Everyone loves Mostar. The city is the most popular destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only for tourists in the country, but also for a day trip from the Croatian coast. It can sometimes be difficult not to get lost in the hustle and bustle of tourists around the city's main sights. Fortunately, I have for you Mostar locals on their favourite places and the best insider tips for their city interviewed.
So here come seven local tips for Mostar, of which you are very likely not yet heard have!
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Mostar insider tip: The best beach
One of Mostar's most famous sights, the Stari Most, would probably be less well known, If it weren't for the Neretva with its fascinating, deep green colourwhich flows underneath it.
Bridge jumpers plunge death-defyingly into its depths (for many years even during Red Bull Cliff Diving) and the waters of the Neretva fascinate visitors with their unique colour, which varies from emerald blue to bright turquoise - depending on the season and weather.
The beautiful Enjoy Neretva on your own for once, and not on the crowded beaches under the Old Bridge - you can do that here, on Mejdan Beach. You can easily reach it on foot from Mostar's old town centre. Behind the Sinan Pasha Mosque, a hidden path leads directly down to the riverbank. And if you're lucky, you won't have to share this little spot with anyone.
However, the Neretva is not a gentle river: You are welcome to dip your feet in the water (a real refreshment, especially in the summer months!), but swimming and splashing around is strictly forbidden, as the river is full of whirlpools and rapids that even an experienced swimmer will not be able to withstand. So we prefer to leave swimming here to the locals who know their way around.
The best dessert in Mostar
If it's your first visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, then you've probably already tasted Ćevapčići, gorged yourself on loads of burek and savoured baklava. But our friend and business partner Ćamil has another recommendation for a really delicious local dessert:
Chocolate walnut cake in the local restaurant Podrumwithin walking distance of the Old Bridge. This cake is chocolatey, nutty, moist and moist - and according to Ćamil's recommendation, it definitely needs to be soaked with a shot of walnut liqueur, which you can simply order with it. Perhaps you'd also like to enjoy a real Bosnian coffee with it?
What can I say? The fact that I didn't take any photos at all actually proves that this treat is worth the stop off the Stari Most bridge!
Insider tip: The best sunset in Mostar
When our friend and business partner Muamer accompanies guests on a day trip or road trip, then the day always ends here: On the Fortica. Mostar is located in a basin surrounded by mountains and from here you have a great view over the entire city as the sun sets behind the peaks. Although you can easily find this spot on Google, it's still something of a Mostar insider tip.
The Fortica really is the perfect end to a day in Mostar, I think. Of course, you can also drive up here during the day, walk along the Skywalk or even try the via ferrata or ziplining there. try it out.
No car? Then why not make a private, guided Herzegovina day tourwhich can also end with the best view over Mostar. Our friend and business partner Ćamil really is the best tour guide you can imagine!
Buy and taste Bosnian wines
You can buy wine right by the old bridge in Mostar's old town centre. But an insider tip in the western part of Mostar is the Vinoteka. My good friend and sommelière Tamara loves shopping for wine and local specialities here.
The owner of the wine shop can advise you with a wealth of wine knowledge, tell you which dishes go well with which wine and which of our indigenous varieties might be exactly to your taste.
Also check the Vinoteka Instagram page when you're in Mostar: they regularly offer wine tastings or wine-and-food pairings.
Adrenalin in Blagaj
The small village of Blagaj, 17 kilometres from Mostar, should be on every list for day trips around Mostar: The small town is best known for its Tekija, a dervish monasterywhich nestles against 200 metre high rock faces right at the source of the Buna River.
But Blagaj is so much more than just this one attraction on the River Buna - it is a true A paradise for adrenaline junkies and outdoor lovers. Our friend Renato loves climbing here.
The Via Ferrata Blagaj, his favourite route, is suitable for beginners and advanced hikers alike and can be completed in just a few hours. While the day tourists only see the rock face in front of the Dervish Monastery or hike up to the Stjepangrad fortress at most, you climb it and have an absolutely unique view of Herzegovina from the Via Ferrata.
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Wine insider tip: imperial-royal Emporia winery
This here is one of my travel tips for Mostar. I love the Winelands of Herzegovina, but it's still a good hour's drive to the wine region south-west of Mostar.
If you don't have a hire car or don't want to join a guided wine tour, then why not visit the imperial-royal winery Emporia about 10 kilometres south-east of Mostar, halfway to Blagaj. It is close enough to simply take a taxi.
At Emporia, you can have lunch or dinner, or book a wine tasting and cellar tour in advance. And the coolest thing: the wines grown here were the favourite wines of Emperor Franz Josef and his Sissi during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If that's not a cool story, isn't it?
The Emporia winery also offers accommodation, with a few exclusive rooms and a pool.
Mostar: Street art paradise
For 13 years now, Mostar has hosted the annual Street Art Festival takes place: Artists from all over the world come together to create impressive murals on the city's buildings. The idea? To bring Mostar together through art, to make the city more colourful and thus unite its people.
You can now find real works of art on the walls of communist buildings all over the city. If you want to go on a discovery tour: You can find a map of all murals here. Or Here you can walk along a whole street full of murals and graffiti.
The best local restaurants in Mostar
Unfortunately, many of the restaurants in the alleyways of the old town are now tourist traps - overpriced and of average quality. That's why I asked my local friends where they like to eat.
Here is a small list of insider restaurant tips in Mostar:
- Megi: Here you can enjoy delicious salads and Mediterranean dishes
- From Herzog: A gastro pub with craft beers and delicious burgers
- Hindin Han: According to my friends, the only restaurant in the old town where you can eat with a clear conscience (maybe the quality is still so good because there isn't the famous view of the bridge).
- Restoran Neretva: Located in a side street, you can sit on the terrace here in the cooling shade of large plane trees
- Wine tastingIf the Vinoteka is too far to walk, you can also taste Bosnian wines at the Spirit of Herzegovina right by the bridge in Mostar
My favourite 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
Extra 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.
Conclusion: Mostar insider tips for your round trip through Bosnia-Herzegovina
Yes, Mostar is a real tourist magnet because of its UNESCO-protected old town and the famous bridge. The alleyways of this small part of the city can very quickly feel overcrowded - but if you move away from the old town a little, there are still some undiscovered places and other sights in Mostar that, with a bit of luck, you might even have to yourself.
I hope this article has whetted your appetite for exploring the second side of Mostar. And if you're wondering: "How many days is it actually worth staying in Mostar?", then I have the answer here. Perfect itinerary for three days in Mostar for you.
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.
