Overview
The city of Mostar is defined by its history. Bosnia’s second city has been part of three empires and one of Europe’s most powerful countries, the city has both changed yet remained the same. Mostar is about a 2 hour train ride south from Sarajevo and can easily be reached from Dubrovnik or Kotor. The city sits in a gorgeous river valley and is characterized by its 15th century marble bridge which is the de facto symbol of the city. A budding hotspot for fringe tourists and backpackers alike, Mostar is the perfect combination of east and west in a comfortable and affordable atmosphere.
Is it Cheap?
YES! All of Bosnia is pretty cheap and they use the Bosnian Convertible Mark which is pinned to the Euro so prices in their country don’t inflate because of their rocky economy. Mostar is actually cheaper than the capital Sarajevo, with food averaging around 8 Euros for a meal and drinks around 2. You should never pay more than 20 Euros for a hostel even in high season.
FOR MOSTAR WE SAY A GOOD BUDGET IS: 40 Euros a day including hostels.
Walled Ottoman City Outside of Mostar
Kravice Waterfalls
Blagaj Monestary
Ottoman Lamps in the Old Town Market
View from the Top of the Sniper Tower
What to Do
Although Mostar is a small city it certainly isn’t short of things to do. Many would argue it is the cultural capital of the small Balkan nation and with a beautiful old town dotted with ancient Mosques and one of Europe’s oldest bridges, the city really captures a different era. The old town is much like a bazaar, with shops selling old Ottoman lamps, tea sets and rugs along with cafes overlooking the city’s river. It’s peaceful, picturesque and full of life; a place definitely not to be missed on your travels in southern Europe.
Check out the Mostar Bridge
The Mostar Bridge was at one point the oldest vaulted marble bridge in Europe and is the namesake for the city itself with “Most” in Bosnian meaning bridge. Although it is no longer the original, having taken heavy damage during the Yugoslav civil war, the bridge is back to its old glory and something truly to behold. Throughout the day, locals and adventure seekers often jump off the nearly 30 meter high bridge into the slowly flowing river below. Its an exciting tradition that makes Mostar that much more special. Once a year, the Red Bull diving team brings the world’s best divers to acrobatically jump off the bridge. This event is starting to get international attention.
Take a day trip around southern Herzegovina
Mostar is a small city. That means that if you stay there longer than a day, you will have time to explore the surrounding areas. Southern Herzegovina is drop dead beautiful, painted with rolling hills, mountains and intense valleys. It is also home to some extraordinary Ottoman architecture spread throughout the valleys.
Check out Pocitelj, an old fortified Ottoman city that stands still in time with an ancient Mosque and Castle type watchtower. Go only 15 kilometers outside of Mostar and you’ll find Blagaj, a 15th century ottoman monastery set near a vast cliff with an underwater cavern. You can go in the monastery for 3 Convertible Marks and have an excellent lunch there for less than 5.
The best way to make sure you see all the beauty that Herzegovina has to offer in one day is to take a day trip with a tour company, many of which are run through hostels. For 30 Dollars you can take an 8 hour day trip with a local guide.
We recommend you go with Explore Mostar Tours. You can book your tour now at www.exploremostar.com
Stroll through the old town
The UNESCO heritage old town embodies everything that you imagine about the old school Ottoman empire. Small stands with vast amounts of foreign goods tucked away in them.
Rugs, lanterns, tea glasses, golden plates and friendly smiles peaking out of every nook and cranny. Ancient cobblestone and fortifications give the old town a proper medieval feel. It’s hard not to fall in love with, and when the sun sets on this ancient city and the mountains light up, the call to prayer in the background, it becomes something quite magical indeed.
Climb to the top of the Sniper Tower
Mostar unfortunately was on the front lines during the Yugoslav wars in the 90’s and the city isn’t left without its scars. What was once a large skyscraper is now a bombed out tower which was used by enemy snipers to attack the local population.
The city has never touched the building as it stands in permanent decay, yet they don’t necessarily care if you climb up the decrepit structure. While it is not unsafe, it surely isn’t the best place to test your luck, with glass and debris all over the place, chunks of concrete missing and a lack of railing being extremely apparent.
If you do want to test your luck and make it to the top in one piece, it has the best view of the city, the entire valley opening up in front of you, making it an extremely special place to have a few beers and enjoy the early evening.
What to Eat and Drink
Bosnian cuisine is an excellent mixture of east and west and you can really see it on the plate. Years of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslavian rule has left Bosnia with some of the world’s most delicious and unique food.
Bosnian Coffee: Traditionally served in small “shooter” like coffee mugs, it is somewhat similar to espresso yet richer as they do not filter out the grounds. Typically it is served with sugar and drank quickly.
