We spent a whole day in this country visiting the Kravice waterfalls and the UNESCO world heritage city of Mostar.
About a 1.5-hour drive from Split and 40 kilometers from Mostar, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Kravice falls is often included as a stop on day trips to Mostar, but it is worthy of a trip on its own. Tucked amid a lush forest of poplars and fig trees, the Trebižat River tumbles over 25-meter-high moss-covered limestone cliffs, creating about 20 misty veils of water. You can swim in the pool at the base of the falls, and if the water’s a little chilly, you can hire kayaks to paddle along the river farther downstream. You can even bring a picnic to enjoy along the shore, or purchase snacks and refreshments at the cafés.
Mostar – The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Mostar has two aesthetics: Ottoman and Venetian. Sliced by the Neretva River, the eastern bank is the atmospheric Muslim part of town, while the western bank is where Catholic Croats call home. The Stari Most (Old Bridge) is the most popular attraction here. In 1994, Stari Most was destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak conflict. During the late 1990’s the bridge was rebuilt and the Old Town was renovated.
The charming old town is a tangle of cobbled streets that leads to the river, where the historic Old Bridge is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city. Local residents will often jump off the bridge for a tourist donation fee. There are many restaurants lined along the river with a view of the old bridge. We spent a relaxed hour enjoying the lunch and the view. Most restaurants prefer Bosnian currency, so be prepared to pay cash.
After lunch, we walked across the bridge. Before stepping onto the bridge, there is something you should know. The stones on the bridge are slippery ! There are raised treads to help prevent slipping, but if you place your foot on the smooth rock, your feet may slip, even with shoes with good traction. Walk on the raised stones rather than the smooth, flat surfaces.
Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque – Completed in 1618, this mosque was also completely destroyed in the croat-Bosniak conflict but was rebuilt. For €7, you can tour the mosque and climb the minaret to get a stunning view of Stari Most.
