Sarajevo's Hidden Waterfall Hostel: Stunning Views & Epic Adventures!
Sarajevo's Hidden Waterfall Hostel: My Brain Dump (aka, Honest Review!)
Alright, folks, listen up! Because I just got BACK from Sarajevo, and well, I have to tell you about this place, this…Hidden Waterfall Hostel. Forget your Instagram-perfect hostels, this one's got character (and, let's be honest, some quirks, but hey, that's life, right?). Buckle up, because this ain't your average travelogue. This is my unfiltered download, organized loosely around your (very detailed) list of things. Get ready!
First Impressions – The View! OMG! (And the Steep Climb).
Okay, let's be real. This place is hidden. Like, literally tucked away. Accessibility, right? Well… it’s not exactly easy peasy if you have mobility issues. You're going to have to navigate Sarajevo's charming (read: hilly) streets. But here's the payoff: THE VIEW. Seriously, it's like the entire city is laid out at your feet. It’s breathtaking. Actually, it takes your breath away on the way up to it! Lol. But then you get there, and it’s like, “Woah, worth it!”
Accessibility - The Real Deal:
- Wheelchair accessible: Nope. (I asked! And saw the stairs.) This is not a hostel for anyone with serious mobility limitations. That said, they do have an elevator, which helps with getting you up from the ground floor.
- Elevator: Yes, and thank goodness!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Not particularly, but hey, they try!
Inside the Jungle - Food, Glorious Food, and That Wi-Fi!
Right, let's get down to brass tacks. Internet, Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Wi-Fi in public areas, Internet – wireless. Basically, you’re covered. I even managed to stream a whole series in bed without it buffering once. This is a HUGE win in my book. Seriously, I've been to hostels where the Wi-Fi is slower than a snail on Valium. The connection was consistent, even when I was trying to download movies (don't judge!).
Food Glorious Food - Eating, Drinking, and Snacking (All the Things!)
Alright, let's talk fuel. They’ve got a decent selection of food on offer.
- Restaurants: There's a restaurant, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
- A la carte in restaurant: Absolutely, you can.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes, the breakfast buffet is pretty solid, a real mix of Western and what I think was local fare (I'm a sucker for a good burek - it's got that meaty, flaky goodness)
- Asian breakfast: Yes, though this was quite limited
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yep, you can find Asian food too, which is a good thing since you might miss it after a while
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep, that and Asian, they have lots!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Tons of it - you must get their Bosnian coffee. It's strong, and it’s perfect. Drink it slowly, and soak in the atmosphere.
- Coffee shop: Yes indeed
- Poolside bar: Yes, but it wasn't open when I visited, a shame!
- Bar: Yep, you can have drinks and snacks there.
- Snack bar: Yes, for when you got peckish!
- Bottle of water: Yeah, you can get water (which is important!).
- Breakfast takeaway service: Yes
- Alternative meal arrangement: They offer this (I didn't use it, but it's good to know).
- Happy hour: Didn't catch it myself, but it's there, I think!
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, so if you want food to come to your room, you can.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes, good too!
- Salad in restaurant: Yes, and I was eating lots of salad!
- Soups: Absolutely
- Vegetarian restaurant: Yes - they are good in that department
- International cuisine in restaurant: You bet!
The Rooms: Comfort & Quirks.
Okay, so the rooms. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My room was… well, it was clean. And, you know, the basics were there. Daily housekeeping, thank god! The bed was comfortable enough (the extra long bed claim might be a tiny exaggeration, but it was fine). The view from my window? Unreal. You'll spend a lot of time just gazing out. The bathroom was… well, it worked. Don’t expect luxury; expect functionality. But hey, for the price, and with that view, I'm not complaining!
Cleanliness and Safety - Because, You Know, Life.
Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment:
This hostel takes the hygiene seriously. You can see the effort. Daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff wears masks. They're clearly following all the protocols. It all feels pretty safe. I'm not a germaphobe, but it did make me feel comfortable, especially after, you know, wandering around a foreign city.
