Overview

The charming historic town of Mostar is the chief city and historically the capital of Herzegovina, surrounded by mountains and nestled along the Neretva River. The town’s famed attraction is the old grand stone Ottoman bridge, the Stari Most soaring the 80 feet spanning the river, it is the scene for international diving competitions and a beautiful emblem of the city.

The city’s other gem is the captivating Old Town with its maze of quaint cobblestone streets that wind through the bazaar, lined with Ottoman style architecture with cute cafes with outside seating, traditional craft shops, riverside restaurants with relaxing terrace views, and plenty of historical sights and attractions to explore.

Mostar is a lively and beautiful city that has been rebuilt after its war-torn past, and despite its scars from the war, the town is still stunning. Soaring minarets top the town’s mosques, old Turkish style houses fill the neighborhoods, fascinating museums, fantastic restaurants, a unique nightlife, and the charms of the river and its surrounding scenery will simply please any visitor.

The most notable impact of the Bosnian War was on Mostar, the Stari Most bridge was originally constructed in 1566 and was tragically destroyed by shelling in November 1993, it collapsed into the Neretva River. Rebuilding the bridge took over a decade and re-opened in 2004 using pieces of the original bridge retrieved from the river, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is an iconic symbol of the city and the site of the Red Bull Cliff diving competition.

Things to see and do

The town of Mostar is relatively small so wandering around to see and explore all of its hidden treasures is easily done on foot. There are things to see and do on each side of the river and many bridges connecting both sides. Getting lost in the cobblestone medieval streets of the Old Town which extends from either side of the Stari Most Bridge where colorful markets stalls, charming cafes, and well preserved Turkish-Ottoman architecture can be seen.

Seeing and crossing the soaring 80 foot Stari Most bridge is downright incredible, the bridge is possibly one of the most famed landmarks in the Balkans. Many locals do the daring act of jumping and diving off this bridge! And will even teach visitors how for a small fee, although not for the faint of heart, this is something that may be on many people’s bucket list.

Visit one of the most famous mosques in the city, Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque built in 1617 on the rocky banks of the River Neretva. Climb up the stone spiral staircase to the top of the minaret which offers some of the best views in Mostar overseeing the Stari Most bridge.

Watch locals dive off the Old Bridge, there are members of the Mostar Diving Club who take the 80-foot plunge into the freezing (53 degrees) emerald green waters of the Neretva River.

Take a somber walk along Bulevar Revolucije, the former front line during the Bosnian War. Here, in 1993, the city of Mostar was divided between the Croats on the West and Bosniaks on the Eastern side. A surreal experience today to still see the bombed out buildings that still stand, there are only 5 meters between the two areas.

Embrace the cafe culture in Mostar and drink Bosnian coffee. The streets in town are brimming with beautiful cafes boasting delicious aromas of freshly brewed coffee and baklava. Take a seat outside one of these charming establishments and watch the world go by.

Visit the deepest spring in all of Europe! Blagaj Spring is set at the base of a very tall cliff and is the source of the entire Buna River, producing over 43,000 gallons of water per second! It is the purest water around and can be drunk straight from the river. There is an old Turkish house next to the spring that was once occupied by ‘Dervishes’ (Islamic hippies), visitors can take a tour inside and see the different rooms adorned with historic items.

Take a trip to the spectacular Kravice waterfalls located about an hour outside of Mostar. The waterfalls are extremely scenic and visitors come here to relish in their beauty and swim in the pristine waters. Take a picnic and spend a day out with nature and some spectacular soothing surroundings. Pocitelj Castle is an old Ottoman walled castle nestled in a hillside town next to a beautiful river. Explore the authentic ruins, although one of the towers has been fortified with glass and you can climb to the top and see out of the windows.

Take in the stunning scenery from a Mostar sunset, although the actual sunset is not possible from the city, the remnants of the colorful sky are spectacular from the riverside. Grab a spot, take some food and drinks and sit back and enjoy the evening sky and views of the magnificent Old Bridge.

Visit the spectacular selection of restaurants and bars along the river which comes alive at night. There are several establishments that line both sides of the river offering different kinds of cuisine, many offering outdoor terrace seating for a wonderful view in a relaxed atmosphere. The bars in Mostar are authentic and lively with great drinks and even better entertainment.

