Your visit to Mostar is coming up and you're wondering: How many days should I plan? I think this is one of the most frequently asked questions about the capital of Herzegovina, one of the most popular destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And although Mostar is small, I really love spending time there and soaking up the Mediterranean vibe.
In this post, I'll tell you what I would do for three days in Mostar - a travel guide complete with all the information you need for several days in Mostar and the surrounding area!
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Best time to visit Mostar
Mostar is (unfortunately) not only one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bosnia, but also an extremely popular destination for buses full of day tourists from Croatia, who flood the city during the day and can make a visit to the old bridge or the UNESCO-protected bazaar really unpleasant. For this reason alone, I recommend you stay in Mostar to stay overnight in any case - because in the evening, when the coaches have steamed off again, the city becomes much quieter.
As far as the weather is concerned, I would also definitely worth a visit in the low season recommend. Summers in the capital of Herzegovina are hot - the thermometer can easily reach 40 degrees and the months of July and August are no fun for sightseeing. Mostar is literally located in a cauldron, surrounded by mountains, where the heat builds up.
Believe me - at these temperatures, you'd rather just cool off in one of the many rivers. In winter, on the other hand, the cold Bura wind blows from Croatia into the interior of Herzegovina and can make Mostar feel freezing cold.
In my opinion, the best times to visit Mostar are May, September and October! The climate is then more pleasant and the city is no longer so crowded.
Itinerary for 3 days
Day 1: Explore the old town of Mostar
Welcome to Mostar! Today is the first day - so it's time to find your feet and get to know the city. Mostar is ideal for exploring on foot.
Breakfast first!
But first, start the day with a leisurely breakfast - preferably with a view of the turquoise-coloured Neretva and the Stari Most! Urban Grill offers a Mediterranean-Turkish breakfast. Not quite authentic Bosnian, but still delicious (and with a great view). If you just want to grab a quick coffee and a croissant, then check out Fabrika Coffee over.
A walk through the Ottoman part of the city
Afterwards, the most famous sights in Mostar are on the agenda for the day. The old town in the centre of the city has been under UNESCO protection since 2004 - here you can stroll along the round cobbled streets of the bazaar, get your first glimpse of the Stari Most Bridge and soak up the romantic atmosphere. It's best to go straight after breakfast before the area fills up.
After you've walked across the 24 metre high bridge, it's time to see it from a different angle. From the viewing platform on the banks of the Neretva you can take great photos and watch the bridge jumpers of Mostar, who jump from the bridges into the river Neretva (which, by the way, is only 10 degrees even in summer!). You can read more about the bridge jumping tradition here.
You can even set off on a short boat trip. But beware: don't expect a long trip here, the boats can only travel a few metres to the left and right of the bridge, otherwise the current of the Neretva is simply too strong.
The walk continues through Mostar's old town: just a few minutes' walk from the old bridge is the Kriva Čuprija (Crooked Bridge)), a small Ottoman bridge that almost looks like a miniature of its better-known big sister. And it is said that the bridge of Mostar was first built in a smaller version at the time of the Ottomans to test whether the construction would hold. It was only afterwards that the city's current landmark was built in its full size.
Time for a short stop after you have visited the two bridges in Mostar: In Podrum there is excellent, sticky-sweet walnut cake - the perfect snack to fortify you for further explorations!
TipIf you want to catch a bird's eye view of the entire old town of Mostar and the turquoise-coloured river, then climb the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Mosque - but beware, it's not for the faint-hearted or those with a fear of heights! Admission costs 15 KM (as of July 2024).
Mostar: A paradise for street art
Mostar is more than its famous bridge! Also outside the old town centre there is a lot to discover. From the crooked bridge, stroll on towards St Peter and St Paul's Church with its striking tower and then up to the Spanish square with the grammar school.
The abandoned building that you can see from here is also called "Sniper Tower" called. Even 30 years after the Bosnian war, the ruins are still abandoned, a real lost place. My tip: Be sure to walk around the building and look at the Murals and artistic graffiti on the walls - Many of them revolve around the themes of peace, reconciliation and tolerance. You can then also turn directly into Kneza Domagoja, where the murals of the last Façade festivals of Mostar can be seen.
