Best Sarajevo photography spots: a complete guide

Find out the best Sarajevo photography spots in this complete guide. Explore the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and capture unique photos!

Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a small country bordering Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Sometimes disregarded due to its (almost) lack of coastline, this country has a convoluted past. Ideal for a long weekend and as a base to explore the country, Sarajevo is a trending destination.

In this guide, you will find the best Sarajevo photography spots, with first-hand tips and my honest thoughts. As someone who has photographed many of the major cities in Europe, Sarajevo has a unique touch, but also some limitations.

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Sarajevo photography guide. FAQs

Before deep-diving into the best Sarajevo photography spots, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Sarajevo, tailored for photographers.

Is Sarajevo worth photographing? (honest thoughts)

Sarajevo is not your typical European capital. In fact, Bosnia and Herzegovina is not even part of the European Union or the Schengen area as of 2025. It has a rich history, with a mix of Muslims, Orthodox, and Catholics, which is reflected in the streets, food, and lifestyle.

Thus, Sarajevo is worth photographing if you are looking for a nice cultural mix and history. However, to be very honest, it’s not the most beautiful city in Europe. For each of the things Sarajevo has, there’s another European capital city that does it better.

Muslim and Islamic history? Istanbul. Run-down and slightly decadent architecture? Budapest. However, no city has exactly the same mix as Sarajevo, which is what makes it unique.

Is Sarajevo worth photographing? Yes, 100%. Should you include it in your first European trip? Maybe not, unless the mix above (and photos below) is exactly what you are looking for.

How many days do I need to photograph Sarajevo?

This is a great question. I spent 4 full days in Sarajevo (5 nights), and it was too much. As always, I left the city with some things that I could not visit, but the main spots can be seen in 1-2 days. The Old Town is really small and walkable. Even if you add a day trip to the nearby mountains or the excursion to the Tunnel of Salvation (not included here as it’s not really a photography spot), 3 days are enough to visit Sarajevo.

If you are doing a trip around the country, chances are you will land and leave from Sarajevo (SJJ) airport. Thus, a good approach could be to spend a day (or two) after landing, and a day (or two) before leaving.

How safe is it to photograph and visit Sarajevo?

Sarajevo is a safe city. I did not feel unsafe at any point during my stay there, and I ventured outside the city centre quite a bit, both for photography and running purposes.

As always, exercise the usual safety precautions. Do not leave your belongings unattended, stay vigilant, and follow your gut feeling. For those for whom it is the first time visiting a post-Yugoslav country, the contrast between some Western European countries can be strong. However, a run-down street doesn’t mean it’s not a safe street.

Where to stay in Sarajevo for photography?

The Old Town of Sarajevo is where 95% of the photography spots are. Thus, the rule of thumb is, the closer to the Old Town, the better. There’s no shortage of expensive (and cheap) accommodations, and most of them are either in the Old Town or just next to it.

My personal recommendation is to check not only the distance from the old town, but also the elevation. Sarajevo is a really hilly city, and it could be that you are at a mere 7-minute walk from the main square, but it requires climbing 30 meters uphill (or more).

If you are okay with that, it’s no problem. Otherwise, look for something close to the river.

Sarajevo photography spots: old town

The heart of Sarajevo is its Old Town. For this Sarajevo photography spots guide, I consider the old town as not only the Baščaršija area, but also the nearby spots. Everything listed here is within walking distance, although some of the spots are in hillier areas. Viewpoints are not listed in this section, although some of them are really close to the old town. Spots are not listed in any specific order. Let’s dive deep into the best Sarajevo photography spots!

Baščaršija

This is the most photographed area in Sarajevo. It’s a series of old (narrow) streets, full of souvenirs and artisan shops. What makes it unique is what’s on some of the streets. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, people drink their coffee using copper cups, and that’s what’s mostly sold in Baščaršija. The tones of the copper, along with the plates, cups, teacups,… make for great photos.

However, it’s not that easy to take good photos there. Initially, I struggled, as any photo looked bland and normal. A few things that worked for me were:

• Focusing on the reflections in the shops. Adding levels of depth to the photos worked well, and I managed to take some photos I am very happy with.
• Including locals and tourists in the photos. This gives a human and lively touch to your photos, from artisans in their stores to families choosing what to buy.
• Visiting at blue hour. My favourite photos in Sarajevo were taken at blue hour. When the night lights are turned on, the copper tones and the emptier streets make for great shots.

While my first impression of Baščaršija wasn’t that good, I consider it to be one of the best Sarajevo photography spots. However, note that it’s going to be full of tourists. Sarajevo is a small city, and Baščaršija is not that big. Chances are, you will stumble upon the same people a few times while taking photos.

Oh, and don’t skip photographing the food stores. Many of them have baklava, which usually has pleasant geometrical shapes, very easy to photograph.

Bridges

Sarajevo is a city built next to a river, the Miljacka. I say next and not by because I feel that although the river is there, it’s not part of the old town. The city is built along the river, and on both sides of it. Although almost all the relevant spots are on the northern side of the river, there are a few bridges worth mentioning when it comes to photography.

