7 Best Things to See in Mostar, Bosnia

by Ryan | Jul 18, 2024

What Are the Best Things to See in Mostar?

From exploring the iconic Stari Most bridge to visiting the historic Old Town, there are plenty of must-see attractions in Mostar. If you’re interested in architecture, the best things to see in Mostar are:

    1. Mostar Old Bridge
    2. Karadjoz Bey Mosque
    3. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque
    4. Crooked Bridge
    5. Old Town Cafes and Galleries
    6. Muslibegovic House
    7. Abandoned Buildings

We spent the entire month of May visiting the sights in Mostar. Based on our experience, we compiled this list of the top things to see.

If you don’t have a month to explore, don’t worry! We’ve put together a Mostar Walking Tour. If you follow our suggested itinerary, you will see all the best sights in less than an hour. This estimate allows time to stop for photos and take a peak inside the mosques but does not include tours of the attractions. Also, the entire tour requires less than 1 mile of walking (actually, just a little more than a 1/2 mile)!

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Best Things to See in Mostar

Mostar Old Bridge

Mostar Old Bridge, Stari Most Bridge, is a famous bridge and a Unesco World Heritage Site. It was originally built during Ottoman rule in 1566 but was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. After the war ended, it was rebuilt, from 2001 to 2004, in its original design and with the original stone from the bottom of the river. Powerful pictures of the bridge and Mostar’s destruction from the 1990s war can be viewed at the War Photo Exhibition in the small tower on the west side of the bridge.

Views of the bridge can be seen from many locations in the Old Town area. The cafes and restaurants on both banks of the Neretva River offer great views. You can access a rocky beach on the river’s edge just south of the bridge for the best views looking up at the bridge. Lastly, the views from Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque to the north are excellent!

Karadjoz Bey Mosque

The enormous Karađoz Bey Mosque (Karađoz-begova džamija) is located on the main street running through the Old Town on the east bank of the Neretva River. It was built during the 16th century but did suffer severe damage during the 1990s war. It was reconstructed from 2002 to 2004.

The mosque is open to the public except during prayer times. Visitors can climb the tall minaret for a small fee, which provides a beautiful view of the city.

Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque

The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is located on the cliffs of the Neretva River in the heart of Old Town. It was built in the early 17th century after the construction of the Karadjoz Bey Mosque (#2 on this list) and has a similar layout and design due to the close timing of construction. It was also heavily damaged during the 1990s war and was restored from 1996-2001. The beautiful mosque, with its dome and minaret, is worth visiting on its own, but the views of the Mostar Bridge from the side of the courtyard make it a must-see attraction.

Crooked Bridge

The Crooked Bridge (Kriva Cuprija) is located on a crooked cobblestone path winding through the area where many restaurants are located on the west side of the River. Mostly, the food served at these restaurants is of equal quality. So, it’s not entirely unreasonable for a view of the Crooked Bridge to be the deciding factor.

Old Town Cafes and Galleries

Mostar has a strong cafe culture. The cafes and local galleries in the old bazaar area are brightly colored and highly visited by locals and tourists alike. There are many souvenir shops that sell handmade Bosnian coffee sets.

The best things to see in Mostar, Bosnia include the Muslibegovic House

Muslibegovic House

The Muslibegovic House is a 17th-century Turkish-style home that was built by the noble Muslibegovic family. Today it is a small hotel and museum. We stayed at the Ottoman-era home during our first visit to Mostar. It was a memorable experience that we highly recommend.

Abandoned Buildings

The scars of the Bosnian War and the Croat-Bosniak War are seen in the abandoned buildings and buildings with bullet holes located throughout the Old Town and across the city. Like the “Don’t Forget” stone on the Old Bridge, they are a stark reminder of the war between the Serbs, the Bosnian Croats, and the Muslim Bosniaks that ended three decades ago.

According to one local, the abandoned buildings have not been rebuilt due to ownership disputes. The mortgages were held by state-owned banks, which no longer existed following the collapse of Yugoslavia. In many ways, the buildings make Mostar a unique and intriguing destination.

Mostar is a city known for its rich history and beautiful architecture, but it also has a vibrant street art scene. The colorful murals are all over the city, with some of the most impressive pieces found in the abandoned building throughout the old town area. These works of art are visually stunning and provide important social commentary on issues such as politics and human rights.

If you’re still on the fence after reading about the seven best things to see, check out “Is Mostar Worth Visiting.” We review a long list of factors you should consider before adding Mostar to your Balkans itinerary.

Mostar Walking Tour

Mostar is very small and easily walkable. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended sites in the following order:

 

Following the suggested route, you will pass the 7 Best Things to See in Mostar, including the Old Town cafes and galleries and numerous abandoned buildings.

The tour will take approximately 1 hour to complete. This allows time to stop for photos and take a peak inside the mosques but does not include tours of Mostar attractions.

Map of Things to See in Mostar

Our suggested Mostar Walking Tour starts at the Crooked Bridge, crosses over the Old Bridge, passes numerous attractions including the Karadjoz Bey Mosque, and ends at the Bosnian National Monument Muslibegovic House.

City Tours in Mostar

Want to learn about the history of Mostar with a guide? Book a highly-rated day tour while visiting Mostar!

Mostar Information and Travel Tips

What is special about Mostar?

