For visitors to Mostar, the most memorable view of the Neretva River is from the top of the UNESCO-listed Old Bridge (Stari Most), the Ottoman-style stone bridge serving as a picturesque landmark and a symbol of post-war peace and reconciliation. Join a walking tour to learn more about Mostar’s troubled past and seek the best viewpoints.
To explore further, take a scenic boat cruise or kayak excursion to the water, with views of the Prenj and Cvrsnica mountains. The historic walled town of Pocitelj, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also sits along the Neretva River and is often included on day tours to nearby Mostar.
Adrenaline seekers can enjoy white-water rafting along the Neretva River, and tours typically set out from Konjic, about an hour from Mostar or Sarajevo.
Even in summer, the Neretva River is renowned for its icy cold waters. Locals often cool off with a swim from the riverbanks in summer, but take care if you want to join them, as the strong currents can be dangerous.
Day trips to Mostar or Pocitelj from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, or Dubrovnik, Croatia, typically stop at viewpoints overlooking the Neretva River.
The most visited towns along the Neretva River are Konjic, Mostar, Počitelj, and Ploče. In Mostar, you’re never more than a short walk from the riverfront, and the largely pedestrianized Old Town makes it easy to get around on foot.
The glittering blue waters of the Neretva River are most dazzling when the sun is shining, but you can admire the views at any time of year. Boat cruises, kayak excursions, and white-water rafting tours typically run from April through October. In Mostar, don’t miss the annual spectacular of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in summer, which sees professional divers plunging off the Old Bridge.
Undoubtedly the most famous town along the Neretva River, historic Mostar served a crucial role in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history as the site of the Croat-Bosniak War. Today, a walking tour is the best way to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, stopping to admire the reconstructed 16th-century Mostar Bridge and Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, browse the Kujundziluk Bazaar, and uncover the town’s troubled past at the Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992–1995.
