Photo Essay: Sarajevo

You know how some cities are just heart cities? You fall in love with them the moment of arrival. There’s just a feeling of ‘ahhhhhh. YES.’ 

With Sarajevo, I felt that coming. I knew that whenever I eventually made it, I would fall in love. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been high on my list to visit for so long, but for a couple reasons  (Covid, obviously; also generally traveling during winter months when transportation is more limited) it took until Fall 2022 to finally make it.

I love this country, and absolutely LOVED Sarajevo. Because I’m location-independent, and can typically travel at a slower pace, I typically like to spend at least one week in cities to get a feel for the atmosphere, the vibe, the je ne sais quoi. I like to give myself one day of ‘boredom’, because that’s usually when you either discover something interesting off-map, or you have the day to relax and refresh.  Win/Win!

In Sarajevo, there was a lot of wandering in the moody Bascarsija (the old town), hiking up and down hills and even a mountain – I think (it felt like it!), finding beautiful vistas and viewpoints, learning how to drink and savor Bosnian coffee (SUCH a treat), and witnessing the shadows of the 1990’s civil war. BiH is an incredibly special place, and I feel honored and grateful to have been able to experience even a small piece of it.

Here are some of my favorite photos from Sarajevo:

Sarajevo’s rich history and culture make it a destination worth exploring. The city is filled with the warmest people, beautiful views, accessible nature, and – of course – Bosnian coffee, a true treat. Have you been to Sarajevo? What were some of your favorite things to do?