What to see in Mostar & What to do in Mostar | Best for 2024

One of the most captivating cities in Europe, and for sure one of the most underestimated cities in the world is Mostar. Hence, through what to see in Mostar and what to do in Mostar guide, our main intention is to present this city like it should be presented. 

Most people heard or read about one of the most beautiful bridges in the World, the famous Mostar Old Bridge.

The fact is, it is by far the focal point of the city and the heart of tourism in Mostar. But, did you know there is at least 17 more sight that is really worth paying a visit to Mostar?

What to see in Mostar and what to do in Mostar guide will present you every location in Mostar worth visiting in our opinion, of course, besides Mostar Old Bridge, which is anyhow first on our list.

So, let’s do this. Buckle up and meet Mostar and Mostar must see locations in depth.

Do you maybe know why Mostar is named like that? Here is the answer in case you don’t know. During the Ottoman rule, there were soldiers whose job was to secure the bridges from both sides and to control the people who are passing through. Because of the job they had, they were called Mostari (bridgekeepers), and hence the name of the city, Mostar.

Mostar is the third largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the capital city of the Herzegovina region.

However, it is the second most visited city in the country and Sarajevo, is by far the most popular city in the country for tourists.

It is situated in the southern part of the county, and it is in a short vicinity of the border with Croatia. Due to its suitable geography, it became a really popular city for Dubrovnik day trips and day tours from Split, probably the two most popular coastal cities in Croatia. Besides that, one of the most popular tourist tours from Sarajevo is the Mostar tour.

Emblematic structure in the heart of the city that amazes anyone and anytime due to its uniqueness and beauty, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, The Old Bridge in Mostar is, as we already said before, the heart of Mostar tourism and a synonym of the city. It is the city’s greatest monument and its greatest pride. 

Mostar Old Bridge was built between 1557 and 1566 and was the work of the Ottoman builder Hajrudin. On November 9, 1993, it was demolished in the midst of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the restoration in 2004, it was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list and it became the centre of the world’s attention and one of the 3 UNESCO monuments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In case someone fancy bridge jumping, which is a unique attraction in the city, the Mostar bridge’s height is 27 meters. Professional jumpers, from Dive club Mostar, are more or less always there to help and assist if you opt for this bold activity.

For people who are not adrenalin seekers, you can always take a photo and create an amazing memory for yourself with the Mostar Old Bridge in the background.

What to see in Mostar – Mostar Old Bridge

If you are interested in seeing the Mostar Old Bridge first hand, feel free to join us on our Mostar tour and enjoy an amazing day in Mostar and Herzegovina.

Located 40 kilometres from Mostar centre, the Kravice waterfalls are the most attractive location on Trebizat river. It was created by the travertine-bearing river Trebižat in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is located 10 km from Međugorje, in a place called Studenci, near Ljubuski.

The water of the river Trebizat in that place disperses and falls from a height of 30 meters, creating a natural amphitheatre 150 meters wide, creating a natural spectacle reminiscent, of course, to a much smaller extent, of Niagara Falls, so it is a natural phenomenon under the protection of the state as a natural rarity.

This is a must for what to see in Mostar and we wholeheartedly suggest a visit to this mesmerizing place. 

We have to point out the fact that Meet Bosnia Travel agency is the only agency from Sarajevo that includes visit to Kravice waterfalls as a part of our Mostar tour. So, in case you want to visit this Herzegovina nature gem, feel free to book our Mostar tour and we shall do the rest. 

Furthermore, if you are a nature lover, we advise you to read our waterfalls in Bosnia article, and you will find more beautiful waterfalls that are waiting on you to explore.

What to see in Mostar – Kravice waterfalls

The Crooked Bridge is a small and oldest single-arched stone bridge in Mostar, built in 1558 during the Ottoman rule. Its builder was the Ottoman architect Çejvan-ketoda.

The bridge is located about 30 m west of the Old Bridge and represents its miniature version. The arch of the bridge is semicircular, with a diameter of 8.56 m.

The height of the crooked bridge is 4.15 m high and can be reached by stone steps.

In the case where to go after you visit the Mostar Old Bridge, consider putting Crooked bridge on your what to see in Mostar list.

On the eastern bank of the Neretva River, in Bišćevićeva street, there is Biscevica corner or Biscevica house. It was built in the Ottoman style and dates from the 17th century. The house has two courtyards and it is one of the most interesting locations in Mostar and definitely worth adding on what to see in Mostar activity.

The first is “Selamluk”, as its name suggests, the part where greetings are given, so everyone, known and unknown, could enter that courtyard, while the second courtyard, “Haremluk”, could only be entered by the known and invited. The “Harem” is surrounded by high walls for three reasons.

The first is protection from the strong wind that is typical for Mostar, then in the summer, they protect the house from the sun so that during the day at least one of the sheds has a shade for coffee, and the third and most important reason is the protection of the woman and her privacy.

The specificity of this building is mainly reflected in the two dominant pillars that reach the Neretva River, and for that reason, it is considered one of the most daring construction projects of its time.

