Ramirez HUN, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mostar

Stone bridges and Balkan magic

Mostar stands where the Neretva River flows through a deep valley. The town grew around a stone bridge that survived wartime damage and now connects old neighborhoods on both sides. Markets sell handmade crafts, spices and fresh fruit along narrow streets lined with houses built from local stone. Many buildings show Ottoman influences in their architecture. At sunset, the river reflects warm light over historic mosques and modern bridges. Locals share coffee in small cafes while discussing daily life near the water’s edge.

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City in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.8

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops, especially in the Old Town. Communication is easy for travelers, but a few words of Bosnian or Croatian are always appreciated.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Mostar Summary

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Famous for historic bridges and Ottoman heritage. Walk cobbled streets, photograph the iconic bridge, explore bazaars and enjoy riverside cafés.

Place score

6.1

Best at:

Historic sites

Walkable

Architecture

Guided tours

Romantic

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

❤️ 7

Couples

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM) £1 ≈ BAM 2.34
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in urban areas like Sarajevo, though cash is preferred in rural areas and for smaller purchases. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 10% being the standard in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in many public spaces, including parks and on some streets, though it is not common outside of designated drinking areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in most public spaces, including restaurants, public transport, and shops.

Statehood Day (November)	Expect celebrations and national pride events, some business closures.
New Year’s Day (January)	Expect quiet celebrations and limited business activity.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 122 (Police), 124 (Ambulance), 123 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Bosnia and Herzegovina offers a rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural sites, including the UNESCO-listed Old Bridge area of Mostar and the historic Old Town of Sarajevo.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

❄️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Old Town and Old Bridge fill with day-trip groups from about 10am to 4pm, early morning and evening are much quieter

Old Bridge diving competition in July, divers jump 24 metres into the Neretva

Swimming at Kravice waterfalls and in the Neretva is best June to September

Don't miss

🌉 Walk across the iconic Stari Most Old Bridge
🤿 Watch daring divers jump off Stari Most bridge
🕌 Climb Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque minaret for city views
🚶‍♂️ Explore the cobblestone streets of Mostar Old Town
🏛️ Visit the Museum of War and Genocide Victims
🌿 Relax by the Neretva River with scenic natural surroundings

You've been here?

Why travel to Mostar?

Mostar is famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Bridge (Stari Most), a symbol of unity and one of the Balkans’ most iconic sights. Wander the cobbled Old Town, watch daring locals dive from the bridge and soak up the lively atmosphere of riverside cafés and colorful markets. The city is also a gateway to stunning nature, from the Neretva River to nearby waterfalls and hilltop viewpoints. Food is a highlight – try Bosnian specialties like ćevapi or sip strong coffee in a shaded courtyard. Downsides? Mostar gets crowded with day-trippers, especially in summer and midday heat can be intense. Some reminders of the war remain and the city is still divided in subtle ways, but locals are incredibly welcoming. Watch your step on slippery cobblestones and keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Old bridge
2 Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque
3 Mostar Peace Bell Tower
4 Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992 - 1995
5 Muslibegovic House
6 Biščević House
7 Enter to Sniper Tower
8 Crooked Bridge

🎡Places for activities

1 Old bridge Museum
2 Spanish square

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Buna
2 Kravica Waterfall
3 Crvenjak Lake
4 Vrelo Bune
5 Park Fortica
6 Neretva

🎈Events

Mostar Bridge Diving Competition
Mostar Summer Fest
Mostar Blues & Rock Festival
Old Bridge Music Festival
Winter Festival
International Fair of Economy
Days of Ćevapi Festival
Mostar Film Days
Art Colony Mostar
Ramadan and Eid celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Wear grippy shoes; Old Town cobblestones get very slippery.
Go early or late; the Old Bridge area gets packed with day-trippers.
Bring small cash for snacks and museum entries; card acceptance is inconsistent.
For the best Stari Most view, climb Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque’s minaret – narrow stairs, huge payoff.

How to travel to Mostar

Mostar is easily reached by train or bus from Sarajevo (about 2–2.5 hours), with the train ride especially scenic. Buses also connect to Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia. The city has a small airport with limited flights – most travelers arrive by road or rail. Day tours from Dubrovnik, Split or Sarajevo are popular, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the city after the crowds leave.

Access summary

From Mostar Airport (OMO): Taxi or prebooked transfer, about 15–25 minutes.
From Sarajevo: Scenic train or bus via Neretva valley, about 2–3 hours.
From Split (Croatia): Cross-border bus or private transfer, typically 3–4 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Mostar

Mostar offers everything from riverside boutique hotels and guesthouses to budget hostels and family-run pensions. Most accommodations are in or near the Old Town for easy exploring. Book ahead in summer and during festivals. Some guesthouses are in historic Ottoman-era buildings with lots of charm.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Mostay Boutique Hotel

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How to get around Mostar

Mostar’s Old Town is compact and best explored on foot – just be careful on steep, polished cobblestones. Taxis are affordable for trips to outlying sights like Blagaj or Kravica. Buses connect Mostar with nearby towns and Sarajevo and the train to Sarajevo offers one of Europe’s most scenic rides. Parking is limited in the center, so leave your car at your hotel if possible.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-56 %

Daily expenses in Mostar are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BAM) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£29	£71	£174
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£10	£34	£71
🍝 Food per day	£15	£32	£91
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£15
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£6.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.10

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£21
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£3.20

Safety information overview

General safety

Mostar is safe and welcoming, with low violent crime and a strong police presence. Petty theft can occur in busy areas — keep an eye on your belongings. Avoid poorly lit areas at night and be cautious on slippery cobblestones.

Health & Medical

Medical care is adequate, with clinics and pharmacies in town. No special vaccinations are needed. Tap water is generally safe, but bottled water is widely available. Summer heat can be intense — stay hydrated and avoid midday sun.

Accessibility

Most main sights are accessible, but cobbled streets, steps and uneven ground in the Old Town can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Some guesthouses lack elevators. Check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe to drink, but many visitors prefer bottled water, which is widely available. Public fountains are rare — carry a bottle and stay hydrated, especially in summer.