Mostar is a beautiful old town hidden by a gorgeous two hour drive from the Sarajevo airport, and well worth a visit. The Middle Eastern culture is prevalent, the town is rich with history, and the landscape is stunning.
I was there to jump off the famous Old Bridge, Stari Most, and loved spending my free time enjoying Turkish delights, wandering the cobblestone streets, and taking in the beautiful views. I was visiting Mostar in August, and the weather was perfect, but hot! Here are some tips for visiting Mostar.
Tips for visiting Mostar
Drink Bosnian coffee
Bosnian coffee is STRONG. It is brewed by adding boiling water to the coffee grounds in a beautifully ornate copper pot. The grounds are left in the pot as it’s served to you, so allow the coffee to settle in the cup to avoid drinking them. Coffee comes with sugar cubes and a delicious piece of Turkish Delight, and runs around 3 KM, or about 1.5 USD.
Peruse the market in Old Town
This market is beautiful, and has so much to look at and enjoy. The cobblestone streets are narrow, and full of people, so you have plenty of time to view the beautiful pieces on display. Also, there are delicious gelato stands everywhere for about 3 KM for a single cone.
Try to spot a local diving off the Old Bridge
There is a ton of local history diving off the famous Stari Most into the Neretva River, and the town is very proud of it. If you’re lucky, you might see one jump!
Probiotics are essential!
The water in Bosnia is not good for foreigners to drink, and food poisoning is common in this area. Buy bottled water or boil your water for safety, and be cognizant of the foods that you are eating, particularly the meats. The seafood is pretty good, and relatively safe. Taking quality probiotics a few days before you leave and throughout your trip is highly recommended.
Try diving yourself!
Because diving is such a key part of the community in Mostar, there is a tower built by the side of the Neretva river near the Old Bridge. This tower can be up to 15-17 meters tall, depending on the height of the water, but it is open for the public to enjoy. One thing to be aware of, is that the water is only about 4 meters deep when the water level is lower, and in general, jump within your limits!
Also regarding the water, do your best not to swallow any of the Neretva River, or you might be in for a long night over the toilet. Probiotics are your best bet for avoiding this situation.
Although I did not have a chance to go, there is also a Sky Tour that takes you outside the town to overlook the area, and I have heard that it is stunning and well worth it.
Have you visited Mostar before? Check out this other blog post about the history and visiting Mostar!