How We Spent A Day In Sarajevo

We had an early start in the morning, which is not always the case, and we arrived in Sarajevo just after 9.00. The car park that we were looking for was easy to find and we had read that it was a secure parking area that enabled you to stay overnight. It was secure and the location was excellent but the attendant told us that the vehicle could stay overnight but not with us in it “it was too dangerous”. We parked up thinking that we would find a place later in the day as a stopover.

The carpark could not have been closer to the old town. In the background you can see the Town Hall.

How we spent the day In Sarajevo – or how far 50 euros went!

Cities and town always cost money but in Sarajevo we seemed to be spending money the whole day. But when I did a quick calculation it only amounted to 50 Euros, my guide to exploring the town will be linked to what we bought.

We had arrived early and the place was very quiet. By the time we left it was a lot busier.

The carpark was only a few minutes’ walk to the market in the old town and the tourist information place was easy to find. Here was were given a map and some advice as to how to tackle the old town and surroundings. So with map in hand [free map, no cost] we started our spending spree with an ice-cream each [2 euros] the day was very hot and we gave into temptation easily. The old part of the town was busy with tourists and interesting small streets and laneways. We walked up towards a church then turned down a small street to see a sign the said “iced cold coffee” and another purchase was made and our thirst quenched. It was cold but not iced cold [3 euros including generous tip].

Our door photo for this blog dedicated to Robyn Garrett [to whom all our door photos will be dedicated to!!] This is the entrance to a mosque in the old town. — Our door photo for this blog dedicated to Robyn Garrett [to whom all our future door photos will be dedicated to!!] This is the entrance to a mosque in the old town.

As we walked along we could see some signs of the conflict that had occurred 20 odd years ago with holes still in some of the buildings from the shelling that kept the city in siege for 3 years. The small fruit and veg market place was also a place where many people had died and on the back wall are the names of some of the casualties. Here in the market we bought a couple of peaches and when we had paid the lady asked where we had come from, when we said Australia she shook her head and indicated what a long way it is, she then gave us some apricots. [1.50] On the corner of the market a lady was selling home-made pita bread, of which we bought 2 [2 more euros gone].

The covered market where we were fed numerous samples of meat.

In the courtyard of the mosque was an elaborate fountain and gazebo.

Further along was a covered market which sold eggs, fish and meat. A young man at the smoked meat counter kept giving us samples of his wares until we gave in a bought a small piece of smoked beef [7 euros] and even after we had made the purchase he kept on giving us more samples, yummy.

On many of the buildings you can see evidence of the conflict. Here holes are visible on the building from the shelling.

We had almost reached to walk to the end of the old part of town to turn around back again when we saw an open air market selling arts and crafts. As room is a problem when flying back to Australia we can only collect small items, and Jenny likes earing which when she wears then reminds her of the places we have travelled. The earing she selected happened to only cost 2.50 euros so I was happy, so was Jenny and so was the lady who sold them. Just don’t go telling people how stingy I was! I should have said they cost 100 euros!!

Jenny trying on her new earnings. They were really expensive !!

On the edge of the old town we walked through the gardens of the Mosque.

Back in the old town again and it was lunch time. The local dish is Chevapchichi served in pita bread, and of course we had to try them along with a fresh salad and some beers to wash it down. This feast left us 16 euros poorer again with an enormous tip. Ha ha . We ate in a small lane with old world ambiance, the weather was warm and the beer went down well.

Jenny deep in though as she sucked the wifi dry before we had our meal.

Double decker bus, Lauren and Hardy, with a Harley. Something we didn't expect to see on the streets of Sarajevo. — Double decker bus, Lauren and Hardy, with a Harley. Something we didn’t expect to see on the streets of Sarajevo.

While leaving the old town we spied a shop selling Turkish Delights. Our will power was very low and after a few samples settled on our old favourite the rosewater, 500 grams worth for 3 euros. This we would slowly consume over the next few nights.

A bazaar, not really interesting as all it was selling was the same cheap souvenirs.

A historic sight. This is the place where Frans Ferdinand and his wife Sofia were assassinated on the 28th of June 1914.

One of the best ways to view Sarajevo is from a small fortress which has a commanding view of the town. Feeling the need to work off our lunch we stopped by the “Bunyip” to drop off some shopping and headed up the steep path to the fortress. Along the way passing a cemetery where some of the people had died during the siege were buried of the city, a sobering sight. At the fortress was a café and after a long steep walk who could resist a nice cool drink. Parting with 5 euros we enjoyed an orange juice and a local drink made from rose petals while sitting watching the view of Sarajevo catching our breath.

The steep walk up to the fortress. Slippery smooth stones made it slow going.

We passed a cemetery on the way up. Most of the people were killed during the recent conflict.

The walk back down was easier although we still had to be careful as the rocks on the path were loose and very slippery. Back at the carpark we handed over 7 euros to our car parking attendant as we had spent 7 hours in the town. Driving out of Sarajevo we passed the place where the indoor events were held during the Winter Olympics in 1984, and then headed towards Visoko.

For those who have kept track of how we spent our time in Sarajevo it actually came to 49 euros but it was worth it for a great days outing. For the Aussies reading this it’s about $75.00.

The view from the fortress. It was worth the effort walking there.

Visoko

In the town of Visoko there are supposedly the largest pyramids in the world and as it was in the direction we were headed we drove by. In the tourist information office in Sarajevo on one of their brochures they had a day tour to this place for 40 euros. As we drove through and had a look around we did see that the hills looked a pyramid shape but not enough to take a photo, I think maybe from above in a plane. Glad we were just driving through and hadn’t paid the 40 euros each for the tour, and be disappointed.

Kings Gorge

This turned out to be another disappointment as the write up told of a unique rural village with an old Mosque and a Monastery. Not sure who did the write up but the place looked run down with nothing special that we could see.

Our overnight place was off the road in a layby, here we saw the largest concentration of firefly’s and the whole side of the road seem to light up, a real light show.