Things to do in one day in Mostar

Mostar is one of the most interesting cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, making it really one of a kind. Even though Mostar is mostly known for its iconic Old Bridge, the city is much more than that. 

We fell in love with Mostar when we visited the city during our latest Balkan trip, so we are very excited to put together this itinerary. In this blog post, we will take you through the top things to see and do in Mostar in one day, with some additional tips in the end if you will be staying longer in town.

1 day in Mostar: Full itinerary of what to see and do in Mostar

Mostar is a small town, so it is definitely possible to explore the best things in Mostar in just one day. To help you make sure you will not be missing out on anything, we have put together the ultimate Mostar itinerary.

Let’s get to it.

Start by exploring the Old Bridge, or Stari Most

There is no better way to kick off this one-day Mostar itinerary than by exploring the Old Bridge in the early morning before the tourist crowds arrive. Around 10 am, the bridge is already taken by groups, so I would definitely recommend going to Stari Most in the early morning (preferably around 8 am) to see it empty.

The Old Bridge as you see it today is not the original; it is the third version of it. The bridge was initially built in wood back in medieval times. During the 16th century, it was rebuilt in stone and it stood tall until its last destruction during the Bosnian War. The current version was finalized in 2004 with the support of UNESCO and funds from various nations.

The Old Bridge as you see it today was rebuilt using original materials that divers extracted from the river and the same old building techniques to make sure it resembled the original as much as possible.

If you manage to visit the Old Bridge during the morning hours, make sure you explore all angles. Go down to the little beach to see the view from below and walk among the alleys on both sides to see the bridge across different landscapes. It is impossible to get tired of this view.

Pro tip: The Old Bridge is made of stone so it can get very slippery, especially if you visit after a rainy day. We do not recommend going in heels or slippery shoes.

Walk around the Old Bazaar of Mostar

The Old Bazaar in Mostar is smaller than the one in Sarajevo, but it is just as scenic. Extending across both sides of the river, the bazaar has typical Turkish-ottoman influence.

This is the best place to buy a souvenir from Mostar. While wandering through the Bazaar, pay attention to the “Don’t forget me” stones. There are a few of them located among the shops. Even though they have become somewhat of a tourist attraction, the “Don’t forget me” stones have a very strong and relevant meaning. They serve as reminders of the Bosnian War that happened only 25 years ago and caused so much destruction.

Exploring the little shops and wandering through the alleys is one of my favorite things to do in Mostar. If you manage to get there during the early morning, you get to see the shops opening, which is the best time to shop before the crowds come in.

We recommend stopping at the small shop called Ottoman Premium Delight and trying a few different versions of baklava, one of our most traditional sweets. In this store, they sell a wide variety of them and you can pick different ones to make a takeaway portion. Hint: it is also a great place for food-related souvenirs!

Visit the Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque

Just by taking a look at the Mostar landscape, you can easily spot many mosques around the city, easily recognizable by the minaret towers. As a tourist, if you are interested in visiting a mosque, the best place to go is the Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque (the one you see in the picture above).

Still preserving the original style and the beautiful tapestries, the Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque is now a museum. The ticket costs 6 KM (€ 3) per person with access to the mosque and the back gardens, or 12 KM (€ 6) including a visit to the minaret.

We bought the first option and thought it was great. It was really interesting seeing the mosque from the inside. The view of the Old Bridge from the garden is one of the most beautiful scenes in Mostar, so it was definitely worth the price. By climbing up the minaret, you would have a wider view of the city.

Stop for a traditional Bosnian coffee

A day in Mostar without having a proper Bosnian coffee is not complete.

I come from a Bosnian family and I can tell you firsthand that we take the coffee culture very seriously. We don’t do quick coffees on the run like the Italian espressos. For us, coffee takes time to enjoy it.

In Mostar and most other places in Bosnia, we drink Turkish coffee, which is typically prepared using a džezva and drank in copper cups. We strongly recommend you try it out, it is definitely something you must do in Mostar if you want to experience the local culture. You can find traditional Bosnian coffee in any of the cafes around the Stari Most Bridge.

