A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sarajevo vs. Phoenix for Food, Hiking, Attractions, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarajevo and Phoenix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a historical, cultural, and beautiful city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Sarajevo and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Sarajevo than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Sarajevo, Sarajevo has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sarajevo is popular for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food. It is also home to The Old Town. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Sarajevo different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix and Sarajevo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Sarajevo is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sarajevo. The sights in the city reflect its history and culture. Famous places to visit include Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, Kovači Memorial Cemetery, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Sarajevo or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sarajevo is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Sarajevo have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Bosnia isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of food, but it is actually among the best. The dishes are heavy on meat and pastry, with the perfect amount of seasoning. Favorite dishes include Bosnian burek and cevapi. And it's easy to dine your way through this beautiful city as restaurants are very affordable.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Sarajevo and Phoenix.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sarajevo. After immersing yourself in history for the day, the nighttime offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Locals and tourists come together at the city's many bars and nightclubs where you can listen to music, dance, or chat with locals over a cold beer.

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Sarajevo is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Sarajevo offers plenty to see. The city's old town, which is known as Baščaršija, is filled with a history charm that is unlike any other European city. The wooden shops, wandering lanes, and striking minarets highlight the area's beautiful culture and long-running history.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Sarajevo is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Around Sarajevo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. If you have a way to get out of town, you'll be rewarded with a natural beauty that is untouched and pristine - a rare find in Europe. There are a number of popular trails that are popular with locals and tourists alike. While landmines remain a concern in off-the-beaten-path areas, if you stay on marked trails, they pose no real threat.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Sarajevo is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sarajevo. This city offers a unique opportunity to shop for traditional hand-crafted good in the old town. The goods are handmade and reflect the city's long running history as a center for trade. Popular items for purchase include coffee sets, jewelry, and handmade carpets.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for Families?

Phoenix is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Phoenix is a family-friendly city. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Sarajevo doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Older kids will really benefit from the history and cultural lessons that coincide with a visit to this beautiful city. There are also some fun activities that they can enjoy including a zoo, an indoor play area, and an amusement park not far outside of town.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Phoenix is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for couples.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Sarajevo is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Romance isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sarajevo, but the city has amazing food and world class cultural sights that will make for a truly rewarding trip.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sarajevo is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Sarajevo. This city is among the most culturally captivating places in Europe. Although it's often overlooked by tourists and backpackers, the affordability, stunning beauty, and unique personality make it a truly amazing place to visit.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarajevo is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Sarajevo. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Sarajevo or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Sarajevo is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Sarajevo is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the touristy areas in the central part of the city are walkable, but there are also some sights outside of town that you will need a taxi to visit.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarajevo Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Sarajevo?

How long in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarajevo and Phoenix. In our opinion, Sarajevo has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sarajevo than Phoenix. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Sarajevo than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sarajevo that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarajevo than Phoenix if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sarajevo.

One day in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

In Sarajevo, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Phoenix offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

In Sarajevo, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarajevo has to offer.

Phoenix is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phoenix, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Sarajevo is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarajevo or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarajevo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sarajevo. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarajevo and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Sarajevo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sarajevo is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sarajevo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sarajevo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Sarajevo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarajevo Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Sarajevo. When comparing the sizes of Sarajevo and Phoenix, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Sarajevo or Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarajevo and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Sarajevo for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Sarajevo is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarajevo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Sarajevo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarajevo usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Sarajevo gets 323 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sarajevo usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Sarajevo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sarajevo as well as Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In October, Sarajevo is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Sarajevo average around 17°C (62°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Sarajevo often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Sarajevo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sarajevo usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Sarajevo gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Sarajevo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sarajevo is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarajevo averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Sarajevo usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Sarajevo gets 113 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. In January, Sarajevo usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Sarajevo gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Sarajevo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarajevo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sarajevo is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarajevo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Sarajevo often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Sarajevo gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. Sarajevo usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Sarajevo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Sarajevo