Sarajevo War Tour: Sniper Alley, Tunnel & Yellow Fortress

Three hours tracing the siege: Sniper Alley, the Tunnel of Hope, and a fortress view of the city's recovery

A three-hour guided war tour of Sarajevo covers the city's 1990s siege through four key sites: Sniper Alley, the Sarajevo Tunnel (the underground passage that sustained residents during the blockade), the Yellow Fortress with its panoramic view, and the Olympic bobsleigh track from 1984, now scarred by conflict. An English-speaking guide leads the route in an air-conditioned vehicle; bottled water is included. Tunnel Museum entry is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sarajevo's war history

• Visit Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
• Walk through Sniper Alley
• See the sniper nest and Jewish cemetery
• Explore Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh Track
• Enjoy panoramic view from Yellow Fortress

The Experience

The tour starts at Sniper Alley, the boulevard that became a deadly crossing during the war. From there, you move to the Sarajevo Tunnel—the underground passage that kept the city alive during the longest siege in modern history. The guide explains how this narrow corridor functioned as a lifeline, moving supplies and people under the surrounding hills while the city above was cut off. You walk through the actual tunnel, seeing the space residents used to survive the blockade.

The route then climbs to the Yellow Fortress, positioned above the Old Town on Mount Trebević. From this vantage point, the guide walks you through how the city's geography shaped the war and how neighborhoods were divided by sightlines and fire zones. The panoramic view frames the scale of the siege and the city's transformation since. On the way, you also pass the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh and luge track from the 1984 Winter Games—now a graffitied ruin that once sat on the front line, a stark reminder of how quickly peacetime infrastructure became a casualty of war.

An English-speaking guide narrates the stops and answers questions throughout. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is provided. The pace is set for reflection rather than rushing; three hours allows time to absorb each location without the day feeling crammed. Public transportation is available nearby if you prefer to arrive independently.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide leading the entire route.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport to all four stops.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tour Mage

Is this one for you?Three hours is enough to cover the main siege sites without consuming your whole day, leaving the afternoon free for the Old Town or a museum. If you want to understand Sarajevo's recent history through the places where it happened—not just a summary—this tour builds that understanding stop by stop.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly is the Sarajevo Tunnel and why does the tour include it?

The Sarajevo Tunnel, also called the Tunnel of Hope, was an underground passage dug beneath the hills surrounding the city during the siege. It enabled supplies and people to move in and out when the city was completely surrounded, making it a symbol of resistance and survival. The tour includes a walk through the actual tunnel so you can see the space and understand its role in keeping the city alive.

Will I see the Olympic bobsleigh track, and what does it look like now?

Yes, the Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track from the 1984 Winter Games is part of the route. It sits on Mount Trebević above the Old Town and was positioned on the front line during the war. Today it stands abandoned and painted with graffiti, a visible contrast between the peacetime event it hosted and the conflict that followed.

What is Sniper Alley and why was it dangerous during the war?

Sniper Alley is a boulevard in Sarajevo that became one of the most dangerous stretches of the city during the siege. It was a major crossing point, but snipers positioned in the surrounding hills made it deadly to traverse. The guide explains the geography and the tactics that made this street a focal point of the conflict.

How long does the tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs three to four hours and includes an English-speaking guide, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water. Entry to the Tunnel Museum is not included and is paid separately at the site.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You spend most of the time in the vehicle or walking at a moderate pace through the sites. The climb to the Yellow Fortress involves some elevation, but the guide adjusts the route to match the group's pace.