Recommended by Locals

Sarajevo is a hidden treasure!

Updated: 29 June 2026

Kasey Vannett, from America, has been living in Sarajevo for 20 years now. She came to our city in 1996 while working for USAID and is now the owner of the BiH franchise for L’Occitane, a French cosmetics company.

She remembers coming to Sarajevo for the official signing of the Dayton Peace Accords. It was January and it was a hard and cold winter with lots of snow.

- At that time, living conditions weren't easy at all. Initially, I was only meant to stay for six months but, eventually, I started a family and here I am. Early on, my work took me all over BiH, and they'd be waiting for us with roast lamb in all of the villages. As a vegetarian, for my first three years here I mostly ate cabbage, Kasey recalls with a laugh.

As her job with USAID was drawing to an end, she began to think about how she could continue to work here in BiH. While she hadn't had any previous experience in sales, she got the idea to open a franchise for L'Occitane, which she started in 2009.

- We now have three shops in Sarajevo – on Ferhadija, in BBI Center and in SCC. Because of the shops, I often visit nearby cafes, like Torte i to, Giannini, Zlatna Ribica and Vatra. On my days off, I go to Metropolis with the kids for some American pancakes and different salads.

Lovely and charming city

When friends come to visit, she usually takes them for a hike up on the mountains, to see the sights in Baščaršija and to some eateries around town.

- At USAID we’d always say that Sarajevo is a hidden treasure. People don't realize how nice it is to live here. You can ski on mountains that are just a stone's throw away and the sea is only a three-hour drive. The city is lovely and charming and I see huge potential in the development of spas.

Every two years she “forgets” that she’s a vegetarian and gives in to some ćevapi at Željo or Zmaj, both of which she warmly recommends. She visits aščinicas more often and ASDŽ is her favorite.

- They've known me for 20 years and, as soon as I come in, they bring me a bit of everything that doesn’t have meat. I also like the restaurants, 4 Sobe Gospođe Safije, , Začin....