An Introduction to Sarajevo...

Sarajevo holidays are taken in and around this multi cultural city, rich in history and tradition with many museums, theatres and festivals. Sarejevo’s cobbled streets are home to good restaurants, shopping centres, craft shops and boutiques.

The best Sarajevo hotels are the Sarajevo Inn, the Hotel Grand and the small and friendly hotels Michele and Villa Orient. So book your Sarajevo package holiday, Sarajevo flight or Sarajevo hotel with Holiday Options. Our flights operate from London Gatwick to Sarajevo. The transfer time from airport to your hotel is just 20 minutes. Don’t forget our Sarajevo late deals and holiday offers at very special prices.

The capital city is often called the ‘European Jerusalem’ due to a centuries-long tradition of integration and tolerance. Defining the very heart of the city and within 500m of each other are a Muslim Mosque, a Catholic Cathedral, an Orthodox Church and a Jewish Synagogue.

Sarajevo lets you sample the past. Artisans in the oriental trade square, Bascarsija, still forge copper and brass and create filigree art. Enjoy the smell of charcoal-grilled cevapcici, taste delicious oriental sweets in Slatko Cose or relax in the outdoor cafés with a coffee prepared the Bosnian way.

The deep multi-layered and multi-faceted history of Sarajevo is best exemplified by the fact that the city is where the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Ferdinand in 1914 triggered the start of the First World War and yet the same city hosted the 14th Winter Olympics in 1984.

The Sarajevo of today is a far cry from many people’s imagination. Tourism is back and you are sure of a warm welcome from the inhabitants of this beautiful city.

For many tourists Bosnia-Herzegovina is a new and unexplored destination.
It is a melting pot of different cultures and a bridge between east and west.
From Roman times to the reign of the Bosnian Kings, from the Ottoman period, the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Yugoslavian era with Marshal Tito as its leader, the country has a colourful past and one that is now welcoming tourists from all over the world to rediscover its magic.

Cities such as Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Travnik, Doboj and Tuzla are charming and of great historical interest. If you have time there is a magical journey by car or train from Sarajevo to Mostar through the wild and beautiful canyon of the River Neretva. Dominating the landscape are inspiring mountains, untouched forests and wild rivers. The hospitality of the Bosnian people is also one of the country’s greatest assets, along with the traditional Bosnian coffee, the irresistible Cevapi, local wines and cakes.

 The variety of the country’s landscape and climate is reflected in the traditional dishes of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Vlasic cheese from the green pastures of Mount Vlasic or Livno cheese from Kupres. Home-made honey and herbal teas, which are consumed for both pleasure and medicinal purposes. Dolma, stews, soups, roast lamb and trout are common, plus there is the speciality that you will find almost everywhere in Bosnia-Herzegovina, cavapcici.

These are charcoal-grilled rolls of meat served with pitta bread and onions. The leading wines in the country are Blatina and Zilavka.

Visitors looking for traditional crafts will bring home copper and brass filigree art, colourful ceramics, rugs, paintings and local wines. 

Sarajevo is a cultural capital with its Winter Festival in February, Bascarsija nights and International Folklore Festival in July, Film Festival in August, MESS Theatre Festival in October and its Jazz Festival in November.

Throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina you can enjoy live music at nightclubs and restaurants, from traditional oriental music to jazz or techno played in discotheques.

Driving in Bosnia-Herzegovina is relatively easy although we would urge all drivers to observe speed limits and driving laws.

Taxis are common in Sarajevo and as in many major cities we would encourage visitors to obtain a price prior to departure. Buses and trams are frequent and inexpensive.