The best way to get to know this city is to „get lost“ in it

Q: How does your typical day in Sarajevo look like? What are your favorite small rituals?

A: During summer, I go to work early by scooter and love to see a new day rising and shops opening, while greeting passersby. I bid them farewell, while enjoying that fresh smell of the morning. As I get older, I tend to be a bit on the edgy side, so all the hustle and bustle of Sarajevo streets bothers me a bit, so I move on further and get to know some new streets and shortcuts. Here and there you hear some new stories, even those you are not supposed to know, so you pretend not hearing them at all. All Sarajevans know this feeling. My small Sarajevo rituals mostly involve my children and their needs, so we visit places offering contents for children. Also, I like to stroll and relax at AtMejdan Park, my main rest point.

Q: What is your favorite part of the city, architecture and cultural heritage?

A: My only true connection is with my „mahala“, a part of city where I grew up – my Velešići, and only then follow other parts of Sarajevo where I lived for the past 10 years. Sarajevo has many things to offer to those fond of history. Coming to the Meeting of Cultures point, you can turn towards East and go to the old Ottoman bazaar. There you can enjoy the mosques, small streets and shops, hearing the sounds of coppersmiths working – a rest for the soul. Turning to the West, take a walk along the streets with lavish Austro-Hungarian buildings. Hop on the first tram and head towards Ilidža. There you will find everything you cannot find enough in the city – greenery, water and stillness.

Q: What makes Sarajevo so special? What makes it worth visiting?

A: It symbolizes history, resistance, defiance, spiritual beauty and togetherness. It has some amazing individuals, excellent locations to visit and is cheaper than other cities in the region. Walking down the cobblestone streets and going through Baščaršija, you will meet some really nice people, all of which will awaken with you that special pleasant feeling. People greet you. They often say hello without knowing you in person or knowing you only by sight. That is Sarajevo and that is what living in Sarajevo feels like. I am not sure that you can experience this anywhere else in the world, except when visiting Sarajevo, strolling its narrow streets and drinking coffee in Baščaršija. Make sure to leave an extra fildžan – an extra cup of coffee just in case someone drops in. You know, in passing, just as you did.

Q: What are the must-sees and must-dos for visitors of Sarajevo so they can gain a unique experience, but only in a two days' time? What do you recommend to be summer top spots?

A: When friends come to visit Sarajevo, we often take tours with them. We start from its historical centre – Baščaršija and its numerous attractions - from Sebilj, Vijećnica, Bey's mosque, Bezistan, clock tower, traditional small shops and then turn towards the Latin Bridge, Emperor's mosque, Hotel Europe, Cathedral and Srebrenica Gallery. The tour continues towards the National Museum and the Historical Museum, passing over the Festina Lente Bridge and by the Fine Arts Academy, after which we turn back towards the Eternal Flame memorial and arrive to the monument of the children of Sarajevo in the Great Park. We spend the second part of the day in Vratnik and Tabija, walking through its narrow streets. A day or two is reserved for the „lower" part of the city, mostly Ilidža and Tunnel of Hope, moving on to mountains Trebević, Igman, Bjelašnica and Jahorina, depending on type of visitors and contents offered there.