Friday, May 29, 2015

10 Reasons To Love (and Visit) Mostar

Mostar is the city I live in. It leaves an impression on each visitor that passes through it. I have seen and experienced that many times, when I talk to people. While the city is not big, it does have everything you need to spend a great vacation here, or simply use it as a two-three day stop on your south European road trip. You will find many tourist spots online, that you can visit in Mostar, but here I want to talk from the perspective of a local. What is it, that seems to attract people to the city, and why has it always been a place of interest and wonder? I hope to shed some light on this in this article.


click on the images for a bigger view

1. Weather is great all Year Round

It doesn't really matter, when you are in Mostar, chances are you will be here on a sunny day. This region of Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for mild winters and long hot summers, with spring and autumn being warm and very comfortable. I think I read somewhere that we have 300 days of sun throughout the year. I will  however say that summers get very hot, and you should not roam the city between 12:00-17:00, but on the other hand, summer mornings and evenings in Mostar can not be beaten!


2. The Old Town of Mostar


This is a part of the city that I have talked about in detail before, but it must be on this list as well. First, it's the hot spot tourist attraction of the city, and has many tourists visiting all around the year. But also it is a charming reminder of the history of Mostar and the life that was lived here many centuries ago. Nowadays you will find cafes, restaurants, mosques, museums, souvenir shops, art galleries and so much more here. The old town stretches on both sides of the river Neretva, with it being connected by the Old Bridge.


3. Different Cultures


While it has been a source of conflict in the past, I think having different cultures, nationalities and religions in the city is a great thing. It's really something that should make the community feel stronger and richer. For visitors and tourists it's also great to have so many unique buildings to discover and explore.


4. Nature in and around Mostar


The southern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina are known for diverse landscapes. While places around the Jablanica Lake, further north, are lush and green, the more you come south you will encounter the typical almost-bare krs that has it's own unique charm. Mostar has a little bit of everything. Venture out to different corners of the city and you will find mountains, lakes, rivers, plains, and much much more. All around the city.


5. City Park


There is always something going on in the city park. Located just behind the Spanish Square, it's a place to meet friends, bring children to play, or simply enjoy the trees and take a walk. The park has a playground, and you will find cafes on the edges of it, that look out onto the park. Definitely a spot in the city that is worth a look.


6. Shopping and Souvenirs


You can also take a stroll down Mostar's modern mall called Mepas Mall. It's a huge mall, in the city center that is another hot spot for meeting and shopping. Inside you will find many shops, a big supermarket, multiplex cinema, restaurants and fast food joints, cafes, as well as a 5-star hotel. Besides the mall, you will find many souvenir shops in the old town of Mostar, where you can buy articles of a different kind. But then again, it always comes down to you and what you are in the mood for.


7. Restaurants and food in general


Mostar is known for various styles of food, and you can find traditional Bosnian cuisine, as well as Mediterranean dishes and international ones. The Old Town of Mostar houses many restaurants that offer various types of food - from seafood to the more traditional dishes, like Hindin Han, Sadrvan, Labirnit and the newly opened Food House. In the city you can find great pizzerias like Roma, or a mix of italian and Mediterranean dishes in Megi or Marinero. Venture outside of the city for a special treat in the restaurant Malta, that grows it's own vegetables and fruits and offers a variety of dishes for great prices!


8. The Old Bridge


Another iconic place in Mostar is the Old Bridge. Now this is a truly great place, and let me explain why. When you travel you often find that the most popular sights are often not that great or simply crowded and enjoyable. And while there are many tourists in the city, the Old Bridge never feels like a tourist spot, but rather an iconic and historic landmark, that shines its own unique vibe. You just have to be there to understand my words. But it's not all in the bridge, the towers on both sides are equally fascinating to visit and climb on.


9. Nearby Getaways


This is a real selling point of Mostar. You can plan a three day stay here, take two days to explore the city, and then one day (in the middle preferably) to explore the many nearby getaways. There is just so much to see nearby that you can't stay in the city alone. There is the old town Blagaj, only a couple of miles south from Mostar, then the tower and city of Pocitelj, a 20 minute drive south as well, with the natural wonder Kravica waterfalls one hour away from Mostar. Up north you have the Jablanica Lake, Konjic and Boracko Lake, all reachable within one to one and a half hours.


10. The River Neretva

Wherever you happen to be in Mostar, the jewel of the city will be close by. The river Neretva, springs way up north, but somehow Mostar is well known for it. Maybe it's because of the Old Bridge, maybe it's because of the fact that the river has an intense green color here, due to algae that lay on the bottom of the river bed. It's a source of life and refreshment, and sometimes I like to stand on one of the many bridges in Mostar and simply gaze down and watch it flow. I do have to warn you not to swim in it, even though you might see some people do that in the old town. The river is fast in places with many currents that can take you below the surface. But you can enjoy the river flow, as much as your heart desires.


Here is a map of Mostar:
(you can zoom in and out of the map to explore the region)




What is your favorite part of the city? Would you like to visit? 


57 comments:

  1. Hi Mersad, I believe that 2, 4 and 8 have sold me! So many lovely sights. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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    1. Thanks Tom. The region is really known for its many unique natural sights.

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  2. Ja, Mostar steht auch auf meiner Liste. Einmal muß ich dahin.
    Liebe Grüße

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  3. Yes I would love to visit Mersad, is there anyway I can get there without flying :) The old bridge was my favourite! Your weather sounds very much like mine here in Perth.

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  4. If I ever did happen to find myself in Mostar, I'm sure I would be drawn to the old bridge...

