Mostar or Sarajevo: which city should you visit?

Most people who have a short time available for their trip to Bosnia get in doubt about which city should they visit: Mostar or Sarajevo. In this post, we will help you clear your doubts.

We will compare the main characteristics of Mostar and Sarajevo to help you make a decision for your own trip, based on your personal interests. Even though we tried making this guide as unbiased as possible, it still contains a bit of our own impressions and personal experience on which Bosnian city is our favorite.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is not only the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but I would argue it is also one of the most interesting cities in Europe for tourists.

Sarajevo is incredibly diverse and has a very interesting and rich cultural past. I cannot think of any other city in Europe where you get to experience the Eastern and Western cultures so close together. Sarajevo has also been the stage of several historical moments, which makes it relevant not only in the Balkan region but throughout all of Europe.

Advantages of visiting Sarajevo

Here are the reasons why you should visit Sarajevo and what to expect:

• It may seem obvious to say, but Sarajevo is a beautiful city! Even though the city was at war not many years ago, it has kept a very unique character and it is a pleasure to visit.
• Sarajevo has some of the best food and restaurants in the entire country. I cannot recall another trip where we ate so well as this one.
• Sarajevo has incredible museums. For history lovers, I would definitely recommend picking Sarajevo instead of Mostar as it is probably the best city in Bosnia to visit for this purpose (even though if you are really into history, you will probably want to visit many other sites as well). 
• Accommodation and travel costs in Sarajevo are very cheap in comparison with other European capitals. Check the next section to see some suggestions for places to stay in Sarajevo.
• There is always something happening in Sarajevo. It is a city where anyone can find something that interests him or her when it comes to entertainment. During the summer, the city gets particularly busy since it hosts the annual Film Festival. Compared to Mostar, Sarajevo’s nightlife is definitely more agitated and diverse.
• Sarajevo is very well-connected and an easy city to get to. You can get direct flights from many European destinations to Sarajevo International Airport, which is located only 20 min away from the city center. Sarajevo is also a great city to use as a base for day trips around the country.

How long should you stay in Sarajevo?

There is a lot to see in Sarajevo, so we recommend staying at least 3 days in the city. If you have more days, you can easily find more things to do, but with three days, you will be able to visit the most important sites and get a feel of the capital.

Where to stay in Sarajevo?

We recommend staying close to the Baščaršija region, which is the heart of the Old Town. If you get accommodation that is within walking distance to Baščaršija, then you can visit almost every place on foot and do not need to worry about public transport or going out in the evening.

Parking in Sarajevo can be quite annoying, so if you will be traveling with your own or rental car, we recommend getting a place that has parking included.

Here are our recommendations for places to stay in Sarajevo:

• Apartment Sanny: This is the place where we stayed during our last trip to Sarajevo and we can definitely recommend it. The apartment was perfect for 4 people, with two rooms and two bathrooms. The location was amazing and our friendly host let us keep the car in her personal covered garage, which was perfect.
• Hotel Story: A 4-star hotel located in the heart of Sarajevo. This hotel is a great option for couples and families, with great comfort and an impeccable location.
• Apartmani 071: Simple and functional, perfect for couples. Located steps away from the Old Town, this accommodation offers free parking which is very convenient.

If you want to know more about the different neighborhoods, check out our detailed guide on where to stay in Sarajevo!

Pro tip: Sarajevo is a city surrounded by hills. Pay attention to the map when choosing your accommodation as you may have to climb the streets up and down if you pick a place that is uphill.

Mostar

Mostar is the second most visited city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and once you get to know it, it is easy to understand why.

In comparison to Sarajevo, Mostar is a much smaller city but it definitely has its charms. The highlight of the Old Town is the Old Bridge, a beautiful stone arch that crosses the Naretva River. Around the bridge, you will find the most interesting part of the Old Town: the market and the amazing restaurants.

The Bosnian War left many scars throughout Mostar, which are still visible today. The best way to learn about the war and the history of the city is by doing a guided tour with a local.

Advantages of visiting Mostar

These are the reasons we think Mostar is definitely worth visiting:

• Mostar is a very romantic city and the perfect quick getaway. Sunsets in the city are very special and you can see all of the important spots during a short 1 or 2-day trip.
• Mostar is the largest city in the Herzegovina region, so it is the best place to use as a base to visit other locations around. In fact, there are many great day trip options from Mostar, such as the Kravice Waterfalls and the Blagaj Monastery.
• Since it is located next to the border with Croatia, Mostar is often a day trip destination for travelers. Even though we do recommend spending at least one full day in the city, it is good to have the option to visit Mostar even if you will not be staying in town.
• Mostar’s Old Town is very unique. You can clearly see the Ottoman influence in the buildings, architecture, and cuisine.
• Don’t miss out on the amazing restaurants in the city and make sure you take the time to drink Bosnian coffee in one of the cafes by the river.
• Compared to Sarajevo, a trip to Mostar can be cheaper, especially if visiting during the low season months.

How many days do you need to visit Mostar?

Mostar is a small city, you can see it all within one full day. However, we recommend staying at least two days to visit some of the destinations nearby such as the Kravice Waterfalls. Mostar is a great place for going on day trips.

Where to stay in Mostar?

What you should be looking for when it comes to finding the best place to stay in Mostar is accommodation that is easily accessible. You can visit everything in Mostar Old Town on foot, so ideally your accommodation should be located close to the same region to give you comfort when exploring the town.

A good point to use as a reference is the Old Bridge because the entire Old Town revolves around it. If the place you pick is within walking distance of the Old Bridge, then it is probably well-located.

Our recommendations for places to stay in Mostar:

• Apartment Selma: This is the place we stayed during our last trip to Mostar and we 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!
• 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.

So, which one is better, Mostar or Sarajevo?

Both Mostar and Sarajevo are amazing cities and they are interesting in their own unique way. If you have enough time, we recommend visiting both Mostar and Sarajevo.

If you don’t have enough time to fit in both, this is what we recommend:

• Visit Sarajevo if you are more interested in history and if you prefer visiting larger cities. Sarajevo is very unique and it will definitely keep you entertained.
• Choose Mostar if you are more interested in landscapes and would like to visit other places around the city. Mostar is also a very romantic destination and a great couple’s destination.

Our personal opinion if we had to choose between Mostar and Sarajevo

If we had to choose only one city to revisit, we would go to Sarajevo instead of Mostar. To be honest, we have visited both cities multiple times but Sarajevo is one of those places you cannot get enough of.

The city is so diverse, it is always a pleasure to come back and experience it again. It is also much livelier and we love the nighttime atmosphere with a lot of bars and concerts happening.

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We hope this guide has helped you decide between Mostar and Sarajevo for your next trip. We definitely recommend making time to visit both cities, but we understand that oftentimes we travel with limited time in each location so we have to prioritize.

If you have any other questions about Mostar, Sarajevo, or any other Bosnian destination, we are happy to help in the comments!