Our pick: Mostar and Kravica with a local guide, free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book this See the alternatives below
Dubrovnik is beautiful, but Mostar offers something different within reach of a day: an Ottoman-era old town, a bridge with a remarkable history and a city in another country, with Bosniak and Croat communities and its own currency.
This guide looks honestly at what fits into a few hours in Mostar and who may find the day too long. For logistics, see how to get from Dubrovnik to Mostar.
Quick answer
Yes, Mostar is worth a day trip from Dubrovnik for travellers who are comfortable with about 2.5 hours of driving each way and a border crossing. In 2 to 3 hours you can cross the Old Bridge, walk Kujundžiluk and climb a minaret for the view. On the tour with a local licensed guide in Mostar, the listing states a 45-minute guided walk around the Old Bridge followed by 2.25 hours of free time.
Is Mostar worth a day trip from Dubrovnik?
For most travellers, yes. The Old Bridge and Old Town are among the most striking sights in the region, and a tour makes the long day manageable.
The honest picture: about 5 hours of driving in total, a non-Schengen border in both directions and about 2 to 3 hours at the bridge. What fills the rest of the day depends on the tour, for example the Kravica waterfall, Počitelj, Blagaj or Medjugorje.
Travellers who enjoy history, architecture and a change of country tend to find it rewarding. Travellers who mainly want beach time in Dubrovnik may prefer a shorter excursion.
Is one day enough for Mostar?
For the Old Town core, one day is enough. The main sights sit within a short walk of the bridge.
A day trip covers the essentials: the Old Bridge, the bazaar street, a mosque and a viewpoint, with time for coffee or lunch. Travellers who want the town in the quiet evening hours, or who want to see more of Bosnia and Herzegovina, could look at staying overnight or at the one-way tour on to Sarajevo.
A local licensed guide in Mostar and a 45-minute walk around the Old Bridge.
Book thisWhat can you do in Mostar in 3 hours?
Cross the Old Bridge, walk Kujundžiluk, climb the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and see the Crooked Bridge.
- Old Bridge (Stari Most): cross it and watch it from the riverbank.
- Kujundžiluk: the old bazaar street with copper and craft shops.
- Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque: visitors can climb the minaret for a classic view of the bridge.
- Crooked Bridge (Kriva Ćuprija): a smaller stone bridge close to the Old Town.
- Ottoman houses: such as the Kajtaz, Bišćević and Muslibegović houses.
What is the story of the Old Bridge in Mostar?
The Old Bridge was built 1557-1566 for Suleiman the Magnificent, destroyed on 9 November 1993 during the war and rebuilt 2001-2004.
The architect was Mimar Hayruddin, a pupil of Mimar Sinan. The single stone arch spans about 29 m, is about 4 m wide and stands roughly 20 m above the Neretva at mid-span, depending on the water level. The towers at each end are called Halebija and Tara.
The rebuilding used original techniques and stone recovered from the river, and the bridge reopened on 23 July 2004. The Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Do people really jump off the bridge in Mostar?
Yes. Bridge diving has a formal annual competition since 1968, and divers jump about 20 m or more into the cold Neretva.
Red Bull Cliff Diving has stopped in Mostar since 2015. On an ordinary day, divers traditionally collect money from onlookers before a jump, so there can be a wait before someone goes.
English guide for the day, a local licensed guide in Mostar and fast-track entry at the Kravica waterfall, according to the listing.
Book thisWhere is the best view of the Old Bridge?
One of the classic views is from the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, which visitors can climb.
The riverbank below the bridge is the other favourite spot, especially for watching divers. With 2 to 3 hours in town, it is worth deciding early which viewpoint matters most.
Is a guided walk worth it in Mostar?
A short guided walk helps make sense of the bridge, the bazaar and the city's history before the free time starts.
According to the listings, the Mostar and Kravica Waterfall Day Trip includes a 30-minute guided walk, and the tour with a local licensed guide offers a 45-minute guided walk around the Old Bridge. The private tour with Blagaj includes a 45-minute walk taking in the Crooked Bridge, the Old Bridge and the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque.
Day trip with a 30-minute guided walk, 2.5 hours of free time and Kravica.
Book thisWho should not do a Mostar day trip from Dubrovnik?
Families with very young children, travellers with reduced mobility and anyone who dislikes long drives may find the day hard going.
- Very young children: the small group tour is not for children under 2 and the tour with a local guide is not for children under 3, according to the listings.
- Reduced mobility: the Mostar and Kravica Waterfall Day Trip is not wheelchair accessible, and the Mostar and Medjugorje tour is not suitable for reduced mobility.
- Long drives: expect about 5 hours on the road plus border waiting, for a day of 10 to 13 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need in Mostar?
About 2 to 3 hours covers the Old Bridge, Kujundžiluk, a minaret view and the Crooked Bridge, which is what most day trips allow.
When was the Old Bridge rebuilt?
It was destroyed on 9 November 1993 and rebuilt 2001-2004 with original techniques and stone from the river. It reopened on 23 July 2004.
Is Mostar a UNESCO site?
Yes. The Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
Is the day trip suitable for small children?
It is a long day of 10 to 13 hours. Some tours do not take children under 2 or under 3, according to their listings.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Tours are booked on GetYourGuide and can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before.
Mostar & Kravica with a Local Guide
- Pickup within a 5 to 10 minute walk of your stay in Dubrovnik, Slano, Orasac or Zaton Mali
- English-speaking tour guide plus a local licensed guide in Mostar (45-minute Old Bridge walk)
- About 2.25 hours of free time in Mostar, then 1 hour at Kravica with fast-track entry
Mostar and Kravica Waterfall Day Trip
- Pickup and drop-off at around 22 points in Dubrovnik, according to the listing
- 30-minute guided walk in Mostar, then about 2.5 hours of free time
- About 1 hour at Kravica waterfall, with time to swim; entry to Kravica and the Bosnia entry fee included
Full-Day Trip to Mostar via Počitelj
The shortest day on the route: Počitelj, then a local guide in Mostar with the Turkish House and a mosque included, and lunch; no waterfall
