Sarajevo: War Tunnel, Trebević & Siege Tour with Veteran Guide

Summary

Walk Sarajevo’s siege history with a local veteran guide and real stories

You’ll walk Sarajevo with a war veteran who lived through the siege — hearing raw stories at Markale Market, crawling through the War Tunnel Museum (with entry included), and tracing battle lines up Trebević mountain to the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track. Expect honest answers, small moments of laughter, and a new way of seeing Sarajevo’s streets.

What’s the experience like?

You get out of the van and there’s this odd hush over the Markale Market — like the air itself remembers. Our guide, Emir, just points to a spot on the pavement and says quietly, “Here.” I didn’t expect to feel so much just standing in a street. He was there during the siege, he tells us, but doesn’t linger on his own pain. Instead, he lets us ask anything — even awkward things. Someone in our group mumbled something about “how did people keep hope?” and Emir just shrugged and said, “We joked a lot. You have to.”

Driving through Sniper Alley felt surreal — you know those yellow Holiday Inn walls from old news footage? They’re still there, faded now. We stopped at the War Tunnel Museum (the entrance fee was included, which saved me fumbling for cash), and watched that grainy film about families crawling through mud under gunfire. The tunnel is low and damp; I banged my head once (Emir laughed). There’s this smell of earth and metal that clings to your hands after touching the walls. It’s not a place you forget easily.

Up on Trebević mountain, clouds drifted through pine trees and you could hear distant dogs barking — weirdly peaceful for somewhere that used to be front lines. The bobsleigh track is covered in graffiti now; spray paint colors bleeding into concrete scars. Emir pointed out tank tracks still pressed into old mud by the bunkers — just sitting there like time stopped in 1995. We wandered through the Jewish Cemetery too; stones tilting at odd angles, grass growing wild between them. I kept thinking how this city carries its history right on its skin.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sarajevo Siege and War Tunnel Tour

• Meet guide at office or pickup
• Pass by Markale Markets massacre site
• Pass by memorial for murdered children
• Visit Hotel Holiday on Sniper Alley
• Watch movie and tour War Tunnel Museum
• Walk through the Tunnel of Hope
• Explore Trebević mountain battle sites
• View Army of Republic of Srpska position
• See Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh track
• Visit Jewish Cemetery frontline site
• Drop off at desired Sarajevo location

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Sarajevo war tour?

Yes, hotel or address pickup in Sarajevo is included.

Who leads the Sarajevo War Tunnel & Siege tour?

A licensed English-speaking guide who is also a local war veteran leads it.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

Yes, all entry fees including the War Tunnel Museum are covered.

How long does this Sarajevo siege tour last?

The experience lasts about 4 hours total.

What sites are visited during this day trip?

You’ll visit Markale Market, Sniper Alley (Hotel Holiday), War Tunnel Museum, Trebević mountain (including bobsleigh track), and Jewish Cemetery.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour involves minimal walking and is suitable for most fitness levels; infants’ seats are available.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The main language is English.

Does this tour include transportation?

Yes, an air-conditioned vehicle is provided throughout.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or address pickup in Sarajevo by an air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees (so no need for extra cash at museums), guidance from a local war veteran who shares firsthand stories throughout each stop—from Markale Market to Trebević mountain—and ends with drop-off back where you choose in town.