Cevapi: Being part of Yugoslavia for over 50 years certainly left an impression on Bosnian cuisine. Cevapi is something you will find all over the Balkans and Bosnia certainly loves the small beef kebabs. Ground beef, flavored with local spices is grilled and served with a flat bread, raw white onion, Ajvar (A paste made from red peppers and eggplant) and Kajmak (a thick sour cream like substance).
Burek: Burek is as essential to the Bosnian way of life as the language itself and is a favorite breakfast item in Mostar and Sarajevo. Essentially, it is filo dough stuffed with either cheese, meat, spinach or potatoes and then either deep fried, baked or cooked in a large cast iron pot over wood fire. The exterior is crispy while the interior is rich and chewy. One of the best ways to start your day.
Baklava: Much like baklava found all over the Middle East, the Bosnians do their Baklava similarly, baked in sheets with sweet syrup, filo dough and nuts.
Sarma: Sarma are stuffed vegetables stewed in a thin tomato broth and normally served warm. The typical ingredients used include zucchinis or red peppers stuffed with rice and ground beef.
Rakija: Rakija can be found all over the Balkans and is much like German Schnapps. The alcohol content varies but its typically over 40 percent and extremely potent. Bosnians drink it in small vial like shot glasses, preferring to sip rather than shoot it back. Great flavors include honey, grape and blackberry.
Internet and Phone - Sim Local, the Best Way To Stay Connected in Bosnia
Bosnia offers a range of phone and internet connection options tailored for tourists. Visitors can choose from various local SIM cards and mobile plans available at numerous kiosks, stores, and the airport, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout their stay. Public Wi-Fi is widely accessible in cafes, hotels, and popular tourist spots, making it easy to stay connected.
Being a person who is constantly on the go, I stay connected effortlessly on my travels with Sim Local. Get your eSIM instantly and enjoy high-speed internet without the hassle of finding a local SIM card. Whether you're in Mostar for a short trip or an extended stay, SIM Local provides flexible data plans that keep you connected to family, friends or work, from where ever you are. The best part is that if your trip is canceled or you change your mind, great customer service is waiting, as well as a fair refund policy. You can check out Sim Local by clicking here.
Transportation
Transportation in Mostar is straightforward. You can walk, since the town is only about 25 minutes by foot across or if you are feeling really tired possibly take a taxi.
Where to Stay
As Mostar continues to grow with the increased amount of tourists over the past few years, new hostels are popping up every year. We recommend staying at Nomad Hostel or at Hostel Nina. Both are filled with helpful and friendly staff who will make your stay in Mostar superb.
Nightlife and Clubbing
The nightlife scene in Mostar is growing, yet there has been some local backlash in the last few years due to long standing traditions in the city. If you are looking to go out and dance, Ali Baba is a really cool bar/club that plays current hits and electronic music until about 2 in the morning. The DJ booth is actually placed in the opening of a cave making this spot truly unique. It’s also open air, so you can enjoy the cool Bosnian night as you dance to your favorite jams.
Another spot to check out is the Black Dog, a pub with very comfy outdoor seating and cheap regional beer. My recommendation would be to go to the store, grab a few beers and climb up to the sniper tower with some friends before heading out onto the town.
We took a trip to Mostar in the summer of 2017.
My Travel Essentials For A European Backpacking Trip
Below you'll find a list of my must bring backpacking items. I have gotten this list down to my essentials through trial and error over 4 years of living in a backpack. I hope you'll find these items helpful on your journey!
►Main Backpacking Backpack: https://amzn.to/3vUHdik [Amazon]
►Great Front Facing Duffle-bag : https://amzn.to/3SjK6Ra [Amazon]
►Quick Dry Towel : https://amzn.to/3uarxH8 [Amazon]
►Multi Country Charger Adapter : https://amzn.to/3Ul37p0 [Amazon]
►Refillable Water Bottle : https://amzn.to/48SnG0n [Amazon]
►Padlock : https://amzn.to/3SdyYp7 [Amazon]
►Earplugs : https://amzn.to/498xTpl [Amazon]
►Power Bank : https://amzn.to/3SyXP8e [Amazon]
Travel Photography & Video Favorites
If you're interested in creating your own video content on your trip, these are some of my favorite items I've had. They work, they're effective and besides the Sony Aa7C, they aren't going to break the bank either!
►On the Go Video | Go Pro Hero 12 : https://amzn.to/3u38oHh [Amazon]
►Photography | Sony A7C : https://amzn.to/3u1Y6ap [Amazon]
►Portable Tripod | https://amzn.to/42ojHqc [Amazon]
►Lavalier Microphone | https://amzn.to/3SbL41U [Amazon]
►Drone | https://amzn.to/47TCwSY [Amazon]
►Portable Monitor | https://amzn.to/3Hzv2dg [Amazon]
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