Sarajevo Overview

As the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo is an extremely visitor-friendly city, enjoying a picturesque setting on the Miljacka River. At the heart of the city lie museums full of local history, as well as landmarks in the old town such as the Ottoman Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque. Historically, the city is one of Europe's most interesting and diverse places, blending Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Ottoman cultures. Sarajevo benefits from being fairly compact while retaining a real vibrancy amidst true religious diversity. The historic city centre is brimming with friendly cafes, affordable places to stay and great places to hang out. An interesting architectural mix of Ottoman, Yugoslav and Austro-Hungarian architecture includes the University of Sarajevo building, the Sebilj fountain, the City Hall, the distinctive Academy of Fine Arts and the Latin Bridge. The latter is the place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, triggering World War I. The city's world-famous International Festival, highly acclaimed Film Festival and Bačarija Nights Summer cultural festival are all major reasons to visit this warm-hearted capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a city with a low crime rate, helping to make it a top South East European destination.

Things to Do

Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital Sarajevo is steeped in history and culture. Even though it has less than half a million residents, there's a real buzz and a multitude of things to see and do when visiting.

Famous history

Visit the Latin Bridge, the famous place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot, leading to World War I. The poignant tale of events that unfolded on the bridge in 1914 really comes alive there.

Incredible museums

The city has many museums but perhaps the best is the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which includes an exhibition about the Siege of Sarajevo that provides a valuable insight into the past troubles and the background of the modern city.

Visit a famous brewery

The Sarajevsko Brewery symbolises the famous local beer and visitors can spend time here just opposite the Latin Bridge, sampling the brew that's really part of the local culture.

Calendar of Events

Sarajevo's major festivals really contribute to the quality of the city in terms of a top entertainment destination, bringing thousands of visitors flocking to the capital every year.

• A well-established International Festival. Sarajevska Zima is a long-running cultural celebration dating back to 1984. It normally runs in February and March with exhibitions, concerts, films and plays to entertain the crowds.

• Bačarijske Noći. The international summer cultural festival Bačarija Nights takes place in July every year with venues throughout the city attracting some 100,000 visitors who enjoy theatre, opera and ballet, folk groups, exhibitions and films.

• The International Film Festival. Perhaps the most famous of the city's festivals, the International Film Festival at the end of August has been attracting crowds and celebrities since 1995 and is hailed as one of South Eastern Europe's most important cultural events.