10 Unique Things to Do in Mostar: It’s More Than a Day Trip!
Mostar is arguably Bosnia and Herzegovina’s busiest and most touristy spot in the country.
It is pretty picture perfect, like a fairy tale style town: Ottoman style buildings, historic bridges, the beautiful blue Neretva river running by. And the iconic old Mostar bridge is even UNESCO registered.
Mostar is somewhere that many visit as just a day trip, but there is so much more to see than you could possibly fit into just the one day.
After having visited twice (a week in May 2022 and a week in October 2025), we definitely recommend you stay a little while; here are all the top things to do in Mostar plus day trips!
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1. Take a Free Walking Tour with Sheva
Sheva has so much information to offer. He has lived through the war in Mostar, was part of the Mostar diving team (more info on that to follow), and knows every man and his dog in the town.
His tour is full of personal anecdotes and stories that really keeps it interesting, and helps to piece together the complex parts of the Bosnian war. It also helps you to get your bearings in the new part of town, and get good recommendations on restaurants, day trips, etc.
We have taken free walking tours all over the world, and this tour with Sheva has to be up there with the best that we have experienced. He is a great guy and he really knows his stuff.
2. Walk across the Iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most)
The Old Bridge has been functional since 2004 after three years of reconstruction since its collapse during the Bosnian War. Traditional techniques and materials were used in the reconstruction, meaning that it has kept its UNESCO status.
The view from the bridge with the traditional buildings lining the glacial blue water of the Neretva River is fairy tale-esque. It really is the iconic centre point of Mostar which draws in visitors, but because of this, it is also the busiest point in Mostar.
Crossing the bridge is a challenge in itself, regardless of the amount of tourists. The curve of the bridge is pretty steep and the bricks are really slippery, so definitely wear shoes with good grip for your first few attempts at least. Once you’ve crossed it a few times, you’ll have it worked out!
3. Hunt Down the Crooked Bridge (Kriva Ćuprija) AKA ‘wee bridge on the wonk’
Stari Most isn’t Mostar’s only bridge. Ok, so ‘wee bridge on the wonk’ is definitely not a recognised name, but we affectionately called it this.
It is presumed that this bridge was built as a practice run for the Stari Most as it was built in the exact same style and was completed very shortly before the building of Stari Most began.
It’s also not actually crooked, but the ‘crookedness’ refers to the arching of the bridge. For a great view, grab a drink at the Old Crew pub and sit on the terrace.
4. Shop for Copper Souvenirs at Kujundžiluk Old Bazaar
There are plenty of shops and stalls selling traditional items and souvenirs in Mostar Old Town, but the Kujundžiluk Old Bazaar is really where you feel like you have stepped back in time.
The most common traditional handicraft here is items made from copper. You will hear the coppersmiths hammering intricate patterns into decorative plates, coffee pots, jewellery.
Again here, be wary where you’re walking as the cobbles are very shiny, smooth and slippery.
Not actually in the Kujundžiluk Old Bazaar is a beautiful shop marked on Google Maps as Tabhana, and it sells amazing copper jewellery. It is my favourite place by a long way and the earrings are stunning!
5. Go Hunting for Amazing Street Art
We love a bit of street art and have searched for it all around the world; Mostar is near the top of our list (closely behind Kaohsiung, Taiwan).
For the street art, you will need to head out of the old town. Each year, Mostar hosts a street art festival which means that brilliant is continually being added to brighten up the city!
We noticed loads of new pieces just since the three years we were last in Mostar. And it’s good street art, not just graffiti; it’s proper pieces of art.
A full blog post on all the best street art we managed to find is in the works, so watch this space!
6. Watch the Death-Defying Bridge Jumpers
Wandering around the Old Town, you will see some guys in very small speedos. These are the Mostar bridge jumpers and it is a very serious business in Mostar.
The jumpers ask for donations as they build up the crowd, before launching themselves off the 24-metre-high Old Bridge and in to the ice-cold Neretva river below. It is pretty spectacular, but also terrifying.
There is a Bridge Divers’ Club, so if you fancy giving it a go yourself, knock on their door. You will have to pay a fee and take some lessons with the instructors.
If they are satisfied with your jumping technique, you will be given the all-clear to jump from Stari Most. There is no doubt about it that this is a dangerous game – Sheva, who runs the walking tour can tell you some horror stories.
