Mostar is a beautiful city in the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A town rich in history, famous for its iconic UNESCO Old Bridge, (Stari Most), and home to old beautiful, Turkish houses. A town that was once owned by the Ottoman Empire, survived the Balkan War, and today, attracts many tourists from all around the world.
You don’t need a lot of time in Mostar. A day is easily enough time to see everything. We only had the afternoon in the city, and again, we felt that was enough time.
Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know when visiting Mostar:
When To Visit
Mostar is a great city to visit all year long! If you want to miss the crowds, I recommend visiting outside the summer months. We visited in May. It was busy, but not too busy. Also the summer months, it does get very hot! Walking around a city in high temperatures can be quite exhausting, why it’s another great reason to visit out of season. The only downside is, you’re more likely to get rain like we did!
How To Get There
Mostar is very accessible by public transport, but also easy to drive too, if you have your own vehicle. There are frequent buses, trains, and even an airport. If you are on holiday in Croatia, there are plenty of excursions that will take you to Mostar for the day too.
Parking
If you are coming in your own vehicle, especially in a campervan, I recommend parking in this large car park, just off Kralja Zvonimira. From here, it’s just a 15-minute walk into the old town. There is a small fee to pay to park. You can pay either via an app, or by coins in their local currency.
Use this Google address to find it: 43.3444, 17.8075
Must Try
Trying local food and drinks is always a must when travelling and Mostar is a great place just to do that!
There are three things I recommend you try when in Mostar: Bosnian coffee, Cevapi, and Baklava.
Bosnian Coffee
Trying some traditional coffee is a must when in Mostar! Lookout for a little cafe along the narrow streets in the old town, where you will get served local Bosnian coffee in the famous full džezva.
Cevapi
Cevapi is a local Bosnian dish. It’s basically a naan-type bread filled with small sausages, sour cream, and fried onions. It’s delicious!
Baklava
Ok, you may be wondering why I’m suggesting Baklava. You are probably thinking that’s a Turkest cake, not Bosnian. You are not wrong! Many years ago, the Ottman Empire ruled Mostar. Today, the town still had a lot of Turkish influence, hence why Baklava is very popular within the city.
For anyone who is not familiar with Baklava, it’s basically layered filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is delicious!
What To See and Do
Here are some of the great things to see and do in the city of Mostor:
I’ve put them in the order you will pass them, coming from the car park I have suggested above!
The Sniper Tower
The Sniper Tower was once a Ljubljanska Bank. However, during the Balkan War, the tower played a significant role in a different way. At the time, it was the tallest tower in the city, perfect for a sniper tower. From the tower, the snipers got a clear view across the river valley into the eastern half of the city. During the war around 2000 people sadly died in Mostar and many of them were shot from this very tower!
Some people will suggest climbing up the Sniper Tower for good views across the city. However, it’s not recommended by the locals, as the building is abandoned and the safety of it is unknown!
Lookout For Bullet Holes
In the area of the Sniper Tower, have a close look at some of the buildings. The walls are covered in bullet holes. A reminder of the Balkan War that happened in the 1990s!
Wonder The Streets Of Old Town
The Old Town of Mostor is full of so much character, charm, and Turkish vibes. It’s such a lovely place!
The best way to explore the old town is just to go for a wonder! Get yourself lost down the many different narrow, cobbled streets, stop off at the independent shops, and sit outside at a cafe, sipping away some Bosnian coffee.
Walk On The Old Bridge of Mostar
The Old Bridge of Mostar, Stari Most, is one of the most famous landmarks in Mostar. The UNESCO bridge is only a little bridge. Just 30 meters long and 4 meters wide! However, it’s a bridge that provides a great name in history and great views of Mostar.
Sadly, the original bridge was damaged during the Balkan War. What you see today, is the rebuilt version!
Watch A Jump
Many say a trip to Mostar is not complete without witnessing the famous jump on the Old Bridge of Mostar.
Jumping off a bridge is a big tradition for the locals. A tradition that all began in 1664. Local tradition says that a 16-year-old boy must jump from the bridge as a right of passage. If he doesn’t jump, his life will be a complete failure!
On your visit to Mostar, you probably see young men hanging around the bridge in swim shorts. These guys are basically waiting to jump. However, there is a catch! They will only jump when they have collected what they deem is enough money from the tourist. Once they have, they will take the 24-metre jump in the river. Honestly, it’s incredible to see!
The best location to witness the jump: Beach below Stari Most, 8RP7+QW3, Mostar 88000
For More Great Views Of Mostar
There are so many different locations that offer great views of Mostar. After getting lost around the Old Town, walking along the famous Stari Most, and watching the jump at Beach below Stari Most, we felt we had seen what we had wanted to see of Mostar, and headed back on the road to our next destination.
However, if you feel you want to see more of the city, here are some other ways you can get some great views of Mostar:
- Walk along the Lučki Most Bridge.
- Walk along the Kriva Cuprija Bridge.
- Head to the top of the Peace Bell Tower. At the time we visited in May 2023, it cost €3 to go to the top of the tower. (However, somebody mentioned the windows are a bit dirty to look through if you are wanting a good photo.)
- Climb the Minaret Tower. At the time we visited in May 2023, it cost 14KM (€7) for entry to the mosque and tower.
I hope this guide has helped you towards planning your own trip to the city and you fall in love with Mostar just as must as we did!
Want to see what other fun things there are to do in Bosnia & Herzegovina? Please check out some of my other blogs: Bosnia & Herzegovina
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