10 Awesome Things to Do in Mostar for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Mostar

1. Visit the Iconic Stari Most Bridge

One of the most iconic landmarks in Bosnia and probably the main reason why you are visiting Mostar is to see Stari Most Bridge, an old Ottoman-era historical bridge that spans over the Neretva River in the heart of the beautiful city of Mostar.

The bridge is notably famous for its distinctive Ottoman-style architecture, which is pretty common in this part of Europe as the Ottomans controlled much of this territory up until the 19th Century. The bridge was built in the 16th Century to connect two sides of the city together.

For over 400 years, the bridge stood as an iconic symbol of the city's cultural heritage, until it was destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1993. However, in 2004, the bridge was rebuilt using original materials and traditional methods, and it has since been recognized as a symbol of reconciliation and hope for the people of Bosnia as well as for tourists like us to admire its beauty.

Nowadays, the bridge is a beautiful piece of Bosnia's past, offering us a glimpse of what the city was like before it was destroyed in the war. I highly recommend you start your journey in Mostar here as it is located right at the center of everything and you can pretty much reach most of the tourist attractions I mentioned in this travel guide from here.

As you climb up the highest point of the bridge, you will be rewarded with an incredible vantage point where you can appreciate the beautiful cityscape of Mostar from both sides, as well as Neretva River and its surroundings.

The bridge can get quite crowded during the day since most day trippers coming from touristy places like Dubrovnik in Croatia often arrive late in the day so if you wish to have the whole place to yourself, I highly recommend you come and visit in the early morning as I did. There was nobody in sight and it was incredible. Definitely one of the best things to do in Mostar.

2. Stroll Around the Old Bazaar

After you are done at Stari Most Bridge, you can spend some time and explore the Old Bazaar located on both ends of the bridge where you will find plenty of shops and restaurants you can indulge yourself in.

Here, you will find lines of shops selling all kinds of items like souvenirs and handicrafts which makes for a great place to stroll along and shop around for some cool souvenirs to take back home. Plus, they are not expensive at all, compared to the prices you find in neighboring cities like Dubrovnik in Croatia.

The atmosphere of the Old Bazaar is also quite lively, especially during the day, as the street is ridden with people, both locals and tourists, walking around, hanging out with one another, and enjoying a nice cup of coffee while being surrounded by all the beautiful architectures of Mostar.

One of the favorite things about Bosnia is its unique culture that resembles those of Albania and Turkey more than the rest of Europe, and one of the greatest examples of this is the Old Bazaar with shops selling beautiful lamps and souvenir with beautiful symmetrical patterns, that you often find selling in souqs and bazaars in the Middle East.

I was traveling in other parts of Europe prior to arriving in Bosnia and it was such a breath of fresh air to visit mosques and bazaars instead of the typical markets and cathedrals elsewhere in Europe. If you are looking for a place to stroll around in Mostar, there is no better place to be than the Old Bazaar.

3. Check Out the View from Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque

One of the best viewpoints you will find in Mostar is from the minaret of Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, one of the most prominent mosques in the city, with its minaret open to the public, allowing you to see Mostar from above.

It was built in 1618 by the Ottoman governor of Bosnia, Koski Mehmed Pasha, and is considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the region.

The mosque features a stunning dome and minaret, intricate calligraphy, and beautiful stained-glass windows, that you can check out inside. With its location, being situated on the banks of the Radobolja River, you will have an incredible unobstructed view of Stari Most bridge as well as the cityscape of Mostar from above if you don't mind climbing the 89 extremely narrow stairs.

The staircase is very narrow and steep as you can observe from the minaret's narrow-shaped exterior so expect it to be cramped inside as you climb up the stairs. It is also a one-way stair so be sure that no one is climbing down while you are ascending the tower, otherwise, it is going to be a huge pain trying to pass one another in this narrow space.

To get inside, you are going to have to pay the entrance fee of around 7 EUR per person at the entrance and you will have access to the interior of the mosque as well as the minaret. The view is worth it though and it is definitely one of the best things to do in Mostar so be sure to check out the mosque and the view from the minaret while you are here.

4. Watch People Diving Off the Stari Most Bridge

At the end of July, the annual Stari Most traditional diving competition will often take place here at Stari Most Bridge. It is traditional for the young men of the town to leap from the bridge and dive off into the Neretva, and if you are there during that time, there is no better place to witness the dive than from the Stari Most Bridge viewpoint below.

From the viewpoint, you will be right at the water level of the river, allowing you to have an incredible unobstructed view of the bridge in its entirety as well as see just how high the bridge actually is. From here, you can witness the jump and appreciate the bravery these young men have as they take the leap of faith off the 23 meters high bridge.

Even if you are not there during the annual competition, you will often see local people practicing diving and performing jumps for tourists to enjoy. They often accept a donation from tourists and if the donation reaches a certain threshold, they will perform the jump for every one to see.

I was there in October and there were local performers diving off Stari Most Bridge once every 30 minutes. You will often find these performers wearing swim suits, hanging out at the bridge during the day, and so if you want to see them perform, be sure to donate some money to them, and watch the performance from the viewpoint below.

5. Try Out Bosnian Coffee

One of the most popular things to do in Mostar is the try the famous Bosnian Coffee which you can get in most cafes but for a cafe with a nice view of Mostar Bridge, I highly recommend you check out Caffe Lasta.

