Mostar Day Trip from Sarajevo

Konjic and the Neretva Valley

Leaving Sarajevo, the road climbs over the Ivan pass and drops into the valley of the Neretva, one of the clearest rivers in Europe, famous for its emerald colour. The first stop is Konjic, a small town known for its six-arched Ottoman stone bridge, built in 1682, blown up in 1945 and carefully rebuilt in 2009 using original techniques.

Konjic is also known for its tradition of wood carving, and nearby lies Tito's secret nuclear bunker, now an art space. The short stop gives you time to cross the bridge, take photos of the river and stretch your legs. It is a gentle start to the Sarajevo to Mostar tour before the landscape turns more dramatic along Jablanica lake.

Mostar Old Bridge and the Old Town

Stari Most, the Old Bridge, was completed in 1566 by the Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin, a student of the great Sinan. Its single stone arch spans 29 metres over the Neretva and stood for 427 years until it was destroyed in 1993. Rebuilt with stone from the original quarry, it reopened in 2004 and was listed by UNESCO in 2005.

Around the bridge, the cobbled Kujundžiluk bazaar is lined with copper workshops and small shops, and the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque offers a view straight onto the arch. In summer you may see the famous bridge divers leap about 20 metres into the river. This is the centrepiece of every Mostar tour, with free time to explore.

Blagaj Tekke at the Source of the Buna

A few kilometres from Mostar, the Buna river bursts from a vertical cliff more than 200 metres high, forming one of the most powerful karst springs in Europe. Beside it stands the Blagaj Tekke, a dervish house built in the 16th century, its white walls and wooden balconies reflected in the blue water of the spring.

Inside you can see the prayer and guest rooms of the Sufi order that lived here. Entry to the Tekke is included on the recommended option; visitors should dress modestly, and scarves are provided for women. Blagaj is one of the most peaceful places on the whole route, and the riverside terraces are a lovely spot for a short break.

Počitelj, the Stone Village on the Hill

Počitelj is a fortified village climbing a hillside above the Neretva, its stone houses, walls and towers built mostly between the 15th and 18th centuries. The Hajji Alija Mosque from 1563, the clock tower and the octagonal Gavrankapetanović tower at the top create one of the finest Ottoman ensembles in the Balkans.

Paths and steps lead up through fig and pomegranate trees to the fortress, where the view over the river valley is superb. Wear shoes with grip, as the stones can be slippery. Počitelj has long attracted painters, and in summer local women sell fresh fruit juice made from the pomegranates that grow on the hill.

Kravica Waterfall

On the Trebižat river, Kravica Waterfall pours over a curved wall of travertine about 25 metres high and 120 metres wide into a wide natural pool. Surrounded by trees and small wooden bridges, it is the most popular natural site in Herzegovina, and the entry ticket is included on the recommended option.

From late spring to early autumn you can swim in the lake below the falls, so bring a swimsuit and a towel; outside summer the water is too cold, but the falls are at their fullest in spring. Is Kravica Waterfall worth visiting? It is many travellers' favourite moment of the day, and a perfect place to enjoy the included sandwich.