If you're hungry now, you can stop for a snack at the Gastro Pub by Herzog stop for a bite to eat.
The splendour of the Austro-Hungarian era
From there, the route continues through Zrinjevac Park to Kneza Mihajla Viševića Humskog - a street lined with old villas from the Austro-Hungarian era and a real insider tip in Mostar for great photo opportunities of houses being reclaimed by nature.
You can now walk back to the old town via the Pont Musala or the Bunur Bridge to enjoy a cosy dinner or a glass of wine. Unfortunately, there are now a few tourist traps around the bridge, but I can recommend these restaurants:
- Food House Mostar
- Hindin Han
- Podrum
- Niđe veze
- Megi
💡 My tip: Do you want to be reachable and also easily navigate to restaurants and spots that I recommend in my article? Then get an eSIM from Airalo. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the EU, which means you can't use your mobile data and roaming is expensive. With a Airalo data plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina but you'll be online as soon as you arrive. You can download the app here.
Day 2: The waterfalls of Herzegovina
Today you may be starting with a strong Bosnian coffee at Café de Alma or a Flat White at Fabrika into the day. Then it's off to explore the surroundings of Mostar - either in your own car, in a hire car or on a guided tour. I can warmly recommend this tour to you. Ćamil is an incredibly friendly, pleasant guide and has extensive knowledge of the region.
My tip: For more flexibility, however, I would recommend it, rent a car. Most guided tours cover all the sights in one day. This is great if you are not mobile, travelling alone or don't want to drive. However, you don't have the opportunity for spontaneous stops, lunch at the winery or longer breaks.
Let's go!
Stop one is the Kravica waterfalls south-west of Mostar, one of the most famous sights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I recommend that you make sure you arrive early, as there is a lot going on even in the low season. Opening hours vary depending on the time of year, always check the official website.
If you arrive early enough, you can easily spend two to three hours here, swimming, enjoying the scenery and marvelling at the fact that such natural spectacles are still freely accessible in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We continue to stop two, the Kočuša waterfall just twenty minutes further on. Although it is so close to Kravica, it is much less frequented and admission is free. There is a nice restaurant here where you can have lunch. There is also a small swimming pond next to the waterfall.
I never say no to vino!
On the way back to Mostar, you can take a detour to the Ljubuški Castle make. Legend has it that Duke Stjepan holed up here with his son's fiancée. While he was arranging the marriage, Stjepan himself fell in love with his son's fiancée and abducted her before the wedding.
On top of that, how about a stop at the family-run winery Marijanović? Or a Dinner at the imperial-royal winery Emporia? It's very close to Mostar, so you can just take a taxi.
Tip: It is essential to book a tasting at both wineries in advance. My travel agency Cheyfwhich I founded together with my partner in 2021, will be happy to take care of it! Just send us an e-mail to bookings@cheyf.ba.
💡 Did you know that... viticulture in Bosnia and Herzegovina has a tradition dating back over 2,000 years? We even have three indigenous varieties here, which means they don't grow anywhere else in the world: Žilavka, a white wine and two red wines, Blatina and Trnjak. You can find my favourite wineries here.
Day 3: Explore Ottoman villages
Another landmark of Mostar, although it is not located in the city, is the Dervish monastery of Blagaj - and this is on the agenda today.
The small village of Blagaj is located just twenty minutes south of Mostar and is one of the most beautiful villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Not only can you visit the 16th century monastery here, which is idyllically situated at the source of the river Buna, but you can also go kayaking, hike up to Blagaj's Stjepangrad Castle or try your hand at climbing on the Via Ferrata. Blagaj is a true paradise for outdoor activities.
No matter which activity you choose, you will probably need to take a short break afterwards. How about a Lunch at the Hotel Bunaunder the shade of large plane trees and directly on the river Buna?
The path leads you on to Počitelj - but not without a short Stop at the Bunski Canalwhere the Buna flows into the Neretva, creating a waterfall several hundred metres long. Then we continue to the Orthodox monastery Zitomislić from the 16th century. The monastery is particularly famous for its writing room and icons, which can still be viewed today by appointment.
