Mostar is the most visited city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even the number of tourists is higher than in the country’s capital, Sarajevo. Mostar is the fifth-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The town lies on the banks of the Neretva River, between the heights of Hum and Mount Velez. The city’s signature place, the Old Bridge over Neretva, is called “Stari Most.” The town was actually named after “mostari,” the bridge keepers.
Mostar came under Ottoman Empire rule in 1468. The city’s fortification was started in 1520 and finished 46 years later, in 1566. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent built the city’s famous bridge in 1566 on orders of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Twenty-eight meters long, the 20-meter-high bridge became an architectural wonder of its time.
That day, the bridge was so high that it looked like a rainbow between two cliffs.Mostar was heavily damaged during the Serbian-Bosnian and Croatian-Bosnian wars. After the Croat-Bosniak war, the city was divided into a Croat-majority west bank and a Bosniak-majority east bank, also known as the “old city.” After standing still for 427 years, the Old Bridge was destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak wars on November 9, 1993.
After the war ended, UNESCO, the World Monuments Fund, the World Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey created a committee to rebuild the bridge. The same technology, building techniques, and materials were used in the reconstruction, and the bridge was made similarly to the original. The reconstruction took three years, from June 7, 2001, to July 23, 2004. The cost of reconstruction was 15.5 million US dollars.
Although the bridge represents the city, the area has other notable features. One-day visit will be more than for Mostar. Even though there are many things to see, luckily, the places worth seeing are close to each other. The best place to go in Mostar is limited to Old Town. Visitors generally visit Mostar while touring Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, or Split. The region enjoys a warm climate, with an average annual temperature of 15 Celsius.
Places to Visit in Mostar
The old bridge is the most popular place in the city. Still, there are other historical sites and natural wonders in Mostar.
Koshi Mehmed Pasha Mosque
There are 15 mosques in Mostar, and Koshi Mehmet Pasha Mosque is the most beautiful one by far. Mehmed Pasha Koski was the Grand Master of Finance of the Ottoman Army. He was ordered to build the mosque, but he failed to see it finished since he died in 1618. Koshi Mehmed Pasha Mosque was destroyed in 1993 during the siege and rebuilt between 1999 and 2001. The mosque is no longer active and closed to worship but is open to the public for a visit.
Kajtaz House
In the eastern part of Mostar, five old houses are open to visitors. The most popular of them is the Kajtaz House. Kajtaz House was built in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest houses in the whole country. The Kajtaz family still inhabits the house.
Tara Tower, Museum of the Old Bridge
The Museum of the Old Bridge is dedicated to the Old Bridge and informs visitors about the region’s history. You can watch the video of the bridge’s destruction in 1993 and learn details of the reconstruction project. The Museum’s building, Tara Tower, was built in 1087 and completely remodeled in 1676. The tower also has a magnificent view of the district.
Karadoz Bey Mosque
Karadoz Bey Mosque is one of the most monumental mosques in Herzegovina. The mosque was designed by the Grand Architect of the Ottoman Empire, Mimar Sinan. The mosque’s courtyard has a fountain, library, and madrassa. The mosque was damaged during World War II and the Croat-Bosniak War in 1993. Karadoz Bey Mosque was also rebuilt after the war.
Mostar Market
The Mostar market is located in the Muslim area of the city. The market probably contains everything. You can find fresh fruits, greens, and vegetables on one side and shoes, jewelry, spices, clothes, and oils on the other. The market is full of colors, tastes, and smells. You can enjoy yourself with the community while eating at the local restaurants.
Kravica Waterfalls
The Kravica Waterfalls are one of Bosnia’s most stunning natural attractions. It was about 30 kilometers from Mostar towards Ljubuski. If you think about where should I go in Mostar, you should definitely add Kravica waterfalls to your list. Mostar is full of historical places, local wonders, and significant natural areas in the city. A series of waterfalls cascade down a wall from several hundred meters in a very green setting. In the summer, you’ll enjoy the breezy waterfall and swim on the beaches along the river. Take your swimsuit with you if you visit waterfalls in the summer.
War Photo Exhibition
Mostar has had a lot of wars in history. The War Photo Exhibition is a must-see if you want to learn about what happened in the region. A ladder can reach the exhibition in the west tower of the Old Bridge. With touching shots of the New Zealand photographer Wade Goddard, you can understand towns and populations’ conditions under war. There is also another symbol of the tragedy of battle near the exhibition. A rock with “Don’t Forget” engraved on it is a reminder of how war can damage a city and its residents.
Where to Stay in Mostar
If you want to stay a couple of days in Mostar, you can try to find where to stay in Mostar city. Since the town is the most popular touristic spot in the country, you can find different options. The old town region might seem the best area to stay in Mostar. But the region attracts too many visitors; sometimes, the region becomes crowded and noisy. If you like to sleep in silence, then the best hotels Mostar is in the center of the city.
