Mostar
Bosnia & Herzegovia
Backpacking Mostar
Information on Mostar, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Mostar is a small town in Bosnia and Herzegovina known for its Ottoman style bridge (Stari Most) between the Muslim and Croatian part of the city. It is not only gorgeous but also very rich in history because of its ethnic diversity, as Croatian, Muslim and Serbian people live in the city and previously fought over it. This city suffered the most bombing during the Bosnian war and some 20 years later there are still many visible scars. It is a great destination for a backpacker and if you visit you will get the opportunity to learn more about the Bosnian war in the space of a few hours then in a month of reading. Mostar has Bosnia’s most famous attraction: Stari Most. Stari Most, commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th-century, arches 95 feet over the River Neretva, and 66 feet below. During the warmer months, divers walk around collecting donations to jump from the bridge into the river. Adventurous backpackers have the opportunity to dive themselves after completing a crash course. Mostar’s Kujundziluk, the Ottoman center, lies to the east of Stari Most. You’ll find souvenir shops, restaurants and Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque on this side of the river. Head to the other side and countless restaurants serve fresh Bosnian beer, traditional food and coffee.
Must See
Stari Most - This 16th century Ottoman style bridge is the center of Mostar both literally with its location across the Neretva River, and also figuratively as it clearly dominates the culture and identity of Mostar. The bridge was destroyed by the Croatian Army during the Bosnian War. Thankfully the bridge was reconstructed after the war using same techniques and with the salvaged raw materials from the original bridge.
Jumping from the highest point of the bridge into the river below has long been a rite of passage for the young men of Mostar. Tourists are also allowed to jump from the bridge, but you are required to pay a fee to the local dive club. The fee will allow you to become an honorary member of the Mostar Dive Club after you have jumped, and most importantly it will ensure that someone is waiting for you close to the edge of the river to drag your body out should you manage to injure yourself in such a way that you can’t swim out.
Old Town - Walk around the area by Stari Most, and you will be in old town. There are lots of art, crafts and oriental tourist souvenir shops. The shops have been influenced by the Ottoman Empire with all the Turkish bazaars.
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque - to enjoy a beautiful view of the bridge and old town you can climb to the top of the minaret in the mosque.
Must Do
Kravice Waterfalls - Breathtaking 82ft waterfalls where you can swim in absolutely beautiful clear water is worth a day trip from Mostar. There are picnic spots, coffee shops & a small beach.
War Tour - We can help arrange a local guide to take you around the city who will explain what Mostar was like during the war in the 90’s. The tour leaves nothing sacred and tells it how it was during the war. You will see bullet holes, sniper towers and more. You’ll gain a much greater appreciation of the city and its occupants when you get the chance to see, even briefly, how much change Mostar has gone through in just the last 20 years.
Nightlife
There are a few pubs in Mostar and one club which is only open on weekends.. The drinks are dirt cheap so it is a fun place to chill out with your travel mates or people you’ve met in your hostel to drink beers. Definitely not a party town and would only recommend one night here at most.
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