Is Mostar Worth Visiting? Things to Do in Mostar and How to Get There
Yes, Mostar is worth visiting. It is the most photographed town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, built around the 16th-century Old Bridge (Stari Most) over the emerald Neretva river. The old town is small, so one full day is enough to see it, and it combines perfectly with Blagaj, Počitelj and the Kravica Waterfalls nearby. Mostar is about two and a half hours from Sarajevo and from Dubrovnik.
Key facts
Main sight: the Old Bridge, built in 1566, destroyed in 1993, rebuilt in 2004 and on the UNESCO list since 2005.
Time needed: half a day for the old town, a full day with Blagaj, Počitelj and Kravica.
From Sarajevo: about 130 km, by car, bus or the scenic train through the Neretva valley.
Best time: April–June and September–October; July and August are very hot.
Why is Mostar famous?
Mostar takes its name from the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the river crossing. The Ottoman Old Bridge was completed in 1566 and stood for more than four centuries until it was destroyed during the war on 9 November 1993. It was rebuilt with the original techniques and stone from the same quarry, reopened in July 2004, and in 2005 UNESCO listed the Old Bridge Area of Mostar as a World Heritage site. Today the bridge is a symbol of the town and of reconciliation.
Things to do in Mostar
Cross the Old Bridge and watch the divers
Walk over the steep, polished stone of the bridge (wear shoes with grip) and look for the members of the local diving club on the parapet. When they collect enough money from the crowd, one of them jumps about 20 metres into the cold Neretva, a tradition that goes back centuries. Mostar has also hosted the international Red Bull Cliff Diving series.
Walk the Old Bazaar (Kujundžiluk)
The cobbled bazaar street leading to the bridge is lined with copper workshops, souvenir stalls and cafés. It is the best place for a Bosnian coffee with a view of the river and for small handmade souvenirs.
Climb the minaret of Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque
This 17th-century mosque on the river bank has the classic postcard view of the Old Bridge from its courtyard, and you can climb the narrow minaret for a view over the whole old town.
See the Crooked Bridge and the war history
The small Crooked Bridge (Kriva ćuprija) over the Radobolja stream is said to be a test run for the Old Bridge. To understand what happened to Mostar in the 1990s, visit the War Photo Exhibition near the bridge and walk past the damaged buildings along the former front line on the Boulevard.
What to see near Mostar
Blagaj (12 km): the 16th-century Dervish House at the spring of the Buna river, one of the most beautiful places in Herzegovina.
Počitelj (30 km): a stone Ottoman town on a hillside above the Neretva, with a fortress to climb.
Kravica Waterfalls (40 km): a wide ring of waterfalls where you can swim in summer.
Medjugorje (25 km): the well-known pilgrimage town.
How to get to Mostar
From Sarajevo: about 130 km. The train ride through the Neretva canyon is one of the most scenic in the Balkans; by car or bus it takes around two and a half hours, with stops at Konjic and Jablanica lake.
From Dubrovnik: about 140 km, around two and a half to three hours with the border crossing.
On a day trip: our Mostar and Herzegovina tour from Sarajevo includes Konjic, Jablanica, the Old Bridge, Blagaj, Počitelj and Kravica in one day, with hotel pickup.
Half a day is enough for the old town and the bridge. Plan a full day if you also want to see Blagaj, Počitelj and Kravica, or stay overnight to see the bridge lit up in the evening without the day-trip crowds.
Can you do Mostar as a day trip from Sarajevo?
Yes. It is the most popular day trip from Sarajevo. With a car or a guided tour you can also stop in Konjic, at Jablanica lake and at the Kravica Waterfalls on the same day.
When is the best time to visit Mostar?
Spring and early autumn. Mostar is one of the hottest towns in the region in July and August, and the old town is busiest at midday when coach tours arrive, so come early or stay into the evening.
Do the divers jump every day?
In the warm months there are usually jumps several times a day when there are enough visitors; the divers collect money from the crowd first. Outside summer, jumps are less frequent.
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