[wzslider]Most mornings I drop my son Noah off at the Montessori School…and just as often pick him up at the end of the day. I meet a lot of parents on a daily basis. With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, I often get asked – where is a safe, fun and nice place to take my kid? Although Sarajevans are amongst the most child friendly people I have ever come across, there aren’t many child-friendly establishments. Once again, Bosnia is a land of contrasts.
But there are a handful of places that do treat our children well. Let me tell about the ones I’ve discovered…
Weekends and after 5pm on weekdays, ‘Vilsonovo šetalište’ is shut down to vehicle traffic. It’s a three kilometer walkway frequently visited by rollerbladers, teenage crushes, bikers, walkers, elderly, and youngsters. Along its bustling path are a plethora of pleasant places. The highlight of the far western end of Vilsonovo is the Café Bristol. This streetside café is the perfect place for a superb coffee and cake whilst the kids run around – safely – on the two lane street just in front of you. The service is second to none in town and the large poplars that line the promenade keep it cool in the hot summer months.
Heading south across Bratstvo i Jedinstvo is the longest and most attractive section of the funway. Just next to the new UN Building and the Arsaevi Bridge are bike trolley rentals. The wide two-seaters are perfect for a mom, dad and kid(s) ride. To the left is the path to Importanne shopping centre. The beer garden at Tito’s Cafe, dotted with WWII jeep, tank and artillery relicts, is a famous Sarajevo watering hole. Adults occupy one half of the garden whilst the kids rule the other. The sand box and Jeep are safe for the little ones but watch out for them on the bigger toys like the tank and artillery. My 3-year old son Noah took a nasty spill there just the other day. If it’s raining, Importanne next door has an indoor playground for kids on the -1 floor.
Across the Arsaevi Bridge are a handful of good choices for Sunday brunch. Vatra Café (to the left) serves Illy coffee and has tasty salmon sandwiches. To the right are Ramiz Slatičarna and Cappucino Restoran. They share a large garden where the kids are free to run around. Just behind Cappucino is one of the better public parks in the city. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’ll safely entertain the little ones.
The only other long walkway with no vehicle traffic (except horse and carriage, of course) is the Aleja in Ilidža. Aleja leads to the source of the River Bosna, which is fed from the karst fields of Mt.Igman and Bjelašnica. The grounds are very well kept with flat and trimmed areas for kicking the football around or to feed bread to the ducks and swans. Also in Ilidža is the Terme Riveria. This indoor/outdoor swimming complex has excellent facilities, including clean locker rooms, showers, and the best slides in town. They have kiddy pools as well for the wee little lads and lasses.
Many know about Druga Kuća restaurant and café in Pofalići. There is a lovely chaperoned playroom in between the two. It costs 4 KM an hour. What few people know is that the owner of Druga Kuća has opened up a second Druga Kuća in Faletići. Faletići is five kilometers from Baščaršija in the northeast hills behind the city. The restaurant is located in Dom Faletići, situated in the rolling hillside alongside the Moščanica Stream. There is a small but nice playground there. The food is super tasty (and good value) and the atmosphere relaxing.
Just up the hill in the settlement of Donje Biosko is the Djeca Vjetra Horsefarm. This family owned and operated farm offers horseback riding lessons for children. They have a small konoba that serves fresh traditional dishes with locally sourced food.
As for the mountains, my favorite pick is Umoljani village on Bjelašnica Mountain. Mt. Igman may have a nice walking area but the playground at Feri Youth Hostel is crap to be frank. Umoljani has no playgrounds to speak of but plenty of beautiful high alpine meadows for the kids to run around and enjoy the pristine beauty of this mountain village. Jahorina’s Hotel Termag has a small but sound playground. They also have a great indoor swimming pool. The food in both restaurants is superb and is quite possibly hosts the best overall facilities on Sarajevo’s Olympic Mountains.
These would be my top picks for this week. I’m sure I’m forgetting something so please do jot down your additions on the comment section below. Have fun with your kids. Wherever you chose, tell ‘em Tim sent you.