Museums to visit in Mostar

There are many museums in Mostar, but in order to keep this guide short for a one-day visit, we would recommend you to pick only one to visit.

In our opinion, the two best museums in Mostar are the Old Bridge Museum and the War Photo Exhibition. The Old Bridge Museum, as the name suggests, shows the story of the Old Bridge of Mostar since before its destruction. The second option is a photographic exhibition of the Bosnian War taken by a photographer from New Zealand, Wade Goddard. The exhibition shows very strong and impactful images during the war, but it is a good way of getting to know more about the dark days of Mostar.

Visit the Ottoman houses

Bosnia’s Ottoman past is still very visible in Mostar. If you want to know more about this time, visit the Biscevic and Muslibegovic houses, which are very well-preserved traditional Ottoman houses.

Muslibegovic House is the most famous of them and besides a museum, it is also a renowned hotel. The interior still has most of the original structure, decoration, and art. It is like stepping into the past for a moment.

Walk to Kriva Cuprija, the oldest stone bridge in Mostar

Most people go to Mostar intending to see the Old Bridge without knowing that in fact, the oldest stone bridge in the city is another one called Kriva Cuprija, or crooked bridge.

This bridge is much smaller than the main one, but it is incredibly charming. It is located on a side location, which means it is much emptier and a great place for photos. This is one of the few bridges in the city that survived the war.

Next to Kriva Cuprija is Mostar’s only remaining Turkish Hammam, a traditional Turkish bath house. We didn’t go during our visit, but it is worth mentioning it so you can add it to your list of things to do in Mostar.

Visit the New Mostar region

All the places we have suggested so far for this one-day itinerary in Mostar are located in the Old Town. But after the war, Mostar has developed much further and is growing into a larger center. It is time to visit the region known as New Mostar, with the most recent and modern buildings.

The highlight of this region is the Plaza de Espana (Spanish Square) and the yellow building of the Mostar Gymnasium, which is simply beautiful. This is one of the most central locations in town and an important place for connections. The bus to Blagaj, for instance, leaves from this spot.

Take a look at the Sniper Tower

Walking around the city, the marks of the war are still very visible. You can still see the holes of gunshots in many buildings and some areas that have not yet been reconstructed. The picture above is just an example of that (not the Sniper Tower itself).

The biggest symbol of that time is the Sniper Tower. During the war, this building which was formerly a bank, was used as a nest by Croatian snipers. Nowadays, there is only the shell of the building, still full of broken glass and half-destroyed walls. Locals have made it a symbol of the city by painting graffiti panels through the structure.

Many people want to check out the Sniper Tower when visiting Mostar but you have to be careful if you wish to do so. The building is private property and it is officially closed because it can be quite dangerous with the unsafe structure. However, many people still jump over the wall to go in.

Finish your day in Mostar with an amazing dinner

It would be a mistake to not include a food recommendation on this one-day itinerary through Mostar. Bosnian food is simply delicious and Mostar has some amazing restaurants that are perfect for a dinner in the city.

These are the restaurants we recommend for dinner in Mostar:

• Tima Irma: This is probably the most recommended restaurant in town, but it is worth the hype. The place is fairly small, so make sure you come early. The dishes are affordable and portions are very generous.
• Šadrvan: Located very close to the Old Bridge, we had some of the best food of our trip in this place. We can’t recommend it enough. The prices were great and the staff was very kind.

Make sure you order a local beer called Pivo Mostarsko to go with your dinner.

After eating, we recommend going back to the Old Bridge to see it during the night, when the city is all lit up. It is a very unique and beautiful sight. And with this, we wrap up this one-day itinerary of things to see and do in Mostar.

Day trips from Mostar

Do you plan to visit Mostar for more than one day? No problem, there are many incredible places to visit near Mostar that are really worth the trip.

Since Mostar is the largest city in the Herzegovina region, it is the place with the most infrastructure for sleeping and eating so we recommend using it as a base. You can visit the other locations on day trips, coming back to Mostar at the end of the day.