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    1. Most people seem to be, when it comes to their first visit. :)

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  5. Mostar sounds just like the part of Florida that we live in. all 9 describe what we have here. just the last one we don't have...
    sunshine, good weather year round, we even have a bridge... and so many near by places to visit we could not see them all... Mostar is a tourist place just like we are.

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  6. This is a great way to sell your city. I just wish I could hop on a plane and visit again.

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  7. You did a marvelous job covering it all. I would enjoy any part of it, but like the old town and shopping.

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    1. Shopping needs really draw a lot of people to Mostar as well.

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  8. Beautiful images, great reasons... All things I did not know. And the first reason would be a huge selling point to me!

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  9. Du machst mit deinen Fotos auch so richtig Lust darauf. Ich könnte es mir auch sehr gut vorstellen dort mal Urlaub zu machen, gerade weil es noch sehr viel Gemütlichkeit ausstrahlt.

    Liebe Grüsse

    N☼va

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  10. your landscapes and mountains are incredibly beautiful. that's what would draw me there.

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  11. What a beautiful place, Mersad!! And your captures are superb as always! I think #s 2, 4, 8 are probably my favorite -- I do love the old parts of the city and I would indeed love to visit there!! Your photos are the next best thing!! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty!! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!! Enjoy!!

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  12. Lovely photos! I fall in love with The Old Bridge. What a sight!

    Have a nice weekend.

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  13. The Old Bridge would be a drawing card and the Old Town. Also the waterfalls nearby - I seem to remember you did a series of posts on them awhile ago.
    It was great to include the map and zoom out to see exactly where Mostar is relative to Sarajevo and the Adriatic Sea. It would be a wonderful place to visit.

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    1. Glad you found the map useful, I think I will start including it it more posts.

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  14. What a gorgeous and captivating place, Mersad!

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  15. Great shots -this looks like a wonderful place to visit.
    Won't you please share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/05/tally-ho.html

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  16. Especially like the Old Bridge, and I'd have to go to Blagaj. Wonderful.

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  17. Hi Mersad. I've wanted to come visit Mostar ever since I started following your blog years ago. Your photography, always excellent, makes this place most inviting. This post is no different as it is filled with stunning photos. Your early spring warmth is a major draw for me.

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    1. It seems to be for a lot of people. Tourists start arriving with the start of April, and all the way through October.

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  18. Pretty city...and wonderful countryside beyond in the backdrop. Love the old bridge and the 'castle-like' entry/exit.

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    1. The west entrance to the old bridge does go through a gate in the tower.

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  19. I would definitely visit for the Old Town and nature.
    Superb photos, Mersad. I love the view of the city from up above.
    Have a Great Weekend!
    Peace :)

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  20. So beautiful city you live in...

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  21. You live in a truly beautiful city and you photograph it very well!

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    1. Thank you so much Brian for stopping by.

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  22. Stunning photos, Mersad. You're a good "salesman" for your city.

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  23. A beautiful city. It's a long time since I was there but I loved the area around the old bridge

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    1. A lot of people do. It's the most visited place in Mostar.

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  24. You shared as usual in a beautiful way. I'd sure love to see it, but can't go and do nearly as much as I could have when I was a young person. Oh, well. You made me smile, though. Thank you.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it anyways. Sometimes it's nice to travel through the screen as well.

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  25. Oh my goodness, Mersad - it just beautiful there! I love the bridges and architecture. That last photo is spectacular! (Thanks for stopping by my blog!)

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    1. Thanks for visiting Mona. Glad you enjoyed the photos.

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  26. You are a great ambassador for your city!

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  27. Great photography and looks like a wonderful place to visit!

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  28. AnonymousJune 01, 2015

    What wonderfully breathtaking photos. Looks like such a lovely place. Glad I could visit it through your photos.

    Peabea, visiting from Mona's Picturesque Month of Photos

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  29. Yes, yes, yes! Fascinating history and beauty in so many ways, irresistible.
    It is so good to see the old Ottoman bridge rebuilt. Long may it bridge the river and be a witness that conflicts can be overcome and living together peacefully is possible.

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  30. It certainly wouldn't take much more to convince me that you live in a wonderful part of the world! Maybe someday I can find out for myself.

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  31. I love that bridge, have seen it many times in documentaries and photos. Would like to see it in person.

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  32. The Old Town part of the city would be where I'd want to spend a LOT of time. ;)

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  33. Ein wunderschöner Post! Eine traumhafte Werbung für deine tolle Stadt! Die Alte Brücke ist auch mein Favorit!

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  34. I can see there are lots of reasons to love Mostar. What a beautiful and historic place.

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  35. Looking at the picture of the Old Bridge reminded me, unfortunately, of the troubles of not so long ago because I had just, coincidentally, come across a picture of a young reporter from Lewis who reported from Mostar for Scottish Television standing in front of it (as every reporter did). It made me realise, Mersad, what a wonderful ambassador you are for your country. Every one of us who follows your blog (even if we don't always comment) goes away with more knowledge and then in some small way will pass on that knowledge and understanding to others.

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  36. What an absolutely gorgeous place to live!

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  37. Hello Mersad, your live in a beautiful city. The landscapes and views are beautiful. I love the old bridge. Wonderful photos. Have a happy day and week ahead!

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  38. What a beautiful place, I can understand why you love your home so much!

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  39. I was showing these photos to my husband to introduce him to your part of the world and we both think it is so beautiful and would love to visit. You do such a wonderful job of showing off your country with your wonderful photos. You can see the pride and love you have in your blog posts... Michelle

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  40. The very first photos you posted that I saw on your blog about Mostar made me fall in love with it! If I EVER could go to Bosnia-Herzegovina I would definitely make sure I was in Mostar for at least two days. These are ten great reasons, and I enjoyed reading about each one and seeing the photos!

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