Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina: The Hidden Gem of Europe

Welcome to one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Mostar, 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, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and all the reasons you should add this city to your bucket list.

📍 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.

How to Get to Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Now that you know where Mostar is located, let's look at the different options for getting there.

✈️ What is the Closest Airport to Mostar?

Mostar has a small airport (OMO) which is just 7 km away, or a 10 minute drive. Cities that fly direct to Mostar include Bari, Belgrade, Munich, Rome, Verona, and Zagreb.

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.

🚌 Buses to Mostar

Here are some popular of the popular bus routes that you can book to Mostar:

• Dubrovnik to Mostar Bus
• Sarajevo to Mostar Bus
• Kotor to Mostar Bus

🚐 Tours to Mostar

There are some cities that have day trips to Mostar, which is a great option if you don't have a ton of time. The most popular cities that offer these are Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Sarajevo.

Want to take a day trip to Mostar? Here are a few different tours you can take:

Entry Requirements for Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina

When traveling there are thing you need to know before you enter- whether it be visa or vaccine 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. 

It's also important to keep in mind that even if you are simply going on a day trip from Dubrovnik or Kotor, you will need to bring your passport for going through customs at the border.

💉 Vaccine Requirements for Bosnia & Herzegovina

There are no vaccines mandatory for visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Things to Do in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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.

🌉 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.

🤿 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.

🛍 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.

💦 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.

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 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.

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, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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!

Where to Stay in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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.

Other Things to Know About Visiting Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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, Bosnia & Herzegovina 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, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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. 

🧳 Packing for a Trip to Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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.

🎒 Packing List for Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Sunscreen
• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Flip Flops for the falls (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
• Bathing suits 
• Zippered Bag or Backpack to secure your belongings - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
• Drone (We use the Mavic Mini 4 Pro because it's super light and doesn't sacrifice quality)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens to capture great panoramas (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
• Telephoto Lens to capture landscapes up close (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
• Tripod to get pictures while no one is around or for multiple shots from far away (We use the JOBY Rangepod Tripod)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof)
• Waterproof Phone Pouch for the falls (we use the Casemate Waterproof Phone Pouch)

🤔 Is a Trip to Mostar Worth It?

Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of the most charming cities in the Balkans, and is certainly worth visiting! With its cobblestone streets, picturesque bridge, and variety of crafts, it's definitely a destination for your bucket list.

⏳ How Many Days Do I Need in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina?

Mostar can definitely be visited on a day trip, but we really think Mostar is the perfect place to enjoy a full weekend. Also, since there are so many other great things to do near Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, you can easily spend a few days and explore other nearby attractions.

Ready to start planning your trip? Sit back, relax, and let us do the hard work. Now with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning you can explore more and save money along the way. Want to learn more? Here are some of the travel planning services that we offer.

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