The Amenities: Relaxation and Adventure (and a Few Misses)
Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]:
Okay, here's where things get interesting. They claim a bunch of things.
- Pool with a view: They DO have a pool, it IS outdoors, and the view is, well, it’s amazing.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: didn't see any of these.
- Gym/fitness: No, no gym.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Nope, none of that. So, yeah, there might be a little over-promising on the relaxation front. But hey, you're in Sarajevo! Go explore!
But here’s the thing: the staff can help you organize tours, arrange transport, and give you a ton of local tips. They're genuinely helpful and friendly. Which, to me, is way more valuable than a fancy spa (though, you know, a massage wouldn't go amiss!).
Things to Do, Getting Around & Other Practicalities:
Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
- Airport transfer: They can arrange an airport transfer, which is a lifesaver. Trust me, after a long flight, you'll want it.
- Luggage storage: Yep!
- Laundry service: Yup.
- Cash withdrawal: Yep.
- Currency exchange: Yes.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your slick, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is the truth about my potential adventure at Waterfall Hostel in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Prepare for the glorious mess…
The Sarajevo Shenanigans - A Semi-Planned, Highly Subjective Itinerary (Probably Subject to Massive Change)
Day 1: Landing and (Hopefully) Not Immediately Screwing Up
- Morning (ish): Touch down in Sarajevo. Okay, first test: finding the hostel. Google Maps says it's a 20-minute tram ride, but I have a history with public transport. Expect me to get on the wrong tram, end up in a goat pasture, and then, finally, triumphantly arrive, sweaty and slightly bewildered.
- Afternoon: Waterfall Hostel. The pictures are beautiful, all waterfalls and rustic charm. Let's see if reality matches the brochure. First impressions: Check in, drop my bag, and assess the vibe. Is it a "chill backpacker commune" or a "loud, messy party zone"? Praying for the former. Praying harder for a decent coffee machine.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Reconnaissance mission. Stroll (more likely, stumble) towards the city center. Focus: finding the right kind of burek (meat pie). Apparently, Sarajevo takes its burek seriously. This is a cultural imperative. I'll need backup energy. Maybe a quick beer. Maybe two.
- Evening: Dinner somewhere… maybe with a view? Need to tap into the local knowledge – ask the hostel staff, fellow travelers. Hoping for recommendations that are NOT just the obvious tourist traps. Also, avoid the giant, touristy "Sarajevo is Great!" t-shirt shops. (Unless they have one ironically?) Tonight, hopefully, it is time for exploring Bascarsija and exploring the sounds of the city.
- Night: If not too tired, a little night stroll. Absorb the atmosphere, the lights, the sounds. Find a Ćevabdžinica (cevapi joint). People told me, this is the way. Let the night take me. Worry about waking up in a ditch tomorrow.
Day 2: The Bridge, the Tunnel, and the Emotional Gut Punch (Probably)
- Morning: Coffee. Crucial. And hopefully, a proper breakfast. If the hostel doesn’t offer it, I'm on a mission to find somewhere that does. Let's try to wake up earlier today!
- Morning/Afternoon: Exploring Sarajevo's history. The Latin Bridge – site of the assassination that kicked off World War I. Chills. Walking the streets where history was made… it's heavy. I plan to buy something in between the Latin bridge and the City Hall of Sarajevo. The City Hall is a good place to start.
- Late Afternoon: The Tunnel of Hope. This is gonna be intense. Really, really intense. I expect to be moved. Very moved. This is not going to be some casual browsing. I will attempt to keep my emotions under control. Probably fail. History is heavy, but it is something you have to feel.
- Evening: Another dinner. Because, food. Maybe try a different type of Bosnian cuisine. I'm open to suggestions from the locals. Get some recommendations of where to go.
- Night: Attempt to socialize – if I haven’t already alienated everyone with my overly emotional reaction to the tunnel. Hostel bar? Or am I too tired, and just crawl into bed with a book? Time will tell.