Festina lente

This is a one-of-a-kind bridge. It looks completely out of place, given its modern style. It’s a bridge with a loop, as you can see in the image below. Although it’s not very easy to photograph, either from a distance or by choosing a different angle, it can be included in some shots.

Latin Bridge

You will certainly go by this bridge, as it’s next to the spot where the event that started WWI happened. The bridge, with its four arches, is really beautiful but, again, not the easiest to photograph. My favourite photos of it are from other bridges or from the At Mejdan park, especially early in the morning and at sunset. As you can see, bridges are not that easy to capture, but they had to be included in this Sarajevo photography spots list.

Sarajevo city hall

This is the only one of the Sarajevo photography spots in this section of the guide that is not free to visit or photograph. However, I strongly recommend visiting it, not only for the historical significance of the building, but also for the photography opportunities. There are multiple interesting spots to photograph inside the city hall.

The first one and the most obvious one when you enter, is the stained glass dome. For this photo, you either need a wide-angle lens or must spend some time in post-production. The second one is the other rooms of the city hall. There are temporary exhibitions in them, so my photos might look different from yours, but the interior of the building is really beautiful. And finally, the view from the upper levels. That’s where creativity plays a greater role, and where you will be able to take photos that look different from the main ones.

Kovači Cemetery

You might ask yourself: why list a cemetery in a Sarajevo photography spots guide? First, because cemeteries are cultural spaces, full of emotion. I try to visit a cemetery in every country I visit. Second, because of the historical importance of the cemetery. If you learn about the Siege of Sarajevo and the conflicts that the city and country have endured not that many years ago, visiting the cemetery makes more sense.

From a photography point of view, the Kovači Cemetery offers two types of photos.

The first is the details of the flowers, dates, and symbols on the tombstones. It can feel weird taking photos of them, but as long as you’re respectful, it’s okay. In a way, it’s like taking photos of a church, mosque, or any other religious site.

The second is the size of the cemetery. It’s huge, and seeing that almost all the people buried there died in the same years makes it more impressive (and sad). To take a photo that shows the size of the cemetery, you’ll need to go up a bit.

The cemetery is located in a hilly area, although it’s in the old town, as I mentioned, Sarajevo is hilly, and this is a good example of it. Mix it with some of the viewpoints below, as the most famous one (White fortress) is a bit higher than the cemetery, but in the same direction.

Vratnik (street photography)

Any city can be good for street photography, but there are areas that hit differently. In Sarajevo, to me, it was Vratnik. This is a hilly neighbourhood, located next to the Kovaci Cemetery. However, the vibe is completely different from the heart of the old town. Technically, you’re still in the old town, but the uphill location makes it less attractive to most people.

That’s why I think it’s a great place for street photography and why I list it in this Sarajevo photography spots guide.

I already mentioned that it’s a very hilly area, and this comes with many photo opportunities, as hilly streets usually provide great viewpoints and have unique structures. Overall, I found Vratnik a very enjoyable place to take some photos.

Pijaca Markale food market

I was a bit disappointed with this market. At first, I considered removing it from the Sarajevo photography spots guide. However, when reviewing my photos, I changed my mind. Yes, it feels and looks fake. It’s as if they tried to cater to tourists, but ended up attracting the same locals who used to go to the market.

And this is why I keep it in this list, because it’s a weird spot. A small market that looks like it’s built for tourists, but without many of them. The fruit and vegetables were considerably more expensive than the ones you could buy anywhere else in the city, which made me ask the question of who was buying the food there.

Anyway, it’s in the old town, and can be a good place for a couple of photos and to grab something to eat from the supermarket next to it.

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque

The last of the Sarajevo photography spots in the old town that I am listing is the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. It made it here because I found it very photogenic. You can visit the interior (paying a small fee), but I enjoyed the patio more, where the fountain is located.

There are a lot of people coming and going, so it’s a great place for people watching, which usually can be translated into good photos. The old town has other mosques, like the Baščaršija Mosque, but I didn’t find them as interesting as this one.

Sarajevo photography spots: viewpoints

As I have mentioned many times, Sarajevo is a hilly city. Although this means lots of uphill and downhill walking, it also means great viewpoints. In this Sarajevo photography guide, I list five of them. Two are very close to each other, but offer very different views. The rest are scattered throughout the city.

White Fortress (Bijela Tabija)

This is probably the most underrated of the Sarajevo photography spots that I list in this guide. Although the next spot in this list is way more famous (and a great spot), the White Fortress doesn’t get all the attention it deserves.

This might be for three reasons:

1. Difficult to reach: on a map, it looks close to the old town. However, like any viewpoint, it is on an elevated spot, and the White Fortress takes some time to reach.
2. It’s closed at sunset (most of the months of the year). Unfortunately, the fortress itself isn’t open 24/7. This means that unless you visit during the winter months, when the sun sets earlier, sunset from the fortress is not possible. However, the view is amazing, even if it’s not from the fortress itself.
3. Because there’s an amazing viewpoint closer and on the way up there. To be honest, the yellow fortress (see next spot) is equally amazing, and it’s easier to reach and way more convenient, with a bar/restaurant.

