en:Mostar

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Old town of Mostar

Mostar[dead link]Category:Articles with dead external links is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Much of the city has been rebuilt and visitors might be surprised to see that this formerly war-torn city is a lively and beautiful destination once again, particularly the area within and around the old town. However, many visible signs of Mostar's troubled history in the 1990s remain.

Understand

Mostar used to be one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country: today, it suffers from an ethnic geographical division. The city was the most heavily bombed of any Bosnian city during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the breakup of Yugoslavia. At the beginning of the war, air strikes destroyed many important buildings and structures, including the city's iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most), which was a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mostar was most famous for this beautiful historic Ottoman-style bridge, which spanned the Neretva River in what is considered the historic centre of the city. Through combined efforts with the international community, rebuilding of the Old Bridge was completed in 2004, almost 11 years after its destruction, using some of its original stones recovered from the Neretva River.

Get in

By bus

  • 43.3482217.813621 Mostar Main (east) bus stationCategory:Has map markers (Autobuska stanica Mostar), Maršala Tita (on eastern part of Mostar, close to Carinski bridge and University of Dzemal BIjedic). 07:00-20:00. The main transit terminal for buses and trains. OSM directions (updated Oct 2015)
  • 43.351717.79862 Mostar (west) bus stationCategory:Has map markers (Mostar - zapad), Vukovarska. 07:00-21:00. Bus station in northwestern part of Mostar OSM directions (updated Oct 2015)

From Sarajevo

There are many buses (first at 06:00, last at 19:55 - approx. 1 per hour) from Sarajevo to Mostar. There are also many buses from Mostar to Sarajevo (first at 06:00, last at 18:15 - approx. 1 per hour). Journey takes 2½ hours and costs 17-20 KM (depends on bus company). Timetable is available here, but not all buses are listed.

Other destinations

Bus timetables are online, but not all connections are listed. Frequent buses run between Mostar and Ploče, Dubrovnik (2 per day, 3-4 hours, 30 KM), Split (4 hours, 16 EUR), Zagreb, Podgorica, Jajce (3½-4 hours, 19 KM), Banja Luka, Belgrade (2 per day) and most cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The stop in Mostar for the bus from Podgorica, which continues to Banja Luka, is several kilometres from the city centre on an expressway. A taxi from there costs 10 KM.

By train

There are twice daily trains from Sarajevo. An international train from Ploče, in Croatia, runs three times per week.

  • 43.3489717.813643 Mostar train stationCategory:Has map markers (Željeznička stanica Mostar), Maršala Tita. Platforms are opened 30 minutes before train departure. OSM directions (updated Oct 2015)

By car

Mostar is easily reachable from Western Europe via Croatia. From, Zagreb take the A1 (green signs for Karlovac, Split and Dubrovnik). There is a border crossing Nova Sela - Bijača, and the motorway continues in Herzegovina until the end at Međugorje. Then just follow the signs to Mostar on the remaining 30 or so kilometres of two-lane road. There are plans build a motorway all the way to Mostar, but this might take several more years.

From Sarajevo it's a two-hour scenic drive through the Neretva river valley. This route is also planned to be upgraded to a motorway.

By plane

By bicycle

The Ćiro Trail is a 157-km cycling route from Dubrovnik. It's a rail trail following the tracks of a decommissioned Austro-Hungarian narrow gauge railway, and crosses several 19th-century tunnels and bridges.

