Scars and Smiles
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
From EUR 24.00
Office phone number: +387 644 124 126
Scars and Smiles
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
A horrific past sits side-by-side with a welcoming future on this Sarajevo tour that takes you deep into the dark days and back out into the light of today. See the sites that mark some of the city's biggest tragedies but have since become places to celebrate life, as you listen to stories of the siege, from those who lived to tell the tale.
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Highlights
- Learn how Sarajevo has rebuilt itself since the war
- Experience the startling contrast of war times and peaceful times, and see how locals are honouring the past
- See important sites such as the National Library and Central Bank, and hear about the history that haunts them
- Visit the Sarajevo Brewery, which provided the city with drinking water during the siege
- Visit the marketplace that was the site of the 1994 massacre, and see it as it is now, with locals going about their day-to-day
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
City Hall/National Library (at the stairs), Obala Kulina bana, Sarajevo
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Sarajevo National Theatre, Obala Kulina bana 9, Sarajevo
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entry fees to sites, food samples in the market, drink (glass of wine, beer, or soft drink) at the last stop.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your guide.
This Sarajevo walking tour tells the story of the most difficult times to have befallen the city of Sarajevo, but alongside tales of the will, courage, and determination of the local people to survive what was once hell on Earth.
Your Sarajevo tour will start at the most beautiful building in the city: the City Hall/National Library, which had originally burned down during the siege of Sarajevo but was rebuilt and re-opened in 2014 — a sign of the rejuvenation seen throughout the city.
From there, we'll head to a local historic brewery, founded in 1864 and with a sad story behind the brews, as it was one of the few sources of drinking water for Sarajevans during the war.
We'll then visit the gallery that's home to the exhibit Siege'92-'95, honouring the longest siege in modern history. You'll learn about the darkest parts of Sarajevo's past before heading to the street of Green Berets (resistance organisers), which is now the centre of the city's nightlife.
Next up on your Sarajevo tour, we'll head to the local marketplace, which was the site of a horrific massacre in 1994. Yet today, it's a place to get fresh produce and local goods, and while we're there, we'll stop into the beautiful Market Hall, where we'll try local delicacies such as smoked beef and cheese.
We'll then continue to the Central Bank, where the famous Sarajevo Haggadah (an ancient manuscript containing the traditional text of Passover Haggadah) was kept safe during the siege. From there, it's on to the Great Park of Sarajevo, where you'll see the monument to the murdered children of Sarajevo, and then on to the presidencey building and Olympic Hall. We'll keep walking along the Miljacka River and see the contemporary bridge that's named Festina lente, meaning “make haste slowly“.
Next up, your Sarajevo tour will proceed to the Central Post Office, which burned down in 1992 but has since been rebuilt, before finally reaching the National Theatre, the main stage for two of the biggest cultural events in Sarajevo: the Theatre Festival and the Sarajevo Film Festival (founded during the siege as cultural resistance to the madness of war).
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entry fees to sites, food samples in the market, drink (glass of wine, beer, or soft drink) at the last stop.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear casual, comfortable clothing and shoes for walking.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children below the age of 11 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +387 644 124 126
Email address: info@sarajevourbanadventures.com
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