5 Days Between Sarajevo and Mostar: The Best of Bosnia

Bosnia and Herzegovina brings together things that rarely coexist in one European destination: the call to prayer five times a day, halal food in nearly every local restaurant, green European nature with turquoise waterfalls, and prices well below Paris or London. The best way to experience all of it in a short window is a five day itinerary linking Sarajevo and Mostar, the country’s two most visited cities.

This guide lays out a full five day trip between the capital and Mostar, with stops along the way at Konjic, Blagaj, and Kravica, plus a look at Una National Park in the north for anyone with extra time and an eye for waterfalls.

Getting From Sarajevo to Mostar

Mostar sits about 130 kilometers from Sarajevo, and the drive takes roughly two and a half hours along the main road through the small town of Konjic. Regular buses also run between the two cities for around 20 to 30 Bosnian marks per person, while the train is a slower but more scenic option, taking just over two and a half hours for a fare of around 14 marks.

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Days 1 and 2: Getting to Know Sarajevo

Spend your first two days exploring Sarajevo, starting with the old Ottoman Bascarsija Bazaar and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, followed by the Tunnel of Hope built by civilians to break the siege during the 1990s war, and the Trebevic cable car for the best panoramic view over the entire city. These two days give you a full picture of Bosnia before heading south toward Mostar.

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Day 3: The Road to Mostar via Konjic

Set out from Sarajevo in the morning and stop in the small town of Konjic, just about an hour from the capital, to see its elegant Ottoman bridge and the neighboring Jablanica Lake. Continue on to Mostar and spend the rest of the day wandering around the Old Bridge before watching the sun set over the turquoise Neretva River.

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The Mostar Bridge in Bosnia: A Landmark Rebuilt from Ruins

Stari Most, the Mostar Bridge, is Bosnia’s most recognized landmark after Bascarsija itself. Built in 1566 under Ottoman rule, the single stone arch stood for 427 years until it was deliberately destroyed by Croat forces on November 9, 1993, during the Bosnian War, an act of cultural destruction broadcast live and watched around the world.

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Day 4: Blagaj and Bosnia’s Best Waterfalls Near Mostar

Dedicate day four to a nature trip outside Mostar. Start with Blagaj, just about 12 kilometers away, where a 16th century Sufi tekke sits directly against a towering cliff at the source of the Buna River, with emerald water flowing out from beneath the rock face in a scene that catches every visitor off guard, plus riverside restaurants serving fresh fish.

From there, head to the Kravica Waterfalls in Bosnia, about 40 kilometers from Mostar and among the country’s most celebrated natural sites. Water drops 25 meters into a turquoise pool that is safe to swim in, and it is worth arriving before 10am to beat the crowds during summer.

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Day 5: Pocitelj Village and the Return

On your way back, stop at the historic stone village of Pocitelj, about thirty minutes from Kravica, which has preserved its fortified Ottoman character almost entirely along the banks of the Neretva. End your trip by returning to Sarajevo or heading straight to Mostar International Airport if that is where your return flight departs from.

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Una National Park: Bosnia’s Wild River Escape in the North

If your schedule allows for more than five days, Una National Park near the town of Bihac in northwestern Bosnia is worth the detour. Established in 2008 and covering roughly 200 square kilometers, the park centers on the Una River, prized for water that shifts between deep green and brilliant turquoise depending on the light.

Its star attraction is Strbacki Buk, the park’s tallest waterfall at 24.5 meters, a multi-tiered cascade reached by a wooden boardwalk with viewing platforms. Nearby, the Milancev Buk waterfall complex at Martin Brod stretches over 800 meters with a total vertical drop of 54 meters. Rafting and kayaking are the park’s biggest draws, with the season running roughly June through August and park entry costing around 16 marks. Bihac sits about 307 kilometers from Sarajevo, a drive of four hours and forty five minutes to five hours, and the town of Jajce, with a waterfall that drops right through its town center, makes a natural stopover roughly midway between the two.

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Mostar Chalets and Where to Stay on This Trip

For the first two nights in Sarajevo, here are a few solid hotel options close to Bascarsija:

• Hotel Europe, a luxury historic hotel sitting right at the entrance to Bascarsija Bazaar.
• Malak Regency Hotel, a hotel geared specifically toward Arab and Gulf visitors, with fully halal food throughout.

For more Sarajevo options, browse the full list of Sarajevo hotels on almatar. Mostar does not yet have a dedicated hotel listing page on almatar, though beyond its traditional hotels, the area around Mostar and Blagaj also has a growing number of independent chalets and countryside cottages offering more privacy and outdoor space, a popular pick for Gulf families, currently best found through other booking platforms until almatar adds this inventory.

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Practical Tips for a Sarajevo and Mostar Trip

• Rent a car if you can: Kravica, Blagaj, and Pocitelj are not well served by public transport, and a car gives you far more flexibility to stop and explore.
• Check visa requirements before booking: entry rules for Bosnia can vary by nationality and by season, so it is worth confirming the latest details through the embassy before locking in your travel dates.
• Book Mostar accommodation early in summer: prices rise and availability drops the closer you get to your dates, especially during peak season between May and September.
• Carry some cash: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s currency is the convertible mark, and not every small shop or restaurant accepts cards.

Book Your Trip Now

Now that you have a full itinerary between Sarajevo and Mostar, use almatar’s flight search feature to compare fares to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

You can also book your stay in Sarajevo in one place before heading south.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia?

The Mostar Bridge, known as Stari Most, is a 16th century Ottoman stone bridge over the Neretva River, destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1993 and rebuilt by an international UNESCO-led effort that reopened it in 2004.

Where are the Kravica Waterfalls?

The Kravica Waterfalls sit about 40 kilometers from Mostar, with water dropping 25 meters into a turquoise pool that is safe to swim in.

What are Bosnia’s most famous waterfalls?

Bosnia’s best known waterfalls include Kravica near Mostar, Strbacki Buk in Una National Park near Bihac, and the waterfall that drops directly through the center of the town of Jajce.

What is Una National Park?

Una National Park is a protected area in northwestern Bosnia near Bihac, established in 2008 around the turquoise Una River, known for the Strbacki Buk waterfall and some of the country’s best rafting and kayaking.

How far is Bihac from Sarajevo?

Bihac sits about 307 kilometers from Sarajevo, a drive of roughly four hours and forty five minutes to five hours.