Get around

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Map of Mostar

See

The old town in Mostar
A smaller (Crooked) bridge in Mostar's old town
  • 43.3372317.815031 The Old BridgeCategory:Has map markers (Stari Most). 24/7. The original bridge built by the Turks in 1566 was destroyed in 1993, but rebuilt in 2004. The bridge is the highlight of Mostar and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main site in Mostar, if not Bosnia. The bridge is 21 m high and you will frequently see members of the Mostar Diving Club dive off the bridge. It is customary to give the divers a few marks after they make the jump. Free. Stari Most on Wikipedia Stari Most (Q188528) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated Aug 2017)
  • 43.3372817.815282 Old Bridge MuseumCategory:Has map markers (next to the Old Bridge). Includes exhibits on the history of the bridge, a panoramic view from the top, and entrance into the excavations below, along with a video detailing the reconstruction of the bridge. It opened in 2006, commemorating the second anniversary of the bridge's reconstruction. 10 KM. Museum of the Old Bridge on Wikipedia Museum of the Old Bridge (Q6941108) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated May 2023)
Muslibegovića House
  • 43.3416817.816353 Muslibegovića HouseCategory:Has map markers (Muslibegovića kuća) (located near the Karađoz Bey’s Mosque). Open for visitors 15 April – 15 October from 11:00-17:00. Constructed 300 years ago, it is considered the most beautiful Ottoman period house in the Balkans. The house comprises separate quarters for women (women’s courtyard – haremluk) and men (men’s courtyard – selamluk). Unlike earlier architectural styles, this is a four-storey house built around the centre. Double-arched entrance with the central pillar reveals Mediterranean influence. The house is a preserved authentic monumental structure along with items and documents providing an insight into the life of a wealthy bey family from the time. In addition to museum exhibition, visitors are invited to take traditional beverages and biscuits, or spend a night. 6 KM. OSM directions (updated May 2025)
  • 43.3389517.815954 Museum of HerzegovinaCategory:Has map markers (Muzej Hercegovine). Daily 08:00-16:00. Has a small collection of photographs from various phases of Mostar history, including a small exhibit on a native son who was Prime Minister of Yugoslavia for 6 years. Also shows an excellent video on the recent history of the Old Bridge. 5 KM. OSM directions 
  • 43.3386617.814735 Koski Mehmed Pasha MosqueCategory:Has map markers (Koski Mehmed-pašina džamija), Mala Tepa 16. Small but pretty Ottoman mosque built in 1618 that was destroyed during the war but rebuilt with Turkish financial support. Climb the minaret for spectacular views over the town. Ascending the minaret is not recommended to those with claustrophobia, but the 192 step climb rewards with a superlative view of the Old Bridge. Entry: 7 KM, with minaret access: 14 KM. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque (Q19951166) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated Aug 2017)
  • 43.3412417.813696 Karađoz Bey MosqueCategory:Has map markers (Karađoz-begova džamija) (Old town). Ottoman mosque built in 1557; central mosque of Mostar. Entry: 3 KM, with minaret access: 5 KM. Karađoz Bey Mosque on Wikipedia Karadzozbey Mosque (Q1729060) on Wikidata OSM directions 
  • 43.341517.813617 CemeteryCategory:Has map markers (next to Karađoz Bey Mosque in the Old town). A park turned into a cemetery in 1993 when the dead needed a place to be buried and other cemeteries were inaccessible due to the war. OSM directions 
  • 43.3405317.813058 Ottoman houseCategory:Has map markers (Bišćevića kuća), Bišćevića Street. An Ottoman house, where you only can see the few rooms in upstairs. 4 KM. OSM directions 

Do

  • 43.3377417.815191 Watch locals dive off the Old BridgeCategory:Has map markers. Members of the Mostar Diving Club will dive off the bridge into the emerald green waters, but first they will try to collect some money from tourists. Do not attempt this yourself. The waters of river are at a constant 12°C, and going suddenly from 30°C to 12°C can cause a heart attack among even the fittest. The young local men diving would hose themselves down first in order to lower their body temperature before diving. The best place to watch this is below Old Bridge on shore of Neretva river. OSM directions 
  • 43.3388617.809252 Walk Along the Former Front-lineCategory:Has map markers, on Bulevar Revolucije. Here, in 1993 the city was divided between Croats on the west and Bosniaks on the eastern side. It is a surreal and sobering experience to see the bombed-out buildings which still stand in this area only 5 m from the division. OSM directions 
  • 43.3378517.80873 Zvonik miraCategory:Has map markers (Bell Tower). Visible wide around the city. Take the elevator up the bell tower next to Sveti Petar i Pavao. 6 KM. OSM directions (updated Oct 2022)
  • Drink Bosnian coffee. Don't let anyone tell you that Bosnian coffee is the same as Turkish coffee. Instead, let the good people of Cafe de Alma (Rade Bitange not far from the bridge) educate you about this distinct way of preparing coffee. They are the only roasters in town and they are passionate about preserving this tradition. The café will serve your coffee in a traditional coffee set, plus a Turkish delight to sweeten your drink, all for 2 KM. Before you drink your coffee, the staff will explain to you how it is prepared and how best to enjoy it.
  • Park Fortica With multiple ziplines and a via ferrata. Also offers adventurous activities in the surrounding area.

Buy

The Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark (KM or BAM) is pegged to the euro at a rate of €1 = 1.95583 KM. Shops and restaurants will accept euros at a 1:2 rate with the Bosnian convertible mark. Numerous banks have their affiliates and ATMs across the city. Most restaurants in the Old Town will accept cards and there is an ATM next to tourist company across Restaurant Kulluk and Europa.