Savvy Traveller Pro Tips 🇧🇦
After exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina for two months, these are our favourite booking tools that we couldn’t travel without!
7. Wander the Ottoman Biscevic House Museum
For 6KM, you can enter the historic house and courtyard of this traditional Ottoman-style building. You’d only need to spend maybe 15 minutes exploring but it’s really beautiful and gives you a flavour of what Mostar was like back then.
8. Lounge on the Beach
Yeah, I do mean beach! Ok, it’s got pretty big pebbles so it’s not all that comfortable but on a lovely sunny day, it’s a great spot to relax by the Neretva river and you can even dip your toe if you’re brave enough; Neretva is notoriously freezing cold almost all year round!
Also, you likely won’t get many other people hanging around here so it’s nice and quiet and pretty.
9. View the City from Millennium Cross
If you’re in Mostar, you will definitely see the hill with a large white cross at the top overlooking the town. This is the Millennium Cross.
It’s a pretty controversial point due to it being placed higher than the minarets of Mostar’s mosques, but regardless of its symbolism, the view itself is worth a wander.
We walked up from Mostar town centre – doable, but not the nicest due to the mid-portion of the walk being along a main road without pavement – but most people would drive through this section, park up, and then walk the rest.
When walking the final stretch, you are fully exposed to the sun, so make sure you bring plenty of sun protection and water.
10. Embrace Ćejf and Slowly Sip a Proper Bosnian Coffee
Ćejf is a Bosnian concept of enjoying the present moment and not rushing. The most common Bosnian examples of this are sipping thick, rich, dark Bosnian coffee and savouring the first drag of a cigarette.
Though I wouldn’t encourage the smoking part, definitely make sure you try a proper coffee here in Mostar. One of our favourite spots is Divanhana Bosanska Kafa!
3 Day Trips from Mostar
1. Počitelj
One of my favourite places in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina! Počitelj is a hillside stone town with abandoned buildings, crumbling pathways, stunning viewpoints, and only a few tourists. Definitely worth a half-day visit.
2. Blagaj
Just a thirty minute bus ride out of Mostar brings you to Blagaj, with its historic Dervish house built into the cliff face and fortress ruins.
3. Kravica Waterfall
Unfortunately the waterfall isn’t well-connected by public transport, so your only options are to either hire a car, opt for a tour, or take a taxi. We haven’t yet made it there, but the waterfall looks amazing.
If your short for time, you can even combine all three on a day tour.
Psst… Booking.com Has a 15% Off Sale!
Planning a last-minute trip? Well, you might have timed it just right!
Booking.com is running a 15% off promotion for many stays before 7th Jan.
The discounted properties have the green ‘Late Escape Deal’ badge!
🛏️ Grab a Bargain! 🛏️
Where to Stay in Mostar
Palmera (£)
We stayed at Palmera back in 2022 and it really is lovely and pretty unique. The rooms are spacious, there is a courtyard area, a shared tea and coffee station, and we were even given a welcome basket with some local sweet treats in!
Luxury Studio Yasmine (£)
Luxury Studio Yasmine has modern spacious apartments with mountain views.
How to Get to Mostar
Mostar does have its own international airport (OMO), but it isn’t very well-connected.
You’re more likely to be able to find flights to nearby Sarajevo airport (SJJ). And then from Sarajevo, you can easily get to Mostar by bus or even train.
Mostar is also well-connected to the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina by bus whether you’re coming from Trebinje, Jajce, Banja Luka, etc.
And the city is close to the border with Croatia with regular buses coming from Dubrovnik each day.
How Long to Spend in Mostar
Many people just visit as a day trip, and bloody hell, does it get busy in the middle of the day!
If you stay for a few days, you can spend time in the old part of town, the new part of town, experience it without all the crowds (since they tend to leave late afternoon), and still have time for a day trip or two.
Where’s Next?
From Mostar, you could head over to Konjic to see another beautiful Ottoman bridge and Tito’s bunker.
Maybe head south to peaceful Trebinje to visit some vineyards and explore the old town.
Or travel inland to reach characterful Sarajevo to wander the city, take the cable car up Mount Trebević and see the abandoned Olympic bobsled track.
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