Things to Do in Mostar: Our 2026 Travel Guide

Things to do in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

1. Stari Most (Old Bridge)

The Old Bridge in Mostar is one of the highlights of Bosnia & Herzegovina, and you can totally see why! Built in 1557, it was completely destroyed during the war in the 90s and later rebuilt to look exactly the same. Walking across it, you’d never guess, as they did such a good job.

It’s also awesome watching the divers jumping off the bridge. Members of the local diving club have been jumping from the 24-meter bridge for generations! There’s no set schedule; the divers first collect donations from the crowd and then jump.

One thing worth knowing: the bridge is slippery because the stones are worn and unevenly set. We watched locals step on the raised edges to keep their grip, but it’s best to wear good shoes.

2. The Best Photo Spots in the Old Town

Most of Mostar’s best views don’t cost anything. The bridge itself, the riverbanks, the narrow streets above the bazaar: you can spend hours here without paying a single entry fee. If you’re doubting whether Mostar is worth the visit, yes! And here are some of our favorite spots to convince you:

• Cafe Terrace Pasha has one of the best elevated views over the bridge; the food & service are average, but the terrace is worth a drink at least. We sat down before sunset, and it was absolutely magical.

• Mostar’s small beach along the Neretva gives you a low-angle view of the Old Bridge from the water. From here, you can hop in one of the speedboats to cruise along the river for another cool perspective. It costs 20 KM (€10) per person for a ride of around 15 minutes.

• The street above Restoran Labirint is a quieter vantage point that most visitors walk straight past. We almost did too. There’s a beautiful terrace overlooking the Old Bridge, surrounded by cute, colorful houses.

• The Crooked Bridge (Kriva Ćuprija)

The Crooked Bridge sits just a few meters from the Old Bridge, which spans the smaller Radobolja River, and it’s actually older! It was built in 1558 as a test run for the main bridge, to prove that the mortarless stone-arch technique could support weight. Here is the location.

It’s quieter than its famous neighbor and looks particularly good in the evening when the lights come on. We had some delicious food at Konoba Taurus restaurant, which is right beside it.

3. Blagaj and the Tekke Monastery

About 30 minutes from Mostar, Blagaj is one of the prettiest stops you can make in Bosnia. The village is best known for the photo spot Vrelo Bune, where the bright blue Buna River emerges from a cave beneath towering cliffs. Sitting right beside it is the beautiful Blagaj Tekke, a historic Sufi monastery built into the rock face.

The setting is incredibly scenic, which also means it gets busy quickly. We’d definitely recommend arriving before 10 AM if you want to enjoy the riverbank while it’s still relatively quiet.

Good to know:

• Parking costs around €2 (we parked at this location)
• Entry to Blagaj Tekke costs 10 BAM (~€5)
• Opens daily from 8:30 AM
• Modest dress is required (scarves and coverings are provided)
• Visiting Vrelo Bune itself is free

Food tip: After, grab lunch by the river at Restoran Fajić or Mlinica Restaurant Blagaj. Both have beautiful terraces overlooking the water, are just a short walk from the monastery, and serve delicious local dishes. We were happy to see some veggie options on the menu and plenty of fresh fish.

4. Počitelj Old Town

About 40 minutes south of Mostar, Počitelj is a small fortified village built into a natural hillside above the Neretva River. The cobblestoned stairs wind up past a mosque and a clock tower to a fortress at the top; the views over the river from here are spectacular!

Cats wander the paths, and we even spotted wild turtles near the base. The whole village is surrounded by pomegranate trees, and it’s super peaceful (not nearly as crowded as Mostar).

Tip: Wear proper shoes and bring water, especially in warmer months; we found the climb steep, and the heat can be brutal by midday.

5. Kravica Waterfalls

About an hour’s drive from Mostar, Kravica is one of the few waterfalls in Europe where you can actually swim. The falls are 25 meters tall and spread wide across the cliff, cascading into a large natural pool below.

The water is crystal clear and refreshingly cold, as it comes from a spring, so don’t expect tropical temperatures! You can swim across most of the pool, though there’s a marked line near the falls to protect the surrounding nature and for safety.

