The city of Mostar is one of the most popular destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With cobblestone streets, old stone buildings and a beautiful bridge spanning the picturesque Neretva River, this town looks like it was plucked from the pages of a fairy tale.
This small town attracts thousands of visitors every year. Seeing Stari most, Stari most, is the highlight of a visit to this place, but the charm of Mostar extends beyond the span of this bridge. Whether you only have a few hours or a few days, we want to help you plan the perfect visit to Mostar.
The historic city of Mostar, which stretches through the deep valley of the Neretva River, developed in the 15th and 16th centuries as an Ottoman border town and during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Since ancient times, Mostar has been known for its old Turkish houses and Stari most, Stari most, after which it got its name. In the conflict of the 1990s, however, most of the historic city and the Old Bridge, designed by the famous architect Sinan, were destroyed. The Old Bridge was recently renovated and many buildings in the Old Town were restored or rebuilt with the contribution of the international scientific committee established by UNESCO.
The Old Bridge area, with its pre-Ottoman, Eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and Western European architectural features, is an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement. The restored Old Bridge and the old city of Mostar are a symbol of reconciliation, international cooperation and coexistence of different cultural, ethnic and religious communities.
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We discover the best things to see and do in Mostar and its surroundings.
One of the most famous landmarks in Mostar, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the Stari most or "Old Bridge". The bridge was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and is an example of typical Islamic architecture and fine engineering. It crosses the beautiful turquoise river Neretva and is located in the heart of the old town of Mostar. During the civil war, however, the bridge was destroyed by Croatian forces, but has since been rebuilt to its original specifications. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having received this status in 2005 shortly after it was restored, and attracts thousands of tourists to Mostar every year.
2. Stone "Don't forget"
This stone is located near the Old Bridge, and serves as a reminder of the civil war. While tourists visit the stunning city of Mostar, it is important not to gloss over the fact that terrible crimes have been committed here relatively recently, and that the city is still feeling the effects of a divided population. Although tourism has ensured that Mostar thrives since the war, it was not so long ago that it was under siege, and many locals who live in the city today would lose friends and family members. The stone 'Don't forget' serves to gently remind visitors to think about the tragic past of the city.
3. Bazaar
In the heart of the picturesque Old Town of Mostar is its market or čaršija. There is a market on each side of the river near the Old Bridge, due to the division between the Bosniak and Croat ethnic groups that inhabit the city, although the difference between them is not noticeable to visiting tourists. The market has a distinctly Eastern feel, thanks to historical Ottoman influences, with stalls selling rugs, painted plates, copperware and souvenirs. The market is full of locals as well as tourists, and gives visitors a good insight into the traditional Bosnian way of life.
4. Jumps from the bridge
One of the key activities in life in Mostar naturally revolves around its famous bridge: diving mainly takes place during the summer months and involves trained professionals diving from the top of the Old Bridge to entertain the crowd. The distance between the top of the bridge and the river below is about 20 m, so it should only be undertaken by professionals or tourists who have previously completed a training course. There's even an official annual Red Bull cliff diving competition.
5. House of Muslibegović
One of the best examples of Ottoman architecture in Mostar is the protected national monument Muslibegović Houses. The Muslibegović noble family used to live there, and today it is a luxury hotel and museum. The interior is in keeping with traditional Eastern styles, such as Ottoman rugs, white walls and wooden furniture, and the museum displays items such as books, manuscripts and handmade handicrafts. One of the highlights is the outdoor courtyard, which is shady and well maintained with plenty of lush flowers and greenery. Although the hotel can be considered quite expensive (after all, it was named one of the top 10 hotels in the world), a small entrance fee to the museum gives visitors a good impression of the place.
6. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque
This stunning mosque is not only an attraction in its own right, but also a place from which you can enjoy some of the best views of the Old Bridge. The mosque was built by the Ottomans in the early 1600s, and today it is one of the best preserved mosques in this area. There is a small entrance fee that includes climbing the minaret for a 360º view of the bridge and a walk around the outdoor courtyard which also offers amazing views. The inside of the mosque is small but has some nice ornate decorations, although it's definitely worth a visit just for the view.
7. War photo exhibition
Inside one of Mostar's historic buildings, there is a photo gallery containing images taken in Mostar by a New Zealand photographer during the civil war. It is located right next to the Old Bridge, and is housed in a traditional dwelling that corresponds to the personal stories of the inhabitants of Mostar told through photographs. The photographs show not only the devastation of war but also the daily struggles of the local population, many of whom were simply trying to get on with their lives. The exhibition is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history of Mostar and what shaped it.
8. Cupria's curve
For a smaller and less touristic version of the Old Bridge, it is worth visiting the Crooked Bridge. It is older than the Old Bridge and is considered to have been a kind of rehearsal for the later construction of a larger and more famous bridge. It only has one arch so it is relatively small, but it is still an example of typical 16th century Islamic architecture and is a much quieter place to sit and enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. The bridge was washed away by a flood in 2000, but was rebuilt a year later with the help of UNESCO, and the civil war left it relatively undamaged.
Do you want to experience Mostar firsthand, enjoy the beautiful architecture, picturesque views of the Neretva River and learn all about its rich history? Contact our partners - ERO Travel Tour Agency.
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