Sarajevo is a uniquely popular destination for the winter months! And why wouldn’t it be? From mountain retreats just a 40-minute drive from the city to glorious winter food, here are top 7 things to do in Sarajevo during winter!
1. Ski at the Olympic Mountains
The first thing any local will recommend you to do in Sarajevo during winter is go visit some surrounding Olympic mountains. Sarajevo is nestled among splendid nature, so driving to an Olympic Mountain should take you about 30-40 minutes. One of the best skiing centre that you can visit is Jahorina, knows as one of the top mountain resorts of Southeast Europe! Jahorina is equipped with 54 kilometres of ideally prepared alpine skiing slopes and 12km of night ski trails! Don’t forget that you can enjoy many other facilities such as alpine bars, snowboarding and skiing schools. For the littlest in the family, Jahorina has perfectly groomed sledding trails for unforgettable winter fun!
Secondly, we recommend visiting Bjelašnica as well! Known for being a legendary Olympic Mountain where Jure Franko won at the time won the first medal on the Winter Olympic Games for Yugoslavia. Today, Bjelašnica offers adventurous skiing slopes and great after-ski bars and entertainment!
2. Cable car to the Trebević mountain
Did you know that from the Old Town in Sarajevo it takes about 7 minutes to reach Mountain Trebević? Just take the cable car and see for yourself! A popular daytrip destination of Sarajevans, the Trebević cable car offers an entirely different perspective of Sarajevo. From the cable car you’ll be able to see other highpoints of Sarajevo such as the White and Yellow Fortress and neighbourhoods of Sarajevo!
Upon arrival to the mountain, you’ll soon realise that Trebević has loads of untouched nature to explore! Mainly, there are many hiking trails to discover that lead to great viewpoints of Sarajevo! If you want to take a panorama photo, Trebević is definitely a place to consider for your photoshoot! Aside from some light hiking amidst the scenic pine trees, on Trebević you can enjoy a traditional hearty lunch amidst the numerous establishments!
3. Visit a winter market
You must discover Sarajevo’s festive spirit by visiting its charming Christmas markets. Picture this: cozy wooden stalls adorned with twinkling lights, the air filled with the joyous sounds of holiday music, and the mouth-watering scent of mulled wine wafting through the crisp winter air. As you wander through the bustling market, you’ll find handcrafted gifts, warming drinks, and scrumptious pastries that truly capture the season’s magic. Imagine sipping on some local mulled wine or biting into a piece of heavenly baklava while you soak in the cheerful atmosphere. With the snow-dusted hills and historic buildings as your backdrop, it’s an experience that wraps you in the enchanting holiday charm of Sarajevo.
4. Time for comfort food
There can’t be a list of top things to do in Sarajevo without mentioning food! Just don’t try to resist the alluring aromas of Bosnian-Herzegovinian traditional dishes! In the Old Town you can find many restaurants that serve the best traditional food! What can you try? Our most famous traditional dish that we eat during winter is grah – or simply bean stew. Any aščinica (a traditional Bosnian establishment that serves only traditional food) will serve you our traditional bean stew that is a staple of a Balkan home.
Additionally, you can’t leave the country without trying the famous uštipci! These are doughy fried balls eaten sweet with jams or with cured meats and local cheeses! You can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner because it is so versatile!
5. Rakija tasting
You can’t warm up in the sharp Sarajevan winter without a little glass of rakija! Rakija is a strong alcoholic brandy made from fruit or herbs. Hence, a famous rakija is called šljivovica (plum brandy) or loza (grape brandy). It is a sign of good hospitality for the host to offer his guests a drink, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is most probably going to be either traditional Bosnian coffee or rakija!
There is hardly any household without a little bottle of rakija saved for entertaining guests but also for medical reasons. Need a disinfectant? Take some rakija! You have toothache? Rakija! This drink really is a staple in the Balkans and unmissable to try in Sarajevo!
6. Visit a museum
Winter time is possibly the best time to go indoors and visit museums! In Sarajevo, you will find a plethora of museums to visit – from the War Childhood Museum to the National Gallery! When visiting Sarajevo in winter, the city’s rich history and culture come alive in its many museums. Start with the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where you can marvel at the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illuminated Jewish manuscript that dates back to the 14th century. The Historical Museum provides a sobering look at the country’s tumultuous past, offering a deep dive into the events that shaped modern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art, showcasing bold works from local and international artists. Don’t miss the War Childhood Museum, which shares poignant stories and personal objects from those who experienced the Bosnian War as children. For a glimpse into the city’s multicultural tapestry, visit the Museum of Sarajevo, spread across four locations, each dedicated to different aspects of the city’s history. Wrap up your museum tour with a trip to the Olympic Museum, which commemorates the 1984 Winter Olympics hosted by Sarajevo, highlighting the city’s enduring spirit and resilience. Here you’ll find all the museums that you can visit in Sarajevo!
7. Stroll Velika Aleja in Ilidža
Sarajevo’s winter charm is undeniable, and a serene stroll through Vrelo Bosne and along Velika Aleja in Ilidža captures the magic perfectly. Begin your journey at Vrelo Bosne, where the emerald waters of the Bosna River emerge from underground springs, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. As you walk along the river, you’ll be greeted by the sight of swans gliding gracefully across the water and the sound of the gentle flow of the river beneath a canopy of frost-laden trees. Continue your adventure down Velika Aleja, a tree-lined avenue that stretches for 3 kilometers, offering a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