When you know that Kajtaz’s house is the oldest house in Mostar it is clear why it should be on anyone what to see in Mostar activity list. It belongs to the city’s residential architecture of the Turkish era and is the most beautiful residential complex with a house for men and a house for women. High walls protect from the strong sun and prevent outside views.

It was built of stone and wood. It is interesting that the house is located in an alley called an ugly alley. Also, the first owner of the house was a caddy who came to Mostar directly from Turkey. His name was Kajtaz, and that’s why the house is still called Kajtaz’s house.

The residential complex of the Muslibegović family, located in Brankovac, Mostar, dates back to the second half of the 18th century. Muslibegovic’s house is a national monument and museum located in Mostar.

The monument complex includes a residential building and two courtyards, including surrounding walls with entrances and movable property, and it definitely belongs to what to see in Mostar list.

Some of its most valuable exhibits include a Qur’an manuscript made by Sami, a student of Hajji Hafiz Muhammed Sevki in 1855 and a decorated sabre from 1866. The main house was extended between 1871 and 1872 when two rooms were added on the ground floor. rooms, and two additional ones on the first floor. That was also the time when the mutvak (summer kitchen), storage room and cistern were built – as evidenced by the building permit written in Turkish and issued by the Mostar beledija (municipality).

The house was commissioned by Mehmed Muslibegovic, who owned extensive land holdings, especially in Popovo polje. The Muslibegović family house is considered one of the most significant examples of residential architecture in Herzegovina from the Ottoman era.

The complex has preserved its original residential use and ownership over the years. Today part of the building is used as a hotel and consists of twelve bedrooms.

Mostar Gymnasium, once known as Aleksa Santić Gymnasium, commonly known as Old Gymnasium (Stara gimnazija), is a gymnasium in Mostar, at the Spanish square (Španski trg). The gymnasium in Mostar was founded in 1893 and started working.

The high school operated there until 1898, when one wing of the current building was built, according to the design of the Czech architect František Blažek.

In 1902, the second wing was added and the building got its current look. The pseudo-Moorish style building featured numerous decorations inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Spain.

The Mostar Clock Tower is located in Mostar and is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located on the left bank of the Neretva River in the Old Town, in the Brankovac neighbourhood in Bajatova Street.

The clock tower in Mostar is an important part of the bazaar. Mostar bazaar starts from the clock tower to the Čejvan-cehaja mosque. It is not known exactly when it was built or who exactly built this clock tower. According to tradition, it represents the endowment of the Mostar vakif of Fatima Kaduna Šarić.

The first and oldest known written source that mentions this clock tower is the endowment of Ibrahim Šarić from 1636. Based on this information, it can be determined that this clock tower was built before 1636 and that it is the endowment of Šarić. The clock tower is 16 meters high and has four floors.

The old clock was in use until 1926, and from 1981 the building was in its original function, it was completely restored and a new clock was installed.

The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque in Mostar is located in the Old Town, on the left bank of the Neretva, between the river, Kujundžiluk Street, about 150 meters north of the Old Bridge and about 20 meters south of Mala Tepa.

It was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mehmed Koski Pasha was born in Mostar. Under Grand Vizier Lalo Mehmed Pasha Sokolović (1604-1606), he was a roznamedžija (chronicler), and then he became a military defterdar (finance officer).

After retiring from service, Koski Mehmed Pasha lived for another five years and died in 1611. The construction of the mosque was completed by his brother Mahmud.

The vakufnama also mentions the construction of Koski Mehmed Pasha’s hanikah.

Karadjoz-bey Mosque or Zaim Hajji Mehmed-bey Karajoz Mosque is the largest and one of the most beautiful mosques in Herzegovina. It is located in Mostar, at the corner of Brace Fejica Street and Karajoz-bey Street. It was built in 1557-1558. according to the designs of the famous Ottoman architect Sinan.

The mosque is mentioned in the contemporary list of Sinan’s works, as the only building designed by this great architect in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The supervisor and main donor was the Mostar patron Mehmed-beg Karađoz, brother of the Ottoman vizier Rustem Pasha Opukovic.

He was a great benefactor, who left in his endowment, in addition to a mosque and a madrasah, three schools, an imaret and a musafirhana (guest house), three bridges and several khans.

The Partisan Cemetery in Mostar was built in 1965 in honour of all Mostar citizens who died in the NOB (National Liberation Movement). It was built by the architect Bogdan Bogdanovic during the period of reconstruction that took place after the end of the Second World War, in memory of the fallen Mostar partisans, anti-fascists and in honour of all those who fought against fascism throughout Europe and the world during the Second World War.

This memorial cemetery is one of the symbols of the city on the Neretva and the most beautiful architectural project in the Balkans. It is located in the western part of Mostar, on a hill characterized by wide green areas and from there you can see almost the entire city.

Aleksa Santic was a poet from Bosnia and Herzegovina. A Herzegovinian Serb, his poetry reflects both the urban culture of the region and the growing national consciousness. The most common themes of his songs are social injustice, nostalgic love, the suffering of the Serbian people and the unity of the South Slavs.

He was the editor-in-chief of Zora magazine. Santic was one of the leading figures of the Serbian literary and national movement in Mostar. In 1914, Santic became a member of the Serbian Royal Academy.

