10 Perfect Day Trips from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar, a wonderful city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, and Split. While most tourists stop here for only a day, it’s definitely worth spending more time to enjoy all the amazing things to do in Mostar (and there are many of them). 

You can also use the city as a base for some great day trips from Mostar. There are some really interesting places not too far from it that you can easily explore, and then return to Mostar in the late afternoon to enjoy the serene atmosphere of the place once all the crowds are gone. Staying in Mostar has another advantage: the prices of accommodation and eating out are much lower here than in nearby Dubrovnik, Split, or even Sarajevo, so having a base there for a few days will definitely be good for your budget. And you can still visit those popular destinations as day trips from Mostar.

I put together a list of the best places to visit on Mostar day trips. Since public transport is rather limited in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s best to rent a car to get around (you can do it here). The only exception is Sarajevo, which you can easily get to by bus or train.

There are also a few tours from Mostar available; here are the highly-rated ones:

• Discover Herzegovina Day Tour from Mostar: Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj, Počitelj
• Herzegovina Day Tour from Mostar: Blagaj, Pocitej, Kravice falls
• Full-Day Tour in Herzegovina, Blagaj, Počitelj, and Kravice
• From Mostar: Blagaj, Počitelj & Kravice Waterfalls Day Tour
• From Mostar: Kravice Waterfalls, Pocitelj & Blagaj Day Trip
• Top Secret Tito’s Bunker in a day tour from Mostar

Day trips from Mostar

And now, without further ado, here are the best places to visit on Mostar day trips

Blagaj

Located only 12 km away from the city, this is the easiest day trip from Mostar. This lovely place is known for the Dervish monastery, dating back to 1520 and built into the cliff. It is possible to visit the inside to admire well-preserved Ottoman and Dervish remnants. Next to the monastery, you can find the most picturesque spot in Blagaj – the spring of the Buna River, which flows directly from the inside of the rocky mountain. The best place to capture the beauty of it is from across the river from the monastery.

Most people who visit Blagaj focus only on the Dervish monastery and its surroundings, but not far from there, you can also see the remains of an impressive medieval fortress. It’s a bit of a hike to get there, but the views from the top and the place itself are definitely worth the effort. 

Pocitelj

Pocitelj is the most charming place you can visit near Mostar. This medieval time is literally glued to the slope of the hill, and it’s easy to miss it when driving by, as the stone buildings might disappear amid the lush green vegetation. Pocitelj reached its peak of prosperity between the 16th and 18th centuries, and you can find remnants of medieval and Ottoman architecture here.

It feels like time has stopped in this fortified town. If you’re lucky, you can have the place mostly to yourself, and that’s the best way to fall in love with Pocitelj. For such a small town, there are surprisingly many sights to see: houses, the mosque, and the ruins of the fortress. From the last one, you can admire views of Pocitelj and the surrounding area.

Kravica Waterfall

This is one of the most impressive natural landmarks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a popular attraction and summer getaway for both tourists and locals. With a height of about 25 meters and a base that stretches 120 meters, Kravica Waterfall is a truly spectacular sight.

The best time to visit is spring, when the Trebižat River is high, doubling the waterfall’s volume. In the warmer months, it’s possible to swim in the base of the waterfall; there are also cafes and restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.

Medjugorje

Medjugorje is a popular destination among catholic pilgrims, who believe the Virgin Mary appeared in 1981 to six children playing on a nearby hill. The Catholic Church didn’t officially recognize Medjugorje as a sacred site, but that hasn’t stopped pilgrims from all over the world.

Even if you are not a religious person, this is still an interesting place to visit. Besides the church, you can see mosaic grottos and various statues here, including the “Statue of the Risen Christ,” which is believed to occasionally cry. It’s also possible to hike Apparition Hill, where there have been multiple visions of Mary after the original discovery by the children. 

Stolac

With some interesting and unique attractions, Stolac – an old Ottoman town located less than 40 km from Mostar – is definitely worth a trip. Right in the center, you will find the Čaršija Mosque with its beautiful full-frontage mural. Unfortunately, the place (as well as numerous other buildings in the town) was destroyed during the 1990s Balkan War. What you can admire today is the painstakingly rebuilt version, which used only original material. Besides the mosque, you should also see the old stone bridge and the fortress ruins, with beautiful views of the surroundings.

