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

Should you visit Sarajevo or Seattle?

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 Seattle. 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 quaint, historical, and cultural 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Seattle

Seattle is a progressive, cultural, and outdoorsy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Sarajevo and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarajevo or Seattle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Sarajevo. While Sarajevo is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, beaches, and big city activities, while Sarajevo is known for its food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Seattle is more touristy than Sarajevo and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. Sarajevo is popular for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food.

How is Sarajevo different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seattle 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 Seattle?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarajevo and Seattle.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Sarajevo is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Sarajevo is not a theatre destination.

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

Sarajevo is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Sarajevo is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Seattle has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Sarajevo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Sarajevo is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Seattle while you're in town. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Sarajevo is not a live music destination.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a good destination for the beache. However, Sarajevo is not a beach destination.

Seattle offers a nice beach destination. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Sarajevo is not a beach destination.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Sarajevo is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Sarajevo is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Sarajevo is renowned for the nearby hiking options. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Sarajevo draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarajevo or Seattle?

Sarajevo is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Families?

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

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

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 Seattle Better for Couples?

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

Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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 Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sarajevo is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sarajevo is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is not popular with students.

Many students visit Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Sarajevo is not popular with students.

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

Sarajevo is notable for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Sarajevo offers a very effecient public transportation network. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Sarajevo or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Sarajevo?

How long in Sarajevo or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarajevo and Seattle. In our opinion, Seattle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Seattle than Sarajevo. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Sarajevo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

Families should spend more time in Seattle than Sarajevo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Seattle, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarajevo than Seattle 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarajevo or Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Seattle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarajevo or Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarajevo and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarajevo or Seattle?

Sarajevo has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Sarajevo and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sarajevo as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to Sarajevo in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sarajevo is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarajevo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarajevo this time of the year. In the summer, Sarajevo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Sarajevo gets 323 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Sarajevo usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Sarajevo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Sarajevo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarajevo for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Seattle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sarajevo is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Sarajevo average around 17°C (62°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Sarajevo usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Sarajevo gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. In October, Sarajevo usually receives more rain than Seattle. Sarajevo gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Sarajevo during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Sarajevo is around the same temperature as Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarajevo averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Sarajevo often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Sarajevo gets 113 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. Sarajevo usually gets more rain in January than Seattle. Sarajevo gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarajevo or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarajevo and Seattle. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sarajevo is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarajevo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. Sarajevo usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Sarajevo gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sarajevo usually receives more rain than Seattle. Sarajevo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Sarajevo