Mostar, a small, inland city in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most picturesque cities in the Balkans. A fascinating place, on this page we will discuss the best things to do in Mostar and the surrounding region to ensure that you have an awesome visit!
When most people talk about places they want to visit in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina is not usually mentioned. But those folks are certainly missing out. Unexploited and full of medieval charm, Mostar is waiting to be discovered.
Mostar – What You Need to Know before you visit
Cliff notes history of Mostar
A full synopsis of the Bosnian War is far beyond the scope of this post. But one of the fascinating things about this city is that its history is so recent.
The various conflicts throughout the former Yugoslavia occurred in the 1990s, basically yesterday on a historical timeline. You will learn all about the war on your visit, but a little preliminary reading before you get there doesn’t hurt either.
How to get to Mostar
Mostar does have an airport, but it’s super tiny, and you can only fly there from Zagreb, Croatia, or, randomly enough, Foggia, in the Italian region of Puglia.
The closest airports you can really consider flying to are Dubrovnik and Sarajevo. And the closest major airport with intercontinental flights is Vienna, a whole 9-hour drive north.
Most people visit Mostar as part of a longer road trip around the Balkans or as a day trip from Dubrovnik or Sarajevo. Driving there is simple, and there is plenty of free parking available outside the car-free medieval old town.
There is also the option to take the train to Mostar from Sarajevo. It takes about 2.5 hours and is probably the most comfortable way to travel.
Just don’t expect a luxurious Swiss train experience and you’ll be fine. And if you’re focused on saving the most money possible, there is also a bus from Sarajevo that also takes about 2.5 hours.
Weather and when to visit
Mostar is in southern Europe, but not quite far south enough to have warm winters. It’s not on the coast, so it gets hot summers and chilly winters.
The average summer high is about 91 degrees (33 C) and the average winter high is about 48 degrees (9 C). Winters rain considerably more than summers and snowfall happens on average a few times per year.
Like most of Europe, Mostar is less busy during the off-season. It’s not exactly as crowded in summer as nearby Dubrovnik, which is overrun with tourists these days. But it’s a small city and it is becoming increasingly popular, so it can feel quite busy on a nice summer day.
The least crowded time is winter, and late winter can actually have pretty pleasant weather while still having a limited number of tourists. Unlike busier Adriatic destinations like, again, Dubrovnik, or even Venice, which can still be crowded in the winter.
For the best combination of weather and comfortable crowds, your best bet is May. If you really want to avoid crowds, though, late February to early April can still have decent weather. Just don’t expect to see any leaves on the trees.
Where to stay in Mostar
Hotels in Mostar are really affordable. You can still find a decent room at a 3-star hotel or guesthouse for $40 USD right in the old town.
The city lacks big chain hotels, which adds to its charm. There are tons of little guesthouses and bed and breakfasts to choose from, though.
I suggest staying in the old town or somewhere within a 5-minute walk of the old town. There are plenty of options that meet that criteria. Some of my favorites are listed below.
How long to stay
Mostar is pretty small. Two nights will be sufficient to see all the sights, enjoy the city, and have some time to relax and enjoy the amazing food.
Mostar is also easily doable as a long day trip from Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo, but you won’t really get a good feel of the city by just spending a few hours there.
Language and religion
Bosnian is the main language in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the Slavic languages. People whose income depends on tourism will speak English, but many others will not. How’s your Serbian?
In Bosnia, you’ll see a mixture of Islam and Christianity. It’s actually about an even split. It’s not uncommon to see a mosque right next to a cathedral. It’s possibly the most unique thing about the country.
Money
The official currency in Bosnia is the Bosnian Mark, but most everywhere will accept Euros. 1 Mark is about 0.5 Euros.
If you never take out a Mark, you’ll survive on Euros alone. Restaurants will accept cards but street vendors may not, so carry some cash.
Bosnia is very cheap compared to most of Europe. The locals do not make much money and you can get a pretty good meal for a few euros. If you’re traveling on a budget, Mostar is a great place to be.
The Best Things to do in Mostar
Mostar is one of Europe’s truly underappreciated destinations. Walking through central Mostar is like walking back in time. The old stone masonry buildings and cobblestone streets offer a charming glimpse into ancient Bosnia.
These days, those streets are lined with restaurants or shops with locals selling hand-made art or homemade goods. Here we will go over the top things to do in Mostar so you can ensure you have an amazing time in this beautiful little city.