Important Info:

• Arrive before 10 AM to avoid the crowds
• A free tourist train runs from the parking area every 15 minutes, or it’s a 10-minute downhill walk
• Entry costs around €10 per person
• Bring cash for cafés and facilities near the water (parking and entry can usually be paid by card)
• There are cafés, restaurants, and free sun loungers on-site
• Dogs are allowed
• You can visit Kravica Falls on this popular tour to Mostar (from Sarajevo)

6. The Neretva Gorge Drive

If you’re driving between Mostar and Sarajevo, the E73 through the Neretva Gorge is one of the most beautiful roads we’ve ever driven. You follow the pale blue Neretva River the whole way, steep canyon walls rising on both sides. Pull over at this viewpoint to take it in properly, and pay attention to the 2 kilometers either side of this bridge, as that stretch was our favorite part of the drive.

Coming from Sarajevo, you start in alpine terrain: high mountains, dense forest, occasional snow. Once you’re through the gorge, the landscape shifts into something more Mediterranean. Drier hills, lower mountains, and different vegetation, which is interesting to see.

7. Wine Tasting Around Mostar

Mostar sits in the middle of Herzegovina’s wine country, and the vineyards start almost as soon as you leave the old town. The two local grapes to know are Žilavka, a crisp mineral white, and Blatina, a soft red.

Our hotel, Emporia, was itself a working winery with vines right around the property, so we had tastings on the doorstep. If you’re staying in town, VIA VINO on Braće Fejića is the easiest option: a small women-owned wine bar with five or six local wines, knowledgeable hosts, and food pairings included.

Where to Eat in Mostar

There are some really nice cafés in Mostar, many with amazing views over the river and the Old Bridge. Normally, restaurants around famous highlights don’t have the best reputation, but that was completely different here, which we loved! Here are our favorites:

• Terrace Lagero: Some of the best views of the Old Bridge, and the food is genuinely good
• Restaurant Bella Vista: Great food with views of the Old Bridge as well
• Najstariji Kafić-Čardak: Cute, local café sitting just on top of the Old Bridge
• Konoba Taurus: Good food, right next to the Crooked Bridge.
• Restaurant Šadrvan: No views, but the food is really good, and it sits in the middle of the old town.
• Sky – Artisan Gelato: Best Gelato in town

Where to Stay in Mostar

We stayed at Hotel Emporia, a 15-minute drive outside the city, set in a vineyard with a pool, which is a must-have if you’re visiting in the summer (as it gets very hot!). Book your room here.

Staying in a hotel in the Old Town would be better if you want to be within walking distance of everything.

Our favorite hotels in Mostar 😴

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Hotel Emporia

Mostar

Hotel Almira

Mostar

Hotel Kriva Cuprija

Mostar

See available hotels in Mostar

Check available hotels

Check available hostels

Two nights are perfect for visiting Mostar. In the day, it’s busy with tourists from Sarajevo, so if you stay overnight, you’ll get to see the Old Town at sunset with far fewer people around.

How to Visit Mostar

From Sarajevo, you can travel by:

• Bus: Takes around 2.5 hours and runs several times daily (book tickets here)
• Train: See the full timetable
• Plane: Mostar also has a small seasonal international airport. There are limited connections, but it’s worth checking flight options.
• Tour: MeetBosnia runs a full-day tour from Sarajevo, which covers all the highlights of Mostar (see availability here)

If you’re driving, both routes pass through the Neretva Gorge, which is genuinely one of the most scenic drives in the region.

Getting Around

The old town is really walkable, and most streets are pedestrianized, so we didn’t use our car once we were here, apart from day trips.

Tip: If you’re visiting with children, you can’t really use strollers in the Old Town, as the streets are steep cobblestone. Best to leave them behind in your accommodation — and by “them,” we mean the stroller, not the children.🤭

Budget for Mostar

Mostar is actually a pretty affordable city to visit. Apart from a few day trips and activities outside the city, most of the highlights are free. Just simply wander its charming streets, enjoy the viewpoints, and stumble upon hidden corners along the way.

Note: Please keep your bag close in the old town, as bag theft unfortunately does happen here.

Best Time to Visit Mostar

Late May and September are the best months to visit. We were there at the end of May and had temperatures around 23°C with full sun, which was perfect for walking through the old town and taking day trips. July and August can reach 40°C, which makes exploring quite difficult.