How to Spend 6 Hours in Mostar:
The Ultimate Day Trip Guide
Mostar, with its famous Old Bridge and picturesque cobbled streets, is certainly a destination to add to your bucket list. Whether you are exploring more of Bosnia & Herzegovina, or visiting Mostar as a daytrip from Croatia, here is exactly how to spend a few hours in Mostar.
Mostar is probably most famous for its Stari Most, which just means Old Bridge, as its unique bridge spans over the Neretva River. It is a reconstruction after the original 16th century Ottoman bridge was destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak war.
However, there is much more to this beautiful city, with a complex history and diverse culture. From the lively bazaar, to the winding streets of Old Town, there is so much to explore.
A few hours on a daytrip is enough to see the highlights of Mostar, so here are all the things you can’t miss while there!
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How to get to Mostar:
You will likely either visit Mostar from Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo, or on a daytrip from Croatia, mainly Dubrovnik or Split.
From Sarajevo, the main transport options are bus, train or renting a car. From Croatia, you can get a bus or rent a car. For all departure cities there are also several tour options that can be a good way to see several things in a day and not have to worry about timings.
Check out this article for detailed information on all transport options: How to Get to Mostar on a Day Trip
Is one day in Mostar enough?
Yes, in my opinion one day in Mostar is more than enough. We spent a few hours there and were able to see most of the highlights.
If you do want a slower pace or to see the city when it’s not full of tourists and tour buses, staying a night and exploring in the late evening/early morning could provide you with a whole new experience.
But other than that, Mostar is the perfect place for a day trip as it is so compact.
Where to stay in Mostar:
If you do want to experience the city outside of the main tourist masses and stay a night in Mostar, here are some good accommodation options:
$$ Villa Sonata
$$$ Hotel-Restaurant Kriva Ćuprija
Related article: Where to Stay in Mostar
What to do in 6 hours in Mostar:
Go souvenir shopping and try local delicacies at the Bazaar
The Bazaar in Old Town Mostar lines both sides of the river, but mainly stretches along the eastern river side. It’s a beautiful collection of souvenir shops, local delicacies, like Ćevapi, Burek and Hurmašice, and local artisans.
I found lots of good deals here, especially if you wander a bit away from the Stari Most (Old Bridge) or down some side streets.
Marvel at Stari Most (the Old Bridge) and enjoy the views from it
Stari Most is the landmark of Mostar. It was built in the 16th century in Ottoman style, unfortunately destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1993 and re-opened in 2004. It has always been a physical and symbolic link of the different communities living in Mostar, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have coexisted for centuries.
The bridge also comes with a famous tradition of jumping off its peak, a whopping 24m into the Neretva River below. It used to be a way for young men to prove themselves, but is a tourist attraction now and jumpers collect money around the bridge.
The bridge itself is pretty slippery, so be careful when walking over. The views from the bridge over Neretva river and Mostar are gorgeous!
You are actually able to do the adrenaline-inducing jump yourself, though be warned that it is very dangerous. You can’t just decide to jump, but need permission and instructions from the local diving club, who will practice the jump from lower heights before you’re allowed to attempt the top.
They charge around €30–€50 for this.
Go to one of the viewpoints for the best Stari Most photos and to watch the bridge jumpers
When you head over the Stari Most bridge to the West and turn the first small street left and then head down the stairs, you end up at a great photo spot of the Stari Most (linked here).
From here, you can get photos of yourself with the bridge in the back as well as (mostly) peacefully watch any bridge jumpers.
Wander around Old Town and find hidden gems like the Crooked Bridge
All of Mostar’s Old Town, which are mainly the streets surrounding Stari Most on both sides of the river, are pedestrian-only and full of local shops, restaurants and mosques. There is something cool to find around every corner and I loved just wandering around and finding hidden gems.
One of them is the charming Crooked Bridge, which is much smaller than Stari Most but has its own unique charm AND you can often get solo shots of you on the bridge here.
Learn the art of traditional Bosnian coffee at Café de Alma
Bosnian coffee is unique with a rich history and hundreds of years of tradition. It dates back to the time the Ottoman Empire took over the area, yet Bosnian coffee is very distinct from Turkish coffee and people here take it very seriously.
Coffee is a ritual, it’s supposed to be spent with other people and take time. One of the best places to learn about this tradition and its history, as well as taste it for yourself is Café de Alma. It’s also run by the nicest people, would highly recommend stopping here for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Visit one of the Mosques
A huge part of Bosnia is Muslim, and this is also visible in Mostar where you can find several beautiful mosques. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is one of the most well-known and offers beautiful views over the river from its minaret. Other mosques you could visit are the 16th century Karađoz Beg Mosque or one of the oldest buildings in Mostar, Ćejvan-Ćehaja’s Mosque.
Please be respectful when visiting, you should cover your knees and shoulders and ladies, consider bringing a scarf for your hair.
Have some delicious food along the river
Bosnian food is honestly underrated and it’s SO GOOD. I don’t eat meat, and have had some of my favourite veggie dishes ever here (anything stuffed e.g. eggplant is amazing).
There’s countless of good restaurants in Mostar, for example Terrace Lagero or URBAN taste of orient (views!!) or Hindin Han or Tima – Irma. If beer is your thing, make sure to stop at Craft Beer Garden imaimoze.
If you have extra time:
Museum Of War And Genocide Victims
Bosnia has an extremely difficult history and while I understand not everyone wants to spend their holiday learning about war, I think knowing the basics is important to understand the country. After all, the history is as young as the 1990s.
This museum in Mostar takes an unique approach to teaching about the Bosnian war, with first hand accounts of people who have survived it.
Trigger Warning: there will be topics of genocide, rape and torture in the museum.
Go on a daytrip
Mostar is in a great location to see many of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s famous sights on a daytrip, including Kravice Waterfalls. If you are staying a few days, it’s worth exploring more of this beautiful country:
Head to the unique Partisan Memorial Cemetery
This unique cemetery was built as an anti-fascist monument after WW2 and to commemorate the Partisan fighters who fought against Nazi Germany and the Croatian Ustaše puppet state. It was designed by Bogdan Bogdanović, who’s big theme was about nature blending in with humans. The design is meant to be about the multi-cultural groups in Mostar and a shared history.
It’s a super unique visit with a lot of history attached to it.
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