Is Sarajevo Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is generally a safe destination for solo female travelers. The locals are known for their warmth and hospitality towards tourists. Street crime levels are relatively low. However, like any city, it is advised to stay alert, especially at night, and avoid isolated areas. It's common to see women out late in the city centers. Avoid political gatherings or protests, which can occasionally occur. Besides the city, public transportation is reliable and safe, but one should be cautious of sporadic traffic. Local customs and cultural norms are respected, and it's important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.

Safety rating

4.8 /5

Based on 11 experiences

4 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

Sarajevo, being the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, generally has good safety measures in place, especially in areas frequently visited by tourists. However, it's always best to remain cautious when walking alone at night. While violent crimes are rare, petty crimes like pickpocketing may occur. Stick to well-lit areas and avoid deserted streets. Public transportation and taxis are reliable during the evening if walking isn't an option. Locals are usually friendly and helpful should you need any assistance.

Public transportation: Safe

Public transportation in Saravo, Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. Trams and buses are the predominant modes of transport and usually come regularly. The drivers and locals are helpful. Just remember to buy and validate your tickets to avoid on-spot fines. Like in any other city, be aware of your surroundings and where your belongings are, especially during rush hours, as pickpockets have been reported in crowded areas, albeit infrequently.

Street harassment: Low

Sarajevo, as the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is generally safe and welcoming to solo female travelers. Instances of street harassment are relatively rare, with locals often demonstrating respect and politeness towards women. However, like in any other city, it's always crucial to be vigilant, particularly at night or in less crowded areas.

Petty crimes:Low

Sarajevo, like all urban locations, has its share of petty crime such as pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas or crowded public transportation. That said, it is generally considered safer than many popular tourist destinations globally. Vigilance, common-sense precautions like keeping your belongings secured and avoiding walking alone late at night would be a wise approach. Discrepancies like overcharging at local shops or restaurants may occur, so it's critical to be aware. Overall, tourists are generally safe from petty crime in Sarajevo with appropriate precautions.

Tap water:Very safe

The tap water in Sarajevo is considered to be very safe. It comes from natural springs and is commonly consumed by locals and travellers. Still, if you have a sensitive stomach, you may want to switch to bottled water gradually. But generally, there is no need to worry about waterborne illnesses.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 11 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

4.8/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5

Solo travel experience

Really enjoyed Sarajevo. It is such an interesting city with an incredibly tragic history. It felt so safe as a solo female traveller as the locals are so friendly! I recommend staying 3-4 nights as there is so much to do.

Posted: July 21, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Sarajevo is such an underrated place. It has so much charm and the people are very kind. I did a few guided activities, like the trip to Mostar. I also visited the abandoned bobsled track. There is so much great history there and the food was amazing. I felt safe, but I’m not really into nightlife so I would have dinner and walk back to my Airbnb.

Posted: April 10, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Stroll around the Old Town - Try the Turkish coffee - Visit the Baščaršija market - Walk along the Miljacka river - Visit the City Hall - Visit the Sarajevo War Tunnel - Visit the Yellow Fortress Safety: I generally felt safe as a woman travelling alone. Recommendations: Sarajevo is probably my favorite city in the whole world. It's cheap, affordable and has an amazing history.

Posted: September 17, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Explore the Old Town - Admire the Sebilj fountain - Take a free walking tour - Visit the Latin Bridge - Visit the Sarajevo City Hall - Visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral Safety: Felt safe but try to stick to more central points as a rule of thumb, to be extra safe. Recommendations: Sarajevo is a great city to visit, especially if you're interested in history.

Posted: September 10, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Baščaršija - Sarajevo Tunnel - Sarajevo City Hall - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - Latin Bridge - Yellow Bastion - Sebilj - Bjelašnica - Sacred Heart Cathedral Safety: I felt perfectly safe. Recommendations: Sarajevo is awesome, so cheap and so much to do. It's very hilly but the views are amazing.

Posted: September 3, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Local experiences

In Sarajevo you can see most in a few days. Suggest doing a Funky Tour to get a good overview of the Balkan war and Sarajevo siege. Lots of great restaurants in town - Klopa and Dveri are my favorites. Ride the cable car up to Trebevic and walk around a bit there. In town hang out in Bascarsija and explore the small streets, visit some of the museums.

Posted: November 8, 2022
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Meet locals in Sarajevo

Nur

Nur

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About Me

Hi, My name is Nur and I'm interested in animals, art, camping, culture, business, books, food & cuisine, games, history, hiking, live music, nature, nightlife, photography, van life, writing, solo travel, languages, fashion, cinema and education

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Andrea

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People say I’m fun and adventurous. I like to think so too :) I enjoy meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Hiking, volunteering at a dogs shelter and dancing (at least trying to) are the things that feed my soul.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

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Enisa

Enisa

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Hey, My name is Enisa and I'm interested in business, cinema, digital nomad, food & cuisine, nature, photography, solo travel, sunbathing, sightseeing and technology

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇲🇰 North Macedonia, 🇷🇸 Serbia

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Safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina