One day is all you need to see Mostar, the historic capital of Herzegovina. Day trips from Split or Dubrovnik are quick and easy. Start in Stari Most, known as the Old Bridge, in the very heart of the city center. The clear and beautiful Neretva River runs through it.
(From Chasing the Donkey): Historically, Mostar has always been a city home to various ethnicities and religions. You’ll find churches, synagogues, and mosques here. The minarets of the latter are prominent features of the Mostar cityscape. Just behind the far end of Coppersmith’s Street, you’ll come across the Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque. This striking mosque is open to the public, and you’re strongly encouraged to visit it. You can climb one of the minarets for a spectacular view of the Old Town.
The most famous landmark, the Stari Most Bridge was destroyed during the war in 1993. Yet it remains one of the most enduring landmarks of the Balkan region. But Mostar is also becoming known for its bars and restaurants. Just make sure you do not talk about the war! Yet, the city is still divided, with Croats on the west side, and Bosniaks on the east. As a tourist, we are told to respect that “line”, the Boulevard Dr. Ante Starcevica, I am told those on one side rarely cross to the other side!
Bosnians, like most of Europe, savor their coffee. They drink slowly, and allow everything to mix, resulting in the perfect Bosnian coffee. If you drink too quickly, you will be punished by drinking the coffee grounds. But I am told they serve the coffee with a Turkish Delight to sweeten the coffee.
Old Town is the most charming part of Mostar, with cobblestone streets on either side of the Neretva River. The Old Bazar is located here in Old Town. The best place to try local food is the National Restaurant Cevabdzinica Tima-Irma, along with numerous riverside cafes.
This is a rather small country, but quite interesting nonetheless.
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