Mostar

Food | Wine | Architecture

Mostar Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go

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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Mostar Food

The main characteristic of Bosnian cuisine is the slow method of preparing the food with limited use of spices other than salt and pepper.

The second important characteristic is the limited use of sauces which typically makes the dishes much lighter than their Eastern European counterparts.

In many respects, Bosnian food is characterized by its simplicity and balance of meats and vegetables.

Traditional Food in Mostar, Bosnia

Mostar Wine

The vast majority of Bosnia’s vineyards are located near Mostar in the southern part of the country around Čitluk, Međugorje, Ljubuški, and Čapljina. Check out our Bosnia Wine page for more information.

There is an excellent wine shop in Mostar where you can taste many local wines.

Wine Bar in Old Town Mostar, Bosnia

Mostar Architecture

Many buildings and bridges in Mostar were heavily damaged during the Bosnian War, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mostar Bridge connecting the two sides of the Neretva river.

Fortunately, most have been rebuilt or repaired to their former glory. However, there are still signs of destruction throughout the old town, including damaged façades, hollow stone frames, and even empty lots.

Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia with small waterfall

Where Is Mostar Located?

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

Where Is the Best Place to Stay in Mostar?

Hotels 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!

What Is The Best Time To Visit Mostar?

The best month to visit Mostar depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best weather, fewer crowds, or the best value? Following are our suggestions for each.

Weather

The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F and sunny. Weather in Mostar during the summer can be very hot, and you should consider an alternative time if you do not enjoy hot and sunny weather.

Below is a chart showing the average high and low temperatures for each month so you can decide what is best for you.

Cinque Terre Italy Weather Graph

Shoulder Season

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.

Best Value

January and February are good months to visit Mostar for the best value and with few crowds. It does get cold and snows during the winter in Mostar so you should pack accordingly.

FAQs About Mostar

Is Mostar, Bosnia Worth Visiting?

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?”

Is Mostar Pretty?

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.

What Is Mostar Famous For?

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.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Mostar?

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.”

Is one day enough 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.

Can you drink alcohol in Mostar?

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.

Is Mostar Expensive?

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.

What Region Is Mostar In?

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.

How to Get to Mostar?

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.

Other Things to Know About Mostar

Airport

Mostar International Airport (code: OMO) – there are no direct flights from the United States to Mostar Airport. There are so few flights to this airport you will most likely need to fly to either Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo airport.

Dubrovnik Airport (code: DBV) – there is a direct flight from Newark to Dubrovnik Airport seasonally and numerous options to connect in Europe year-round. From Dubrovnik, it is a 2 hr 15 min drive to Mostar.

Split Airport (code: SPU) – there are no direct flights from the United States to Split Airport, but there are several connecting airports in Europe. From Split, it is a 2 hr 30 min drive to Mostar.

Sarajevo Airport (code: SJJ) – there are no direct flights from the United States to Sarajevo Airport, but there are several connecting airport options in Europe. From Sarajevo, it is a 2 hr drive or 2 hr 30 min train ride to Mostar.

Train Station

Mostar Railway Station – Trg Ivana Krndelja 1, Mostar Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Time Zone

Central European Standard Time (GMT +1)

Currency

Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark

Language

Bosnian – Mostar is a city where English is abundantly spoken.

Visa

Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina if they stay 90 days or less. For more information on visa-free travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

Electricity

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s electrical outlets are Type C, F, and L. They have a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Travelers from the United States will need an adapter.

If you have many items to plug in, we recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.

SIM Card

Travelers will want a SIM card for Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.

To get a local SIM card, you have to find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.

We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased through an app prior to arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.

Car Rental

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a limited train system, and rental cars or private transfers are often required when visiting the country.

A very popular way of visiting Mostar is to pick up a rental car in Dubrovnik or Split, Croatia, use it to explore Bosnia, and then return it back to its pick-up location. Keep in mind this will require a couple of border crossings which typically only take a few minutes but can take an hour or longer, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

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

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Photos from our May 2012 visit to Mostar…