Shopping

The Old Bazar Kujundziluk in Old Town is one of the most authentic places to shop in Mostar, sitting on the banks of the Neretva River. Wandering along the charming maze of cobblestone streets are lined with traditional handicraft shops. Some of the unique souvenirs and trinkets to pick up in Mostar are jewelry, original paintings, long scarves, mugs, copper pots, glassware, hanging lamps, and ornate coffee and tea sets. Mostar is famous for its craft shops, and a wide variety of stores in its shopping malls like Mepas Mall. Tepa and Trznica are two other great shopping locations in the city, both offering a variety of food options like Zilavka and Blatina local wines, Rakija or loza authentic liquors, honey, salamis, spices, and herbal medicines. Hookahs, pipes, and tobacco are some other popular items that can be purchased locally. The magical markets in Mostar are filled with Aladdin-type gold and silver lamps, plate sets, Turkish rugs, and scarves.

Dining and Nightlife

Mostar cuisine is a mixture of Eastern and Western influences closely related to Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Turkish cuisine. The city features many culinary influences from Central Europe with some of the local dishes including cevapcici, burek, sarma, japrak, musaka, dolma, sujuk, sac, duvec, and sataras. Delicious local desserts include baklava, hurmasice, sutlijas, tulumbe, tufahije, and sampita.

As for restaurant options in the city, there are plenty of options found around Old Town including charming cafes with outdoor patio seating, traditional restaurants with great ambiance, and fantastic food like Bosnian style chicken, okra soup, cevapcici, Balkan style kebabs, and skewers.

The city of Mostar might be small, but its nightlife and atmosphere after dark are something worth experiencing. Many of the city’s cafes and bars are found along the river, with outdoor beer gardens, patios, and terraces overlooking the river. The city transforms after the sun goes down and the river is simply charming at night with the bridges lit up, and the maze of streets in the old town lead to many exciting establishments.

The historic Black Dog Pub is found by the Old Bridge, a great local hangout and a place for some of the best nightlife in Mostar. The authentic pub is nestled along the river with unbeatable outdoor seating and views. They offer some great drinks including homebrews and craft beers, regular live music, and filled with locals. Sunsets are popular along the riverfront in Mostar, where many restaurants and bars are located, providing you with unbeatable views from the charming terraces overlooking the river.

The Blasting Lounge is also found near the famous Stari Most bridge, a comfortable and trendy bar/cafe providing a great atmosphere for a quiet drink with a shady terrace with great views of the river and the lit-up bridge.

Ljetna Basta Oscar is a charming and fashionable open-air summer garden, bar, and shisha venue. The large outdoor terrace has comfortable sofas and cushions, the cocktail menus offer a great selection of drinks, and a hookah bar. There are some impressive musical line ups and a selection of light bar snacks.

Last but not least don’t miss the Ali Baba Bar, with a cave-like entrance etched into a cliff. The unique bar, disco, and pub are etched into a gaping rock cavern and feature great drinks, thumping beats, dim lighting, and a fun night out.

Hisotry, Culture, and Events

The city is the host of some significant cultural events including “Dani Matice Hrvatske” sponsored by the Croatian Government and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar Summer Festival is a fun event that includes Santic Poetry Evenings and the Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina choir and ensembles. The Melodije Mostara has been held in the city annually since 1995. The Red Bull Cliff Diving is part of the World Series held at the Old Bridge Stari Most where divers dive from the 80-foot drop from a special tower erected at the center of the bridge. Mostar Blues and Rock Festival is a two-day event featuring international and regional bands with booming after parties held in various pubs around town.

Herzegovina is considered to cover the southern portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina with everything from Konjic down to the borders of Croatia and Montenegro, with a portion being known as old Herzegovina. The city of Mostar is the largest city and the regional capital home to over 100,000 people and considered the cultural center of Herzegovina. The people of Herzegovina are tough, Catholicism is the dominant religion, and your more likely to see a Croatian flag flying rather than a Bosnian one.

The fascinating town of Mostar is an ancient crossroads of people and civilization re-building beautifully after the damage from the war. The city is returning to normal life after heavy bombings in the early ’90s, the city has a complex history made up of people, places, and events that live together and blend beautifully under one stunning and romantic town. The enchanting riverside town with its charming historic center and filled with ancient symbols and attractions dating back to the 16th century. Four religions; Catholic, Islamic, Orthodox, and Jewish blend together in Mostar with unique and original complexity. Green landscapes run along the roaring emerald Neretva River and the city enjoys a balmy Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers.