying at hotels but in private residences need to register with the local police within 24 hours.
Tourism office contact
Contact the local tourist office at the city centre, near the Catholic Cathedral. Phone 033 238 886 email: tour.off@bih.net.ba, website: www.sarajevo-tourism.com
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