Ultimate Split to Mostar Day Trip Guide
Are you planning to visit the charming city of Mostar from Split? If so, you’ve landed on the right article.
Mostar is a small old city that’s tucked along the Neretva river in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has postcard worthy medieval bridges, amazing cafes, river views, and a lively bazaar that runs along both sides of town.
With it being only a 2-3 hour drive from both Split and Dubrovnik, it’s one of the most popular day trips from Croatia. I was hesitant to do this day trip with the limited time I had in Croatia, but I’m so glad I did.
This article will cover exactly how to get to Mostar from Split, things to do in the city, where to stay, and more.
Ready to plan an incredible day trip to Mostar? Let’s dive in!
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How To Get To Mostar From Split
Mostar is located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia, and just over a 2 hour drive, or 4-4.5 hour bus ride from Split. It’s a very scenic drive on the way over, and you’ll need to bring a valid passport since you’ll be crossing the border.
The best way to get to Mostar without a doubt is to go on a group tour, which includes roundtrip transportation from Split.
If you’re driving there yourself, you must obtain a green card from your rental car company for the border crossing. The rental car companies will charge you a fee, and give you a document to show at the border crossing.
A much better alternative would be to join a group tour, since you won’t have to worry about obtaining the green card. Additionally, the group tours are around the same price as roundtrip bus tickets, but they allow you to see the city within a day.
The buses take a bit longer because everyone in the bus (20+ people) must wait in line to show their passport at the border crossing.
I chose to get there by bus, because I planned on staying a night in Mostar. I booked last minute bus tickets with Globtour on the way over, and booked with Flixbus on the way back.
The bus ride took around 4 hours, and included a 30 minute stop at the border, where everyone showed their passports. If you do this day trip, you will get another stamp on your passport!
This is the top-rated group tour from Split, that includes roundtrip transportation to Old Town Mostar, and the Kravica Waterfall.
Arriving In Mostar
Once you arrive in Mostar, the best thing to do is wander around the charming Old Town. The Old Town is home to the iconic Stari Most, a medieval stone bridge that runs above the turquoise blue Neretva river.
This is the famous bridge you’ll see in all of the postcards, and it has amazing views of the surrounding city. During the summer months, you may even get the chance to see cliffdivers jump off of this bridge into the river.
On both sides of the street leading up to the old bridge, there’s restaurants, cafes, and a lively bazaar.
Here you can shop for everything from souvenirs to clothing, turkish pastries, copper cookware, and more. It’s fun to stroll around during the day, and dine overlooking the Neretva river at sunset.
Note: If arriving by bus, it’s only a 10-15 minute walk from the bus terminal to the Old Town.
Things To Do In Mostar
Mostar is a relatively small old town, and everything is within walking distance.
In Old Town, you can wander around the bazaar, try traditional Bosnian foods and coffee, and take photos of the unique bridges, and ottoman style architecture.
The Old Bridge is the main viewpoint in town, but there’s a few smaller bridges that make for equally amazing photos.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Mostar:
- Stari Most (Old Bridge): Iconic 16th century bridge that was rebuilt after the Bosnian war, and the centerpoint of town
- Karadoz Beg Mosque: 16th century ottoman mosque with a a 113ft minaret you can climb up for a view of the city
- Crooked Bridge: Small and picturesque stone bridge that was built as a prototype for the iconic Stari Most bridge
- Mostar Peace Bell Tower: 1866 Franciscan church with an over 300ft bell tower you can climb for a panoramic view of the city.
- Museum of War and Genocide Victims: In-depth museum with relics and information on the atrocities committed in the 1990s Bosnian war
- ottoman: Popular dessert shop that’s known for their chocolate Baklava and turkish delights
- Fortica Hill: Hilltop viewpoint overlooking the city with a skywalk and zipline
I spent most of my time relaxing at the cafes, taking photos, and shopping for souvenirs in Old Town. I hiked partway up Fortica hill from the old town, which ended up being a very steep hike, and took a little over an hour.
I saw an abandoned military fort on the way up, and discovered a group of desert tortoises rustling around in the bushes! Fabrika coffee was one of my favorite cafes in the old town, that had cute indoor/outdoor seating, and free wifi.
Beyond Old Town, two cool places to visit nearby are the Blagaj Tekija mosque, or Kravice waterfalls. The Blagaj Tekija mosque is a medieval 1520 Sufi monastery tucked beneath the cliffs at the spring of the Buna River.
It’s another spectacular photo opportunity, and only a 30 minute drive outside of old town. There’s cafes and restaurants besides the river, and it’s accessible by the local public bus from old town.
The Kravice waterfall is a beautiful cascading waterfall tucked in the pine forests, less than an hour’s drive from Mostar, that most of the group tours visit. You can swim in the waterfall during the summer months, and it also has cafes and restaurants on site.
Check out our full list of things to do in Mostar for more fun ideas on what to do in town.
Where To Stay In Mostar
Mostar has a variety of excellent hotel options that are all very budget-friendly compared to Croatia. Here are some of the nicest places to stay in the heart of old town.
- Hotel Villa Milas: Budget boutique hotel with free breakfast
- Hotel Kriva Ćuprija: Charming stone boutique hotel with free breakfast and a restaurant overlooking the crooked bridge
- Hotel Mepas: Luxury spa resort with indoor pools, jacuzzis, and free breakfast
Split to Mostar FAQs
How much time do you need in Mostar?
You only need one full day to check out of all the sites in Old Town, as the city’s relatively small. If you want to make it a day trip, it’s best to join a group tour, since the bus ride will take up half of the day (~4 hours/each way).
How do you get around Mostar?
Mostar is a very walkable city, and everything is within a 10-15 minute walk. I arrived by bus late at night, and was able to get to my hotel easily even though it was slightly outside of the city center.
Most of the hotels are only a 10-15 minute walk from the bus terminal, and the bazaar and restaurants are open till late at night.
Is there Uber in Mostar?
No, there is unfortunately no Uber services in Mostar, but there are cheap taxis readily available.
Is Mostar worth visiting?
Yes, Mostar is incredibly worth visiting in my experience, whether you love photography, cheap cafes, or shopping for souvenirs. It was super charming, and one of the highlights of my trip to Croatia!
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