The Old Town of Mostar is the hot spot tourist attraction of the city, and has many tourists visiting all around the year. While I recently listed this part of my city in the Top 10 Places to Visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I wanted to get a little bit into detail, what you can actually do and see here, which I hope will be of use to the traveler and casual reader.
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Places to Explore
First off, it's great just to roam the old cobble streets and discover hidden alleys, paths and enjoy the architecture. I think it's best to explore the old town in the morning, when not so many tourists have arrived. Usually you will find tour buses from Croatia and other places in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that drop of many tourists for daily visits, so it can get crowded mid day. In the evening things are more relaxed, and you can come here for a coffee or get something to eat, which I will talk about later in this article.
Besides the Old Bridge complex, other Ottoman constructions include the Kriva Cuprija (“Crooked”) bridge, which you can see in the photo below, and many mosques, like the: Cejvan Cehaja Mosque, the Koski Mehmed Pasa mosque complex, the Vucjakovic Mosque, the Neziraga Mosque, as well as the Hamam and Tabhana. All of these places are open for tourists, and are really great to explore, since they are very old.
Shop Around
There is a lot to be found in the antique shops in the old town of Mostar. From simple souvenirs like postcards, magnets, unique jewelry, old memorabilia, to more valuable purchases like paintings, copper plates and pots that are engraved.
Food, Food, and more Food
Having lunch in one of the many establishments here is a must. From Places like Hindin Han, Šadrvan, Labirint, Emen, as well as many little fast food joints along the way. Here you will find traditional Bosnian food, freshly grilled food, seafood, sweets, Bosnian coffee, and so much more. The prices are very affordable, and many locals also visit these places, which is always an indicator that the food is good, and that you should join in.
Discover Remains from the Past
It's not only the Old Town that deserves a visit. If you venture a bit away from it you will discover many little things that will feel special. Like old gravestones called Stecci, tucked away in gardens, or remains form the old Old Bridge, which was destroyed in the war in 1993. Inside the Old Town there are of course many other remains spread throughout. Even though the old town area is not that big, you can find yourself exploring it for a long time, and always coming back to it.
The Old Bridge
This article would not be complete without me mentioning the Old Bridge. It connects two sides of the town that are separated by the Neretva River. In summer you will find local divers, that jump off the bridge into the waters of the river. As the Neretva is very cold, this is a very risky feat and only the most skilled and best trained divers will attempt it. The practice dates back to the time the bridge was built, but the first recorded instance of someone diving off the bridge is from 1664. In 1968 a formal diving competition was inaugurated and held every summer, a tradition that is continuing even today.
So if you find yourselves in this lovely city, make sure to enjoy the sights and explore. I hope these tips will help.
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