Introducing this place:

This is a beautiful city in Bosnia with a total population of over 300,000 people. Capital city of Federation of Herzegovina and Bosnia entity, Sarajevo lies in the valley with the same name. It is surrounded by mighty Dinaric Alps. Sarajevo is popular for its religious diversity. You will find Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Orthodox people living here.

This is an ancient city which saw its golden period during the 15^th under Ottoman Empire. This city has a glorious past which is evident in its beautiful architecture. It was also Europe’s first city to have an electric tram network.

Sightseeing:

This city provides fantastic sightseeing opportunities:

• Old Town – This is a beautiful city has many mosques, orthodox and Catholic churches and Synagogues. The stone streets of this ancient part of Sarajevo will remind you of the older and simpler times.
• Bosnian Historical Museum- This museum exhibits pictures of Sarajevo from the period of war. It shows pictures of a ruined and destroyed Sarajevo and plight of its citizens during the World War I.
• National Museum – this Museum exhibits the history of Bosnia. Don’t forget to see the Turkish homes which were very popular during the 19th century in Sarajevo.
• Latin Bridge - This Bridge holds a lot of historical importance not just for Sarajevo but the entire world. It was on this bridge where Franz Ferdinand, the Archduke of Austria was assassinated. This incident was responsible for triggering the World War I.
• Sarajevo Tunnel Museum – During the period when this city was under siege, a tunnel was constructed and used to supply essential commodities into it. This tunnel has now been turned in to a museum. Lying near the airport, this tunnel lies in the Garden of a house.
• Svrzina kuca – Lying in the north of old town, this is an amazing 18^th century house. Built in Ottoman style of architecture, this house provides a peek inside the lives of people who lived here in the past.
• Morica Han – Situated in the Old Town, this is the last remaining Ottoman Inn in the city. It was built to provide accommodation to travelers and traders who used to visit the city. These days, it has many carpet stores and also a traditional restaurant. The engravings of poetry from the 12^th century poet Umer Khayam provide a very traditional feel to this building.

Things and Sports to Do:

• Hiking: You can go for a beautiful hiking trip in the hills surrounding Sarajevo. These mesmerizing hills provide some great views and you won’t regret climbing all the way to the top of these hills. But beware that there are still some of the landmines from the war embedded in the forest area of Sarajevo. Therefore, you just stay at the marked ways and trails.
• Festivals: Sarajevo is also home to many cultural, traditional and musical festivals. The Sarajevo Film Festival is organized every year in August. This is one of the best film festivals in Europe. In October, the city holds an International theatre festival and you must visit it.
• Vrelo Bosne: This is the spot from where Bosna River begins. It is an extremely beautiful place to have a romantic picnic. Stroll on the banks of ice cold Bosna River among breathtaking natural beauty.
• Olympic Stadium: Sarajevo has a huge football stadium where the opening ceremony of the 1984 Winter Olympics Games was organized. Even though, it is not one of the best stadiums in the world, it is still a good place to enjoy a live football match.
• Markale Market: Lying near the place, Bascarcija, Markale Market place also has a lot of historical significance for the city. This place suffered heavy bombing in 1994 and 1995. It was also the place from where NATO forces started their military intervention in Bosnia.

Restaurants and Shopping:

Sarajevo has a wide range of restaurants which suit every pocket and taste palette. If you are on a budget then you can find numerous shops selling traditional dishes of the city at reasonable prices. Don’t miss the Ago Fast Food Pizzeria. For mid-range budgets, restaurants like Bambus, Bosanska Kuca, Capucino, Inat Kuca, etc. are perfect. And if you are in a mood to splurge then go to the swanky Moja Mala Kuhinja restaurant. For the shopaholics, there are many pretty shops in old town. This place is the perfect way to buy local made handicrafts and products. You can get your favorite things in a range starting from $2 to going up to $300.

People and Culture:

Sarajevo has around 416,497 permanent citizens, these days. But these statistics are not very clear. The ethnicity of this city took a huge beating during the war as many of its original citizens died or migrated forever.

The culture of this city is extremely diverse. Many religions co-exist in a congenial environment in this city. Sarajevo has been the cultural capital of Bosnia as many Bosnian thinkers and poetry geniuses made this city their home, ever since the time of Ottoman Empire. Vladimir Prelog who won a Noble prize belongs to Sarajevo. Emir Kusturica who is a famous movie director also lived in Sarajevo.

Geography and Climate:

Sarajevo lies near Bosnia-Herzegovina region. This enchanting city lies in a valley that used to be extremely green but today, its whole scenery has changed. Greenery has been replaced by an urban city. Treskavica is the tallest one in the five mountains surrounding Sarajevo.

Climate of this city is mild continental. January is the coldest month with the average temperature being -1.3°C. Sarajevo gets around two and a half months of summer every year when temperature remains around 30º C. The city remains mostly cloudy throughout the year. It long and cold winters provides a great setting for various winter sports. This city also hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984.

Economy, Prices and Living Standard:

The economy of Sarajevo has been under reconstruction as the years of war took a lot of toll on its economy. These days, Sarajevo has a thrilling manufacturing and tourism industry. People in this city are extremely friendly and fun living. Living standards are high and people live comfortably.