The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina

An incredibly vast and expansive collection. There's so much to see at this museum it'll take at minimum a couple of hours to visit every room. The overall architecture is elegant, the courtyard is well maintained, and the staff are friendly. It's got so many sections such as zoology, ancient history (I think this is what the weird diorama rooms covered), a gallery and much more!

I spent over 4 hours on my first visit 😊 Well worth the 10 KM student ticket. The main attractions for me were the Sarajevo Haggadah and the "Amphibians and Reptiles of BiH" exhibition. The department of ethnology was sadly closed, but I did enjoy watching the nuthatches on the giant sequoia in the botanical garden!!

The National Museum of Sarajevo feels like the city’s history compressed under one roof. In stately halls of columns lie carved stones, mosaics, and ancient capitals; nearby, Bronze Age pottery, axes, and jewelry still carry the touch of their makers. A natural-history wing surprises with a whale skeleton hanging over a wooden ship and long dioramas of birds and fish—pure childhood wonder. Its treasure is the illuminated Sarajevo Haggadah, displayed with quiet care. A small botanical garden outside softens the exit. No pomp, just a warm, honest museum where many eras of Sarajevo meet and stay alive. Aleks recommends👍❗️

Museums like this give me immense joy. It is not pretentious, nor huge, nor particularly unique. However, its modesty and the friendliness of its wonderful staff make you want to enjoy the museum multiple times. Frankly there is not all that much to see and at 20 BAM per person I will not be able to go back anytime soon. Nevertheless, it is well worth your time if you are visiting Sarajevo.

Let me put it this way — this museum starts off strong, showcasing the incredible history of Bosnia and the broader Balkan region. It’s divided into four main sections, and the charming botanical garden in the center adds to the overall experience. There’s a small vending machine behind the main building where you can grab coffee, snacks, and drinks, which is a nice touch. However, the flora and fauna section felt a bit puzzling. While the display of stuffed animals is visually impressive, the inclusion of species like camels, penguins, and kangaroos—completely unrelated to Bosnia or the Balkans—felt out of place. It would make more sense to focus on local wildlife. Another issue: after a certain point, many artifacts were no longer labeled in English, which makes it difficult for international visitors. There is a QR code for an audio guide, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work. That said, it’s still a must-visit for anyone interested in regional history and culture — but there’s definitely room for improvement

While the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina holds historical and cultural value, I found the overall experience to be somewhat underwhelming. The exhibitions were rather basic and not particularly distinctive compared to what you might see in other national museums. For the entrance fee, I didn’t feel the content justified the cost. That said, the inner courtyard with the fountain and garden was the highlight — beautifully landscaped and offering a peaceful space to relax or take photos. It’s a calm spot in the middle of the city, worth a short visit for the garden alone, but the museum displays themselves could benefit from more depth and modernization.

The museum is quite surprising me. It introduced the national features of Bonsia and Herzegovina. There are 3 buildings can be visited and lots of exhibitions. It is suitable for travellers and family to visit.

The museum gives an insight into the life of the Jewish population of Bosnia throughout the period of activity including WW11. It is comprehensive and well presented.