There’s no secret why Mostar, with its spectacular riverfront scenery and captivating historical character, is such a popular destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But there are also plenty of other things to see in Bosnia and Herzegovina outside of Mostar, so once you’re done sightseeing around the city, you should start thinking about which day trips you might want to make.
Many of the best day trips from Mostar include waterfalls, villages, and fascinating historical sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina that can be comfortably reached from the city. However, there’s also the option of leaving the country altogether and heading over to neighboring Croatia to visit some of its better-known destinations. To help you decide what to do during your time in Mostar, here are our recommendations for fun and interesting day trips.
How to Get Around
Although you can make many of these day trips with public transport, consider renting a car for the day to give yourself more flexibility and independence. With your own four wheels, you control your time and schedule. Depending on how many people are in your group, renting a car might even work out to be cheaper than other forms of transportation. You can compare car rental deals and find the lowest prices at Rentalcars.com, an aggregation site that searches and displays prices and availability from hundreds of car rental companies, helping you find the best possible car for your budget.
Don’t want to drive or deal with the hassle of public transport? No worries! We’ve listed the best tour for each day trip (where available).
1. Blagaj
When it comes to Mostar day trips, it’s hard to beat a visit to the lovely village of Blagaj, a popular spot just a short trip from Mostar. Blagaj sits along the gentle and serene Buna River, which is where you’ll find the village’s most iconic sight, the Blagaj Tekke. What really makes this well-preserved Ottoman monastery special is its setting, with the adorable landmark tucked below an imposing cliff and sitting by a cave with the Buna River flowing through it. However, it’s also possible to visit inside Blagaj Tekke to see what living there would have been like.
Another impressive sight close to Blagaj is the dramatic ruins of Stjepan Castle, up in the hills above the village.
Getting there: To reach Blagaj from Mostar, there are local buses that take around 30 minutes. Getting there by car is considerably quicker, with the drive only taking 15 minutes. However, if you want to easily combine Blagaj with other places, it’s best to visit with a guided tour.
2. Kravica Waterfall
One of the most common day tours from Mostar is a journey to the beautiful Kravica Waterfall. This stunning waterfall is found just shy of the Croatian border and easily rivals many of the far more well-known waterfalls across the border. The waterfall at Kravica (or Kravice) reaches a height of 25 meters (82 feet) and spreads across a broad ridgeline surrounded by lush nature, with all of its cascades pouring into one central lake. Not only is Kravica Waterfall a gorgeous place to see and photograph, visitors can also freely swim there to cool off from the intense summer heat. For those that don’t feel like getting wet, it’s possible to rent a boat or kayak and gently cruise around downstream of the waterfalls.
Getting there: Kravice is often included in guided tours that cover several attractions close to Mostar. Otherwise, it’s a 45-minute drive to the waterfall from Mostar.
3. Medjugorje
Although it may not be familiar to most international visitors, Medjugorje is quite an important religious destination in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. What makes Medjugorje one of the best places to visit from Mostar is that the town is a major pilgrimage destination for Catholic worshippers. An apparition of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in the town in 1981, and ever since those of the Catholic faith have made their way to this otherwise unassuming place. Visits to Medjugorje generally begin with mass at the Church of Saint James the Greater Apostle. Afterwards, it’s best to walk up to see the special Queen of Peace Statue that stands on the site where the apparition appeared.
Getting there: The easiest way to reach Medjugorje from Mostar is to drive there, with the trip taking just 30 minutes.
4. Dubrovnik
The historic city of Dubrovnik is one of the most popular destinations along the Balkan coast, making it an obvious contender for best side trip from Mostar. Many will now recognize the Croatian city from Game of Thrones, but you certainly don’t have to have seen the show to appreciate the spectacle of its Venetian-style Old Town. Start with a stroll down Stradun – the Old Town’s main street – and you’ll reach St. Blaise Church and Sponza Palace, both of which are well worth a visit. Next, take one of Dubrovnik’s signature staircases that squeeze between stone houses and climb up to the highest parts of the historical center. From there, you won’t want to miss a lap atop the city’s fortified walls for its amazing views across orange-tiled roofs to the Adriatic. Dubrovnik’s cliffside bars offer the perfect spot to finish your day.
Getting there: Unfortunately, tours typically go from Dubrovnik to Mostar and not the other way around. This means driving from Mostar to Dubrovnik is your best option, with the journey taking just over two hours by car.