What makes Bosnian coffee famous is not only its rich taste but also the ritualistic preparation and serving process. The coffee is made by brewing finely ground coffee beans in a cezve, a small copper or brass pot, with water and sugar.

The coffee is then brewed slowly over low heat and is served in a small cup called a fildzan. It is typically accompanied by a glass of water and a small piece of lokum (Turkish delight).

Though not customary, the actual local way of drinking Bosnian coffee is to take a sugar cube and place it in your mouth, allowing it to dissolve slowly right after you take a sip of it to neutralize the taste and refresh the palate. Not everyone like doing it, me included, but you gotta try it anyway while you are in Bosnia.

6. Learn About the Tragic History of Mostar at the Museum Of War And Genocide Victims

As many of you know, Bosnia went through a pretty brutal war in the 90s during the dissolution of Yugoslavia, which is not very long ago, and to the locals, the memory of the war is still pretty much alive in their minds.

Personally, I always find it extremely important to learn the history of the place I am visiting, to understand where the locals are coming from, and there is no better place to learn about that brutal war than at The Museum Of War And Genocide Victims located not too far from Mostar's Old Town.

The museum is dedicated entirely to preserving and promoting the memory of the victims of war and genocide that took place in the region during the 1990s.

Inside, you will find a collection of artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal stories that provide insight into the devastating impact of the war on the people of Mostar and the surrounding region.

It serves as a reminder of the atrocities that were committed during the conflict and the need to work toward peace and reconciliation. You can learn about the history of the war, the experiences of its victims, and the efforts being made toward healing and rebuilding in the aftermath.

If you are interested in the history of Bosnia, I highly recommend you check out the Museum Of War And Genocide Victims while you are here. It was both tragic and moving to be able to learn more about the history of this part of Europe that is often forgotten. The museum is open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day and the entrance fee is 5 EUR per person. You can buy the ticket here.

7. Track Down the Remnants of War in Mostar

After you have learned about the history of Mostar, it is time to face the reality and track down the remnants of the brutal war that scattered around Mostar.

All over the city, outside of the old town area, you will find many bullet-ridden buildings that are left in ruins but still standing with a large concentration of them around this intersection.

These ruins are remnants of this conflict and they serve as a great reminder of the brutality of this senseless war and the need to work towards peace and reconciliation. The fact that I was able to walk around this city freely without fearing for my life in less than 30 years after goes to show how resilience the Bosnians are.

Don't go and look at these buildings for enjoyment but instead, look at them so that we can prevent them from happening again in the future. If you are interested in the history of Bosnia, be sure to spend some time and track down these bullet-ridden buildings in Mostar.

8. Climb Up the Abandoned Sniper Tower

One of the most prominent remnants of war in Mostar that you should check out is the abandoned Tito Tower or as it is also hauntingly referred to as the Sniper Tower, a stark reminder of the violence and devastation that occurred during the conflict.

This striking building was originally built as a bank in the 1970s but was later abandoned during the Bosnian War. During the war, the tower was used as a strategic vantage point by snipers who used it to target civilians and soldiers in the surrounding area, hence the name.

Despite its dark history, the Sniper Tower has become a popular attraction for travelers and urban explorers, who come to explore its abandoned interior and take in the panoramic views of the city from the top.

The tower has also become a canvas for graffiti artists, who have covered its walls with thought-provoking and often poignant artwork. For those who love urban exploration, be sure to check out the Sniper Tower

9. Check Out the View from Millennium Cross

If you have time to spare, you can also take a taxi and go up the mountain the visit Millennium Cross, a 100-foot high memorial cross monument standing on the top of Hum Hill with a great vantage point over the entire city of Mostar as well as its mountainous surroundings.

It takes about 15 minutes to get up there by taxi which should cost around 10 EUR (20 BAM) for a roundtrip. I highly recommend you ask your accommodation to arrange a taxi for you. You can also hike but you will be walking along the highway for quite a bit before you hit the trailhead and it will take over 1.5 hours one-way which may not be ideal. If you are looking to kill some time here, be sure to check out the Millennium Cross in Mostar.

10. Go for a day trip outside of Mostar

If you have a day to spare in Mostar, I highly recommend you go on an organized tour and visit the surrounding tourist attractions like Kravica Waterfall, Blagaj, and Pocitelj on an 8 hours day trip.

The trip will often take you to Kravice Waterfall, a beautiful oasis surrounded by waterfalls and lush green forest you can swim at, Blagaj, a small village, home to the 16th century Dervish house carved into a cliff, and Pocitelj, a medieval stone town built in the 16th Century that act as an open-air museum full of stunning architectures, and more.

These places are quite remote and you won't be able to visit them unless you go on an organized tour or rent a car and drive yourself. It is a great way to spend a day outside of Mostar and see some of the hard-to-go places without having to worry about the logistics. You can browse for day trips here.

Further Reading for Bosnia & Herzegovina

I hope you found this Bosnia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Bosnia, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• Looking for a comprehensive itinerary for Bosnia and Herzegovina? Check out: 6 Days Backpacking Bosnia and Herzegovina Itinerary
• One of the most diverse and interesting cities in Eastern Europe, Sarajevo is a must-visit if you are traveling to Bosnia. If you are planning to visit the city, here are the 10 Best Things To Do In Sarajevo.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Bosnia & Herzegovina, visit the Bosnia Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.