Day 3: Doubling Down on a Single Experience (Because I'm Weird Like That)
- Morning: Okay, screw the "see everything" mentality. Today: The Tunnel. I'm going back. I know, it sounds obsessive, but something about that experience… it just burrowed its way under my skin. I need to process it. I'm not a historian, but I'm human. It is time to dive deep.
- Morning/Afternoon: So, back to the tunnel. This time, I plan to ask questions. I want to understand – not just see. I will allow feeling to seep into my core. I will be brave, and I won't hide.
- Late Afternoon: Reflecting. Sitting somewhere quiet, maybe a park. Writing. Writing. Writing. Trying to make sense of it all. Maybe I'll just sit by the river and stare. I will be emotional!
- Evening: Dinner. Maybe, finally, I'll find a local musician. Get a taste of Sarajevo's heart, its soul.
- Night: A quiet night. Reading. Reflecting.
Day 4: The Climb (and the inevitable fall)
- Morning: Okay, gotta get active. Time to visit the Yellow Fortress. The reward, a panoramic view. The climb will be a struggle, I am certain. I am not physically fit, but this must go on.
- Morning/Afternoon: Fortress. Pictures. Breath taking. Views. Realising I am out of shape. Enjoying the view; being at the fortress.
- Late Afternoon: The fun part, getting back. Stroll through the streets. Back in to the city's heart.
- Evening: Dinner. Last dinner.
- Night: Backpack, or leave back pack and fly the next day.
Day 5: The Departure (or Possibly, the Extended Stay)
- Morning: Wake up wondering if I should stay. Because I feel the need to.
- Morning/Afternoon: Catch the plane, catch another flight, or just have another coffee and stay!
The Imperfections (You Were Warned):
- Pacing: This is not a race. I'm taking it slow. Real slow.
- Flexibility: This "itinerary" is, at best, a suggestion. I'll change my mind constantly.
- Mood Swings: Be prepared for sudden bursts of excitement, followed by periods of quiet contemplation.
- Language Barrier: I speak… limited Bosnian. Expect embarrassing gesticulations and a reliance on Google Translate.
- Emotional Clutter: I tend to overthink things. Overfeel things. This trip is probably going to leave me a mess.
- The inevitable screw-up: Expect me to get lost. Expect me to offend someone accidentally. Expect me to spill coffee on my clothes.
The Bottom Line:
This trip is not about ticking off boxes. It's about feeling. About experiencing. About being open to whatever Sarajevo throws my way. It will be beautiful. It will be challenging. It will probably be hilarious. And I can’t wait. Wish me luck (and maybe send me a therapist’s number).
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Nieuwpoort-Bad Sea View Apartment!
Sarajevo's Hidden Waterfall Hostel: You *Need* to Know This! (Seriously)
Okay, spill it. What's the deal with this "Hidden Waterfall" thing? Is the view *really* as good as people say? 'Cause I'm skeptical.
Alright, alright, settle down, Mr. Skeptic! The view? Oh, the view. Look, I'm not one for hyperbole, but… yeah, it's insane. Like, the kind of view that makes you actually *gasp* when you first see it. You're up in the hills, overlooking the entire city spread out below. Sarajevo just… breathes. You see the red roofs, the minarets, the mountains hugging everything. I took a picture with my phone, and it looked like one of those ridiculously perfect postcards. Actually, the picture didn't *do it* justice! The real thing's a whole different level. I almost forgot to check in, I was just staring!
And the waterfall? It's not right *next* to the hostel, mind you. You hike up there, which is actually part of the fun. The whole vibe is about getting away from the chaos. It's a *hike*, but a manageable one, and totally worth it. The water's freezing, but after baking in the sun, it's a godsend.
What kind of "epic adventures" are we talking about? I'm not about to climb Everest... or am I? (Just kidding... mostly.)
