If you’re planning a trip to Sarajevo, you’re in for a treat! This beautiful city is unique in the world, a place where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic elements have mixed over the centuries to create a distinct cityscape.
While Sarajevo’s past has not been easy, the city is experiencing a revival that makes the war years seem like the distant past. You’ll find a number of trendy and cozy bars, modern cafés, and traditional shops and restaurants all blending together to create a tapestry of new and old elements that make Sarajevo so exciting.
Sarajevo is a compact and easily walkable city with a hilly landscape. However, most of the Sarajevo hotels in this guide are closely clustered in the heart of Sarajevo, never more than 15-minute walk to the heart of the action and many just steps away from Sarajevo’s central district of Baščaršija.
If you’re not sure where to stay in Sarajevo, keep reading this guide to get an idea of the Sarajevo hotels and Sarajevo hostels we recommend.
Budget: Sarajevo Hostels & Guesthouses
Residence Rooms
If you’re looking for a cheap, clean place to stay in the central historic Baščaršija area of Sarajevo, Residence Rooms is a great option. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops within 50 meters, and some of the city’s most famous places like the Latin Bridge and Baščaršija Square are a short walk away. You’ll enjoy tasty homemade food for breakfast and free tea. Guests have reported that the bathroom and kitchen are literally sparkling clean and that the bunk beds are sturdy, not the squeaky ones that seem to be the domain of hostels everywhere.
There are multiple room types, each rather affordable: double rooms with queens or two twins as well as dorm beds. Some of the rooms have large private bathrooms with a bathtub – always a nice perk in a budget stay.
Hostel For Me
Another affordable Sarajevo hostel, Hostel For Me is also located in the vibrant Baščaršija quarter in the heart of downtown, near traditional restaurants and all the main sights of the city. The dorm rooms are well appointed and each has its own assigned locker. There are four bathrooms available, each with their own shower and hairdryer and free toiletries – music to a frequent
Previous guests particularly love the staff’s friendliness and approachability and the free walking tour only for hostel guests that goes every day at 5 PM. The rooms are bright and colorful with a homey vibe, with a common lounge area, and a working area with power outlets and desks – great for digital nomads passing through.
Hostel Sebilj
In the center of Sarajevo, this hostel is located only a few steps away from the beloved Sebilj Fountain (hence the name) which is a symbol of Sarajevo. At Hostel Sebilj, rooms come with either shared or en suite bathrooms, with hairdryers and free toiletries provided. There
The rooms are bright, well-lit, and spacious, with gorgeous views of the central square and places to sit and relax in each room. Lockers or a closet are available depending on the room type.
Mid-Range: Unique Sarajevo Boutique Hotels
Hotel Sana
If you have a slightly higher budget, Sarajevo accommodations offer a lot of value. Hotel Sana is a modern boutique hotel in Sarajevo’s city center. It has a terrace that have sweeping city views, an on-site bar, daily breakfast, and lots of lovely little perks like bathrobes and slippers to enjoy in your room (is it just me or does that always make you ridiculously happy?). The best part is the outdoor eating area where you can enjoy gorgeous city views from the comfort of your hotel.
All the rooms have private bathrooms with showers, bidets (fancy!) and hairdryers. The rooms are new with
Hotel VIP
Hotel VIP in Sarajevo is a lovely 9-room mid-range hotel in Sarajevo. The rooms offer AC and flat-screen TVs and several of the rooms have a private balcony where you can relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning. Rooms all come with a private bathroom, robes, and slippers. One extra perk – they offer free pickup and dropoff service, which is great when traveling in Balkans when taxi drivers often deserve their unscrupulous reputation (I got wayyyy overcharged at the bus station when I arrived in Sarajevo, personally!).
The rooms are large with comfortable beds, a good amount of closet space and seating options. The furnishings look a little dated, especially compared to the trendier Hotel Sana, but the bathrooms are modern and lovely. If you want a personalized, friendly experience that won’t break the bank, Hotel VIP is a great option.
Isa Begov Hamam Hotel
If you want to feel like Ottoman royalty while in Sarajevo, head to Isa Begov Hamam Hotel, a beautiful and unique boutique hotel in Sarajevo. This hotel is converted from an actual hammam that is a cultural heritage site. Its current structure dates back to 1890 but its original structure dates back to the early days of Sarajevo, when it was built as part of a complex with the next-door Careva (Sultan’s) Mosque. It’s located in the heart of Baščaršija and you’ll feel like you’ve transported back in time staying in this unique hotel in Sarajevo.
With free use of the hammam, two steam rooms, and small indoor pool, this is a fantastic hotel for those looking to relax while in Sarajevo. Free coffee and tea in the lobby as well as a free Turkish breakfast is included… and Turkish breakfast is one of the best meals in the world, loaded with delicious jams, cheeses, meats, and other treats. The hotel features vintage furniture, hand-carved with Ottoman details, handmade carpets, and wooden floors – a must for any design enthusiast.
Luxury: Hotels in Sarajevo with 4 and 5 Stars
Hotel Story
A beautiful 4 star hotel recently redesigned with a modern twist, Hotel Story is one of the finer luxury hotels in Sarajevo. The location is right in the heart of the Old Town, with most of Sarajevo’s best sights easily accessible on foot. The whole hotel has been recently renovated and has a lot of cute design elements that really personalize it and make it unique. The rooms are bright, spacious, and designed with aesthetics in mind. Little touches like towel warmers in the bathroom and shelves and seating areas in many of the rooms add a luxe touch.
Most of the rooms are on the huge side – perfect if you want to spread out and take up your space when you travel without feeling cramped in your room. The rooms have a few different kinds of bed configurations suiting a variety of travelers. Many of the rooms feature interesting draping curtains, offering privacy while still allowing in plenty of light. It offers free parking and a free shuttle as well.
Hotel Festival
The bright and modern Hotel Festival is just a short walk from the center of Sarajevo, an 800 meter walk from Baščaršija district. It offers a terrace with gorgeous city views. The lobby is stylish, a combination of modern and warm that makes you instantly feel at home. The rooms are decorated joyfully with colorful and tasteful floral pops of color, with plenty of light streaming into each room (and blackout curtains for days when you want to sleep in). Each room has its own flatscreen TV with cable, a desk, a safe, and a minibar.
A gift of complimentary free fruit is offered upon your arrival, a nice touch that instantly makes you feel at home. There is a full buffet breakfast with Bosnian classics alongside fresh, organic breakfast favorites and traditional Bosnian coffee. There’s an on-site spa, free parking, and a sun terrace with outdoor seating that make Hotel Festival a great place to relax without being too far from the action of central Sarajevo.
More Bosnia Travel Resources
If you’re planning a trip to Bosnia, we have a ton of resources with you! First of all, check out our guide to the most beautiful places in Bosnia so you can start planning your itinerary.
If you know you want to visit Mostar, we have a guide on where to stay in Mostar and the best Instagram spots there.
Since you’re planning to visit Sarajevo, we have even more for you. We have a guide on all the best things to do in Sarajevo, the best Sarajevo tours, and finally a Sarajevo Instagram guide.
We’re creating new content on our site almost daily, so bookmark out Bosnia & Herzegovina page or our Balkans page to see what’s new!
Planning a Trip to Sarajevo? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Make sure you always travel with a valid travel insurance policy. Travel here includes outdoor activities and travel to highly touristed sites. You need to be covered in case you have an accident or fall victim to theft. Travel insurance will help you recover your expenses and continue to enjoy your trip.
For travel insurance, I use World Nomads.I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’ve never had an issue when making a claim. I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.
Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.
