Sarajevo Siege & Tunnel of Hope Tour with a War Veteran
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Overview
This four-hour small-group tour tells the story of the 1992 to 1996 siege of Sarajevo through the eyes of people who lived it. Your guide is a war veteran or survivor who shares personal memories as you drive along Sniper Alley, walk through the Tunnel of Hope, look down on the city from the Trebevic frontline and visit the old Jewish Cemetery and the Yellow Fortress. The default option includes your entry ticket to the Tunnel of Hope Museum and air-conditioned transport. It suits travellers who want to understand modern Bosnia.
Highlights
- Guided by a war veteran or siege survivor
- Entry to the Tunnel of Hope Museum in the default option
- Drive along the famous Sniper Alley
- Abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track on Mount Trebevic
- Old Jewish Cemetery, a former frontline
- Sunset views from the Yellow Fortress
- Small group in an air-conditioned vehicle
Full Description
The Siege of Sarajevo and Sniper Alley
From April 1992 to February 1996, Sarajevo was encircled by Bosnian Serb forces for 1,425 days, the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. Around 11,000 people were killed, and daily life meant queueing for water under shellfire.
The tour begins along Zmaja od Bosne boulevard, known during the war as Sniper Alley, where civilians crossing the road were targeted from surrounding hills. Your guide points out the Holiday Inn, where journalists stayed, and the twin towers that burned in 1992. Hearing these places described by someone who ran across them gives this Sarajevo war tour its power.
The Tunnel of Hope Museum
In 1993, with the city completely surrounded, defenders dug an 800-metre tunnel under the airport runway, linking besieged Sarajevo to free territory in Butmir. Barely 1.6 metres high, it carried food, medicine, weapons and people, and is credited with saving the city.
Today the Kolar family house at the Butmir end is the Tunnel of Hope Museum, with a preserved section of about 25 metres you can walk through, plus photos, equipment and a short film. Tunnel of Hope tickets are included in the default option. Plan around an hour here.
Mount Trebevic and the Olympic Bobsleigh Track
Trebevic, the mountain above the Old Town, hosted events of the 1984 Winter Olympics. During the siege it became a frontline, and the concrete bobsleigh and luge track was used as an artillery position.
Today the graffiti-covered track is a haunting walk through the forest, and the ridge offers wide views over the city that show how exposed Sarajevo was. It is a place where Olympic pride and wartime tragedy meet, and one of the most photographed stops on any Sarajevo siege tour. Since 2018 a rebuilt cable car links the Old Town with the mountain again, a symbol of the city's recovery.
The Jewish Cemetery and the Yellow Fortress
The Old Jewish Cemetery on the slopes of Trebevic, founded in the 16th century by Sephardic Jews who arrived after leaving Spain, is one of the largest Jewish burial grounds in Europe. During the war it lay directly on the frontline, and bullet marks are still visible on its tombstones.
The tour ends at the Yellow Fortress (Zuta Tabija), an 18th-century bastion with the best viewpoint over Bascarsija and the minarets of the Old Town. During Ramadan, a cannon fired here marks the breaking of the fast. It is a calm, reflective place to close the day.
Itinerary
- Meeting point in the city centreMeet your guide and board the air-conditioned vehicle.
- Sniper AlleyDrive along the wartime boulevard with stories of daily life under siege.
- Tunnel of Hope MuseumVisit the museum and walk through the preserved tunnel section, about 1 hour.
- Mount TrebevicWalk along the old Olympic bobsleigh track and enjoy views over Sarajevo.
- Old Jewish CemeteryShort visit to the historic cemetery on the former frontline.
- Yellow FortressFinal stop at the viewpoint over the Old Town; about 4 hours in total.
What's included
- Guide who is a war veteran or war survivor
- Small-group tour
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
- Entry ticket to the Tunnel of Hope Museum (paid on site)
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 2–9
- History and culture lovers
- A half-day plan — about 4 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You need hotel pickup — you meet at the meeting point
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers with limited mobility (uneven paths and a low tunnel)
- Young children who may find the subject upsetting
Meeting point
Meet your guide at a central meeting point in Sarajevo's Old Town; the exact place and time are sent after booking. Please arrive 10 minutes early. The tour ends at the Yellow Fortress, a short walk down to Bascarsija.
Important information
- Wear comfortable shoes: some stops involve walking on uneven ground.
- The tunnel section is low; taller visitors must bend down.
- The default option includes your Tunnel of Hope Museum ticket.
- The subject matter is emotional; guides speak openly about the war.
- Bring a light jacket for Mount Trebevic, which is cooler than the city.
- Personal expenses are not included.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Sarajevo siege tour with a war veteran cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults, youths and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
No, the tour starts from a central meeting point in Sarajevo's Old Town and ends at the Yellow Fortress, a short walk from Bascarsija.
How long is the tour?
About four hours.
Is this tour suitable for children?
It is suitable for older children and teenagers interested in history. The stories are real and can be upsetting for younger children.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket for the mountain, water and a camera.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, if places are free. Choose your date in the booking panel.
What is the difference between the options?
The default shared tour includes the Tunnel of Hope Museum ticket; the second shared option excludes it, so you buy the ticket on site.
Who are the guides on this tour?
Our guides are war veterans or civilians who survived the siege, so you hear first-hand experiences alongside the history.
Is the Tunnel of Hope worth visiting?
Yes. It is the most important memorial of the siege and explains how the city survived; walking through the tunnel is unforgettable.
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