Located in the heart of the Balkans, Bosnia & Herzegovina is a beautiful country known for its dramatic landscapes, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences and unique mix of cultures and religions!
One of the most fascinating things about Bosnia & Herzegovina is its cultural diversity. Mosques, Orthodox and Catholic churches can often be found within the same city, while its architecture, food and traditions reflect centuries of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Balkan influence.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
- Capital: Sarajevo.
- Currency: Bosnia & Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM, locally written as KM). The euro is not the official currency, although it may be accepted in some tourist areas.
- Passport & entry: Bosnia & Herzegovina is not in the EU or Schengen Area, so expect border controls. EU citizens can generally enter with a valid national ID card or passport, while non-EU travelers should check the specific passport/visa requirements for their nationality before travelling.
- Carry some cash: Cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops, but smaller businesses, cafés and markets may be cash only.
- Religion: Bosnia & Herzegovina has a fascinating religious mix, mainly Islam, Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism, reflecting its Bosniak, Serb and Croat communities.
- Languages: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian are the official languages. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas such as Mostar.
- Prices: Bosnia & Herzegovina is generally more affordable than neighboring Croatia, especially for food, drinks and souvenirs.
- Time zone: Same time zone as Croatia and much of Central Europe.
- Plugs: European Type C & F plugs are used.
- Tap water: Generally safe to drink.
Angel’s tip: If you’re visiting from Dubrovnik on a day trip, keep your travel document with you throughout the day and have some BAM/KM or cash for smaller purchases.
VISITING BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA FROM CROATIA
One of the things I loved about travelling around Croatia was how easy it was to combine the trip with neighboring countries!! Depending on where you’re staying, there are several international day trips you can easily add to your itinerary.
For my trip, I chose Bosnia & Herzegovina, as Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls can easily be combined into a full-day trip from Dubrovnik.
HOW I VISITED BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
I booked a full-day small-group tour from Dubrovnik through GetYourGuide. We travelled by van with a guide, which made the whole experience really easy – transportation, border crossing and both main stops were organized for us.
The trip cost me around €100 and our 2 main stops were:
- Kravica Waterfalls – one of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions.
- Mostar – famous for its historic Old Town, Ottoman influence and iconic Stari Most.
Angel’s tip: You can also visit independently by car, but keep in mind that you’ll be crossing an international border and waiting times can vary, especially during the busy summer season. There are 2 borders as far as I know and our local guide went to the one without lines!
From here, let’s take a closer look at both stops!
Planning a Croatia trip too? Read my complete Dalmatian Coast itinerary, including Split, Korčula & Dubrovnik, HERE.
1ST STOP: KRAVICA WATERFALLS
Our first major stop was Kravica Waterfalls, one of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s most beautiful natural attractions. Surrounded by lush greenery, the waterfalls form a spectacular natural amphitheatre where the Trebižat River drops into a large pool below.
Entrance: €10 when I visited.
During the warmer months, it’s a great place to cool down, so bring your swimsuit! I went into the water and it was definitely one of the highlights of the day.
There are also cafés and restaurants around the area where you can grab something to eat or drink before continuing towards Mostar.
Is a Bosnia Day Trip from Dubrovnik Worth It?
For me, 100% yes.
In just one day, I got to experience something completely different from the Croatian coast: swim next to waterfalls, cross into another country, discover Mostar’s Ottoman-influenced Old Town and learn more about Bosnia & Herzegovina’s history and culture.
If you have an extra day in Dubrovnik, Kravica Waterfalls + Mostar is a day trip I would definitely recommend.
2ND STOP: MOSTAR CITY
After the waterfalls, we continued to Mostar, one of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s most famous and fascinating cities.
Mostar is known for its beautiful Ottoman-influenced Old Town, cobbled streets, traditional shops and its position along the emerald-green Neretva River. The city is also an interesting example of the country’s cultural and religious diversity, with mosques and churches forming part of the cityscape.
Most of the main attractions are concentrated around the historic centre, making Mostar very easy to explore on foot.
