The history of the Old Bridge is intrinsically tied to the town's history, from the Ottoman period through the collapse of Yugoslavia, the Bosnian War, and the Croat-Bosniak “war within a war.” While you can walk across the bridge anytime, visiting with a guide is the best way to learn more about Mostar’s troubled past and understand the landmark’s historical context. Almost all walking tours of Mostar will include a stop at the Old Bridge.
Mostar also makes a popular day-trip destination for visitors from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, or Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The bridge has no admission fee, and it’s always open.
Although Mostar is generally safe for travelers, the busy area around the Old Bridge is a known spot for pickpocketing, so keep an eye on your belongings.
The bridge comprises cobblestones and low ridge-like steps, making access tricky for wheelchairs, strollers, and those with limited mobility. Sturdy footwear is also highly recommended, as it can be slippery!
The Old Bridge marks the entrance to the Old Town and runs across the Neretva River. Mostar’s Old Town is largely pedestrianized, and it’s easiest to reach the bridge on foot, just a few minutes walk from the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque.
Crowds of tourists and locals mill around the Old Bridge at all times, so your best chance of an unobstructed photo is early in the morning. Otherwise, it’s fun to watch the locals diving off the bridge, a tribute to the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series held in Mostar each summer.
Mostar packs a lot of history into its small Old Town, which spans both banks of the Neretva River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop by Mostar’s oldest mosque, the 16th-century Cejvan Cehaj Mosque and the 17th-century Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, browse the stalls at the Kujundziluk Bazaar and take a peek at the less-known Crooked Bridge (Kriva Cuprija). Finally, learn about the wartorn town’s past at the Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992—1995.
