Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope

Outty Ranking 77 4.8 · 55 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $31
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 55 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope worth booking?

Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope is a 3.5-hour experience in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from $31 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 55 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (55)
Duration
3.5 hours
From
$31 per person

Join the Times of Misfortune Tour to uncover the powerful and moving history of Sarajevo during the 1990s Siege of Sarajevo and the fall of Yugoslavia. This 3.5-hour Sarajevo war tour offers a comprehensive look at the siege that tested the city’s spirit, visiting key sites that tell the story of endurance and resilience. Begin your journey at the Yellow Fortress, where stunning views provide the backdrop for an introduction to the siege's origins and Sarajevo’s early defense efforts. Pass through historically significant locations such as Sniper Alley and the Sarajevo Maternity Hospital, where medical staff became unsung heroes. The tour culminates at the Tunnel of Hope Museum, an underground passage that symbolized Sarajevo’s survival. This tour is a deep dive into a city's courage during one of its darkest periods.

What you get

    About this experience

    Join the Times of Misfortune Tour to uncover the powerful and moving history of Sarajevo during the 1990s Siege of Sarajevo and the fall of Yugoslavia. This 3.5-hour Sarajevo war tour offers a comprehensive look at the siege that tested the city’s spirit, visiting key sites that tell the story of endurance and resilience. Begin your journey at the Yellow Fortress, where stunning views provide the backdrop for an introduction to the siege's origins and Sarajevo’s early defense efforts. Pass through historically significant locations such as Sniper Alley and the Sarajevo Maternity Hospital, where medical staff became unsung heroes. The tour culminates at the Tunnel of Hope Museum, an underground passage that symbolized Sarajevo’s survival. This tour is a deep dive into a city's courage during one of its darkest periods.

    What's included

    Included

    • Licensed guide
    • Transportation

    Not included

    • Tickets for the Tunnel of Hope museum: Adults 20 BAM (10.50€); Students 8 BAM (4.50€)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Insider City Tours & Excursions

      Meeting point with the guide.

      5 minutes here

    2. The Yellow Fortress

      Yellow Fortress: Offers breathtaking views and insight into Sarajevo’s wartime defenses.

      20 minutes here

    3. Kovaci Cemetery.

      Kovači Cemetery: Reflect at this national memorial honoring Bosnia’s defenders from the 1992-1995 war.

      5 minutes here

    4. Sarajevo City Hall

      City Hall (Pass By): Learn about its role during the war, including its destruction and symbolic restoration.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Pijaca Markale

      Markale City Market (Pass By): Glimpse the bustling marketplace that bore witness to key moments of Sarajevo’s wartime history.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Trg Djece Sarajeva (Pass By): Pass through this square, a significant symbol of Sarajevo’s endurance.

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Presidency Building (Pass By): View the historic seat of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s presidency, pivotal during the war.

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Asim Ferhatovic Hase Stadium

      Olympic Stadium and Hall Zetra: Discover Sarajevo’s dual identity as an Olympic hub and war-torn landscape.

      10 minutes here

    9. Sarajevo Maternity Hospital: Learn about the heroic efforts of medical staff during the siege.

      10 minutes here

    10. Parliament and Holiday Inn Hotel (Pass By): Witness these landmarks tied to wartime journalism and political decisions.

      Pass by without stopping

    11. Sniper Alley

      Sniper Alley: Drive along the city’s most dangerous street during the siege.

      Pass by without stopping

    12. RTV Dom (TV Building) (Pass By): View the national TV building that broadcasted during key moments of the war.

      Pass by without stopping

    13. Sarajevo War Tunnel

      Tunnel of Hope Museum: Explore the extraordinary underground passage that connected Sarajevo to the outside world, and learn about its construction, purpose, and significance.

      75 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Sarajevo

    Across the museum Sarajevo 1878 - 1918 (Franz Ferdinand Assassination spot)

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Across the museum Sarajevo 1878 - 1918 (Franz Ferdinand Assassination spot)

    Options you can book

    • Times of Misfortune in French

    • Times of Misfortune in Spanish

    • Times of Misfortune in German

      Duration: 3 hours Minivan

    • Times of Misfortune - English

    • Private Times of Misfortune

      Private tour

    • Times of Misfortune in Italian

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 20 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Insider Ltd

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    War Tunnel museum, Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in SarajevoSniper Alley, Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in SarajevoSarajevo Red Line, Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in SarajevoKovači Cemetery, Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in SarajevoHotel Holiday Inn, Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in SarajevoSarajevo Red Line, Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 55 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    55 verified traveler reviews for Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    49
    4 star
    4
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    renata_l · September 2026

    Very informative.