Okay, no Everest. Unless you *really* want to, then maybe. The hostel organizes hikes, white water rafting (SO much fun!), and even city tours. But the real adventure? For me, it was meeting the other people. I met this Aussie dude, Liam, who claimed he could speak Bosnian. He *absolutely* couldn't. We ended up trying to order burek, and it was a complete disaster of pointing and laughing. But it was hilarious! And then there was Sarah, a photographer from Germany who'd been on the road for, like, a year. She's a good friend now! See, that's the magic. You come for the views, you stay for the amazing stories and the bond with random people. You *make* your own adventure there.
Let's talk practicalities: How do you *get* to this "hidden" place? Is it a nightmare to reach? Because I am terrible with directions.
Okay, fair question. Getting there *is* a little... involved. It’s not right in the city center, which is part of the appeal. You take a tram, then maybe a bus (I got spectacularly lost at this point) and then... a bit of a walk uphill. Honestly, my first time, I was sweating buckets and questioning my life choices. But hey, the walk itself is scenic, and the hostel staff were incredibly helpful. Call them! They’ll talk you through it. If you’re really directionally challenged like me, just arrange a pick-up – well worth the small fee. Trust me, the effort is worth the reward. Just pack some water and a snack and think of it as part of the *adventure*! Don’t judge me, okay?
Is it a party hostel? Because I’m not there for the all-night raves. (Unless…?)
Nah, it’s *not* a raging party hostel. Thank goodness! There’s a common area where people hang out, chat, and maybe have a few beers, but it's all very chill. The emphasis is definitely on relaxation, exploring, and enjoying the views. Although, I met some people that made quite some noise. But it has a certain charm. You can have a drink, swap travel stories, play some cards, but it’s not the kind of place where you’ll be kept up all night by drunken shenanigans. Unless *you* are the cause of the shenanigan, that’s on you, mate! And that's how I met, and became friends with, the owners of the hostel!
The rooms... are they clean? I am a neat freak, and I can't cope with filth.
Okay, look, I'm not going to lie to you. It's a hostel. So, it's not the Ritz. But the rooms are clean! They're basic, but well-maintained. The sheets were fresh, the bathrooms were clean, and the staff seemed to be constantly tidying up. I have a friend who is basically a germaphobe (bless her heart), and even she was okay with it. She actually complimented the cleaning staff! So, if you're expecting pure luxury, you might be disappointed. But if you're looking for a clean and comfortable base for exploring, you'll be perfectly fine. It's not a luxury hotel, but it is very well kept. I was quite impressed, actually.
Although, one time, I forgot my phone charger in the room after checkout! When I returned to get it the next day, they had already cleaned the room. And when they saw me, they just straight up handed it to me with a smile. Those guys are great!
What's the food situation like? I get hangry. Seriously hangry. Tell me I don't have to fend for myself 24/7.
Okay, fellow hangry person, breathe! The hostel *does* offer breakfast, and it’s decent. Nothing gourmet, but it'll fill the hole. You can get bread, jams, cereal, coffee, and sometimes eggs. I had to ask for scrambled eggs every day. The staff were nice enough, but by the fourth day, I was starting to feel kinda awkward. But hey, beggars can't be choosers, right? And you can always cook for yourself. It's a hostel, after all. There is a kitchen where you can cook.
But seriously, the *real* food adventure in Sarajevo is outside! The Bosnian food is incredible. Go out and explore! Try the cevapi! Find yourself a local restaurant! Trust me, you'll be busy eating. And you’ll love it.
Are there any drawbacks? What's the catch? Surely, it can't be *perfect*… can it?
Alright, alright, let's be real. No place is perfect. The biggest 'drawback' is the location, if you're lazy. It's not right in the heart of the city. You'll need to factor in travel time. And the Wi-Fi wasn't always the best. Sometimes it was a little spotty, which was annoying when I had to upload photos. And it can get a little chilly at night up in the hills. Pack a jacket!
But honestly? Those are minor gripes,Cheap Hotel Search