5. Split
Even though it may be a little further than the other destinations mentioned here, there’s no doubt that Split is worth the effort. This impressive coastal city is one of Croatia’s finest and is a destination that can easily fill several days. For a day trip, though, head straight to the city’s Old Town to see the ancient Roman remains of Diocletian’s Palace. There you can see all of Split’s different layers, from the atmospheric underground market to the sweeping city views atop Saint Domnius Bell Tower. Once you’ve had your fill exploring its wonderful Old Town, head on over to the elegant waterfront promenade to see the local yachts come and go. Those wanting to learn more about Split’s history should head to either the Split CIty Museum or the Archaeological Museum.
Getting there: Because the bus journey from Mostar to Split takes four hours, the best way to visit Split as a day trip is by car. The drive there takes roughly two hours.
6. Konjic
Once you see the picturesque riverside scenery of Konjic, you’re sure to agree that this small town is one of the best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Konjic is a historical town situated midway between Mostar and Sarajevo on the banks of the Neretva River. The star attraction of the town is the Stari Most bridge, which dates back to the 17th century and connects the two halves of its leafy town center. Visits to Konjic usually also include a small detour to the nearby ARK D-0 Bunker of Josip Tito, or Tito’s Bunker, just a few kilometers away. This once-secret Cold War shelter was built for the then Yugolsav President and can be explored with a guided tour, revealing another side of the region’s complex history.
Getting there: The drive from Mostar to Konjic takes just over an hour. There are also regular buses that go to Konjic, with the journey taking around 1.5 hours.
7. Trebinje
For a day trip that takes you a little off the beaten track, make your way to the town of Trebinje. Situated in the southernmost corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, this lovely town tends to get bypassed for more popular destinations across the border in Croatia and Montenegro. Start a visit to Trebinje with its riverfront Old Town, a small area of quaint stone buildings around the Herzegovina Museum. Next, venture across the river and up the hill to superb hilltop Hercegovačka Gračanica monastery to see its interior and enjoy sweeping views of Trebinje. While up there, you’ll spot several bridges along the river, including the Arslanagić Bridge, which you should head for next to admire more of Trebinje’s pretty riverfront.
Getting there: Getting from Mostar to Trebinje by car takes just under two hours.
8. Počitelj
If you’ve enjoyed Mostar’s historic charm and want to see more of it, then the village of Počitelj is definitely worth the look. The small village sits to the south of Mostar on the Neretva River, and while its landscape is pretty, it really is the history of the village that takes center stage. Throughout Počitelj, you’ll find stone houses and considerable stone walls, with the village’s medieval stone castle sitting dominantly above it all. Počitelj is so well preserved that it’s often treated like an open-air museum and is even on the Tentative List for UNESCO’s World Heritage register. Many of its most important landmarks, like the Gavrankapetanović house and the Hajji Alija mosque, date from the 16th century.
Getting there: The easiest way to visit Počitelj from Mostar is to drive, with the trip taking just under half an hour. However, to combine Počitelj with other destinations, consider taking a guided tour of the region.
9. Radimlja
Visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina who have an interest in history may want to look at the historical site of Radimlja for a day trip. Found a little outside the town of Stolac south of Mostar, Radimlja is a medieval necropolis full of stećak tombstones. These ornate and monumental tombstones from the 15th and 16th century are only found in Bosnia and Herzegovina or near its borders. This makes Radimlja’s collection of around 110 of them quite special and explains why the graveyard was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2016 as part of the Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards.
Getting there: The only way to get to Radimlja from Mostar is to drive, with the trip taking roughly 35 minutes.
10. Blidinje Nature Park
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to some incredible natural destinations, with the Blidinje Nature Park being one of the nicest and easiest to reach from Mostar. The nature park is located among the Dinaric Alps, meaning it offers plenty of mountain scenery and sweeping views. Exploring Blidinje Nature Park is best done with a hike or bike ride, with trails showing off scenic spots like Blidinje Lake, the Vran mountain range, and Čvrsnica mountain range. One of the most iconic sights of Blidinje Nature Park is Hajdučka Vrata, a rock formation shaped like a giant ring.
Getting there: The only way to reach the nature park north of Mostar is by car, with the drive taking roughly 1.5 hours.
As you can see, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding places around Mostar to visit. There’s really no reason not to stay longer in Mostar if you have the time, especially if you want to experience more of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest of the Balkans.
Comments