What to do in Mostar

what to do in mostar-min

Mostar is one of the most beautiful and most visited attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thanks to its outstanding natural beauty, architecture, and, of course, its famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stari Most, this city has lots of tourists and foreigners that pour in the city every year. It is full of architecture that Ottoman brought with themselves, with plenty of traditional restaurants, market stalls, mosques and other historic buildings. It is also surrounded by stunning landscape waiting to be explored.

Scroll down your page and discover the top things to see and do in and around Mostar:

1.Old Bridge in Mostar – Stari Most

The Old Town of Mostar has been attracting millions of tourists from all over the world because of its unique blend of rich history, picturesque architecture and exotic locations. The Old Bridge is the most magnificent monument in Mostar and it has become the worldwide known symbol of Mostar. During the civil war, however, the bridge was destroyed but it has since been rebuilt. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having received this status in 2005 soon after it was rebuilt, and it attracts thousands of tourists to Mostar every year.

Tara-and-Halebija-towers-old-bridge-mostar
On the east bank rises Tara Tower which was used as a deposit for ammunition in the Ottoman era. The Halebija Tower is on the west side. It was once the prison.

2. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque

Today the iconic Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is probably among the most famous symbols of Mostar. It`s the second largest mosque in Mostar, situated on the left bank of the Neretva river, just about 150 meters north of the Old Bridge. Forget the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum as some of the world’s most impressive structures remain out of the public eye.  So when planning to visit Mostar. for the best places to visit include the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque on your list. We promise – you will not regret!

koski-mehmed-pasha-mosque
3. Kravice Waterfalls

A short drive south, around 40 minutes from Mostar are the Kravice Waterfalls. The best time of year for visiting is during the spring time when the fall is at its fullest and the vivid landscape turns bright green as the surrounding nature is blooming with life.The area around the waterfall is very popular for swimming and having picnic.

Kravice-waterfalls
Most see places in Herzegovina-Kravice Waterfalls

4. Franciscan Church
Today’s church with its dimensions, appearance and the bell tower (107m high), dominates the city of Mostar. Due to the increased number of catholic community in Mostar, there was the need for larger church so during the latest reconstruction in 2000., the new church was built on old foundations but following the tendency of massiveness from the Middle Ages.

Now visitors can enter the church, take photographs and enjoy the singing of the church assembly. There is also a large parking lot in front of the church, which serves for visitors and tourist groups.

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Bell Tower of Franciscan Church in Mostar

5. Muslibegović House

One of Mostar’s best examples of Ottoman architecture is the protected national monument, Muslibegović House located in Brankovac area.

Due to its cultural and historical importance, as well as its preserved traditional artifacts, the Muslibegovič House is a unique tourist destination in Mostar.

This residential complex of unique architecture was inscribed on the list of national monuments and has a dual function, as a harmonic museum with educational component, and as a top class hotel in the category of cultural and historic heritage.

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The interior is in keeping with traditional eastern styles, such as Ottoman rugs, white walls and wooden furnishings, with the museum exhibiting items such as books, manuscripts and handmade crafts.

Ruište-untouched jewel of nature

Mostar surroundings

The historic and beautiful city of Mostar is usually associated with the Old Bridge and Neretva river. But these historic places are not the only things this area has to offer.

Located just about 20km north from Mostar is Ruište, untouched jewel of nature situated almost at the bottom of mountains Prenj and Velež. It has an altitude of 1,703 metres (5,587 ft).

This place is among the richest European places with oxygen content in the air. Surrounded by munika trees, a rare and endemic species, this area is also well known for its rich beauty among nature lovers.

In addition to picnic lovers, hikers and nature lovers, Ruište is also visited by athletes who prepare themselves here for high profile competitions.

This mountainous area in winter becomes the favorite place for skiing.

Ruište is also just one of the stops for real adventurers and mountain climbers who pass is on their way to conquer the Prenj mountain, which has six peeks above 2,000m and the tallest peak is the Zelena glava at 2,155m.

Before the war, Ruište was an attractive excursion place for people from Mostar, nature lovers and people who come to spend their vacation in nature, those who go to one-day and two-day trips, and those who enjoy barbecues. This place is visited all year round – in winter there is snow, and in summer a lot of people come here to get away from the high temperatures in Mostar.

In summer, when in Mostar heats up to more than 40C, the temperature in Ruište does not exceed 25C, and at night the temperatures drop so it is necessary to take extra blanket for sleeping.

The dome of a mosque, symbolic representation of heaven

dome-koski-mehmed-pasha-mosque

The dome of a mosque is called qubba in the Arabic language. It is a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven. The interior decoration of a dome often emphasizes this symbolism, using intricate geometric, stellate, or vegetal motifs to create breathtaking patterns meant to awe and inspire.

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