Things to do with kids in Sarajevo

Things to do with kids in Sarajevo

1. See

   Despić House

   Despića kuća

   A dependency of the Sarajevo City Museum, constructed in several stages during different periods, the oldest parts dating back to the 17th century. The property belonged to the wealthy Serb Orthodox Christian Despić family, which donated the house to the city, which turned it into the Museum of Literature and the Performing Arts. It gained fame as the venue for the city's first theater performances, so it may be regarded as the precursor of modern theater. Together with Svrzo's House, the Despić House presents visitors with the lifestyle of wealthy merchant families that contributed to Sarajevo's growth and prosperity.

   Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:00

2. See

   Ferhadija Mosque

   Džamija Ferhadija

   The mosque is named after Ferhad Bey Vukovic Desisalic, a Bosnian Sanyak Bey, who had the mosque built in 1562. Archaeological research into the painted decorations inside the mosque, carried out between 1964 and 1965, revealed 6 paint layers dating from different periods. The oldest and most valuable layer, found in the main dome, belongs to a group known as Rumi ornament, and dates back to the 16th century. Next to the mosque is a small cemetery, where members of the Janissary Order and of the old Sarajevan aristocratic families were buried.

3. See

   Konak

   Rezidencija "Konak"

   The Konak was built as an Ottoman governors’ residence in 1868 in Late Baroque style during the rule of Topal Osman Pasha, an Ottoman vizier. It was built on a site of a former konak (an official residence in the Ottoman Empire). From 1878 to 1918 during the Austro-Hungarian occupation the Konak was the residence of the Habsburg family, and the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef resided in Konak during his visit in May, 1910. During the Yugoslav Republic (1918 to 1941) Konak hosted generals, governors, district-prefects and many politicians from around the world. Today, it is a state residence used by the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

4. See

   Memorial for the Children of Sarajevo

   Monument erected in 2009 by sculptor Mensud Kečo and dedicated to the 1,600 children who were killed during the Siege of Sarajevo. The monument is located in Veliki Park, and consists of a glass sculpture constructed by stacking individually cut layers of green glass with a total height of 5 m, and is 1.7 m in diameter at its base. In 2010, the names of 521 children were inscribed in seven cylinders of anodised aluminium and placed on a concrete plinth around the sculpture.

   Open now · open 24 hours·Free

5. Do

   Sarajevo Winter International Festival

   Sarajevska zima

   Winter counterpart of the Film Festival, with music, visual arts, film and video, performing arts and literature, plus a program for children.

   Feb-March

6. Do

   Sarajevo Zoo

   Pionirska dolina

   A small zoo and recreation park at the outskirts of Sarajevo, primarily aimed at children. It is the oldest zoo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the Austro-Hungarian period it was located in Ilidza. There are 57 species of animals from all over the world on display, including lions, which were donated by the Sofia Zoo in 2013. A little train and several other attractions and playgrounds are available for the entertainment of children, some at an additional charge.

   08:00–21:15·3 KM for adults, 2 KM for children

7. See

   Sniper Alley

   Snajperska aleja

   Sniper Alley was the informal name primarily for streets Zmaja od Bosne Street (Dragon of Bosnia Street) and Meša Selimović Boulevard, the main boulevard in Sarajevo which during the Bosnian War was lined with snipers' posts, and became infamous as a dangerous place for civilians to traverse. The road connects the industrial part of the city (and further on, Sarajevo Airport) to the Old Town's cultural and historic sites. The boulevard itself has many high-rise buildings giving sniper shooters extensive fields of fire. Signs reading "Pazi – Snajper!" ("Watch out – Sniper!") became common. People would either run fast across the street or would wait for United Nations armored vehicles and walk behind them, using them as shields. According to data gathered in 1995, the snipers wounded 1,030 people and killed 225; 60 of whom were children.

   Open now · open 24 hours·Free

8. Do

   Sunnyland

   A newly constructed bobsleigh track on Mount Trebevic overlooking Sarajevo, and adjacent restaurants and bars selling food and drinks. Excellent entertainment for children, with indoor playgrounds and facilities.

   Open now · closes 10 pm·5 KM

9. See

   Svrzo's House

   Svrzina kuća

   Part of the Sarajevo City Museum, Svrzo's House shows the living conditions of a Muslim family at the end of the 17th century. The house was built by the eminent Sarajevo family Glođo during the Ottoman occupation of the city, but ownership was transferred to the Svrzo family since the Glođo family had no male successors. The interior is divided in two sections: the public part (selamuk) and the family part (haremluk), which in turn is split in the traditionally separated living quarters for men, women and servants. Despite being constructed entirely of wood, the building was surprisingly well preserved until the Siege of Sarajevo during which it sustained heavy damage. It was rebuilt after the siege and reopened in 1997, and renovated again in 2005.

   Mon-Fr 10:00-16:00, Sat 10:00-15:00·3 KM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Sarajevo (CC BY-SA 4.0).