A weekend break for two came in at just £248 (Picture: Getty Images) Vibrant flea markets, vibey hookah bars, and an intriguing blend of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture. This is Sarajevo, the historic capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And now there’s a very good reason to visit. For the first time, Sarajevo has been named Europe’s best value city break in the UK’s Post Office Travel Money ‘City Costs Barometer’. The annual report, which reveals which European cities offer the best, and worst, value for travellers, was ranked the cheapest at £248 for a weekend. Bucharest, Tirana, Belgrade, and Trenĉin, in Slovakia, also sit in the top five. In its largest comparison yet, the study analysed the cost of 12 everyday tourist items for two people across 50 cities. Giving travellers a snapshot of what a trip could actually cost, items include consumables like a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer, a can of Coca-Cola or Pepsi, a glass of wine, and a three-course evening meal for two with house wine. Transport costs were incorporated, including a return airport bus or train transfer, a 48-hour travel card and the price of a sightseeing city bus tour. Finally, the report added the cost of two nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel for two people. Prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital included £2.46 bottles of beer, £5.21 for a 48-hour travel card, and £157 for two nights’ accommodation. At the other end of the value scale, Oslo is the most expensive European city break for 2026, costing £734 (€850) for the barometer’s 12 items. Top 10 cheapest European city breaks Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: £248/€287 Bucharest, Romania: £258/€299 Tirana, Albania: £263/€304.50 Belgrade, Serbia: £265/€307 Trenčín, Slovakia: £272/€315 Riga, Latvia: £278//€322 Lille, France: £289/€334 Vilnius, Lithuania: £289/€334 Strasbourg, France: £319/€369 Podgorica, Montenegro: £332/€384.50 More people are discovering Sarajevo: the city hit a record 806,000 tourists in 2024 and continued to have steady growth in 2025. And with budget airlines such as Ryanair flying there from as little as £43 in June, there’s never been a better time to go. Here’s everything you need to know about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s historic capital. Steeped in history Perched in the Dinaric Alps along the Miljacka River, Sarajevo has been ruled by a string of empires, kingdoms, and states throughout its history. These diverse influences can be seen in buildings such as: the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (the largest historical mosque in the country and the pinnacle of Ottoman Islamic architecture in Sarajevo); the Sahat Kula clock tower; the Neoclassical Sarajevo National Theatre; and Gazi Husrev-beg Bezistan, a 16th-century covered market in what used to be the old bazaar area (more on that later). Stepping back in time at the grand bazaar (Picture: Getty Images) Sarajevo was founded in the 15th century when the Ottoman army conquered the region. But the city only entered the world’s consciousness hundreds of years later following the 1914 assassination that triggered World War One, then the 1984 Winter Olympics and the brutal four-year siege that was a low point of the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. What to see and do Where in Europe can you find a mosque, synagogue, Catholic church and Eastern Orthodox cathedral within walking distance? In Sarajevo, of course. It’s this cultural and religious diversity that makes the city so unique. Baščaršija, a 15th-century bazaar and the city’s Old Town, is a timewarp to the Ottoman era. The famous Latin Bridge (Picture: Getty Images) The Brusa Bezistan building, built in 1551, once housed a silk market. Now, it’s part of the Sarajevo Museum, with exhibitions on prehistoric settlements to the present day. Along the cobbled streets there are shisha bars, traditional coppersmith shops, and aromatic coffee houses. The Gazi Husrev-beg Bezistan market (a two-minute walk from the mosque) is like stepping back in time. Haggle for trinkets or read the many plaques on the walls that keep its history alive. But perhaps the most famous landmark? The Latin Bridge, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, an event that stoked the flames of some of Europe’s darkest days. @sabtraavel 15 best places to visit in Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina 🇧🇦 #fyp #bosnia #sarajevo #bosnia🇧🇦 #sarajevo🇧🇦 #TikTokTravel #underrated ♬ Love Story – Indila (Fairy Version) – Daniela Mlčúchová While you may briefly forget you’re in Europe, a trip to the 1984 Olympic bobsled track on Mount Trebević will firmly put you back on the continent. But another bit of history first. In 1984, Sarajevo became the first Winter Olympic host city in a socialist state and earned legendary status for its East and West unity. Dancing on Ice fans will also be interested to know that the Games hosted ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who earned perfect scores for their iconic Bolero routine. As for the 1,300-metre concrete course, which was abandoned after the Bosnian War, it now functions as an open-air art gallery. Graffiti on the Brutalist facade is striking against the forest landscape. The Sarajevo Cable Car is the quickest and most scenic route to the mountain. Take the cable car for sweeping city views (Picture: Getty Images) It departs from the Old Town and reaches the Vidikovac viewpoint in just seven minutes. Return tickets cost around £13. While you’re there, take a hike along one of the marked paths through the mountain. The Trebević Peak Trail is a local favourite. The challenging route takes around two to four hours and starts from the cable car. Expect panoramic city views, lush pine forests, and ancient ruins. Elsewhere, the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide is a non-negotiable. Founded in 2016 by survivors of the Bosnian War, it’s a powerful tribute to the victims and preserves the memory of the war’s atrocities while educating visitors.Entry costs £7. Food heaven Sarajevo’s culture is a brilliant blend of East and West, so it’s no surprise the city’s cuisine follows suit. Try Ćevapi, the ultimate Balkan street food, consisting of minced-meat sausages served in fluffy flatbreads with raw onions and ajvar, a red pepper spread. And, of course, burek: flaky pastries made of incredibly thin layers filled with spiced minced meat and onions. @coffeewithmimi7 A real hidden gem known by locals is this 500 year old bakery called Imaret in the city center. If you love food this is the spot. #traveltok #vacation #hiddengems #bosnia #contentcreator ♬ nhạc nền – 遊覽 《Du lãm》🧳 – 遊覽 《Du lãm》🧳 There’s also Bosanski Lonac, a hearty, slow-cooked stew of layered meats and seasonal vegetables. Want to taste as much as possible? Book onto a walking food tour, wherelocal guides take visitors on cultural, culinary and historical experiences. For £30, journey through vibrant markets and hidden backstreets, where you’ll stop at hand-picked local eateries to sample traditional Bosnian dishes. How to get to Sarajevo and where to stay On Monday, June 22, Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Sarajevo for £43. The journey time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. June temperatures typically reach around 26°C. Need accommodation? On the same day, the four-star Hotel Bistrik City Center has rooms available for £64. If you’re looking for something a little more opulent, the Ottoman-style İsa Begov Hamam Hotel has rooms from £110.