Mostar: Day Trips and Tours from Split

With its own UNESCO World Heritage site, quirky bazaar and thriving café scene, a Mostar day trip from Split should definitely be on your agenda.

While an excursion to Mostar spans two countries, the travel time is relatively short. This allows you plenty of time in the city to explore its winding streets, buy leather goods and marvel at its renowned bridge.

How to get to Mostar from Split?

Mostar is located in the southeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina, close to the border of Croatia. The distance between the two cities is just under 170 kilometers.

From Split to Mostar by car

Coming out of Split, take the Vukovarska ul. until motorway 1. Follow that road until you reach the exit for the E65 which turns into the A1 after the border crossing. Continue on the A1 until you reach the R425a. Take the turnoff for the R424 and follow the road into Mostar. The drive takes just over two hours.

From Split to Mostar by bus

Large coaches leave the Split HR bus terminal for Mostar several times a day. Buses take between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on the bus company, and are direct to the center of Mostar city. Tickets cost upwards of €16.

Guided tour to Mostar from Split

Guided tours are an easy way to see the town of Mostar if you're staying in Split. Departing from a meeting point in the city center around 7 AM, the tour lasts around 12 hours and will drop you back at the same meeting point when you return.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Mostar from Split?

Day tours from Split are a full day affair and last roughly 12 hours. After being picked up from a designated meeting point, you'll start your jaunt to Mostar by air-conditioned coach.

The city takes around two hours to reach and you'll stop at the border to gain access to Bosnia and Herzegovina. You'll visit the main attractions in the Ottoman town including the famed bridge, Stari Most.

After some free time to browse the bazaar or dine in one of the many cafés and restaurants, you'll continue your journey from Mostar to Kravice waterfall. The fall is located just over 40 kilometers away from the city and the water goes up to 25 meters high.

Kravice is the last stop on your day trip to Mostar and from there you'll return to Split.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Mostar?

There are several different day tours running from Split, and most combine other destinations with Mostar, allowing you to see more of the beautiful country.

Guided tours to Mostar from Split

A guided tour departs from a central meeting point in the city before embarking on the two hour journey to Mostar. Once there, you'll enjoy a walking tour of the city, followed by a quick jaunt to Kravice waterfall before your return to Split.

Private tour to Mostar from Split

For a more personal experience, choose a private day tour to Mostar. You'll benefit from your own local tour guide to fill you in on the country's rich history. You'll also stop at a farm-to-table restaurant for a mouthwatering local lunch.

Day trip to Mostar plus Medjugorje from Split

Those who are seeking an even wider view of life in Bosnia and Herzegovina should add Medjugorje to their Mostar day trip. Along with visiting the city, you'll also tour the Catholic pilgrimage site, Medjugorje.

You'll see Apparition Hill, so named because of the alleged appearance of the Virgin Mary to six local children at the spot. Even today, pilgrims to the area claim to be blessed with her presence.

Day tour to Mostar plus Pocitelj and Blagaj from Split

This tour takes you on a journey through time as you make a stop at the Byzantine and Ottoman village of Pocitelj. Set on the Neretva River, the settlement oozes historical charm and is thought to have been built in the late 14th Century.

You'll also visit Blagaj Tekija — a dervish monastery, on your jaunt to Mostar.  Once there, you'll spend four hours taking a leisurely stroll through the bazaar or visiting the most prominent bridge in the country.

How much does a tour to Mostar from Split cost?

Mostar day tours include a local guide in the city and transport on an air-conditioned vehicle. Prices start from €69.

Private tours start from €75 and include pickup and drop off at your accommodation, private transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking tour guide.  

If you're adding Medjugorje to your Mostar excursion, you can expect the tour to last 10 hours. It includes hotel pickup and drop off, a professional guide and there will be no more than 20 people on the trip.

A day trip to Mostar, Pocitelj and Blagaj includes transport by coach and live commentary while on board. You can expect to pay around €100.

What will you see and do in Mostar?

Stari Most

Named "Old Bridge" in English, Stari Most is the most photographed spot in Mostar and was originally built by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century.

During the infamous Croat-Bosniak war, the bridge was destroyed after standing for over 400 years but was rebuilt as an iconic landmark of the city. The bridge crosses the river Neretva and connects the two sides of the city.

If you time your day trip to Mostar from Split just right, you might see the annual diving competition that takes place at the end of July. The dive from the bridge is between 20 and 27 meters high and adults and youngsters alike can all take a plunge into the chilly depths of the river.

The first recorded jump took place in 1664 and the annual competition has been running since 1968.  Not just for professional divers — tourists can also plummet into the icy waters for around €50.

Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar

The old town is a melting pot of cultures, with deep Mediterranean and Turkish inspiration, and a fusion of Christianity and Islam.

The Ottoman city has a quaint feel about it, and while there are several souvenir shops, there are also plenty of traditional shops to browse.

The Old Bridge Area of the Old City was lovingly restored after its attack with the help of UNESCO, and gained its status as a World Heritage site in 2005.

People watching while eating lunch at a café next to the river is one of the best activities you can do on a day tour of Mostar. The best places to stop for a coffee include Café de Alma and Caffe Stari Grad.

Neretva River

The Neretva River is also known as the "Narenta River" and flows through Bosnia and Herzegovina, into Croatia and out to the Adriatic Sea. The body of water meanders through the city and is a major part of Mostar.

Stari Most may be the most renowned bridge but it's certainly not the only one that crosses the river. There are several bridges dotted along the Neretva, each one beautiful in its own right.

The azure waters look enticing on a hot summer's day and it's completely legal to take a dip. The water is clean but the water is glacial at around just 8 degrees Celsius, and the current can be strong. If you're not a strong swimmer, you shouldn't attempt swimming in the river.

When is the best time to visit Mostar?

Mostar experiences an influx of tourists during July and August, so visit during the shoulder months of May, June and September if you can. During these months you can expect balmy temperatures between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius.

April and October are also great months to visit with few tourists in the city, but you may experience some rain showers. If you want to see the annual diving competition, visit the city at the end of July.

Are there any tours to Mostar from other cities in Croatia?

Yes, there are other tours departing from several other cities in Croatia:

• Day trips to Mostar from Dubrovnik
• Mostar day tours from Trogir

Travel tips

• Be safe rather than sorry when it comes to swimming in the River Neretva. Unless you are an experienced river swimmer with knowledge of strong currents, don't attempt to take a dip.
• There is plenty to see and do on a day tour to Mostar. Because of this, it includes a fair bit of walking, often on cobbled streets, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear.
• You'll be crossing the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina so be sure to bring your passport with you on your excursion.