Mostar is a city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. One of the most iconic landmarks in Mostar is the Stari Most bridge, originally built in the 16th century and reconstructed after being destroyed during the Bosnian War. The bridge spans the Neretva River and is a symbol of unity and resilience for the people of Mostar. In addition to its beautiful architecture, Mostar is also home to a lively market district, with bustling streets lined with vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to traditional foods. The city has a diverse population, with Muslims, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians living side by side and contributing to its unique cultural identity. Overall, Mostar is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and breathtaking scenery.

Why Visit Mostar?

Mostar’s old bridge, unique architecture, history, and food make it a beautiful and memorable destination.

What can you see in Mostar?

Mostar is a beautiful city in Bosnia and Herzegovina with plenty of things to see and do. Some of the top attractions include:

1. Stari Most: This iconic bridge, which spans the Neretva River, is one of the most famous landmarks in Mostar.

2. Old Town: The Old Town area of Mostar is full of narrow streets, historic buildings, and shops selling traditional crafts and souvenirs.

3. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque: This 17th-century mosque offers stunning city views from its minaret.

4. Museum of Herzegovina: This museum showcases the history and culture of the Herzegovina region, with exhibits on everything from archaeology to traditional costumes.

5. Blagaj Tekke (Blagaj Tekija): This mystical monastery is located in a stunning natural setting at the source of the Buna River.

Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or natural beauty, Mostar has something for everyone to enjoy!

Is Mostar Safe?

Yes, the city of Mostar is very safe. We spent a month in Mostar and walked through areas of the city that most tourists don’t visit and always felt safe.

Is Mostar Expensive?

No, Mostar is not expensive. Mostar offers a beautiful destination at a great value for both accommodation and food. A grilled meat platter for two with four beers costs about $30 (approx. 28 euro). Both hotels and Airbnbs are some of the best value we have seen in Europe.

Where to stay in Mostar?

There are many good places to stay on both sides of the river in Mostar. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Old Bridge (the castle marker on the below map). The best restaurants and bars are near the Old Bridge, and it is the most beautiful area of the city.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

Is one Day Enough For Mostar?

Yes, you can explore Mostar Old Town, take pictures of the bridge, visit one or two Mosques, and enjoy a meal of grilled meats and veggies in one full day. For this reason, it is a very popular day trip destination from Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo.

Book a day trip to Mostar from Split, Dubrovnik, or Sarajevo!

How Many Days Do You Need in Mostar?

While you can see everything in Mostar in one day, you should spend one night and two days there if possible. This allows you to leisurely see everything in the Old Town, have a large grilled meat platter for two with a couple of beers in the evening, spend the night at the Muslibegovic House (which makes for a unique experience), have a Bosnian coffee at a local cafe in the morning, and take a short trip to Blagaj to see the Dervish Monastery perched on the Buna River before leaving for your next destination.

If you have more time, Kravice Falls is located just 25 miles from Mostar. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The cascading falls stretch over 300ft and have a natural pool at the base, making it a popular swimming spot. It’s an excellent day trip from Mostar and offers a scenic spot to relax away from the city. The falls resemble Plitvice Lakes in Croatia but on a much smaller scale.

What is the Best Time to Visit Mostar?

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Mostar is April, May, September, and October. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit. We spent the month of May in Mostar and thought the weather was very hot during the day. There were lots of tourists, but the crowds were manageable.

The peak season in Mostar is during the summer months. You should expect large crowds of day-trippers and very hot, sunny weather.

Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina Weather Graph

Do I need to speak the local language to visit Mostar?

It’s not necessary to speak Bosnian to visit and enjoy Mostar. A large percentage of the locals speak English. They don’t expect you to speak their language or have an attitude when you don’t.

What do I need on my Mostar Packing List?

We recommend ladies bring their more conservative summer clothes for their stay in Mostar. It’s not required, and you will be safe in a tube top and short skirt, but you will stick out.

Best WIFI for a Mostar visit?

Do you need wifi during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

How To Get to Mostar?

Mostar does have an airport, but the very few flights make it an unpopular way to get there.

The most popular way to get to Mostar is by driving from Dubrovnik or Split. You can rent a car in Dubrovnik or Split and drive or hire a private transfer. We have both rented a car and driven ourselves and hired a private transfer and would recommend both.

For a comparison of rental car offers from large, international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

The first time we traveled to the Balkans we took an epic road trip starting in Lubljana, Slovenia. From there, we went to Lake Bled, Slovenia, to Rovinj, Croatia, to Split, Croatia, to Plitvice Lake National Park, to Mostar, Bosnia, to Dubrovnik, Croatia, to Kotor, Montenegro. We then returned to Dubrovnik for our flight back to the United States. It was a great trip that we would recommend to anyone!

If you are traveling from Dubrovnik or Split, you should consider a stop at the Kravice Waterfall. The falls are along the fastest drive from Split to Mostar and are 40min out of the way on the drive from Dubrovnik to Mostar.

Another popular option is to fly into Sarajevo and take the train, hire a private transfer, or rent a car and drive.

Book your private transfer with one of these great options!

How To Get Around Mostar?

The best way to get around Mostar is by walking. All the best sites in Mostar are a short walk from each other and in a pedestrian-only area. We spent a month in Mostar without a car and were able to easily see everything on foot.

Where is Mostar?

Mostar is in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a 2hr 30min drive north of Dubrovnik, Croatia, and a 2hr 15min drive southwest of Sarajevo.