Počitelj is beautifully situated on the River Neretva. This city in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a true mix of influences: From the Middle Ages to the Ottomans to Austria-Hungary and you can discover different architectural styles in the small alleyways. For the best view, I definitely recommend going all the way up to the fortress (even if the climb is steep and strenuous!)
Time for a break: just under 30 kilometres from Mostar is the Vinarija Domano - one of the old Austro-Hungarian wineries and also the only one in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina to produce a Brut using the Champagne method. It is made from the autochthonous Zilavka grape variety. Booking a tasting is a must - we at Cheyf will be happy to organise it for you.
After a successful day, it's time to return to Mostar and round off the evening in a cosy atmosphere. Because one thing is certain: on this trip to Mostar and the surrounding area, you are sure to have collected many wonderful motifs and moments!
And now a few tips for Mostar and insider information!
Other activities and excursion destinations around Mostar
Mostar is surrounded by mountains, which means that the whole area is perfect for Hikes suitable for all levels. For example Mostarska Bijela, Prenj or Velez. You can also cycle along the old Ciro train line.
Numerous Water activities you can do within a radius of one to two hours around Mostar, Rafting in Konjic, Kayaking on the Neretva or Bunica.
Where to stay? Best hotels in Mostar
💲 Boutique Apartment MostarModern, cosy flat with a view of the river from the terrace
💲 Hotel Hana: Simple but clean hotel in a central location with quiet rooms
💲💲 Villa GungaFlats in the centre of Mostar with a view of the crooked bridge
💲💲 Shangri La Mansion: Beautiful family-run hotel near the city centre
💲💲💲 Muslibegović House: Stay in an old Ottman house and museum
💲💲💲 Hotel Kriva Ćuprija: Located directly on the Crooked Bridge
💡 My tip: I always book accommodation via booking.com. With Genius Level 3, I get a guaranteed discount - up to 25 per cent for some accommodations - and sometimes there are also great extras, such as a free breakfast or upgrade. For Level 3, you have to make 15 bookings via the platform within 2 years. Level 2 is even available for just five bookings.
Travelling to Mostar
From Dubrovnik or Split to Mostar
If you want to travel from Croatia to Herzegovina, you have several options: You can take a Transfer from Split or a Transfer from Dubrovnik book a hire car, drive to Bosnia and Herzegovina yourself or opt for transport by bus.
You want to travel from Split to Sarajevo? You can find all the information in this article. And Here I'll tell you the best way to get from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo. come.
Train journey on the route from Sarajevo to Mostar
This train route is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. So if you are not travelling by car or coming from Sarjaevo, I would highly recommend taking the train to Mostar. There is a daily train that runs from Sarajevo to Mostar in the morning and back from Mostar in the evening - or vice versa. You can check the timetables with the Bosnian railway, but I would recommend buying your ticket at the ticket office rather than online.
Your interactive map with sights in and around Mostar
I have been living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2021 and now know the country really well - from restaurants and must-sees to real hidden gems!
For anyone exploring the country for the first (or second) time, I've put together this handy travel map and app for you. over 300 spots that you should not miss.
More tips for Mostar in Bosnia
- Parking in Mostar can be a bit tricky, especially in the old town. If you can, book accommodation that offers a free car park. If the accommodation does not offer a car park, then park your car in a guarded car park - there are many in the city
- Stay overnight, because the true magic of Mostar is revealed in the evening
- A great photo of the Old Bridge you can make from the Lučki Most
- For a great sunset view, head up to Fortica, the glass skywalk above the city of Mostar
Conclusion: How many days in Mostar?
As you can see, Mostar is definitely worth several days! The city itself and its surroundings, the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, offer numerous great sights, waterfalls and activities that you can't explore in just one day.
So take your time to explore the city in the south of the country - with plenty of Mediterranean serenity. I hope this article will help you to get to know the local side of the city and return home with some great impressions.
This blog article contains personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something via the links, I will receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. Thank you for your support.
