Tunnel Of Hope Travel Guide

The Tunnel of Hope (Tunel spasa) is a small but deeply affecting memorial site located in the Butmir neighborhood of Sarajevo, near the city's international airport. Built covertly in 1993 by Bosnian Army forces and civilian volunteers, the tunnel ran approximately 800 metres beneath the airport runway, connecting the besieged city of Sarajevo with free Bosnian-controlled territory on the other side.

During the nearly four-year siege — the longest of a capital city in the history of modern warfare — the tunnel served as the only supply lifeline into Sarajevo. Food, medicine, weapons, humanitarian aid, and people passed through it daily, often under fire. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of supplies were transported through the tunnel over its operational life.

Today, a short preserved section of the tunnel (roughly 25 metres) can be walked through by visitors. The adjacent Kolar family house, which was used as one of the tunnel's entry points, has been converted into a small museum. Exhibits include original equipment, photographs, weapons, and a documentary film that provides crucial historical context.

The site is maintained by the Kolar family and is considered one of the most important war memorial sites in the Western Balkans. It is not a large or elaborate attraction, but it carries enormous historical and emotional weight that leaves a lasting impression on virtually every visitor.

Visas

Bosnia and Herzegovina has its own visa policy separate from other former Yugoslav states. For current entry requirements applicable to your nationality, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the official website of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Security or your nearest BiH diplomatic mission.

What to Expect

• The tunnel section open to visitors is short and low-ceilinged; visitors with claustrophobia or mobility limitations should be aware before entering.
• The site includes a documentary film shown in a small screening room — watching it before or after the tunnel walk adds significant context.
• Allow one to two hours to view exhibits, watch the film, and walk the preserved tunnel section.

Practical Preparation

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes; the tunnel interior can be uneven and damp.
• Bring a light layer even in summer, as the underground section is cooler than outside.
• Admission fees and opening hours change seasonally — verify current information directly with the museum or on its official site before visiting.

The Tunnel of Hope is located in the Butmir district on the southwestern edge of Sarajevo, immediately adjacent to Sarajevo International Airport. It is roughly 6–7 kilometres from the city centre.

From Sarajevo City Centre

• Taxi or rideshare: The most straightforward option. Agree on a fare before departing or use a metered taxi. Journey time is typically 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
• Organised tour: Many Sarajevo-based tour operators include the Tunnel of Hope as part of a half-day or full-day city tour. This is a convenient option that also provides a guided narrative.
• Public transport: Local bus routes connect parts of Sarajevo to the Butmir area, but connections can be indirect. Verify current routes and stops locally or with your accommodation before attempting this independently.

Arriving by Air

Sarajevo International Airport is immediately adjacent to the site, making it technically possible to visit before or after a flight, though luggage logistics and timing make this impractical for most travellers. Coordinate with your accommodation or a taxi service if attempting this.

The Tunnel Museum

The core experience is the museum housed in the Kolar family's preserved wartime home. Artefacts — including original tunnel-digging equipment, uniforms, weapons, and personal items — are displayed alongside photographs and explanatory panels in both Bosnian and English. The documentary film screened on-site is an essential part of the visit and offers firsthand testimony from people who used the tunnel.

Walking the Preserved Tunnel Section

The approximately 25-metre accessible section of the original tunnel gives visitors a visceral sense of the conditions under which supplies and people moved through it. The space is narrow, low, and dimly lit — a brief but powerful physical encounter with wartime history.

Contextual Exploration

• The site sits near the former confrontation line between Bosnian-held Sarajevo and surrounding positions. The landscape itself is historically significant.
• The museum's outdoor area displays a preserved armoured vehicle and other wartime equipment.

Pairing with Sarajevo

The Tunnel of Hope is almost universally visited as part of a wider Sarajevo itinerary. The city itself contains numerous war memorial sites, the Sarajevo War Tunnel is often paired with visits to the Latin Bridge, Baščaršija (the old bazaar), and the Srebrenica-Galerija 11/07/95 exhibition.

There are no restaurants or cafés at the Tunnel of Hope site itself. The surrounding Butmir neighbourhood is residential, with very limited dining options in the immediate vicinity.

Visitors should plan to eat before arriving or after returning to Sarajevo city centre, where a wide range of Bosnian and international dining options are available. Burek (flaky filled pastry), ćevapi (grilled minced meat in flatbread), and Bosnian coffee are local staples worth trying in the city.

If visiting on an organised tour, the operator may include a meal stop — confirm this when booking.

Admission and Hours

The site charges an admission fee; verify the current amount directly with the museum or through a reliable booking platform before your visit, as prices are subject to change.

Emergency Numbers

• General emergency (police, fire, ambulance): 122 / 123 / 124 in Bosnia and Herzegovina — verify these are current before travel.
• The nearest major medical facilities are in Sarajevo city centre.

Language

Museum signage and the documentary film are typically available in both Bosnian and English. Staff generally have basic to functional English.

Photography

Photography is generally permitted in outdoor areas and the museum exhibits. Check with staff regarding any restrictions inside the tunnel section itself.

Accessibility

The preserved tunnel section has low ceilings and an uneven surface and is not accessible for wheelchair users or those with significant mobility limitations. The outdoor exhibits and parts of the museum house are more accessible, but the site overall is not fully adapted. Confirm specific accessibility arrangements in advance if needed.

Sarajevo and the Butmir area are generally considered safe for tourists. Standard urban precautions apply: be aware of your belongings, use reputable taxis, and keep your accommodation's contact details handy.

Bosnia and Herzegovina still has areas with residual landmine contamination from the 1990s war, primarily in rural and mountainous regions away from urban centres. The Tunnel of Hope site and central Sarajevo are not affected by this issue, but travellers planning hiking or off-road excursions elsewhere in the country should consult the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) website for maps and current information before venturing into unfamiliar rural terrain.

The Tunnel of Hope is a site of genuine grief and pride for many Bosniak visitors, as well as for Sarajevans of all backgrounds who lived through the siege. Visitors should approach the site with appropriate solemnity and respect.

Avoid loud behaviour, treat artefacts and exhibits with care, and be mindful that for many local visitors this is a deeply personal space tied to lived memory. The site is educational and open to international visitors, and respectful curiosity is welcomed — but keep in mind the weight of what occurred here within living memory.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country. Sarajevo in particular has a long history of coexistence between Muslim, Orthodox Christian, Catholic, and Jewish communities. Engaging with this complexity thoughtfully is part of understanding the city and the war that scarred it.