Stories from Sarajevo
Long-form writing on the city and the mountains beyond it — old-town streets, mountain roads, coffeehouse culture and the practicalities of travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
More stories
Notes on Bosnian hospitality
The cost of a day in Sarajevo, item by item
Hostel or apartment in Sarajevo: what actually decides it
Riding tram line 3 across the Sarajevo valley
The bobsleigh track today
The food I got wrong in Sarajevo
The roses underfoot
The winter smog nobody mentions
Two bus stations, one city
What locals think about Sarajevo's siege tours
Why Sarajevo is not a museum
Good to know about the Sarajevo blog
The blog is where Sarajevo Trip steps back from strict planning logistics and covers the questions that shape how a trip actually feels, written with the same honest, no-fluff approach as the rest of the site.
It opens with orientation pieces — what to know before visiting Sarajevo for the first time, and a direct look at whether Bosnia and Herzegovina is really as cheap as its reputation suggests, which stays qualitative rather than inventing precise figures: a backpacker-style trip using self-catering and local buses is genuinely affordable, mid-range comfort with restaurant meals and the occasional guided excursion adds up more than expected, and prices around Baščaršija's main square run noticeably higher than a neighbourhood a short walk away.
A Sarajevo versus Mostar comparison helps travellers deciding between two well-known Bosnian bases weigh up the practical differences in atmosphere, day-trip access and pace rather than relying on vague impressions. History and etiquette get straightforward treatment: a piece on visiting the siege and Srebrenica-related sites covers what Sarajevo and the surrounding region actually offer, approached with the sobriety the subject demands rather than as sightseeing, and a Bosnian etiquette piece covers habits worth knowing, from the relaxed pace of coffeehouse service to the light-touch approach to tipping and greeting people with a handshake rather than assuming informality.
Food and culture pieces make up a solid share of the blog: a Sarajevo food guide covering what a realistic meal costs alongside the city's ćevapi and coffee traditions from Baščaršija, a piece on crossing into Croatia overland via Mostar and Neum and what the paperwork actually involves, and a mountain-days guide covering hiking spots and the cable car around Trebević through the summer months.
A best-time-to-visit piece pulls together the seasonal picture in one place: May to October as the strongest window for hiking and rafting, the shoulder-season months of May, June, September and October offering thinner crowds and lower prices, and the winter inversion pattern that affects the city's air on some days more than others. None of the blog content replaces the destination or guide pages — it's meant to be read for context and reassurance before or during a trip, answering the softer questions a strict itinerary or logistics guide doesn't cover.
Frequently asked questions about the Sarajevo blog
Is Bosnia and Herzegovina as cheap as people say?
Broadly yes, though the exact cost depends heavily on where and how you travel. A backpacker approach using self-catering and local buses keeps costs genuinely low, while restaurant meals and guided excursions around Baščaršija's main square add up faster than a neighbourhood a short walk away.
Should I visit Sarajevo or Mostar first?
It depends on your priorities: Sarajevo has the deeper city, the mountain day trips and the memorial sites on its doorstep, while Mostar has the Old Bridge and a more compact, walkable old town. The blog's Sarajevo versus Mostar piece compares atmosphere and day-trip access directly rather than declaring one better overall.
Is Sarajevo safe for solo travellers?
Yes — Bosnia and Herzegovina has a generally low crime rate, and ordinary caution covers most situations, including in Sarajevo at night and on mountain roads. The blog's solo travel piece goes into more detail on specific areas and late-night transport.
Is it easy to cross the border into Croatia from Sarajevo?
Generally yes, with a valid passport and reasonable planning — the route via Mostar and Neum can queue in peak summer, and rental cars need proper insurance paperwork to cross, which the blog's border piece covers in detail.
When is the best time to visit Sarajevo and this region according to the blog?
May to October is the strongest window for hiking, rafting and mountain time, while May, June, September and October offer thinner crowds and lower prices with still-pleasant weather. Winter brings skiing but also a real risk of valley air pollution, worth checking before planning around a longer city stay.