A Walk Through Bascarsija Bazaar and Old Ottoman Sarajevo

There is no better way to get to know Sarajevo old town than wandering through Bascarsija Bazaar, the old Ottoman heart of the Bosnian capital, where narrow stone alleys intersect with historic copper shops and old mosques, in a scene that makes it easy to understand why Sarajevo has become one of the most talked-about European destinations on Saudi travel accounts in recent years.

This guide takes you on a detailed walk through Bascarsija Bazaar, alongside the Sarajevo cable car that carries you from the heart of the old town up to a nearby mountain summit, plus the best hotels and resorts near this entire experience.

Sarajevo Old Town: Where Ottoman History Meets Everyday Life

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, sits in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains on every side, the same setting that made it host to the 1984 Winter Olympics. The city in its current form traces back to the Ottoman era in the 15th century, when governor Isa-Beg Isakovic established Bascarsija Bazaar as a commercial and craft center. That same bazaar remains, to this day, the starting point for any real exploration of Sarajevo old town.

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A Walk Through Bascarsija Bazaar

Start your walk at the wooden Sebilj Fountain in the middle of Bascarsija’s main square, one of Sarajevo’s most photographed landmarks, then head to Kazandziluk Street, the famous copper alley where craftsmen still hammer handmade vessels the same way they have for centuries. From there, don’t miss the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Sarajevo’s largest and most important historic mosque, and the neighboring Brusa Bezistan, a covered Ottoman market turned permanent exhibition on the city’s history.

End the walk at Morica Han, the only surviving Ottoman-era caravanserai of its kind in Sarajevo, built in 1551 and still managed by the Gazi Husrev-beg waqf today, serving traditional Bosnian coffee in a historic inner courtyard well worth lingering in before leaving the bazaar.

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The Sarajevo Cable Car: From the Old Town to the Top of Trebevic

The Sarajevo cable car begins its journey from a station relatively close to the old town, carrying you up to the summit of Mount Trebevic at over 1,150 meters in a ride that takes less than ten minutes. It first opened in 1959, was completely destroyed during the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, and was rebuilt and officially reopened on April 6, 2018.

Each cable car carriage is painted in one of the five Olympic ring colors, a nod to Mount Trebevic’s role in the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics. Once you reach Vidikovac station at the summit, you will find a cafe offering a panoramic view over the entire city, making this trip a perfect way to round out a day spent exploring Bascarsija.

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The Best Hotels Near Bascarsija in Sarajevo Old Town

If Bascarsija Bazaar and the Sarajevo cable car are priorities on your trip, it makes sense to pick a hotel close to the old town. Here are a few solid options:

• Hotel Europe: a luxury historic hotel sitting right at the entrance to Bascarsija Bazaar, at Vladislava Skarica 5, Sarajevo.
• Aparthotel Centar Sarajevo: luxury serviced apartments in the city center, a good fit for anyone who wants more space with a small private kitchen, at Muamera Omerbegovica 14, Sarajevo.
• Malak Regency Hotel: a hotel geared specifically toward Arab and Gulf visitors, with fully halal food and no alcohol served on site, at Hrasnicka cesta bb, Ilidza, Sarajevo.

For more Sarajevo hotel options, browse the full list of Sarajevo hotels on almatar.

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Resorts Near Sarajevo for Unwinding After a Day in the Old Town

If you would rather spend part of your trip away from the city’s bustle, the area around Sarajevo has a handful of quiet mountain resorts. Here are the standout options:

• Tarcin Forest Resort and Spa: a luxury resort in the Tarcin valley, about half an hour from Sarajevo, surrounded by the Bjelasnica and Igman mountains, and operating as a fully alcohol-free hotel, which makes it a comfortable choice for many Gulf visitors, at Vilovac bb, Sarajevo.
• Hotel Hills Sarajevo Congress Thermal Spa Resort: a thermal spa resort near Sarajevo, suited to anyone looking to combine wellness treatments with rest, at Butmirska cesta 18, Sarajevo.
• Hotel Han Bjelasnica: an alcohol-free mountain hotel serving fully halal food, at the base of Mount Bjelasnica, one of the mountains used in the Sarajevo Winter Olympics, ideal for skiers and anyone after quiet nature, at Babin Do bb, Bjelasnica, Sarajevo.

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Practical Tips for Walking Through Bascarsija

• Start your walk in the morning: crowds thin out considerably in the early hours, giving you clearer photos and a calmer experience among the shops.
• Carry some cash: not every small shop in the bazaar accepts card payment, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s currency is the convertible mark.
• Check cable car operating hours ahead of time: hours vary between winter and summer, so it is worth confirming before planning your day around it.
• Set aside time to sit at a traditional cafe: trying Bosnian coffee in the bazaar is an essential part of the experience, just as important as seeing the landmarks themselves.

Book Your Trip Now

Now that you have a clear picture of Bascarsija Bazaar and the Sarajevo cable car, use almatar’s flight search feature to compare fares to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

You can also book your stay in Sarajevo all in one place.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hotels near Bascarsija Bazaar in Sarajevo old town?

Some of the best hotels near Bascarsija include Hotel Europe, which sits right at the entrance to the bazaar, along with Aparthotel Centar Sarajevo and Malak Regency Hotel in the city center.

What is Sarajevo old town?

Sarajevo old town is centered on Bascarsija Bazaar, the historic Ottoman quarter of the Bosnian capital, known for blending old Ottoman heritage with the more modern European character found in the rest of the city.

How do you get to the Sarajevo cable car?

The Sarajevo cable car station sits relatively close to the old town, reachable on foot or by taxi from Bascarsija Bazaar in just a few minutes.

Are there resorts near Sarajevo?

Yes. The area around Sarajevo includes mountain resorts such as Tarcin Forest Resort and Spa, Hotel Hills Congress Thermal Spa Resort, and Hotel Han Bjelasnica.

What is the best time to walk through Bascarsija?

Early morning is the best time to avoid crowds, while the evening offers a different atmosphere with the bazaar lit up and full of social energy.