We visited Mostar for the first time in 2012. Perhaps more than any other place we’ve been, it had a significant emotional and intellectual impact. The diverse blend of cultures and a truly unique setting make Mostar a one-of-a-kind destination.

When we started making our long-term travel plans, we knew Bosnia would play a significant role in our strategy to avoid long-term visas. Without a doubt, Mostar was going to be on our itinerary, and over a decade after our first visit, we returned to Mostar and spent the month of May there.

Below is a guide to our favorite food, wine, and architecture in Mostar, plus some additional travel tips and resources we picked up along the way. We hope this information will inspire you to plan your next trip!

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Whether it’s worth visiting depends on your interests and preferences as a traveler. If you enjoy history, architecture, and scenic landscapes, then Mostar may be worth adding to your travel itinerary. We explored this question in depth in our article “Is Mostar Worth Visiting?”

Yes, even with its rocky past, the Old Town of Mostar has a lot of beautiful architecture for travelers to enjoy. From the early morning views of Stari Most from the riverbank to the mid-day stroll through the historic bazaar to see the shops and souvenir Bosnian coffee sets to the sunset view from the terrace with the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque’s tall minaret standing high above the river Neretva, Mostar is a great place to spend a day or a month.

Mostar is famous for its iconic bridge named Stari Most. Originally built in 1566, the bridge was destroyed during the Bosnian War but later rebuilt to symbolize reunification. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mostar’s most popular tourist attractions.

The bridge has also been a popular spot for divers since the 1600s when local boys would jump off it into the river. Today, tourists can witness this tradition by watching the Mostar Bridge Divers Club training or taking a dive themselves for around 35 euros. However, jumping off the bridge is very dangerous, and many jumpers have lost their lives attempting it.

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 to two days. For this reason, it’s a very popular day-trip destination from Dubrovnik or Split, Croatia. However, if you want to take your time and really soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful city, three to four days would be ideal. This will give you plenty of time to wander the cobblestone streets, sample local cuisine, visit museums and historic sites, and even take a day trip to nearby attractions like Kravice Waterfalls or Blagaj Tekke.

For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “7 Best Things to See in Mostar.”

If you just want to see the iconic Stari Most bridge and wander around the Old Town, then one day could be enough. However, if you want to explore more of the area, visit museums or take a day trip to nearby attractions such as Kravice Waterfalls or Blagaj Tekke, then you may want to consider staying for longer. Keep in mind that Mostar is a small city and can easily be explored on foot, so it’s possible to see a lot in a short amount of time. Ultimately, it depends on your preferences and travel style.

Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina where alcohol consumption is legal for adults over the age of 18. However, specific laws and regulations regarding alcohol consumption may vary depending on the location and circumstances. It is always best to research local laws and customs before consuming alcohol in any foreign city or country.

No, Mostar is not expensive. Mostar offers a beautiful destination at a great value. A grilled meat platter for two with four beers costs about $30. Both hotels and Airbnbs are some of the best value we have seen in Europe. However, the cost ultimately depends on the level of luxury required. We prepared a Budget for a Month in Mostar that analyzes all the necessary expenses.

Mostar is one of the most beautiful places in the Balkans, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a rich history, stunning architecture, and delicious local cuisine. If you are planning a trip to the Balkans, Mostar should definitely be on your list. You can easily combine Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina into one epic vacation itinerary.

To get to Mostar, there are a few options depending on where you are starting. If you are flying into the region, the nearest airport is Mostar International Airport (OMO), which has regular flights to and from several European cities. You can also fly into Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) and then take a bus or train to Mostar.

If you are traveling by land, several bus routes connect Mostar with other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as neighboring countries such as Croatia and Serbia. The bus station in Mostar is located near the city center, making it easy to access many of the city’s top attractions.

Finally, you can also travel to Mostar by train. There is a daily train service from Sarajevo to Mostar, which takes approximately 2.5 hours and offers stunning views of the Bosnian countryside along the way.

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 done both and would recommend both. For private transfers, check out the highly-rated options below. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.