Is Mostar Safe for Solo Female Travellers? My Experience
Mostar, with its famous Old Bridge and picturesque cobbled streets, is certainly a destination to add to your bucket list. But is it safe for solo female travellers and what are some things to look out for? Here is my experience:
How to get to Mostar?
Check out my full guide on how to get to Mostar here.
How to get to Mostar from Croatia:
There are three options for getting to Mostar from Croatia: taking a public bus (like Flixbus, Arriva or Croatia Bus), renting a car or booking a tour.
How to get to Mostar from Sarajevo, Bosnia:
From Sarajevo, your options are by train, bus, car or tour. Train and bus are very much doable and affordable from Sarajevo. Check out my full guide on this here.
Where to stay in Mostar?
I think you can really see the highlights of Mostar in a day, but if you’d like to see the city when it’s not packed with tourists or just enjoy a slower travel place, there are some beautiful accommodation options in the city.
Best hostels and hotels in Mostar:
🛏️Hostel David– super lovely, great location and help you organise tours
🏬Guest House Vanja – big rooms, good location, affordable
🏩Hotel-Restaurant Kriva Ćuprija – super gorgeous in a heritage building, right in the heart of Mostar
Activities to check out in Mostar:
Mostar Safety for Solo, Female Travellers
Is Mostar Safe for Solo Female Travellers Overall? My Experience
I wasn’t sure what to expect of Mostar when I first arrived, but it really did exceed any expectations I might have had. The city is beautiful, the culture fascinating and the people were friendly.
The main tourist areas of the Old Town were full of other travellers and I had no safety concerns at all. When I started wandering off onto more local side streets and areas, I sometimes got some confused or curious looks, but nothing that made me feel unsafe.
Overall, I felt very safe in Mostar and loved my time there. I would stick to the more touristy areas overall, but wandering beyond isn’t an issue during the daytime either.
Common Safety Concerns in Mostar (And the Reality)
Here are some common safety concerns you may have heard about and whether they are really concerns:
Land mines and other remnants from the Bosnian War
Only around 2% of Bosnia is contaminated by land mines now, almost all areas that haven’t been cleared yet are obviously marked. These areas are usually in secluded mountain regions and rural parts of Bosnia. It is not a concern in Mostar or any major city, and even when hiking, the risk is extremely low as long as you stay on trail and look out for the warning signs.
Petty Crime
Mostar has a very low level of crime and petty crime, but like any tourist destination, you should keep your valuables in a closed bag that is secure and be mindful of your surroundings.
Harassment
I witnessed zero harassment or cat calling while in Mostar (and Sarajevo). As mentioned, the most I got were curious looks when locals saw me walking alone in the non-touristy areas. I would say to make sure you dress appropriately when visiting a religious establishment, but that goes everywhere.
Is Mostar Safe at Night for Solo Women?
Yes, overall Mostar is safe at night for solo, female travellers. However, I would stick to the well-lit and more touristy areas of Old Town (as with any city really) for extra safety. Most restaurants and hotels etc. are in those areas anyway.
I would avoid wandering further away or into unlit areas if you are alone, and make sure to always listen to your gut!
Culture & Dress Code for Women in Mostar
In the Old Town near the Stari Most bridge, I really think anything goes (technically). It’s very relaxed in terms of what you wear. I saw tons of tourists in shorts and crop tops and it wasn’t an issue.
I personally think dressing respectfully to the local culture, which here means a large Muslim community, is always a nice touch. That could mean maybe a longer skirt or not wearing a short crop top. It’s not a requirement though and there won’t be any judgement either way.
If you do want to visit one of the mosques in the area, you should dress modestly though. That means covering shoulders and knees, and sometimes even hair. Most mosques will offer scarves or similar for tourists if you don’t have one.
Safest Areas to Stay in Mostar for Solo Female Travellers
Anywhere near the touristy areas of Old Town near the Old Bridge (Stari Most) is a great area for solo, female travellers. These areas are well-lit at night, usually have a bunch of other travellers and are super walkable.
Check out my full Mostar accommodation guide here.
$ Amrita Guesthouse – female dormitory room available, super lovely
$$ Shangri La Mansion – stunning rooftop terrace, lovely rooms
$$$ Hotel-Restaurant Kriva Ćuprija – super gorgeous in a heritage building, right in the heart of Mostar
Emergency Numbers in Mostar
In Bosnia, to call an Ambulance you dial 124, it’s a 24 hour emergency line. For Police, it’s 122 and fire dial 123.
They may not always speak English, so if you can get a passerby to help, or if you’re not solo, the other person can use the translation app on their phone.
When travelling solo, it can also be extremely helpful to ask your hostel/hotel for their contact number, as they will be able to call for help for you in an emergency!
Final Verdict: Is Mostar Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Yes, Mostar is safe for solo, female travellers and so worth a visit! It honestly feels like stepping into a piece of history, and the local culture and traditions are a huge part of the city.
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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