Here's your guide to Stolac in Bosnia and Herzegovina: things to see, activities, restaurants.
Stolac is often left behind, lying between Mostar and Dubrovnik, two much bigger tourist magnets. But there are real gems hidden between the obvious destinations, and that's exactly what Stolac is.
With a population of 15,000, the small town has a relaxed, Mediterranean flair. Stolac is also fantastically situated, right on the border between karstic, rocky Herzegovina and green, water-rich Bosnia - so the town is surrounded by cypress trees on rocky hills, criss-crossed by numerous waterfalls.
So be sure to put Stolac on your Bosnia travel list.
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The most beautiful sights in Stolac: quick overview
No time to read the whole article?
Here are my Top tips and sights for Stolac:
☀️ Stolac is historically one of the most important towns in Bosnia
🧡 Be sure to watch: The UNESCO-protected gravestones of Radimlja from the 12th century
🛶 Best activities: A E-bike ride along the old Ćiro railway line
🛏️ Best accommodation: Hotel Stolac
📱 Stay connected: For mobile data you can use the Airalo Bosnia data package get
🏯 Insider tip: Visit the Illyrian ruins from the Iron Age
What can you expect in Stolac?
- One of the most historic cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and numerous important national monuments
- A meeting point of cultures: from Roman times to the Bosnian kingdom and the Ottoman Empire to the Austro-Hungarian period
- Waterfalls and hidden beaches in and around town
The seven best things to do & see in Stolac
Radimlja Necropolis
The Radimlja necropolis is one of the most impressive historical sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The more than 100 medieval gravestones, known as stećci, are under UNESCO protection.
There are still many unanswered questions about them: Why were they created, what are the stories behind the engravings of knights, vines or religious symbols? Many stories from the time of the Bosnian kingdom have been lost - here, a few are brought back to life.
Stari Grad Stolac
The old fortress of Stolac towers over the city and you can hike to it in around 20 minutes from the city centre.
It was built over the centuries by many different rulers. The Illyrians built the first structures, the Ottoman rulers and finally the Austro-Hungarian army built on the existing materials and expanded the fortress. Unfortunately, the displays telling you more about the history are a little poor — but admission is free.
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Lunch at the „Old Mill“
The ‘Old Mill’ restaurant is located directly on the banks of the Bregava. We really do stop here every time, even if we're just passing through. The old mill building has been lovingly restored and the restaurant serves typical Bosnian cuisine and freshly caught trout (my recommendation!)
Illyrian ruins of Daorson
During the Iron Age, the region around Stolac was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of Daorson and the ruins of their capital of the same name are located very close to Stolac. You can reach them within ten minutes by car via gravel roads.
🚙 Book a car | Compare different rental car options here.
Unfortunately, the archaeological site is not particularly well signposted, you can find out more about the Illyrians here.Nevertheless, I think it's worth a visit - because standing among 2,000-year-old ruins and wondering how people were able to build this fortress back then is pretty impressive.
💡 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.
Pjene & Provalije waterfalls
Stolac is not only known for its history, but also for its nature (like the whole of Bosnia, to be honest). The two waterfalls Pjene and Provalije offer a welcome cool-down on hot days - and believe me, you need it in Stolac in summer! The Pjene waterfall in particular is a little paradise, where locals go swimming on the hidden beaches in summer.
You can find more waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina here.
Ćuprijska Džamija
The Ćuprijska Džamija is one of the most beautiful mosques in Stolac and is located directly on the banks of the Bregava River next to an old Ottoman bridge. The 18th century building makes an ideal photo backdrop.
Walk along the Bregava to Begovina
Ein Spaziergang entlang der Bregava gehört definitiv dazu, wenn du Stolac erkundest. A walk along the Bregava is definitely part of exploring Stolac. The river meanders through the town and if you follow it, you will come to all the important sights - old Ottoman houses, stone bridges or small waterfalls. If you follow the Bregava, you will eventually reach the Begovina, an old Ottoman courtyard with stately houses. Unfortunately, it is always a bit of a gamble whether the gates are open or not.
How many days should I plan for Stolac?
Stolac is perfect for a day trip, but if you want to explore the surrounding area, it's worth staying a night. With a full day you can see the most important sights, but for hiking or relaxing hours by the Bregava, a longer stay is worthwhile.
Stolac: Map with the best things to do and see
I've been living in the country since 2021 and now know it really well - from restaurants and must-sees to real hidden gems!
For anyone exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina 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.
Hotel tip for Stolac
Nationalmonument Mehmedbašića kuća | Traditional Herzegovinian house with Ottoman furnishings. Authentic, but somewhat simpler.
Kostela Stone House | This accommodation in an old Herzegovinian stone house is perfect for families
National Monument Konak | Two apartments in a national monument with a terrace. A blend of tradition and modernity
Hotel Stolac | Centrally located. A solid 4* hotel with a lovely terrace for breakfast
💡 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.
Day trips from Stolac
If you are staying in the region longer, the following towns and places are great for day trips:
Neum | Bosnia's only coastal town
Trebinje | One of the most charming towns in the south of the country
Hutovo Blato | A paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers
Ravno & the old Ćiro railway line | Perfect for a bike tour through the karst landscape
Conclusion about Stolac
If you are in Herzegovina, then Stolac should definitely be on your list - whether as a day trip from Mostar, with an overnight stay or if you are travelling through to Trebinje or Dubrovnik. The small town has a very special charm and its location and history, which dates back to the Iron Age, make it a true open-air museum.
