Free Walking Tours in Sarajevo

Sarajevo, sometimes called the Jerusalem of Europe is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A free walking tour in Sarajevo is a great way to explore this city, situated in the heart of the Balkans and surrounded by the Dinaric Alps.

Sarajevo has a long history of religious and cultural diversity and has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City having placed culture at the centre of its development. You will be able to witness this for yourself as you explore the city.

You will find below all you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best options for sightseeing tours in Sarajevo.

How do free walking tours in Sarajevo work?

You can reserve space on a walking tour in Sarajevo paying any booking fee in advance. Free walking tours ask you to tip the guide on a “pay-as-you-wish” basis at the end of your tour based on your own experience.

Free walking tours operate with a minimum and maximum number of participants and so you should book space on your preferred walking tour online. On the day of the tour, bring cash along so that you can tip your guide. Remember to cancel your booking if you choose not to do the tour.

How much should you tip for a free walking tour in Sarajevo?

There is no set amount when it comes to tipping your guide. Tips for free walking tours range from between €5 and €50. Most people tip their guide between €10 and €15 per person. You can decide how much you are going to tip.

What are the best free walking tours in Sarajevo?

Several different walking tours are available to enjoy in Sarajevo. An orientation tour is a great way of ensuring you see all of the city’s memorable sites.

Sarajevo essential walking tour

The essential Sarajevo free walking tour is an excursion that focusses on Bascarsija, the heart of Sarajevo’s old town. You will view the most recognizable landmarks of Sarajevo in this are before continuing on to the more modern part of the city.

Itinerary

Your tour starts by admiring the Old Orthodox Church, one of the oldest religious buildings in Sarajevo before stopping at the legendary Sebilj wooden fountain. Passing through the liveliest parts of the city, you will step back in time with a visit to Caravan Saray.

The tour continues past the famous Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque and see a unique clock tower before visiting the Bezistan, a bazaar dating back to the Ottoman period.

Moving into the modern era, the tour passes the Sarajevo City Hall and hear about the Sarajevo Jewish community. The Old Jewish Temple and Catholic cathedral are on the route before a stop at the first modern hotel in the city where you will have the chance to taste Bosnian Coffee and taste Sacher cake before heading to the Latin Bridge where Franz-Ferdinand was assassinated.

The tour ends at the starting point.

Sarajevo Old Town walking tour

On an Old Town walking tour you will learn how religion and unprecedented events have shaped modern Sarajevo. Here you will see Sarajevo through the lens of its people as you explore the places of religious and historical significance.

Itinerary

After meeting at the Sarajevo City Hall, the tour will explore the ottoman quarter including Bascarsija Square.

A visit to the Jewish quarter as well as churches and mosques in the area, the complexity of Sarajevo and its multicultural history will be discussed. With three religious sites being situated within 100 meters of each other you will be able to see first-hand how this diverse city is so unique.

The tour ends with a visit to the Latin Bridge. This site is the place where Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, leading to the start of World War I.

Sarajevo War Scars Walking tour

In the War Scars walking tour you will visit significant sites from the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia with a guide who experienced this war as a child. In this tour you will hear personal recollections about the war and discuss the post-war challenges and recovery.

Itinerary

In this unique tour, you will walk a path that tells the story of the war in Bosnia between 1992 and 1995. You will visit significant sites including Sarajevo Roses, Children memorial, Markale market, Sniper Alley and more.

This tour is different to many other tours in that it focusses on the recent history of this historical city in a way that offers a personal glimpse into the lives of the people who lived through the war.

Sarajevo Highlights and Hidden Gems walking tour

If you are looking for a tour that gives you a good overview of the city of Sarajevo while at the same time revealing some of the lesser known hidden gems, then this tour is for you.

Itinerary

The Sarajevo Highlights and Hidden Gems tour covers the city’s 500-year history from the Ottoman Empire to the present day.

The tour includes landmarks like the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Ashkenazi Synagogue, the Latin Bridge and Morican han and the memorable city hall.

While you are walking through the city, you will also travel off the beaten path and see sights including the “ugliest building in the city” and a local brewery.

In which languages are free walking tours in Sarajevo operated?

English is the most common language used by guides on walking tours in Sarajevo. Some tours are offered in Spanish, German or Italian. Multilingual guides may speak more than one language on a single tour.

Where do free walking tours in Sarajevo start?

Free walking tours in Sarajevo usually start in the city center, either at a meeting point along the Miljacka River or at an easy to find site close to the main road, Mula Mustafe Baseskije.

Places like the Sarajevo City Hall, Museum of the Jews of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bascarsija historic market, and Susan Sontag square are all popular meeting points.

These meeting points are all within walking distance of several well-known and popular hotels.

Guides will normally wear an easily recognizable item of clothing to make sure they are easy to spot.

How long do free walking tours in Sarajevo last?

A typical walking tour in Sarajevo will take from 2 to 2.5 hours. The tours are not too long and you will be able to spend the rest of your day visiting the sites that you have passed by while on your tour.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Sarajevo?

A mid-morning or mid-afternoon walking tour of Sarajevo will leave you free to enjoy lunch or dinner in the city. It is best to take your tour at the beginning of your stay so that you can orientate yourself and leave plenty of time to explore the various sites you have been introduced to. It can get very hot and very cold at the peak of the summer and winter months and tours are adjusted to compensate for this.

Should Sarajevo free walking tours be booked online?

To make sure that you have a space on the tour that you want, it is essential to book online in advance. Some tours will only operate if they have a minimum number of confirmed participants and so booking online is especially important. It helps the guide to plan when they know how many people will be joining their tour.

No upfront payment or booking fees are charged, and you can cancel your booking without any penalties. Your tour itinerary will mention if any entrance fees or other costs will be apply.