Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, home to about 275,000 people in a narrow valley along the Miljacka river. Ottoman bazaars, Austro-Hungarian boulevards, mosques, churches and a synagogue stand within a few minutes' walk of each other, and the compact centre is easy to explore on foot and by tram.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Copper džezva and fildžan set
Hand-hammered copper coffee pot with small cups for making Bosnian coffee, the classic Sarajevo souvenir.
Price: About 40-150 KM (~$22-84) for a pot with cups
Where: Kazandžiluk and the surrounding Baščaršija workshops
Bosnian coffee and rahat lokum
Finely ground coffee and Turkish-delight-style lokum are sold by weight in the bazaar.
Price: About 5-20 KM (~$2.80-11)
Where: Baščaršija coffee and sweet shops, Markale market
Carpets, kilims and embroidered linens
Handwoven rugs, runners and embroidered cloths in traditional patterns.
Price: About 30-400 KM (~$17-224) depending on size and quality
Where: Baščaršija textile shops
Honey, cheese and dried fruit
Local honey, sjenički sir, dried plums and rakija from Bosnian farms.
Price: About 8-30 KM (~$4.50-17)
Where: Markale market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Baščaršija Bazaar
Kazandžiluk (Coppersmiths' Street)
Ferhadija Street
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Sarajevo City Center (SCC)
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00 per a third-party listing; confirm on scc.ba
BBI Centar
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in malls and supermarkets are fixed; in Baščaršija, a polite request for a small discount on a larger purchase is acceptable.
Ask whether copperware is hand-hammered or machine-made; hand-made pieces show hammer marks and weigh more.
Many bazaar shops prefer cash in KM; euros are sometimes accepted at a rounded rate.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the convertible mark (KM), pegged to the euro; cards are accepted in malls and most hotels, while market stalls and bazaar workshops prefer cash., Many shops close on Sunday afternoons or entirely; check hours before relying on Sunday shopping outside malls., Non-resident visitors may ask shops about a VAT refund (tax-free) form on larger purchases; few small shops take part, so ask before paying., Shops in Baščaršija commonly close between 19:00 and 20:00 on weekdays.