But the highlight of Stolac is the Radimlja Necropolis, located on the outskirts of the town. There are around 100 graves here, dating to medieval times, some with beautiful artistic details. The Radimlja Necropolis is one of the most important historical landmarks in the region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Trebinje

Trebinje is like a hidden gem of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located near the borders with Croatia and Montenegro, and doable as a day trip from Mostar. With a population of a bit over 30.000, no one is in a hurry here. You can spend an enjoyable time just wandering around the old town with the Ottoman architecture or relaxing in one of the cafes in the shadow of the plane trees for which Trebinje is known.

Don’t miss the Nova Gracaninca monastery, located on the hill above the town. It’s a copy of the monastery with the same name from Kosovo. From there, you can admire a beautiful panorama of Trebinje and its surroundings. You can combine a visit to Trebinje with Stolac, which you will pass on the way. 

Konjic

Konjic, halfway between Mostar and Sarajevo, is a lovely town with some Ottoman buildings, including the 17th-century arch bridge. What makes it a perfect day-trip destination is the Tito’s Bunker from the Cold War era, hidden in the hills surrounding the town.

It was built as a shelter for the military and Tito’s government in the event of a nuclear attack, and could accommodate up to 350 people for up to 6 months. It took 26 years to complete the project, and it is a truly fascinating place to explore. You can visit the Tito’s Bunker only with a guide, so it’s best to book the tour in advance to avoid disappointment.

Sarajevo

Even if the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves more time, you can still have a really good day trip there from Mostar and enjoy all the highlights of Sarajevo. This is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe, where East and West literally meet (it is clearly marked on the street in the Old Town). It’s a melting pot of cultures and traditions.

Within a few minutes’ walk, you can find the Catholic cathedral, the Orthodox cathedral, the mosque, and the synagogue, and all around you can see the scenery changing from the Austria-Hungary legacy to the Ottoman one. Sarajevo played an important role in history, especially in the 20th century. This is where World War 1 started, where the 1984 Winter Olympic Games were hosted; the city also went through the longest siege in modern history (almost four years during the Balkan War in the 1990s).

Once you are done exploring the Old Town and all its interesting corners, make sure to go up to one of the hills above the city. No matter which one you choose, the panorama of Sarajevo never disappoints; it always takes your breath away.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

While Mostar is one of the most popular day trips from Dubrovnik, you can also do this trip in the reverse order and visit Dubrovnik as a day trip from Mostar. It should take you around two and a half hours to get there, so if you start your day early, you will have plenty of time to enjoy all the attractions in this popular Croatian place. And Dubrovnik has many of them! 

The Old Town is simply amazing, with narrow winding lanes and rows of red rooftops – getting lost in the maze of streets is a pure pleasure. The further you go from the main street, Stradun, the fewer people you will meet. Don’t miss walking on the City Walls – it is a bit pricey, especially in high season, but definitely worth it. The whole circuit is almost 2 kilometers long, and you can admire beautiful views of the Old Town and beyond.

Don’t limit yourself to the Old Town only; there are great places outside it as well. Visit Fort Lovrijenac, take the cable car or hike to Mount Srd for breathtaking views, or relax at one of the beaches before heading back to Mostar.

Split, Croatia

Another popular destination in Croatia that you can visit on a day trip from Mostar is Split. The city is known for its amazing Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It dates back to the end of the 3rd century, when the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build the palace in the area that roughly covers the Old Town of Split today. You can find the remnants of the palace all over the place. There are gates, arches, and so many details indicating what a spectacular place this used to be. 

When wandering around the charming streets in the Old Town, you will eventually find the Cathedral of Saint Domnius – the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that still uses its original structure. 

For the best view of Split, head to Marjan Hill near the Old Town – going up is rather easy, and the panorama from there is worth the walk. At the end of your time in Split, head to Riva to observe the world around you and feel the vibe of the place. The popular seaside promenade is packed with people and lined with numerous cafes where you can sit down and slow down after a busy day of sightseeing. 

Further reading

I published many articles about Bosnia and Herzegovina that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 17 best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 37 Best Things to Do in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ostrozac Castle – the Hidden Gem of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Getaway to Una NP
• 25 Amazing Things to Do in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Visit Travnik – the Heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• What to See in Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina – See the Iconic Bridge on the Drina
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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