THINGS TO DO IN MOSTAR:
- ADMIRE STARI MOST – THE OLD BRIDGE
The symbol of Mostar is undoubtedly Stari Most, or the Old Bridge and it is just WOWWWW.
The original Ottoman bridge was built in the 16th century and stood for more than 400 years before being destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1993. It was later reconstructed using traditional techniques and reopened in 2004.
Today, the bridge and the surrounding Old Town form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of Mostar’s most famous traditions is bridge diving. Local divers collect money from visitors before jumping approximately 20 metres into the Neretva River below.
Angel’s tip: The stones on Stari Most can be extremely slippery, so wear shoes with good grip – not like me haha !
- WALK THROUGH THE OLD BAZAAR
Explore Kujundžiluk, Mostar’s historic bazaar filled with small shops selling traditional crafts, jewellery, lamps, ceramics and souvenirs. Its cobbled streets and Ottoman architecture make it one of the most atmospheric parts of the city.
- VISIT KOSKI MEHMED PASHA MOSQUE
One of Mostar’s most famous mosques, located close to Stari Most. You can also climb the minaret for one of the best panoramic views over the Old Bridge and the city.
- SEE THE CROOKED BRIDGE
Kriva Ćuprija, or the Crooked Bridge, is a smaller stone bridge that resembles Stari Most and is believed to have been built before it.
- WALK ALONG THE NERETVA RIVER
Head down towards the riverbank for one of the best perspectives of Stari Most and a great photo spot!
- EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN
Take some time simply to wander around. Mostar isn’t a city where you need a huge checklist – much of its charm comes from its narrow streets, cafés, bazaars and mix of architectural influences.
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN MOSTAR
Bosnian cuisine has strong Ottoman and Balkan influences, and Mostar is a great place to try some traditional dishes.
Angel’s tip: I had lunch at Eden, a restaurant recommended by my local guide. I paid around €20 for my meal with dessert and salad, which felt very reasonable.
It’s a nice option if you want to try local Bosnian food while exploring Mostar.
Food to try:
- Ćevapi – Small grilled meat sausages usually served with flatbread, onions and kajmak.
- Burek – Flaky pastry traditionally filled with meat, although you’ll find similar pastries with cheese, spinach and other fillings.
- Bosnian coffee – Strong traditional coffee served in a small copper pot.
- Baklava – A sweet pastry made with layers of filo, nuts and syrup.
Try a local craft beer too – Stop at one of the cafés/bars in Old town and try a locally brewed beer like Old Bridge by OldBridZ Craft Brewery, a local Mostar craft beer.
IS BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA EXPENSIVE?
Compared with Dubrovnik and the Croatian coast, Bosnia & Herzegovina felt considerably more affordable.
Food, drinks and souvenirs were generally cheaper, which was particularly noticeable after spending several days in some of Croatia’s most touristy destinations!
As always, prices around Mostar’s main tourist attractions can be higher than elsewhere in the country.
IS ONE DAY IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA ENOUGH?
Obviously, one day isn’t enough to experience Bosnia & Herzegovina as a country. There is much more to discover, including Sarajevo and many other towns and natural attractions.
However, if you’re already staying in Dubrovnik, a day trip combining Kravica Waterfalls + Mostar is absolutely worth considering. Click here to see the options.
You get a taste of the country’s nature, history, architecture, food and culture without having to change hotels or add another overnight stop to your Croatia itinerary.
IMPRESSIONS
My day trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina was one of the biggest surprises of my Croatia trip and exceeded my expectations. Both Kravica Waterfalls and Mostar ! Its Ottoman-influenced Old Town, Stari Most, colourful bazaar and completely different atmosphere made it feel worlds away from Dubrovnik, despite being close enough to visit in a day.
If you’re spending a few days in Dubrovnik and have an extra day available, I definitely recommend adding Mostar & Kravica Waterfalls to your itinerary.
👉 Combining Bosnia with Croatia? Read my complete Dalmatian Coast itinerary — Split → Korčula → Dubrovnik – Click HERE.
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