High Priced Places to Stay in Mostar
Hotels are essential for relaxing, unwinding, and enhancing your experience in a city. Before starting an adventure and discovering Mostar, you want to rest well.
Hotel Mepas: Hotel Mepas is at the heart of the city. You can walk anywhere in the city if you stay here. Mostar is a popular location, but visitors tend to stay shorter. Nevertheless, the hotel has a cinema and entertainment center for adults and children. Or you can enjoy the hotel’s spa after an exhausting day. Hotel Mepas is one of the best places to stay in Mostar.
Hotel Mostar: Hotel Mostar is located in the city center. The hotel is almost at the heart of the city’s transportation network. It is 1.3 km from the Old Bridge; you can walk on a refreshing morning for a visit. The hotel also has a fitness center for its visitors.
HA Hotel Mostar: Ha Hotel Mostar is a little bit away from the Old Bridge region of the city. The hotel also offers romantic garden rooms for couples. You can hire a car during your visit from the hotel. HA Hotel Mostar is also a popular cycling place. You can enjoy yourself in a cycle-friendly neighborhood in Mostar. It is the best place to stay in Mostar for couples.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Mostar
If you plan a multi-spot vacation, budget-friendly hotels are the preferred places to stay in Mostar.
Boutique Hotel Old Town Mostar: In the center of the old town, Boutique Hotel Old Town Mostar offers an immersive experience. One of the most essential things is hotel is just 3 minutes walk from the beach. This is the right spot to visit the region’s most important historical site and enjoy a beach.
Hotel Eden: Hotel Eden is another hotel close to Old Bazaar and the Old Bridge. This is one of the best hotels Mostar if you’re looking for a place to unwind. The hotel offers a spa section, swimming pool, sauna, and famous Turkish bath.
Hotel-Restaurant Kriva Cuprija: You want to rest steps away from the Old Bridge; Krive Cuprijah is the place. Its famous restaurant also offers unique local tastes. With a wide selection of local meals and desserts, you can have a different experience.
Low-Budget Hotels in Mostar
Budget hotels must be on the list for a place to stay without extra piffles.
Hotel Hercegovina: Hotel Hercegovinah is one of the best places to stay in Mostar if you are looking for low-budget hotels. It is located a couple of minutes drive from the Old Bridge. The hotel also has a traditional Bosnian cuisine restaurant.
Patria B&B: The Old Bridge, St. Paul, or Peter Church, is a couple of steps away from Patria B&B. It is also 8 kilometers from the Mostar Airport; Patria B&B is an excellent place to stay for your flights.
Hotel Villa Milas: Hotel Villa Milas has an excellent location. You walk to the beach and Old Town. You can see the Franciscan Monastery from your window. If you are looking to Mostar where to stay everywhere, this hotel is one of the limited options.
Where to Visit Close to Mostar
Mostar is a beautiful city to visit. With its rich history, the city is one of the best tourist spots in the region. But you can see many of the places in one day. A two-day vacation in Mostar might be too much. There are a couple of cities around Mostar worth visiting. If you plan a multi-day vacation, you can visit other towns close to Mostar.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital and the largest city in the country. After Mostar, it is the most visited city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo was an Ottoman stronghold in the early 15th century. The city has a lot of historical marvels; it is considered the Jerusalem of Europe. The town has many historic mosques, churches, and synagogues. Sarajevo’s tram network is Europe’s first full-time tram network and the world’s second after San Francisco.
Another significant feature of the city is that it was the starting point for World War I. Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian activist, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1915.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a bit far away from Mostar, but if you are in the region, you should take a little ride and visit Dubrovnik. The city is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Since you’re visiting another country, you should check your visa first. You can enjoy Dubrovnik just as much in the summer as you would in the winter. Because of its natural wonders—lakes, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and forts—Dubrovnik is worth visiting. The city is a bit bigger than Mostar, and there are many places to visit so that a two-day vacation will be enough for Dubrovnik. By the Adriatic Sea, the city is one of the most breathtaking places to visit in Dalmatia.
Split
Split is another city close to Mostar that is worth visiting. Split is the second-most populated city in Croatia and the most visited place in the country. Some essential monuments are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Split. The town was founded in the 2nd century BC. Different empires and kingdoms ruled the city during this time, and this city has many historical marvels to visit. There is a lot to see from the late Greek period to World War II; it spans nearly 2,000 years. Like Dubrovnik, Split is in a different country from Mostar, so you should check your visa if you want to visit these cities. Split is a far bigger city than Mostar or Dubrovnik, so you can stay in the city for 2–3 days to visit many places in the city. Split is also famous for its nightlife. If you want to move away from history, visiting bars and clubs await you in the city.