A commemorative monument depicting the respected poet was erected in the peaceful surroundings of the park.

Approximately 7 kilometres from Mostar centre you can come to the sports and adventure park Fortica, located on the Fortica hill east of Mostar at an altitude of 500 meters.

The main attraction of the sports-adventure park “Fortica” is the 570-meter-long ZIP LINE, which offers a fantastic view of Mostar. The starting point of the ZIP LINE is in front of the mountain lodge and the viewpoint where the national flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina is located, and it ends at the steep rocks of the sports climbing area “Stolac”, where 13 climbing directions are marked.

In addition to the large ZIP LINE, there is also a children’s ZIP LINE with a length of 20 meters.

Less than 15 kilometres from Mostar, under the rocks of the Hum hill, the largest karst spring in Europe, Buna, springs up with 43 cubic metres of drinking water every second.

Marakatami is a word of Sanskrit origin and its meaning is green, emerald, which is also the description of this extremely beautiful spring.

Directly next to the spring is the Dervish Tekija built between the 15th and 16th centuries. It is believed that it was built by dervishes, members of the Baktashi Order. Near the Tekija there is a room (turbe), which preserves the memory of the dervish Acik Pasha, the most famous founder of the Tekija.

What to see in Mostar – Buna spring

You are interested in exploring the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and enjoying its natural beauties and fascinating history, culture and tradition? Book our Herzegovina day tour, explore and learn everything you wanted!

The old town of Blagaj, also known as Bona or Stjepan-grad, is a fortress in the area of ​​the settlement of Blagaj (Mostar), Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research in the second half of the 20th century established that the area of ​​the Old Town of Blagaj was continuously inhabited from the Iron Age until 1835.

First, the Illyrians built their Castle here. After conquering the Illyrian territory, the Romans, despite their custom of building settlements along roads, built their own fortress next to the Illyrian settlement. The fortress was extended by the Byzantines, during the time of Emperor Justinian I, between 535 and 600, which can be seen by the technique of diagonally laying stones in rows of 20 to 25 cm (opus spicatum).

Slavs founded Hum parish here. The first written sources about Blagaj come from the Writings of the Peoples of the Byzantine Emperor and writer Constantine Porphyrogenitus, written between 948 and 952, which mention two towns in Zahumlje – Bona and Hum. 

The Bosnian ban Stjepan II Kotromanic included this area in the Bosnian state for the first time in 1326. There are several charters issued by Bosnian rulers in Blagaj, since the time of King Tvrtko I. In May 1404, Blagaj became one of the seats of duke Sandalj Hranic, and then of duke Stjepan Vukcic Kosaca.

The Ottomans occupied Blagaj in 1465, and already in 1473, the Blagaj kadi is mentioned. The city was repaired twice: in 1699 when the western tower was repaired, and then in 1827. The army inhabited the town until 1835.

If you opt to go to Blagaj to visit Buna spring, then definitely consider adding this fascinating old town to your what to see in Mostar activity list, it will be worth it, for sure!

Prior to coming to the Buna spring, you can visit the bridge built on the site of an earlier medieval crossing over the river as an endowment of Hajji Mehmed-bey Karadjoz. It was mentioned for the first time in the endowment of that Mostar benefactor from 1570, so it must have been built somewhat earlier.

The bridge consists of five stone barrel vaults, which are built of regular masonry in horizontal layers. The vaults rest on four stone masonry pillars in the river bed and on two feet on the banks of the Buna.

The pillars of the Karadjoz-bey bridge are made of beautifully processed stone blocks and are not standard. Judging by the construction method, the bridge was built by local craftsmen.

One of the most fascinating sights in the short vicinity of Mostar is the Buna channels. They are a natural phenomenon on the Neretva River located near Buna, south of Mostar along the main road M-17 Mostar – Čapljina. 

It represents one of the rare natural phenomena where the entire Neretva river flows into a channel slightly more than three meters wide and about 850 meters long.

This phenomenon can only be seen in the summer period, that is when the water level of the Neretva River is extremely low. When this happens, many consider the Buna channels (Bunski kanali) is one of the most attractive parts of the Neretva River in its entire course. This is worth adding to what to see in Mostar list, right?

Žitomislić Monastery is one of the most culturally significant Orthodox monasteries in Herzegovina since the 16th century and is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It is located in a valley on the way from Mostar to the southern border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the extreme western line of the old Dubrava area. In the old Hum area, it is the westernmost preserved Orthodox monastery. The largest founders of the monastery were the Miloradović and Hrabren families.

Does Mostar tour seems like the kind of the tour you would like to be the part of? You can book now and we will help you in your quest of exploring Mostar and Herzegovina. Feel free to contact us for any more information in case you have any questions or doubts regarding our Mostar tour.

So, every time you come to Mostar, make sure to read our “What to see in Mostar and what to do in Mostar guide” and learn something new as we tend to update our list as much as we can, whenever we can.

If you are a traveller who would like to add something to our list, or you know some amazing facts about this city, make sure you contact us with the message subject “What to see in Mostar”. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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