Sarajevo Winter Tour - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Sarajevo

Welcome to Sarajevo! Rich in history and culture, this fascinating city is surrounded by natural beauty, which you will be able to explore over the coming week. Meet your driver upon your arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel downtown to check in and relax after your journey. 

Depending on your arrival time, you may like to acquaint yourself with the city. Take a stroll from your hotel along the Miljacka River, paying close attention to the main bridges that go over it, many with a story to tell. Notice the various architecture surrounding you, from modern skyrise buildings to Austro-Hungarian grandeur, to the Ottoman-era shops and restaurants nestled in the old quarter, Baščaršija.

In the evening, you'll meet up with your group at a central restaurant to enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Sarajevo specialties and to discuss the upcoming week.

Day 2: Foodie walking tour & coppersmith workshop

After a light breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your knowledgeable guide to begin your foodie walking tour of the capital. Begin with the city's main attractions, including the Baščaršija and City Hall (Vijećnica)—a site completely renovated after being destroyed in the 1992 Bosnian War. Treat your tastebuds to a Bosnian style brunch accompanied with a cup of traditional Bosnian coffee. You'll end the tour with a stop at a coppersmith workshop in Baščaršija where you'll discover the rich history and traditions of local artisans as well as have the opportunity to make your own souvenir.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you choose. You may like to consider heading to the top of Sarajevo’s tallest skyscraper, Azaz Twist Tower, for panoramic views over the city before finding your way to one of Sarajevo's many bars, like Blind Tiger for a pre-dinner cocktail.

Day 3: Bjelašnica snowshoe excursion

This morning you will join your guide to head out of the city to the eastern side of the Bjelašnica mountain for a snowshoeing excursion. Your walk will take you through snow-covered alpine forests that open up to beautiful vistas of the valley below and distant mountains (about 4-5 hours). Along the way, you will break for snacks, warming beverages, and lunch.

After a day of physical activity, take the rest of the day at a relaxed pace. Enjoy a leisurely dinner at one of Sarajevo’s fine restaurants such as Apetit or Four Rooms of Mrs. Safija or enjoy your favorite evening tipple at the curiously funky bar, Zlatna Ribica.

Day 4: Explore Sarajevo & beer tasting in Dobrinja

Spend today exploring Sarajevo as you like. Visit one of the city's popular museums like the Childhood Museum and Gallery 11/07/95 for an insightful look into the country's emotional history or the National Museum and History Museum for a recounting of history through archaeology, ethnology, and natural sciences. Break up all the learning with some time spent in nature. Walk along Wilson's Lane (Vilsonovo Šetalište) following the river—a hotspot for locals, or visit Vrelo Bosne, a park that features forest, lakes, and small waterfalls at the foot of Mount Igman.

In the evening, switch gears and join your group to visit a pub in the Dobrinja suburb on the outskirts of Sarajevo. Here you will have the opportunity to try regional beers from Bosnian breweries as well as neighboring countries alongside local pub fare.

Day 5: Free morning & cooking class

Take advantage of a free morning and complete a little souvenir and gift shopping. Pick up Rahat lokum (Turkish delight) and dzezva and fildzani, traditional Bosnian coffee pot and cups. Afterward, meet your guide and head to a local market to stock up on ingredients featured in typical meals before transferring out of Sarajevo to your cooking class venue. Here you will learn how to prepare three typical dishes, followed by consuming the delicious spread with a glass of wine (or two or three).

Day 6: Trebević Mountain, Tunnel of Hope & White Fortress

After breakfast, meet your guide and venture outside of the city for a tour of the surrounding environs, starting with a cable car ride up Trebević mountain for stunning views. Here you will trek to the 1984 Olympic's bobsled and luge track to learn about Sarajevo's revival. Next, you will continue the driving portion of today's tour, stopping at the old Jewish cemetery to uncover the intertwined histories of the city and Judaism. From here, you will carry on to the Tunnel of Hope, an underground tunnel that acted as the only connection between Sarajevo and the outside world during the Bosnian War.

Enjoy a traditional lunch followed by a final stop at the 16th-century White Fortress (Bijela Tabija) for an all-encompassing view over the city. A perfect spot to make lasting memories of the capital.

Day 7: Full day of skiing & farewell dinner

Ideal for all ages and skill levels, today you'll spend an exciting day of skiing. After getting outfitted with your skis, boots, and poles, you'll receive your ski pass and are free to hit the slopes. Break up the day and meet your group for an energizing lunch of local specialties ustipci and kajmak (savory doughnuts and something comparable to a salt version of cottage cheese). Spend a few more hours skiing, rounding off the day with a couple of beers at the resort lodge.

Meet your group at a chosen restaurant for your last dinner in Sarajevo solidifying friendships and making memories.

Day 8: Depart

Depending on your departure details, you may have time to take one final walk along the Miljacka River, stopping for a Bosnian coffee or an early lunch of filo-pastry pie, cevapcici or klepe, before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.