CITY breaks don’t have to break the bank, as a trip to Sarajevo proves with pints for under £2 and three-course meals costing just over a tenner.
With its low prices, warm summers and direct UK flights, Sarajevo is gaining popularity as one of Europe’s last truly affordable capital city breaks.
At the end of last year, Bosnia & Herzegovina was named a trending travel destination for 2025 and dubbed a ‘less crowded alternative to Dubrovnik’.
Now, its capital city has been revealed to be one of Europe‘s cheapest city break spots, thanks to £1.69 pints and three-course meals for £12 – plus we found 3-star hotels from £45 a night on Booking.com.
The research came from eurochange, with Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital engagement, commenting: “Saravejo is known as the ‘Jerusalem of Europe’, and has one of the most diverse cultures on the continent, making it one of the most intriguing cities you can visit.
“It is one of the only places where you can visit a Mosque, a Catholic church, an Eastern Orthodox church and a synagogue in one place.
“Tucked inside a long, thin valley and surrounded by forested mountains, the city is a picture-perfect backdrop.
“Its broad mix of cultural influences means its architecture is also absolutely beautiful, and its restaurant scene is an eclectic mix of Turkish and Bosnian-inspired offerings.
“And, with prices averaging at just £10 per person for a three-course meal, your money really does go far here.”
Dine like a local and try Bosanski Lonac, a stew packed with chunks of meat and vegetables.
Other traditional dishes include cevapi, which are flatbreads filled with grilled meat, and burek, flaky pastries filled with cheese, spinach or even sour cherry for dessert.
Not only will families be able to eat well without paying over the odds there are plenty of activities in Sarajevo to keep kids entertained.
One of those is Ilidža Thermal Riviera, which claims to be one of the largest thermal complexes in the Balkans.
Spread across 15 hectares, the huge water attraction has been built at the hot spring of Ilidža.
It boasts both indoor and outdoor pools as well as a kiddie pool with a small slide for even the youngest of swimmers.
There’s also a small go-karting area, trampolines and a Tropical Garden Restaurant where local specialties are served.
It is also an ideal place to unwind on a hot summer‘s day, with average temperatures sitting around 28C in July and August and adult entry tickets from under £5.
Other family-friendly attractions in Sarajevo include Sunnyland.
Sunnyland is the country’s first amusement park with an Alpine Coaster, located on Olympic Mountain Trebević, it’s a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
While the Alpine Coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 40km/h, is the main attraction, there are other features too like a playroom that’s inspired by a magic forest.
There is also an indoor and outdoor playground, an on-site restaurant, a pizzeria and a souvenir shop.
Entry into Sunnyland is free with ride tickets costing just £2 a go.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Sarajevo, there’s also Playland.
Set on the third floor of the Sarajevo Shopping Centre, Playland has been modelled after the Playland in Istanbul.
Sarajevo’s Playland features carousels, bumper cars, air hockey tables, slides and a ball pit.
And for older kids there’s also SpeedXtreme, which claims to be the best karting arena in Sarajevo.
The indoor arena is open whatever the weather, so it’s perfect for rainy day.
There are a plenty of other attractions in Sarajevo too, including the War Tunnel, or Tunnel of Hope, left over from the Bosnian War, which was originally built in 1993 to get aid and humanitarian supplies into the city.
Other important attractions in the city include The Museum Of Crimes Against Humanity And Genocide 1992-1995.
Both Ryanair and Wizz Air operate direct flights from the UK to Sarajevo, with flights starting from £15 for a one-way ticket.
Flights from the UK to Sarajevo take roughly two hours and 40 minutes.
There are three local languages in Bosnia & Herzegovina, including Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian – although English is likely to be spoken at most hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
The Convertible Mark (KM or BAM) is the country’s official currency, with £10 getting 23.43 KM/BAM.
What's it like to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina?
SOAK up the sun along the Dalmatian Coast for half the price of Croatia – by crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s little-known share of the shoreline.
With its turquoise waters, pine forests and terracotta rooftops, the Dalmatian Coast is famously pretty.
But while the tourist hordes flock to Croatia for this scenery, you could enjoy it for less by going to the Bosnian beach town of Neum instead.
This budget haven butts into Croatia in between Dubrovnik and Split, a quirk that can be traced back to 1699 when the city state of Dubrovnik, terrified of an attack by Venetians, gave a tiny tract of land to the Ottoman empire to give itself a buffer against Venice.
This means Bosnia and Herzegovina now has the world’s smallest coastline, after Monaco, at just 12 miles.
Graced with daytime highs of 25C in September and within easy distance of both Dubrovnik and Split, the only major difference is the cost.
Even in Neum’s largest and most swanky hotel, the Grand Hotel Neum, a last-minute long weekend this month starts at £49pp per night. That includes breakfast, spa access, a choice of four swimming pools and a private beach.
Food and drink is much cheaper too.
You’d get change from a fiver for a couple of local beers and you can find Bosnian, Mediterranean and international dishes very reasonably priced.
The real crowd-pleaser is Ćcevapi, a popular Bosnian lunch to go.
Locals joke it’s the reason KFC never took off here.
This simple yet filling meal consists of mini grilled meat kebabs and raw onion slices stuffed inside a warm pitta bread. Again, you would struggle to spend £5 on this beloved staple.
Meanwhile, this European city was named the world’s cheapest holiday destination.
And these are some of the best budget winter city breaks.