Note: As of summer 2022 Kajtaz House is indefinitely closed to visitors so it is not featured on this list.
1. Take a walk around the old town of Mostar
The most enjoyable thing to do in Mostar is simply to walk up and down the bustling streets and hidden alleyways of the old town. The city is incredibly attractive and beautifully landscaped and decorated around the old stone buildings.
I recommend setting out on foot and seeing everything you can without stepping into a vehicle. Mostar is small enough to walk around a few times in one day, so that should be doable. It is quite hilly, though, so if stairs and steep hills give you trouble make sure to take that into account.
After you’ve spent the day walking around Mostar you might need a little rest. I recommend finding a cafe or restaurant along the river just north of the Old Bridge.
We recommend Urban Grill on Mala Tepa (that’s the street). The cover photo on this post was taken from there as we were enjoying a beer on the terrace overlooking the bridge.
PRO TIP: From Mostar, you could take a day trip like this one to discover the highlights of the Herzegovina region. Visit the towns of Blagaj and Počitelj, followed by a stop at the picturesque Kravica Waterfalls.
2. The Old Bridge
The Neretva River splits Mostar in two. There are a few bridges over the river, but none is more famous than the Old Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site right in the heart of the city.
The Old Bridge is the city’s main landmark and you’ll see many people down on the river taking photos of it. It’s easy to get down to the river for that perfect photo, though there are plenty of other great spots in the city with direct views of the bridge.
Built by the Ottomans over 400 years ago, it was sadly destroyed in the war. Luckily for you, however, it was painstakingly built back to its original design a few years later and now stands as beautiful as ever.
The Old Bridge is also marvelous to view at night, so be sure to check it out after dinner in the old town. It’s lit up after dark and really stands out in all its magnificence.
You could also discover the history of Mostar and day-to-day life in the city today on a guided tour of the highlights. Discover exciting facts, local legends, and recommendations on where to visit during your stay.
3. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is a small mosque along the river. There is nothing particularly special about the mosque itself, but it does have a superb location just north of the Old Bridge.
Climb to the top of the minaret (6 EUR) for an awesome view of the city and the bridge.
4. Museum of War and Genocide Victims
At the Museum of War and Genocide Victims you can learn all about the war that tore Bosnia apart in the 1990s (5 EUR). It’s worth a few hours of your time if you’re staying for multiple days.
If you just have one day in the city, it might also be worth a stop if you can breeze through it in an hour or two. Your limited time might be better spent exploring the city on foot though.
5. Bazar Kujundžiluk
Bazar Kujundziluk is a shopping street in the old town full of quaint little shops and beautiful old buildings. Here the locals sell local handmade goods and other crafts. You’ll see stall after stall, all selling pretty similar things.
The items for sale are pretty cheap, so go ahead and get something nice for yourself. We bought a painting of the Old Bridge that is now in our upstairs hallway.
6. Crooked Bridge
Crooked Bridge is a super charming little bridge that crosses a creek lined with terraces full of people enjoying the local cuisine at eclectic restaurants.
All the buildings along this creek are lovely and there are stairs everywhere leading to new walkways and hidden restaurants.
The area in and around Crooked Bridge is probably the most picturesque in all of Mostar. Some might argue even including the Old Bridge.
7. Aleksa Santic Monument
Aleksa Santic Monument is a statue in a small park along the river dedicated to acclaimed Bosnian Serb poet Aleksa Santic. Santic was a pretty revolutionary figure in Mostar around the turn of the 20th century.
The statue in his honor is fine, but look across the street to the collapsed building to the east and notice the bullet holes all over the remaining walls. It’s a sobering reminder that the Bosnian War was such a short time ago on a historical scale.
8. Museum of the Old Bridge and War Photos Exhibition
In the two towers on either side of the Old Bridge, you will find a small museum dedicated to the Old Bridge and a small exhibition of wartime photos.
The museum is on the east side of the river in the Kula Tara tower. It has 5 levels and features various exhibits that will teach you about the history and archaeology of the Old Bridge.
Halebija Tower on the west side of the river houses a small collection of photos taken by a New Zealand photographer who captured life in Mostar during the war in the mid-1990s.
9. Muslibegović House
Muslibegović House is the former home of the Muslibegović family, a wealthy and influential family in Mostar in the 18th century.
The building is a great example of 18th century Ottoman design and the museum holds various memorabilia from the time. It’s even a Bosnian National monument.