These are our top day trip suggestions:

1. Kravice Waterfalls: One of our favorite destinations in Bosnia. The Kravice Waterfalls are located very close to Mostar and are worth a day trip, especially during a summer day. Make sure you pack your swimsuit!
2. Blagaj: This beautiful Dervish Monastery can easily be visited on the same day as the Kravice Waterfalls.
3. Neretva Bridge: An important site for those interested in history, as it was an important place during the WWII battles between the partisans and the Axis Forces.

How many days do you need to visit Mostar?

Mostar is a fairly small city, so you can visit the main sites listed here in just one day. You may have to choose between one museum or the other, but it is definitely doable to walk all around the city center and get the most out of it.

That being said, we did wish we spent more than one day in Mostar because we simply fell in love with the city. Mostar has this unique energy and I can’t wait to go back to stay longer and explore it deeper.

Based on our experience, we recommend spending 2-3 days in Mostar to be able to visit all places you want, at an easy pace. For that time, you would be able to spend 1-2 days exploring Mostar itself and 1 day doing a day trip.

If you wish to visit more places in the Herzegovina region, then we recommend extending your stay in Mostar for an additional day or two.

How to get to Mostar

Since Mostar is one of the most visited cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, staying behind only Sarajevo, there are many transport options available. You can travel by car, by public transport, or on a tour.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these options below:

How to get to Mostar by car

Renting a car for your trip through Bosnia is definitely worth it. The public transport in the country is not the most technological nor the most efficient, which means you will need a lot more time flexibility to rely on the timetables.

Traveling with your own car will give you flexibility and freedom to make your own itinerary. Check our blog post about driving in Bosnia to know more about the topic.

These are examples of the distances you will have to drive to get to Mostar:

• Sarajevo – Mostar: 125 km, approx. 2h 30m
• Dubrovnik – Mostar: 140 km, approx. 2h 30m
• Split – Mostar: 167 km, approx 2h 10m
• Kotor – Mostar: 187 km, approx. 3h

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!

Get a quote here

PS: Even though we strongly recommend renting a car for your trip, you will not need one to get around Mostar itself if you get accommodation close to the Old Town. The center is mainly made of pedestrian-only roads, so the car is only meant for day trips and longer travels.

How to get to Mostar with public transport

The options of bus or train available will depend on which city you will be coming from.

The best option for going from Sarajevo to Mostar by public transport is taking the train. It goes from the Sarajevo main station directly to Mostar and takes 2h with only 4 stops along the way.

There are also bus options but the timetable varies throughout the year so we recommend checking it in detail when you have the dates for your trip.

How to get to Mostar with a tour

The last option is to get a tour to Mostar. This is the best solution if you don’t want to drive yourself, but also want the trip to be fully organized so you don’t have to worry about bus tickets or timetables.

There are many tour options departing from Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, and other cities nearby. We normally use Get Your Guide for the best deals on tours – check out the options they have available.

Where to stay in Mostar?

If you will be visiting Mostar for a day or two, it is important to get accommodation that is well-located so you can visit everything on foot. The point you should be using for reference is the Old Bridge because everything revolves around it. Anything that is still located within walking distance of the Old Bridge will be within a good distance radius.

We stayed at Apartment Selma and could not recommend it enough. The apartment was very modern and spacious, the owner was very kind and attentive and there was a street with free parking just around the corner. The price was also a bargain for four people!

Here are other options for places to stay in Mostar:

• Hotel Emen: Located in the heart of Mostar, this hotel is simple but it has everything you need for a short stay in town. Breakfast is included and the guests usually rave about the food options available.
• Pansion Villa Nur: A small pension that offers a cozy but great place to stay. Get a room with a balcony with a river view.

We hope this guide has helped you prepare for your one-day trip to Mostar. We visited the city during our 5-day road trip through Bosnia and we really loved the energy there. Now you know the best things to see and do in Mostar and we hope you will fall in love with the city just as much as we did.

If you have any questions we forgot to cover, feel free to drop them below!