Iconic old town of Mostar with famous bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Things to do in  Mostar

Beauty beyond the bridge

Like a postcard come to life, Mostar is an iconic Balkan destination in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even if there weren’t a city here, the lush, rocky banks of the Neretva river would draw visitors. But there is a city, one centered on Mostar’s famous bridge—and some people visit the city just to see it. There are many more things to do in Mostar, however, and the city’s small, but immersive old town is where to start looking.

Top 10 attractions in Mostar

Kravice Waterfall (Vodopad Kravica)

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Spectacular Kravice Waterfall (Vodopad Kravica) in Bosnia and Herzegovina are one of Europe’s best-kept natural secrets. Plummeting over 98-foot (30-meter) soft tufa cliffs on the Trebizat River southwest of Mostar, the waterfalls have sliced out a natural amphitheater spanning nearly 400 feet (120 meters) as the river splits into more than a dozen separate waterfalls cascading into the lake below.More

Blagaj Monastery (Blagaj Tekija)

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The Blagaj Monastery (or Blagaj Tekija) enjoys a tranquil setting beside a towering cliff and the gentle Buna River near Mostar. Since 1520, this Ottoman monastery has served as a place of contemplation for the Muslim Dervish fraternity. Today, you can learn about the monastery’s resident mystical order and cultural importance on a visit here.More

Old Bridge (Stari Most)

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Arching over the Neretva River, the Old Bridge (Stari Most) is Mostar’s most photographed landmark and one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most prized examples of Islamic architecture. Built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak War, the UNESCO-listed stone bridge was rebuilt in 2004 as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.More

Neretva River (Rijeka Neretva)

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The lifeblood of Mostar, the Neretva River (Rijeka Neretva) curls its way through the town's heart and has served as a geographic and political divider over the years. Winding its way down from the Dinaric Alps, it’s Bosnia and Herzegovina’s longest river, flowing for 141 miles (225 kilometers) through lakes, gorges, and historic towns.More

Medjugorje

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This quiet, unassuming town nestled in the hills of Herzegovina became a pilgrimage site for thousands of Catholics in 1981, when the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to six local children. Since then, thousands of visitors have flocked to Apparition Hill to pay respects or simply enjoy Medjugorje’s meditative surroundings.More

Apparition Hill

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One of Europe's most important Marian apparition sites, Apparition Hill has been a place of Catholic pilgrimage since 1981, when a group of six local children first claimed to have seen apparitions of Mary. Today, the hill and its nearby St. James Church draw in more than a million visitors a year.More

Vjetrenica Cave

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Located in Bosnia and Herzegovina and within day-tripping distance of Dubrovnik, Croatia, the Vjetrenica Cave system offers a fascinating glimpse of what lies below the Dinaric Alps. Along with underground rivers and massive stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is full of over 200 types of cave-dwelling insects and other species, many of which aren’t found anywhere else on Earth.More

Kujundziluk (Old Bazaar)

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A bustling hub of commerce and culture at the heart of Mostar’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Old Bazaar of Kujundziluk has been the town’s principal market since the 16th century. Cobbled lanes and colorful Ottoman-era buildings are the backdrop for a lively shopping quarter packed with handicrafts, souvenirs, and art galleries.More

Kajtaz House (Kajtazova Kuća)

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Tucked away in Mostar’s historic Muslim Quarter and overlooking the east bank of the River Neretva, Kajtaz House (Kajtazova Kuća) is a perfectly preserved late 16th-century Ottoman nobleman’s mansion built behind high walls to protect the women of the family from unwanted attention. Once the home of Mostar’s Turkish governor, it is surrounded by a shady, fountain-filled courtyard garden, pebbled in circular patterns representing the five daily prayers of an observant Muslim.Crafted from stone, the two-story building is whitewashed and supported by wooden stilts; the overhanging roof was designed to shade the lower floors. Inside it is furnished in its original form, with separate living quarters for men and women, brightly patterned kelims covering the floors and traditional low sofas lining rooms that are dotted with centuries-old, ornately carved wooden furniture. The ancient kitchen is crammed with copper cooking pots and utensils, while upstairs, traditional harem pants and fezzes hang on the walls.More
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Mostar Clock Tower (Sahat Kula)

Mostar Clock Tower (Sahat Kula)

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At first glance, the Mostar Clock Tower (Sahat Kula) might not command much attention, but the timeworn and war-torn landmark is a testament to the town's Ottoman heritage. Built in 1630, the Turkish-style clock tower was severely damaged during the Croat-Bosniak War, then restored in the '90s as part of Mostar's UNESCO World Heritage Site.More
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All about Mostar

When to visit

Even though summer is the busiest time of year to travel to Mostar with its influx of day-trippers, it’s hard to resist the city when you see its packed summer events calendar. Summer music festivals, such as the Mostar Blues & Rock Festival and Mostar Summer Fest, offer a window into the modern local music scene. Perhaps the biggest event though is when Mostar hosts the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at the tail end of summer.

Getting around

Mostar is not what you’d call a big city, and tourists will find that they can walk most places in 20 minutes or less, assuming they even leave the compact pedestrian area of the Old Town. But should you need it, there are the city’s yellow buses to get around with, although they’re really far more useful for traveling to surrounding towns and villages such as Blagaj and Međugorje.

Traveler tips

Getting a view of Mostar that includes the city’s iconic bridge and riverfront all in one shot can be tricky, but not impossible. Head to the gardens of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque to find a viewing terrace with a superb view of the city. While the views above from the mosque’s minaret are even more spectacular, entry to the minaret requires a small additional fee.

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People Also Ask

Is Mostar worth visiting?

Yes, Mostar is a destination worth visiting for travelers touring through the Balkans region of Europe. In Mostar, you can see some beautiful scenery, learn about the city’s history—both distant and more recent—and easily travel to other interesting towns and attractions worth visiting in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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What is Mostar famous for?

Mostar is famous for the city’s bridge, the Stari Most or Old Bridge, which connects the historical center's two sides across the Neretva river. The bridge is also iconic for the local tradition in which young men dive off into the river below to the delight or fear of onlookers.

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How many days are enough for Mostar?

One day in Mostar is generally enough to see the main highlights of the city, but for a more in-depth experience, it's a good idea to give yourself two days. Staying longer in Mostar also allows you to explore the many small destinations found in the region surrounding the city.

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Do they speak English in Mostar?

Travelers can get by speaking English in Mostar as it is relatively common in Bosnia and Herzegovina for people to speak some English. Younger people and those involved in tourism are more likely to speak English. The official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina are Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian.

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How safe is Mostar?

Mostar is a relatively safe destination for travelers to visit. Much like the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, crime in Mostar is regarded as low to moderate, and the main concern for travelers is usually petty crime, like pickpocketing, or protests that could escalate into violence, which you should avoid.

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Is a day trip to Mostar worth it?

Yes, a day trip to Mostar is worth doing, whether you’re already in Bosnia and Herzegovina or visiting from one of the nearby neighboring countries. One day in Mostar allows you to see the city’s famous riverfront and historical center and get a taste of the city’s culture and cuisine.

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