Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque of Sarajevo, Bosnia

sarajevo bosnia gazi husrev-beg mosque shershegoes.com



sarajevo bosnia gazi husrev-beg mosque shershegoes.com



sarajevo bosnia gazi husrev-beg mosque shershegoes.com

sarajevo bosnia gazi husrev-beg mosque shershegoes.comsarajevo bosnia gazi husrev-beg mosque shershegoes.com

 

 

Sarajevo in 48 Hours

From Zagreb, I took a detour to Bosnia’s capital city of Sarajevo, a city I was only vaguely familiar with from high school history class as the site of the outbreak of WWI.  The city has a checkered past, and was besieged again in the 1990s but today is vibrant and modern, with a bustling Old Town, exotic markets and countless mosques reminiscent of the Ottoman era.

While roaming the city, I accidentally stumbled upon one of the city’s most famous mosques, Gazi Husrev-bey. The mosque is one of the few to allow non-Muslims to enter but you’ll need to dress modestly and cover your hair. The city itself is noisy and bustling with a vibrant marketplace but the mosque itself is set behind thick stone walls and extremely peaceful. Stepping inside, I felt like I had entered a calm oasis and really enjoyed the experience. For more on what to see and do with 24 hours in Sarajevo, read on below!

 

Highlights of Sarajevo

  • Jump on tram 3 for a ride around Sarajevo’s old city core and gaze at the finest Austro-Hungarian facades
  • Have some coffee at Tito’s Cafe (behind the History Museum) for a look at Yugo-nostalgic photos, army helmut lamps and a garden dotted with artillery pieces
  • Stroll aimlessly around the stone alleyways of Baščaršija (the old city) centered around pigeon square. Watch the massive chess board games!
  • Try some local flavors: burek (a meat and cheese filo pastry), ćevapi (a skinless sausage of minced meat) and kajmak (savory clotted cream)
  • Relive history at the Latin Bridge, the site where Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, sparking World War I
  • Rusty on your European History? Pop into the Sarajevo 1878-1918 Museum for the full textbook refresher, complete with life sized statues of Ferdinand and his wife Sophie
  • The open air cafes are the perfect place to unwind with nargile (hookah) as the sun goes down

 

Looking for more to do in the area? Check out 25 reasons to visit the Balkans, as told by local experts Stephanie & Allison.

 

 

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25 Comments

  1. connie
    June 28, 2013 / 1:03 pm

    love this! you wild adventurer you.

  2. Dana Ivy
    April 2, 2016 / 10:41 am

    Wow! These photos are incredible. Can you take me with you whereever you go next?!?!

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:18 pm

      Haha thanks so much Dana!!!

  3. Bernard Tan
    April 8, 2016 / 2:47 pm

    Very interesting place! I have never been to Bosnia, I love all the architecture.

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:17 pm

      Thanks Bernard! The city is certainly beautiful.

  4. Nancy
    April 8, 2016 / 5:26 pm

    What an interesting thing to do in Sarajevo. Its been a long time since we have visited a mosque but they have some of the most interesting art work inside. Loved your pic’s!

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:17 pm

      Thanks Nancy! Yes I find mosques so beautiful.

  5. Votel Travels
    April 8, 2016 / 9:05 pm

    Great subject matter, great topic, great blog. Looked like you had a great time. Look forward to reading more

  6. Ria
    April 9, 2016 / 4:51 am

    Very beautiful pictures :) Great city presentation:)

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:16 pm

      Thanks for the kind words Ria!

  7. Kaylene Chadwell
    April 9, 2016 / 11:08 am

    Great photos! I’d love to make it here one day! The alleyways look really fun to explore!

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:17 pm

      Hi Kaylene! I hope you do, the alleyways made the town so fascinating.

  8. Hung Thai
    April 9, 2016 / 2:08 pm

    It cracks me up whenever I see those giant chess boards – and there’s someone actually playing!

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:16 pm

      Hey Hung! haha the chess boards were all over the square! the old men were very serious about it to, there were crowds watching the games very intently.

  9. Nina
    April 10, 2016 / 1:07 pm

    I like the tips, especially together with the historical facts. Europe is filled with such interesting nuggets.

    • Sher
      Author
      April 10, 2016 / 1:15 pm

      Thanks Nina! I agree, Europe has so much culture and history behind it.

  10. Kerri
    April 10, 2016 / 6:40 pm

    Looks amazing. Especially the architecture. Got close to Bosnia last year (actually drove through the border control crossing from one side of Croatia to the other) but didn’t get a chance to stop here.

    • Sher
      Author
      April 11, 2016 / 11:15 am

      Ooh I remember the border control crossing there. Our bus got stopped and it was a tad bit scary but we made it through!

  11. Criz
    April 11, 2016 / 5:31 pm

    Sarajevo is on my bucket list. We have met friends(people in the embassy of Sarajevo), and they were just so nice and welcoming. I hope I will make it there soon!

  12. Laura
    April 11, 2016 / 7:17 pm

    So many awesome pictures of Sarajevo! I would like to check it out. I liked your list of things to do. Succinct and to the point.

  13. melody pittman
    April 13, 2016 / 12:29 am

    Great places to visit. Are any of them UNESCO world heritage sights? They look very old.

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