Welcome to one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina is teeming with history and beauty, just waiting to be discovered for those seeking a true hidden gem.
From its iconic historic bridge to its perfectly preserved cobblestone streets, the city of Mostar will leave you charmed and seeking more.
But there's more. Not only is the city itself beautiful, it also has tons of great things to do in its surroundings. In this article we're going to share the best things to do in Mostar, and all the reasons you should add this city to your bucket list.
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Where is Mostar?
Mostar is located all the way in the south of Bosnia & Herzegovina, right by the border of Croatia. Just 2 hours from Dubrovnik, it is the perfect day trip from the popular Croatian city.
Mostar is located in the south west area of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
How to Get to Mostar
Mostar can be visited as a day trip from Dubrovnik, or visited for a few days from other surrounding cities. There are quite a few tours leaving from Dubrovnik, as well as buses that connect to the cities in Bosnia & Herzegovina like its capital, Sarajevo.
Here are some popular of the popular bus routes that you can book to Mostar:
Want to take a day trip to Mostar? Here are a few different tours you can take:
Entry Requirements for Bosnia & Herzegovina
When traveling there are thing you need to know before you enter- whether it be visa or Covid related. here is what you need to know to enter the country of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Visa Entry Requirements for Bosnia & Herzegovina
Most people do not need a visa to enter Bosnia & Herzegovina, and can stay up to 30 days without any extra documentation. Here is the visa information to know if you need a visa, and the documentation necessary to apply for one if it's necessary.
Covid Entry Requirements for Bosnia & Herzegovina
Like many other Balkan countries, mandates on masks, Covid tests, and vaccines are no longer mandatory. Bosnia & Herzegovina is open with no restrictions due to Coronavirus.
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Local Adjustments
When traveling there are things that you may forget about, that could be different from where you are coming from. Here are a few of the local adjustments to keep in mind when traveling to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Language
The official language in Bosnia & Herzegovina is Bosnian, which is almost identical to the surrounding countries with Slavic languages. In Mostar there are plenty of people that speak English, so you shouldn't have any problem communicating if you don't know Bosnian.
Currency
The currency used in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Bosnian Mark. Currently (October 2023) the euro and dollar are approximately double the value of the mark, meaning every 1 USD or Euro is equal to 1.84 Bosnian Marks.
Outlets
Bosnia & Herzegovina uses the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are types C & F. The standard voltage in Bosnia & Herzegovina is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Water Potability
The water in Mostar and the rest of Bosnia & Herzegovina is generally safe to consume. Therefore, you can drink straight from the tap if you'd like, and order tap water from restaurants.
Tipping Culture
The tipping culture in Bosnia & Herzegovina is pretty similar to other European countries. Although not mandatory, it is pretty standard for people to tip an average of 10% in restaurants.
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Things to Do in Mostar
Mostar is a small city, but there is plenty to do inside the city, as well in the surrounding area. Here are the best things to do in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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Check Out the Old Town
Mostar is full of history and beautiful architecture. With winding cobble stone alleys, and stone bridges, one of the best things to do in Mostar is to simply wander the streets and enjoy the historic feel.
The Old Town of Mostar is super picturesque.
Visit the Old Bridge
The absolute main highlight of Mostar is "Stari Most" which is the giant stone bridge that connects one side of the old town to the other. Crossing the River Neretva, the old bridge is the icon of the city, and can be appreciated from a variety of angles throughout the old town of Mostar.
Photo Spots for the Mostar Old Bridge
The Old Bridge can be appreciated from many different angles. The three different spots that we loved to photograph the bridge from include:
- Underneath the bridge- you can climb down the stairs or ramp to go under it.
- From Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque- this is the best shot from the distance.
- At Urban Grill & Gourmet- make sure to sit on the terrace.
There are so many beautiful photo spots for capturing Stari Most.
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Watch the High Divers
One of the main attractions in Mostar is the high divers that jump off the old bridge into the river below. For years professional divers have been wowing tourists each day by their impressive jumps into the water below.
It has now become so popular that they have recently built a few platforms on the side of the river so that divers of all ages and skill levels can plunge into the river. We even got to witness a full event with music, food, and drinks, just across the river as divers jumped all evening in front of the crowds.
There is now another diving platform that even has special shows.
Browse the Old Bazaar
All along the center of the old town there are local vendors and shops that make up the Old Bazaar. Browsing the bazaar is one of the best things to do in Mostar, and is a great way to support the locals, while bringing inexpensive souvenirs back home with you.
The Old Bazaar is one of the top highlights in Mostar.
Take a Trip to Kravica Waterfalls
One of our absolute favorite attractions in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Kravica Waterfalls. This park has several sets of gorgeous cascades flowing into the Trebižat River.
You could easily spend a few hours here relaxing, swimming, and having a bite to eat. There is a parking lot, restaurant, cafe, and small shop right on the premises. It is just under an hour away from Mostar, making it a great day trip.
