Springs and paths among the greenery
Vrelo Bosne is the source area of the Bosna River. It lies southwest of Sarajevo, below the slopes of Mount Igman and Bjelašnica. Paths lead to lakes with swans; you can walk, jog or cycle along the 3.5-kilometre Velika Aleja. From the Ilidža tram terminus, it takes about ten minutes to walk to the start of the avenue. Check travel information and available activities before your trip.
The Skakavac area offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and various extreme sports. A striking natural attraction is Skakavac, a 98-metre-high waterfall that ranks among the largest waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trebević offers a different focus: its protected landscape is divided into three zones, including a strictly protected core area. Bobsleigh and luge events were held there during the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Today, activities include hiking and mountain biking; Trebević is also accessible by the Sarajevo cable car. Check its operating status before your trip. The Čolina Kapa astronomical observatory is part of the protected landscape’s cultural and historical heritage.
Caves, meadows and mountains
Bijambare combines rolling mountain meadows, dense forests and limestone ridges. It has cycling, educational and forest trails. The Middle Bijambare Cave is equipped, lit and open to visitors: its approximately 500-metre route runs along a paved path through four chambers. Check opening arrangements before your trip. A tourist train runs between the Bijambare entrance and the centre of the core area; its service may vary seasonally and should also be checked in advance.
Winter sports are also part of what the region offers. The Babin Do ski area has eight ski runs, five children’s runs, three gondola lifts and five ski lifts, all leading to Bjelašnica’s 2,067-metre summit. As operating infrastructure may change, it is advisable to check before your trip. Those interested in climbing can find rock faces equipped with steel cables and climbing aids on the Via Ferrata Kotlovi on Bjelašnica; the routes are graded A, B and C. Check current access and safety requirements before visiting.
Bridges, collections and places of remembrance
Bentbaša has facilities for walking, running and cycling, as well as opportunities for families to relax. The area’s ecological diversity includes 70 habitat types, 169 plant species and 50 bird species. A different kind of architectural heritage is Kozija ćuprija: the single-arch stone bridge is built of locally sourced white stone and tuff; its architectural style is dated to the 16th century.
The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina brings together institutional history and architecture. Founded in 1888, the museum is considered the country’s oldest Western-style cultural and scientific institution. Its purpose-built complex, with four pavilions and a botanical garden, was inaugurated in 1913. The medieval department preserves around 11,500 objects relating to the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the 6th to the 15th century; there are also two open-air displays of stećak tombstones.
The Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918 dedicates its permanent exhibition to the period of Austro-Hungarian rule and Sarajevo’s development into a modern urban centre. Brusa Bezistan, built in 1551 by Rustem Pasha, grand vizier to Suleiman the Magnificent, houses the permanent exhibition of the Museum of Sarajevo. Its archaeological displays cover prehistory, antiquity and the Middle Ages; individual exhibits may change. For another historical perspective, the Butmir site of the Tunnel of Hope is open to visitors: an exhibition about the siege of Sarajevo is located at the authentic site where the tunnel was built and operated. The visitor area includes the original entrance, 25 metres of authentic tunnel and 100 metres of revitalised original tunnel, representing the inside of the tunnel as it was in operation from 1993 to 1995. Check visitor requirements in advance.
In Umoljani, the Dolovi necropolis includes 53 medieval tombstones, 11 old nišans and the remains of an unexplored building, which may have been a church. Dolovi is designated a national monument. The necropolis lies 1.5 kilometres from the entrance to Umoljani, beside the local road; access is not regulated.
Discover more destinations: Faletići, Umoljani, Ilijaš, Hadžići, Ilidža, Vogošća, Trnovo, Ljubovčići, Garež, Vrančići.
For the wider travel overview: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