However, if you decide to go up to the White Fortress and it’s closed, look for the small path that runs around it. It’s there that I took some of my favourite photos of Sarajevo.

Yellow fortress (Žuta Tabija)

This is the sunset spot of Sarajevo. Everyone goes there, it’s crowded, and it has great views. When it comes to photography, it’s easy for your photos to look bland. The view is nice, but what can make your photo unique is the people.

I recommend getting there early, and unless you want to enjoy the sunset without taking photos, skip grabbing a drink. Instead, walk around and use the people for your shots.

Despite not being as hilly as the White Fortress, allocate some time to the walk up there, especially if you’re not used to doing sports or walking uphill.

Yellow Fortress secret spot

The Yellow Fortress is usually crowded at sunset. However, if you walk for a mere 5 minutes, you will get a better view and almost no people. It’s very easy to find the spot. Why is it unique? Because you get the river perfectly lined up with the old town, and if you’re lucky and get a nice sunset, the photos are amazing.

Try playing with the foliage of the plants in the spot; they can make for a great foreground.

Trebevic viewpoint

One of the great Sarajevo Photography spots is the Trebevic viewpoint. Reaching it takes some time, and can be done in 3 ways. Either walking/running, by car or by cable car.

Sarajevo is surrounded by mountains, and it is from one of the mountains that you can get a fantastic view over the city. If you are up for it, the hike up is worth it, although long, and with quite a few inclines.

Otherwise, the cable car is a fantastic alternative, although it’s a bit expensive by Bosnian standards.

Aviz tower

Last but not least, there’s the Aviz Tower, the least well-known of the viewpoints I suggest as Sarajevo photography spots. This is a modern tower, with an interesting shape. Getting to the top requires paying a small fee, but chances are you will be alone.

If you don’t want to pay, instead of going to the top floor, stay at the panoramic bar. The views are essentially the same, and it can be a good place to admire the sunset (or just the panorama).

My favourite thing about the Aviz tower, though, was not the views, but the tower itself. From below and from a distance, its characteristic shape made it really interesting to photograph.

To get to the tower, either take the tram or grab a taxi. I’d recommend the first option, as it’s cheap and quite convenient.

Sarajevo photography spots: other

Sarajevo is more than its old town. Being a city surrounded by nature, some green spots had to make it to this list. In this part of the Sarajevo photography spots guide, I will cover lesser-known spots, or some that are not within the old town, although reachable with a tram, bus or cable car ride.

Trams

They are the most comfortable way to move around Sarajevo, but this is not what this guide is about. This is not about a specific spot to take a specific photo. However, when walking around the city, you’ll see the old and the new trams rushing by the riverside and the main streets.

Trams make for a great photo opportunity in Sarajevo. Try playing around with different shutter speeds, and, if you have the patience, wait for the old ones. Their old style looks more in sync with the old town area than the more modern ones. Oh, and hop on one of them to reach the next spot.

Vrelo Bosne

Among all the Sarajevo photography spots I visited, this one surprised me the most, as it caught me off guard. This is a park, located where the Bosna River springs are. I wasn’t expecting beautiful, clean, and transparent waters, swans, and so much silence for a place that close to Sarajevo.

It takes a bit of time to get there (see next spot on the list), and you’ll have to pay a small fee to get there, but it’s a really interesting place. Although it’s a bit separated from the old town, I strongly recommend it.

Velika Aleja

To get to Vrelo Bosne, you’ll need to walk through Velika Aleja. This is a long “lane” that connects Ilidja, the last stop where the tram drops you, with Vrelo Bosne.

What makes this unique and worth listing on a Sarajevo photography spots guide? Two things. First, the trees that guard the lane. Rows and rows of them, giving shade, and when the weather is really hot, a much-needed lower temperature. The second reason is the horse carriages. If walking is not your thing, you can take a carriage from the beginning of the lane and go directly to Vrelo Bosne.

From a photography point of view, walking is worth it, as you’ll get multiple opportunities to shoot at the carriages, and more flexibility on how to capture the long lane. However, keep in mind that the lane is around 2.5km in length, and it takes some time to walk such a distance.

Bobsleigh abandoned track

When I first read that Sarajevo had an abandoned Bobsleigh track, I immediately added it to my to-do list. This is located in an area I have already mentioned, Trebevic. Thus, it can be accessed either by walking, renting a car, or taking the cable car.

What I wasn’t expecting was the possibility of covering the full length of the track on foot. This gives you many opportunities to take unique photos and capture angles that are not usually available to the public. There is graffiti everywhere, but I think it gives it a decadent touch that works very well in photos.

This concludes my Sarajevo photography spots guide. If you are planning a photography trip to Sarajevo and want first-hand knowledge, schedule a call with me using the link below. For more travel inspiration, follow me on Instagram! (@aniolvisuals)

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