Kravica Falls are one of the top attractions in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Want to take a tour to Kravica from Mostar? Here are a few that we've found:
There are also plenty of tours from Dubrovnik that include a stop at the falls, as well as the old town of Mostar that you can check out below:
Discover the Historic Town of Pocitelj
Located just 30 minutes from Mostar, this ancient settlement is now a full open-air museum. Climb through this small town and step by step you'll be able to really absorb the culture of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Pocitelj is an ancient village nearby Mostar.
Pocitelj has small souvenir shops, restaurants with local food, and a fort at the top with stunning views of the river and countryside down below. This is one of our favorite day trips from Mostar, and can also be fund in some of the day trips from Dubrovnik to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Pocitelj will bring you back in time.
Here are a few tours from Mostar that include Pocitelj:
Check out Blagaj
Just 10-15 minutes outside of Mostar you can find one of our favorite spots in the area. Blagaj is a small village perched along the Neretva Canyon.
Visit Dervish House
One of the main highlights of visiting Blagaj is the Dervish House, which is 600 years old. This historic Sufi monastery was built into the cliffs on the water, and has a mausoleum & an old Turkish bath. In addition, it makes for one of the most Instagrammable spots in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Climb to the Fortress
Also known as Stjepan-grad, the fortress is one of the main reasons that people visit Blagaj. It takes about 45 minutes to hike to the top, and gives you stunning views of the village and river below.
Want to visit Blagaj? Here are a few tours from both Mostar and Sarajevo:
Explore the Mountains of Prenj
Prenj is a mountain range in the Dinaric Alps of southern Bosnia & Herzegovina. Just right outside Mostar, there are plenty of hiking trails and tours that you can take to explore the beautiful limestone peaks scattered around the area of Prenj.
If you'd like to visit we suggest renting a car, or signing up with locals for a day (or two) trip.
Want to take a hiking trip to Prenj from Sarajevo? Here are a few options:
Local Food & Drink in Mostar
One thing we love about Mostar is the delicious food that you can get for such a great price. Our absolute favorite restaurant in Mostar is Urban Grill & Gourmet. Recommended by both tourists and locals alike, I had the pleasure of visiting here on both trips I had made to Mostar.
Located along the river, this place not only has the best views of Mostar, but the service and food are incredible. A family run business, each person here goes above and beyond to make your dining experience extra special.
We visited here for a super romantic dinner, when the owners son sat with us and told us all about the history and love that goes into this incredible establishment. We truly love everything about Urban Grill & Gourmet, and it is definitely the best restaurant in Mostar. If you get a chance, make sure to go there also for their incredible breakfast spread!
Urban Grill & Gourmet has the best views of Stari Most.
Getting Around Mostar
Mostar is a rather small city, and really the only area for tourists to visit is the old town, which can only be explored by foot.
If you'd like to visit the surrounding areas like Pocitelj or Kravica, you'll want to either drive or go on a tour. Blagaj you can reach by taking bus number 10, and Pocitelj you can take buses towards Croatia, and stop at Pocitelj. (We didn't do this, but heard it is an option. Make sure to confirm with a local beforehand).
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Where to Stay in Mostar
The best place to stay in Mostar is in the old town. There are plenty of options from those that are more budget friendly, to higher end and luxury accommodations. Click the map below to compare the different places to stay in Mostar's old town.
The best area to stay in Mostar is in the Old Town (where the orange roofs are).
Is Mostar Safe?
Overall, Mostar is a pretty safe city. The one thing that you do need to watch out for though is the gypsies.
You may find women sitting on the streets and begging for money with their children sitting next to them. While this is extremely sad, it is also something you can't entirely trust. These women are known for theft, deception, and very shady activities.
We were even warned by our tour guide the fist time that I went about a strategy called "catch the baby", which is when a woman will throw their child in the air so that a tourist would without hesitation go to save the child. Meanwhile, other gypsies will start picking your pockets while you are distracted.
While 100% of the people on the streets are not places in this category, it is better to be safe than sorry. Make sure to keep your distance, and keep an extra eye on your belongings at all times. Other than this, the people throughout Mostar were extremely friendly, and we had no issues walking around solo or at night.
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Other Things to Know About Visiting Mostar
Now that you know the best things to do in Mostar, how to get around, and more, we're going to share just a few more things with you.
Weather in Mostar
Mostar experiences all four seasons throughout the year. The summers are hot, dry, and sunny, while the winters are cold and wet.
The Best Time to Visit Mostar
We personally think the best time to visit Mostar is right before or after summer, when it is sunny and warm, but before the weather gets blistering hot.
Mostar is best visited right before or after summer.
Packing for a Trip to Mostar
We suggest bringing a bathing suit in case you'd like to swim in the river, or visit the nearby Kravica waterfalls. Sunscreen and a towel are also good to have. Most importantly, bring a bag that zips so that you aren't a target for pretty theft.
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