Balkan Discovery Trip. Day 5: Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Mostar was the next stop in Bosnia & Herzegovina, probably the must-visit city of any Balkan tour. Located in the southern region, it is a vibrant and charming city that gave us a glimpse of the time and history of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav periods.

One of the first things that we thought of when we arrived in Mostar was the stunning Old Bridge (Stari Most). Originally constructed in the 16th century, the bridge suffered destruction during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, but it underwent reconstruction and reopened in 2004.

In addition to its architecture and history, Mostar is also known for its lively atmosphere, with a bustling bazaar and a vibrant arts and music scene. There were several museums, including the Museum of Herzegovina and the Bišćevića Ottoman House, and we managed to visit one of them.

We took the pictures above during our 3-hour bus ride from Sarajevo to Mostar.

Toilet break at Zdrava Voda

Mazoljice village

Our starting point for Mostar's visit

As we wandered through the historic center of Mostar, we saw many beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture, including mosques, churches, and traditional houses. We strolled through the cobbled streets and soaked up the atmosphere of this charming city. On our time, we visited the Old Bridge Museum and the Clock Tower. We were able to snap pictures of Old Bridge right from the top.

Later in the afternoon, one of the best ways to experience Mostar is through its cuisine. Traditional Bosnian food is hearty and delicious, with plenty of grilled meats, pastries, and sweet desserts to try. Don't miss the chance to try cevapi, a grilled meat dish served with pita bread and onions, or burek, a pastry filled with meat or cheese. And make sure you save room for baklava, a sweet dessert pastry made with layers of filo pastry and honey syrup.

For those interested in history, Mostar has a rich and complex past that is worth exploring. You can learn about the city's history by visiting museums and historic sites, such as the Museum of Herzegovina and the Muslibegovic House. These places will take you on a journey through the city's past, from the Ottoman Empire to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and beyond.

Finally, don't forget to take a trip outside of the city to explore the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding area. There are plenty of hiking trails, waterfalls, and parks to discover, including the Kravice Waterfalls and the Blagaj Tekke, a 16th-century Sufi monastery built into a cliff overlooking the Buna River.

We strolled through the narrow alley that led to the bridge. We were ready to cross Stari Most!

It was quite difficult to get pictures standing in the middle of the bridge

The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is located on the bank of the Neretva River.

We crossed the bridge and walked down to the river to take a snapshot from below. The results... outstanding!

Soon my profile picture... :P

After being brought to the best bridge's viewpoint, we explored the old town on our own.

Walked along Jusovina Street

A supermarket chain

Kriva ćuprija bridge of Mostar at the back

When googled, it shows permanently closed

Unfortunately, the Hamam Museum was closed, so we decided to cross the bridge and visited the Old Bridge Museum and the Clock Tower. Out of the five floors of this section, the top one contains a gazebo with a panoramic view of Mostar. We took a lot of pictures and captured the old bridge from above.

We all met at Restoran Kulluk for lunch. On the way to our bus, we detoured to take pictures at Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque.

Best lepak makan kat sini...

View of Neretva River

Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is an extraordinary piece of Ottoman architecture

About 5 km from the old city, we did our shopping at LC Waikiki Outlet and Binge hypermarket. Little did we know that there are outlets at several places in Klang Valley. We bought shirts for the next Hari Raya celebration (tak sabar nak raya...) and luggage from Bingo, since our things seem to get more and more.

Vrelo Bune is located at the end of a river, a natural spring water ensemble at the small Buna River connected to the Neretva. It was about a short 15 km drive south from the outlet. A lodge integrates the natural with the man-made architecture, making it known as the "Townscape ensemble of the town of Blagaj—Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina" by UNESCO. This site is an absolute must-visit for any traveler coming to Mostar.

It was roughly a 15-kilometer drive south from the outlet. We stopped at the Careva mosque to pray because it was already Asr hour. While we waited for others, we accompanied Mr. Akin to Alea Caffe Bar for a cup of Bosnian coffee. We went for almost a km via bridges to get to Vrelo Bune. The Buna wellspring was able to attract our attention vehemently that evening. We didn't waste any time and took the boat excursion inside the cave for 10 kuna per person. The boatman told us about the cave. The spring is around 30 meters deep, and once a diver was not discovered until that day.