Of all the places to visit in Sarajevo, none explains the city’s recent history as powerfully as the Tunnel of Hope. During the siege of Sarajevo, this narrow passage dug under the airport runway was the city’s only connection to the outside world. Today it is a museum, and for most visitors it is the most moving stop of their trip. This guide covers what the tunnel was, what you will see there and how to plan your visit.
What is the Tunnel of Hope?
From 1992 to 1995 Sarajevo was surrounded and cut off. The only gap in the ring was the airport, which was under UN control. In 1993 the city’s defenders dug a tunnel beneath the runway, connecting the besieged neighbourhood of Dobrinja with free territory in Butmir on the other side.
The tunnel was around 800 metres long and so low that most people had to walk bent over through mud and water. Through it came food, fuel, medicine, weapons and news, and through it people left and returned to the city. Locals often say that without the tunnel, Sarajevo might not have survived the siege.
What you will see at the museum
The Tunnel of Hope museum is set in the family house in Butmir where the tunnel entrance was hidden. The house still shows marks from the shelling. Inside you will find:
About 100 metres through the tunnel that you can walk, enough to understand how cramped and difficult the passage was.
Photographs, maps and objects used during the siege, including the carts that moved supplies through the tunnel.
A short film about the siege and how the tunnel was built.
The story of the family whose home became the most important doorway in the city.
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour at the museum.
How to get to the Tunnel of Hope
The museum is near Sarajevo airport, roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car from the Old Town. You can take a taxi there and back, or combine public transport with a taxi. It is not within walking distance of the city centre.
The easiest option is a guided tour with hotel pickup. A local guide gives you the context you will not get from the signs alone, and you can combine the tunnel with other war history sites on the same trip.
Visit the tunnel on a guided Sarajevo tour
Both of our main Sarajevo tours include the Tunnel of Hope, with hotel pickup and the entrance ticket included:
Sarajevo Grand Tour (5 hours, from €49): the Tunnel of Hope, the Olympic bobsleigh track on Mount Trebević, the Jewish Cemetery, the Yellow Fortress viewpoint and a walk through the Old Town.
Sarajevo Full Day Tour (6.5 hours, from €90): everything above, plus the springs of the Bosna river at Vrelo Bosne.
Our guides grew up in Sarajevo, and many share stories from their own families. That personal side is what most guests remember long after the trip.
Tips for your visit
Wear comfortable shoes. The tunnel section is short but the floor can be uneven.
Check opening hours before you go, especially in winter and on holidays.
Bring cash in Bosnian marks (BAM). Tickets are paid in cash in convertible marks only. Euros and other foreign currencies are not accepted, and card payment is not possible.
Go early in summer, when tour groups arrive later in the day.
Combine it with Trebević. The bobsleigh track and the city viewpoints complete the picture of the siege.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk through the whole tunnel?
No. Visitors can walk about 100 metres through the tunnel. The rest of the tunnel is not open to visitors.
Is the Tunnel of Hope suitable for children?
Yes. The museum is calm and educational, though some photos and stories are emotional. Guides adapt the story for families.
How much time do I need?
Around an hour at the museum, plus travel time from the city centre. On a guided tour it fits easily into half a day.
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