On top of the museum, there is also a hotel at Muslibegović House. It’s quite snazzy compared to most hotels in Mostar, so more expensive, but given how cheap Bosnia and Herzegovina is, it might be worth your money to live it up.
10. Devour some delicious Bosnian food
With influences of Turkish food, eastern European food, and other Balkan cuisines that are seafood-heavy, Bosnian food is eclectic, hearty, and absolutely delicious.
There are plenty of great restaurants in Mostar (see next section) to get your fill, and it’s hard to leave a Mostar restaurant disappointed.
The national dish – if you can call it that as it’s also popular in Serbia – is cevapi, a Bosnian-style kebab made with minced lamb and beef served with flatbread and onions.
If you eat red meat, you must try this dish when you’re in Bosnia. If you don’t eat red meat, there are plenty of other options, but nothing quite like cevapi.
While not on the coast, you’re not far from the Adriatic Sea in Mostar, so seafood is plentiful. Vegetarian dishes such as stuffed peppers and tomatoes are on most menus as well. No matter what you like to eat, you’re bound to find something you love in Mostar!
Top Restaurants in Mostar
Every Bosnian restaurant in Mostar has a pretty similar menu. The menus feature the Balkan favorites discussed in the previous section. So it’s really a matter of which restaurant you choose.
Based on my research of extensive eating, I’ve listed two great restaurants and a bar below that I highly recommend.
Hindin Han (https://goo.gl/maps/7g1mpeP3oT3kcTf66)
Hindin Han is one of the top-reviewed restaurants in Mostar. It’s on a quiet street on a steep hill above the creek below. The food is divine and I can recommend this restaurant for a quality Bosnian feast.
The Fountain Shelter (https://goo.gl/maps/iJFFfTqB9wqymzTv6)
The Fountain Shelter is hands down one of the best restaurants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The food is simply superb.
Literally, everything they make is scrumptious. Inside, the restaurant is decorated with old Bosnian artifacts and the service was great. If you take only one of my recommendations, eat here.
Craft Beer Garden Imaimoze (https://maps.app.goo.gl/mioKVi2PG2mbPySG6)
While not exactly a place to get amazing food, Craft Beer Garden Imaimoze is the place to be for local Bosnian craft beer in Mostar.
While Bosnia and Herzegovina might not be one of the top beer-producing countries in the world, the small country produces some quality brews. The beer garden is at the edge of the old town and is worth a stop if you’re a fan of quality beer.
The Best Sights to See Just Outside of Mostar
While old town Mostar will surely be the highlight of your trip, getting outside the city to some of the awesome places nearby is highly recommended if you can swing it.
Below we discuss the two places that you really want to make time for, as they are both stunning and easy to get to from Mostar.
Pocitelj
Pocitelj is a UNESCO Heritage Site on the side of the road about 30 km south of Mostar. It’s sort of hidden in plain sight. Not well known internationally, Pocitelj surprises everyone who visits with just how beautiful it is. It’s the epitome of a hidden gem.
So what is Pocitelj? It’s a 15th-century village on a hill overlooking the Neretva River (the same river that flows through Mostar). It’s an open-air museum deserving of its recognition from UNESCO. Photos don’t do it justice.
There is a castle atop the hill, as well as a mosque, and various old houses and shops. Merchants sell goods throughout the ancient city and there are a few restaurant options as well.
You can comfortably explore Pocitelj in an hour, so you don’t need a ton of time there to get a good feel for it. Pocitelj is not exactly a tourist hotspot, so you should have some solitude unless you’re visiting on a weekend in peak summer.
Dervish House
Dervish House is an ancient monastery built into a cliffside east of Mostar (on the way to Montenegro). You can visit the stunning monastery for less than three Euros, which includes an entrance to the grounds and building.
Unlike Pocitelj, Dervish House is set up for large tourist groups, with many restaurants and shops lining the river. Try to arrive early before the tour groups do.
You can see the monastery and the surrounding area in less than an hour, making it an easy half-day trip from Mostar or a perfect stop on the way to Montenegro.
For the best photos of the monastery, you want to be on the other side of the river from the building. From here you see the monastery at the base of the giant cliff behind it. One of the best views in the Balkans for sure!
Things to do in Mostar – Final Word
By now you know all the best things to do in Mostar, an amazingly beautiful inland city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Europe is full of ancient treasures and charming medieval villages, nowhere will you find them in as much solitude as in Mostar.
Mostar will leave you wanting more from this young country with such a rich history. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we did!
Guest post by Chris Heckmann from aroundtheworldwithme.com
