Tunnel of Hope (Sarajevo War Tunnel)

Why visit Tunnel of Hope (Sarajevo War Tunnel)?

From 1992 to 1996, Sarajevo was surrounded and shelled for 1,425 days, the longest siege of a capital city in modern history. In 1993, residents dug a tunnel about 800 meters long under the airport runway, which was held by UN forces. It connected the city to free territory at Butmir. Food, weapons, medicine, fuel and people went through it, and many say the city would not have survived without it.

The entrance was hidden in the house of the Kolar family. That house is now the Tunnel of Hope museum.

Things to do

• The Kolar house: Bullet-marked walls, wartime photos and objects.
• The tunnel: You walk through about 25 meters of the original tunnel, plus a reconstructed section opened in 2022 (about 125 meters in total).
• The documentary film: A short film about the siege and the tunnel is shown on site.

Getting there

About 15 to 20 minutes by taxi from the center. Ask the driver to wait, since taxis are not always available at the museum. Public transport works but is slow, and many tours include the tunnel.

Practical info

Entry

20 KM adults, 8 KM students, free under 6. Cash in KM only

Open

April to October: 8:30 to 17:00. November to March: 9:00 to 16:00. Last entry 30 minutes before closing

Address

Tuneli 1, Butmir, near Sarajevo Airport

Last checked

October 2026. Prices and hours change, so confirm before you go.

FAQ

How long was the Sarajevo tunnel?

About 800 meters, running under the airport runway from Dobrinja to Butmir.

Can you walk through the tunnel?

Yes. Visitors walk through a short original section and a longer reconstructed section, about 125 meters in total.

How do I get to the Tunnel of Hope?

Take a taxi (about 15 to 20 minutes from Baščaršija) or join a tour. Public transport works but is slow.

Also nearby

• National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo

  Bosnia's oldest museum and home of the Sarajevo Haggadah. Tickets, hours and what to see, from stećci to natural history.