Mostar is the 5th largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is named for the bridge keepers of the famous Stari Most bridge, which goes over the Neretva river through the middle of the city.
The city has an interesting mix of architecture in a wide range of foreign styles, thanks to its varied history. There is an Italianate Franciscan church and an Orthodox church that you can see. There’s also Dalmatian house with Croatian influences and an Ottoman church with Turkish influences. It is very clear to see the Turkish influence all around the city as Türkiye ruled Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 400 years. Baklava is also a popular dessert in Bosnia and Herzegovina and this likely came from the Turkish too.
Visiting Mostar
You might be visiting Mostar as part of a bigger trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina, or you might be there on a day trip from a neighbouring country like Montenegro or Croatia. International day trips are popular in this area of Europe, as many cities in neighbouring countries are close to one another. We visited Mostar on a day trip from Dubrovnik, and also visited Kotor, Montenegro. We have a whole blog post about deciding between the two that you can read here.
As it is such a small city, you can see most of Mostar in just a couple of hours. If you are visiting with an organised day trip and have only 2 hours to look around, don’t stress! We booked our tour through Get Your Guide, and we had plenty of time to explore the town. We also got to see the Kravice Falls as part of the tour!
Also good to know is that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official currency is the Convertible Mark. However in touristy areas such as Mostar, they will accept the euro, but often will not give change in euros. A lot of touristy shops and restaurants will even have prices advertised in euros as well. We found when we visited in October 2023 that many businesses did not accept card, so having some cash on you is a good idea!
Stari Most Bridge
Cost: Free to see or $50 to jump off the bridge
Meaning “Old Bridge” in English, it’s impossible to miss this bridge once you enter the city. The bridge was originally built in the 16th century but was destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1992. It was rebuilt in 2004 from the debris, and is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
If you’re lucky you might even see some brave people jump from it into the freezing river below. The bridge is actually a stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, but non-professionals can jump from it too. The Mostar Diving Club is the place to visit for those of you who want to take the jump.
The club members are professional divers and they will make do you some practice jumps from a lower level. This is because the actual jump is anywhere between 20-24 meters, depending on the water level. After the jump you’ll have to pay the €30 fee before getting your certificate! The water temperature is also frigid, and that mixed with the height makes this quite a dangerous jump. But also an entertaining one if you happen to see someone take it on!
If you’d rather not jump off the bridge, you can instead head down to the beach below for a great view. Just follow the short path on the Western side of the bridge down to the water.
Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque
Cost: $11.50
This small Mosque with stunning Ottoman architecture was built in the 17th century. Similar to Stari Most, it was destroyed in the Bosnian war and was rebuilt in the early 2000s. You can enter the mosque for €7 and inside is a small room with a beautiful dome. Attached to the mosque is the minaret which is a thin tower, and you can also climb this for amazing views of the city and Stari Most bridge.
Walk the Streets and Eat!
Cost: Free
Because of it’s past with the Ottoman empire, the streets are so unique and interesting. Especially if you had been in Dubrovnik or Kotor recently, you’ll really notice the difference. Across the bridge is Kujundžiluk street where you will find the Bazar Kujundžiluk. This Bazar runs along the street but it has some great shops with some amazing souvenirs. The streets aren’t super wide and the city is always busy though so do be prepared for a slow walk.
When you get hungry, keep an eye out for ćevapčići or ćevapi which is a popular dish in the Balkans. It is considered the national dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is available at many restaurants in town so it won’t be hard to find. Ćevapi is similar to a sausage, and is traditionally contains a mix of beef, veal, mutton and lamb. It normally comes with a side of fresh flat bread, raw onion, and fries. You tend to get quite a few in a serving so it’s great for sharing and they are so delicious!
For lunch dessert (yes, that’s a thing) we tried some baklava from “Ottoman: Traditional Baklava & Delight Mostar”. We generally aren’t the biggest fans of baklava, but the many different flavours intrigued us. We had one traditional, one with pistachios and one that was chocolate and hazelnut. It was very yummy, and quite different to the baklava we have tried back home. It was really cool to try some interesting flavours we’d never seen before.
Museums
If you have a bit more time in Mostar, there are some museums you could visit. The Museum Of War And Genocide Victims shows what happened to the victims of the Bosnian war from 1992-1995. Here you can see personal items from victims, photos, documents and statements from people that lived through it. While it is a dark subject, it is done very well and it will take an hour or two to see it all.
There’s also the Museum of Herzegovina which shows the cultural history of the area. It has a number of exhibits as well as documents, pieces of furniture, photos and archaeological objects that show the areas cultural past. There is also a part of the museum called the Old Bridge Museum which has a history of the Stari Most bridge.
Kriva Ćuprija
Cost: Free
Meaning “Crooked Bridge” in English, this can be found just off Onešćukova street. Originally built in 1558, it was destroyed by a flood in 2001 and has been rebuilt. It goes over the Radobolja river and is a smaller version of the Stari Most bridge, being only 4.15 meters high. It was actually designed and built to test the bridge shape before the larger bridge was built, hence the similarities. Just like it’s larger companion, it has also been declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
Outside of Mostar
If you have access to a car or are on a guided tour like we were, you can see some other amazing things all within an hour’s drive of Mostar.
Blagaj’s Dervish Monastery
Cost: A couple of euros
Only a 20 minute drive from Mostar you’ll find Blagaj’s Dervish Monastery. This is a beautiful Ottoman-era building that sits right on the edge of the water at the bottom of a huge cliff. Dating back to 1520, the monastery is considered a place of spiritual reflection and retreat. There is a small entrance fee, and legs and shoulders must be covered.
Kravice Falls
Cost: $16.50
One of the most famous stops near Mostar is Kravice Falls which is a beautiful series of waterfalls about a 50 minute drive southwest of Mostar. The falls are 120 meters wide and 28 meters high and you can swim or kayak in the pools underneath. Keep in mind that the water here is absolutely freezing though! There is also a little café and it is such a beautiful place to stop and relax, especially on a hot day.
Fortica Adventure Park
Cost: Varies depending on what activities you choose!
Lastly for the thrill seekers, just a 17 minute drive from Mostar is the Fortica adventure park. Up on a hill looking over the beautiful landscape below, you can have a go on two of their ziplines or the giant swing that’s 10m high. They also have two kids ziplines, as well as hiking, climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and a jeep safari.
A couple of years ago, they also opened a glass sky walk that juts out over the side of a hill 15 meters off the ground. From here you can get incredible views of Mostar and over the neighbouring countryside. They even have some hostel style accommodation of 2 rooms with 6 beds and a shared kitchen and bathroom.
As you can see, there is more than enough to keep you entertained in Mostar if you’re visiting for the day. If you’re lucky enough to get to stay for longer there’s a couple of extra things you can do to fill your time and see even more amazing things! To see what we got up to during our day trip to Mostar, you can check out our vlog:
Leave a Reply