    The guide/driver was an ex police officer active during the war. He made the tour very informative. Definitely recommended

    via Viator

    Rosalyn_B · August 2026

    Didn't stick to stated itinerary, missed many promised stops

    I was somewhat disappointed in this tour because it did not follow the itinerary given here on Viator. There were supposed to be 5 stops before we got to the Tunnel of Hope, but instead we went there first. OK, fine - doing things out of order isn't the end of the world. But then after visiting the tunnel we drove to the Jewish Cemetery - which doesn't seem to be mentioned as a stop on the tour. Fine - it was an interesting stop. Then we went to the Sarajevo Maternity Hospital (listed as stop 5 on the itinerary), and that was the end of the tour. So we did not stop at: * Yellow Fortress * Kovaci Cemetery * Asim Ferhatovic Hase Stadium (when we were at the maternity hospital, I specficially asked about this and the guide simply pointed at it as we drove past - the itinerary mentions a 10-minute stop there... I specifically wanted to see the stadium close up) And then the itinerary mentions several landmarks that we would just drive past, but the guide did not point these out and explain their significance in the war. The guide was enthusiastic, but his English was not great. Also, he should have laid out the plan for the day, explaining where there might be opportunities for getting a snack or going to the toilet - the only toilet stop was at the Tunnel of Hope which only offers one male and one female squat toilet.

    via Viator

    Tourist799317 · September 2025

    Amazing Tour!!

    Absolutely amazing tour!!! highly recommended. Safet was a great guide very knowledgeable!! Had a great time and learned a lot on the tour!! Would take tour again in a second.

    Response from the operator: Dear guest, We sincerely appreciate you choosing to spend part of your time in Sarajevo with us. It was wonderful having you on the tour, and we’re so glad to hear that you had a positive experience. Thank you also for taking a moment to share your impressions – your feedback is always welcome and valuable to us. Kind regards, Insider Sarajevo Team

    via Tripadvisor

    Khuder S · August 2025

    Sarajevo city tour

    Safet is well versed in history and Bosnian culture. He knows the city well and is very nice and friendly. Very recommended for tours

    Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you very much for this lovely review. We appreciate your recommendation a lot. Warm regards!

    via Tripadvisor

    James_T · May 2025

    Excellent tour!

    Excellent tour and really interesting. He makes the events really come to life with his own personal experiences.

    Response from the operator: Dear guest, thank you for joining the Times of Misfortune by Insider Sarajevo. We are glad our guide did an outstanding job by bringing to life the unfortunate events that impacted the history of Sarajevo. Thank you for sharing your impressions. Kind regards!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $31 to $50
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    19
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Insider Ltd, who run 10 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.6.

    See everything Insider Ltd runs

    Why this scores 77

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)88
    Review evidence (18% weight)63
    Booking momentum (14% weight)57
    Value for money (12% weight)94
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)38
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sarajevo.

    How much does Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope cost?

    +

    Prices start at $31 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sarajevo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope take?

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    Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sarajevo is not rushed.

    Is Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 55 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sarajevo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

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    Around 19 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sarajevo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sarajevo and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sarajevo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Sarajevo?

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    On Outty we rank every Sarajevo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Fall of Yugoslavia, Sarajevo War Tour with Tunnel of Hope Museum and Frontlines, From Sarajevo: Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Study Tour, Tunnel Museum: Bosnian & Yugoslav Wars Tour with War Veteran. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Sarajevo?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Sarajevo?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

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    Included: Licensed guide; and Transportation. Not included: Tickets for the Tunnel of Hope museum: Adults 20 BAM (10.50€); Students 8 BAM (4.50€). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

    +

    Across the museum Sarajevo 1878 - 1918 (Franz Ferdinand Assassination spot) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope offered in?

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    It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

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    Across 55 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope?

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    There are 6 options to choose from, including Times of Misfortune in French, Times of Misfortune in Spanish, Times of Misfortune in German, Times of Misfortune - English. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Times of Misfortune - Life Under Siege and the Tunnel of Hope.

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