Sarajevo: War Survivor City Tour & Tunnel of Hope Story

Summary

Walk Sarajevo’s siege history with survivors, hear untold stories, see scars and hope

You’ll walk Sarajevo with someone who lived its story — hearing survivor memories at Sniper Alley, feeling the weight inside the Tunnel of Hope Museum, pausing at bullet-marked streets and bridges where history turned. Expect honest conversation, real emotion, and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of the van when I realized I’d forgotten my water bottle — classic me — but our guide, Emir, just smiled and handed me his spare. He said he always brings extras. “You never know who’ll need one,” he joked, but there was something in his voice that made me pause. The city felt heavy and alive at once. Our small group shuffled along Sacred Heart Cathedral as Emir pointed out a chipped stone on the steps — “That’s a Rose of Sarajevo,” he said quietly. I didn’t expect to feel it so soon.

Driving through the city with Emir was like riding shotgun in someone else’s memories. He’d survived the siege as a kid; he showed us where he used to play football before sniper fire made it impossible. We passed by Sniper Alley, and he told us how people would time their sprints between buildings — sometimes joking about being Olympic sprinters. It was dark humor, but it made sense here. At the Tunnel of Hope Museum (the main keyword slipped into my head right then), we watched a short film in a dim room that smelled faintly of dust and old wood. The silence after the movie ended was thick — nobody moved for a minute or two.

I tried to ask about a mural near East Sarajevo, but my pronunciation was hopeless; Emir laughed and helped me out (“It’s okay, even locals mess that up”). Later, walking through neighborhoods scarred by bullet holes and grenade marks, I caught whiffs of grilled meat from someone’s window — life going on right next to reminders of war. There was this moment at Latin Bridge where traffic noise faded and you could almost hear history breathing under your feet. I still think about that view.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sarajevo war history and city tour

• Brief Sacred Heart Cathedral explanation
• See Sarajevo ‘Little Yugoslavia’ name
• View 20+ monuments en route to Tunnel
• Visit War house (Kolar family)
• Watch 17-minute war movie
• See minefields and Sarajevo War Museum
• Explore War room and journal spot
• Walk through Tunnel of Hope
• Free time at Tunnel souvenir shop
• See largest Rose of Sarajevo
• Learn 1994-1995 victim numbers
• Introduction to Yugoslavia and WWII monument
• View Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Pass Sniper Alley and Holiday Inn hotel
• Pass National Museum and Sarajevo Haghada
• See Historical Museum on sniper alley
• Pass Satellite Hill and Bosnian army zone
• View sniper bullet holes and yellow towers
• Pass 1984 Olympic village and architecture
• Brief on local war journal 'Oslobodenje'
• Visit survival path and Free Bosnian territory
• Hear survivor’s childhood war story
• See East Sarajevo and ethnic diversity
• Brief on War Murals in East Sarajevo
• Visit Trebević Mountain panorama and sniper zones
• Pass ‘Bosnian Disneyland’ SunnyLand sniper zone
• Visit 1984 Olympic Bobsleigh track
• Explore hilly Sarajevo neighborhood
• View best Sarajevo Sniper alley viewpoint
• Visit 16th century monuments and Jewish sites
• Visit Vrbanja bridge sides and war story
• Pass frontline and 1984 Olympic hall Skenderija
• See Austro-Hungarian Neo-gothic architecture
• Learn about Ashkenazi Jewish society and synagogue
• Hear story at At Mejdan Park
• Pass Latin Bridge and Hotel Saray
• See City Hall (National Library) history
• Enjoy best panorama and sunset spot with Ottoman history

Top questions

Is this Sarajevo tour guided by actual war survivors?

Yes, all guides experienced or survived the siege of Sarajevo themselves.

Does the tour include visiting the Tunnel of Hope?

Yes, you’ll visit and walk through the Tunnel of Hope Museum with survivor-led presentation.

How big are the tour groups?

The maximum group size is 8 people per guide.

Are entry fees or transport included in this tour?

Transport by air-conditioned minivan is included; entry fees are covered during stops.

What landmarks are visited on this tour?

You’ll see sites like Sniper Alley, Latin Bridge, National Museum & Olympic Bobsleigh Track.

Is hotel pickup available for this experience?

The tour includes pickup with safe drivers in SUV or MPV vehicles.

Can children join this Sarajevo war tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; suitable for all fitness levels.

How long do we spend at each stop?

You get around 10–15 minutes free time at major sites like Tunnel of Hope Museum.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in an air-conditioned minivan with a licensed driver-guide who lived through Sarajevo’s siege; all museum entry fees; guided visits to landmarks like Sniper Alley and Latin Bridge; time inside the Tunnel of Hope Museum led by survivor staff; plus space for honest conversation before returning to your starting point.