Head over to Old Bazaar Kujundžiluk for handicrafts, carpets and jewelry.

Eat

Budget

Around the Old Bridge

Around the Karađoz Bey Mosque

Around the Meppas Mall

Around the Must Musala bridge

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Plenty of bars and cafés in the Old Town.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

From 2016, fast and free Wi-Fi provided by TGM is available in the vicinity of the Stari Most (Old Bridge).

Stay safe

As of 2022, the Mostar Bridge and all with tourists tightly packed places still attract the odd pickpocketers to rip off the unsuspected old lady, but probably not anyone reading this travel guide.

Go next

Ancient Stjepan-grad fort (Počitelj in Čapljina) near Mostar

Day trips

Many of these areas are hard to reach with public transport; however, transfers with bigger taxi companies are cheap (somewhat controlled) and several agencies offer guided tours.

  • 43.13333317.7333331 PočiteljCategory:Has map markers Počitelj on Wikipedia - a well-preserved walled town (municipality of Čapljina) dating back to 1383 that is 35 km south of Mostar. It is reachable by public transport by taking yellow bus #41 towards Čapljina for around 30 minutes. Excellent view of the Neretva River. During the Middle Ages, Počitelj was the administrative centre and centre of governance of county Dubrava župa. The town has a few small restaurants, coffee shops and street vendors selling local grown fruits and souvenirs most of the year.
  • 43.25742717.8946682 BlagajCategory:Has map markers Blagaj, Mostar on Wikipedia - a village 12 km southeast of Mostar. It is reachable by public bus 10/11/12 in 20-25 minutes (2.1 KM, stops in Španski trg in front of the Gimnazija). The bus may leave from the road opposite the main station, not the bus station itself, but can be caught at several stops in the city. At Blagaj, a karst river flows out of a mountain. It's very beautiful, with deep blue water. A historic tekke is built into the cliff (entrance 10 KM). Women must wear headscarves to enter the tekke. Trout are farmed in the river, and several excellent restaurants serve trout with seating on the riverbank. There is an impressive ancient fort with amazing views on top of the mountain. The area around the fort is dotted with countless pomegranate trees—so being there in fall, you will have a delicious time. To reach the fort, follow the road past the village's old town and then ask where the trail starts, or just follow the road (keep right) to where the road swerves left (you'll see several ancient gravestones) and you'll find the path on your right. The trail is about 2 km. You can pitch your tent in the fort or in one of the numerous campsites in Blagaj directly adjacent to the Buna river. Velagićevina (the Velagić family House) was built in the 17th century and is a beautiful example of Ottoman residential architecture, a one-storey structure with typically extended porches. In the vicinity there are also old flour mills that were powered by the strong Buna River.
  • 43.19015917.677863 MeđugorjeCategory:Has map markers, 25 km from Mostar, is exceptionally popular among catholic pilgrims due to an alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to youths in the town. Buses depart from the bus station every few hours.
  • 43.08388917.9591674 StolacCategory:Has map markers Stolac on Wikipedia - an old Ottoman town with the medieval cemetery of Radimlja (Nekropola Radimlja), the Illyrian site of Daorson and the palaeolithic cave painting at the Badanj Cave (Pećina Badanj).
  • 43.1558317.608335 KravicaCategory:Has map markers Kravica (waterfall) on Wikipedia Waterfall gorge, 25 km north of Mostar, is popular for outdoor sports such as biking, hiking, canyoning and climbing. The Drežanka River is a tributary of the Neretva, and the two rivers join in an artificial hydropower lake. Take a bus in the direction of Drežnica; there are buses which go to the end of the gorge, Gornja Drežnica. Or take the train in the direction of Sarajevo and get off at train stop Drežnica, approx. 30 min. There are several camp sites and basic accommodation, although you will need your own sporting equipment.

Further destinations

  • Ploče, Croatia - is the nearest seaside town to Mostar, and is easily accessible with numerous daily buses and weekend trains in summer. Beaches are nicest for swimming north of the city, especially further on Baćina lakes and on east at delta of Neretva river.
  • Čapljina - is the closest town between Mostar and Metkovića first town across border to Croatia, known for old town Počitelj and Mogorjelo with Roman archeological site (villa rustica). There are frequent buses (8:10, 11:05, 12:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:15, 19:10) going from the west bus station to Čapljina.
  • Međugorje - as international pilgrimage for Roman-catholics from all over the world
  • Jablanica - town between Mostar and Konjic, home to Dugopolje necropolis and bridge monument from WW2.
  • Sarajevo - as main and biggest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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