Your visit to Bosnia is coming up and you're wondering: How many days should I stay in Mostar? I think this is one of the most frequently asked questions about the capital of Herzegovina, one of the most popular travel 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 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 that you definitely stay overnight in Mostar - because in the evening, when the coaches have left, the city becomes much quieter.
As far as the weather is concerned, I would also definitely recommend a visit in the shoulder season . 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, however, the cold Bura wind blows from Croatia into the interior of Herzegovina and can make Mostar feel freezing cold.
In my opinion, the best time to visit Mostar is May, September and October! The climate is more pleasant then and the city is less 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 get your bearings 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 Neretva and Stari Most, of course! Urban Grill 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, pop into Fabrika Coffee , a local specialty coffee shop.
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 center of the city has been under UNESCO protection since 2004 - here you can stroll along the round cobblestone streets of the bazaar, catch 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 bridge into the Neretva River (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 be careful: don't expect a long trip here, the boats can only travel a few meters to the left and right of the bridge, otherwise the current of the Neretva is simply too strong.
The walk through Mostar's old town continues: 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 more famous big sister. And it is said that the bridge of Mostar was first built in a smaller version during the Ottoman period to test whether the construction would hold. Only then was the current landmark of the city built in its full size.
Time for a short stop after visiting the two bridges in Mostar: Podrum has delicious, sticky-sweet walnut cake - the perfect snack to fortify you for further exploration!
Tip: If you want to catch a bird's eye view of the entire old town of Mostar and the turquoise 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 lovers
Mostar is more than its famous bridge! There is also plenty to discover outside the old town. From the crooked bridge, stroll towards the Church of St. Peter and Paul with its striking tower and then on to Spanish Square with the Gymnasium.
The abandoned building that you can see from here is also known as the „Sniper Tower“ . Even 30 years after the Bosnian war, the ruins are still abandoned, a real lost place. My tip: My tip: Take a walk around the building and have a look at the murals and artistic graffiti on the walls - many of them revolve around the themes of peace, reconciliation and tolerance. You can also turn right into Kneza Domagoja, where you can see the murals from Mostar's last fasada festival that happens every year.
If you're hungry now, you can stop off for a snack at Von Herzog Gastro Pub.
The splendor of the Austro-Hungarian era
From there, the trail 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 cozy 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 available 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. But with an Airalo data plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina , you'll be online from the moment you arrive. You can download the app here.
Day 2: The waterfalls of Herzegovina
Today you might start the day with a strong Bosnian coffee at Café de Alma or a flat white at Fabrika . Then it's off to explore the surroundings of Mostar - either in your own car, in a rental car or on a guided tour. I can warmly recommend this tour.Ćamil is an incredibly friendly, pleasant guide and has extensive knowledge of the region.
My tip: For more flexibility, however, I would recommend renting a car. Most guided tours cover all the sights in one day. This is great if you are not mobile, traveling alone or don't want to drive. However, you won't have the opportunity for spontaneous stops, lunch at the winery or longer breaks.
Let’s go!
Stop one is the Kravica waterfalls southwest 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, so always check the official website..
If you arrive early enough, you can easily spend two to three hours here, swimming, enjoying the scenery and 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.
Never say no to wine!
On the way back to Mostar, you can make a detour to Ljubuški Castle . Legend has it that Duke Stjepan holed up here with his son's fiancée. While arranging the marriage, Stjepan himself fell in love with his son's fiancée and abducted her before the wedding.
Or how about a stop at the family-run Marijanović winery? Or dinner at the imperial-royal Emporia winery? It's very close to Mostar, so you can simply take a cab.
Tip: It is essential to book a tasting at both wineries in advance. My travel agency .Cheyf, which I founded together with my partner in 2021, will be happy to take care of this! Just send us an email 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 reds, Blatina and Trnjak. You can find my favorite 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'll probably want to take a short break afterwards. How about lunch at the Hotel Buna, under the shade of large plane trees right by the River Buna?
The route continues to Počitelj - but not without a short stop at the Bunski Canall, where the Buna flows into the Neretva and creates a waterfall several hundred meters long. We then 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: Vinarija Domano is located just 30 kilometers from Mostar - one of the old Austro-Hungarian wineries and also the only one in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina that produces Brut using the Champagne method. It is made from the autochthonous Zilavka grape variety. Registration for the tasting is a must - we at Cheyf are happy to take care of that.
After a successful day, it's time to return to Mostar and round off the evening in comfort. 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 more local tips for Mostar!
Other activities and excursion destinations around Mostar
Mostar is surrounded by mountains, which means that the whole area is perfect for hikes of all levels . For example Mostarska Bijela, Prenj or Velez. You can also cycle along the old Ciro train line..
You can also enjoy numerous water activities within one to two hours of Mostar, rafting in Konjic,or kayaking on the Neretva and Bunica.
Where to stay? Best hotels in Mostar
💲 Boutique Apartment Mostar: Modern cozy apartment with river view from the terrace
💲 Hotel Hana: Basic but clean hotel in a central location with quiet rooms
💲💲 Villa Gunga: Apartments in the center of Mostar with a view of the crooked bridge
💲💲 Shangri La Mansion: Nice family-run hotel near the city center
💲💲💲 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 there - 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 with just five bookings.
Getting to Mostar
From Dubrovnik or Split to Mostar
If you want to travel from Croatia to Herzegovina, you have several options: You can book a transfer from Split or a transfer from Dubrovnik , drive yourself to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a rental car or opt for transportation 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.
Travel by train from Sarajevo to Mostar
This train route is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. So if you are not traveling by car or coming from Sarjaevo, I would highly recommend taking the train to Mostar. There is a daily train from Sarajevo to Mostar in the morning and back from Mostar in the evening - or vice versa. You can check the timetables at the Bosnian Railways, but I would recommend that you buy your ticket at the ticket counter rather than online.
Your interactive map with all things to see in and around Mostar
I've been living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2021 and now know the country really well - from restaurants to must-sees to real hidden gems!
For anyone exploring the country for the first (or second) time, I've put together over over 300 spots you shouldn't miss on this easy-to-use travel map and app.
Local 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 free parking. If the accommodation does not offer a parking space, then park your car in a guarded parking lot - there are many in the city
- Stay the night, because Mostar shows its true magic in the evening
- You can take a great photo of the Old Bridge 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 memories.
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.