There’s no doubt that you’ll be left enchanted by Mostar’s old town and the beautiful Old Bridge, but don’t miss out on some of the most beautiful gems of nature hidden in the surrounding area.
Mostar stands at the heart of Herzegovina in an area of outstanding natural beauty, covering both banks of the emerald Neretva, which was dubbed God’s gift by the ancient Celts. Tourists generally flock to the Old Town, which has a special atmosphere and a unique style. Narrow streets, worn-down cobblestones, numerous craft workshops, and hidden restaurants on terraces all serve to transport you back to some long-forgotten time. At the heart of it all, of course, is the Old Bridge, a 16th-century masterpiece and a beautiful gem around which the whole city revolves.
It has never been easier to reach and get acquainted with this beautiful city. That’s because Air Serbia is establishing a direct route to Mostar from Belgrade, as of April 15th, and will fly there three times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays, using its Embraer 175 aircraft.
After just a 50-minute flight, you will be able to tour Mostar and then head out to explore the surrounding area with its breathtaking natural sites. Here we present just a selection of them:
1. Kravica Waterfall
Beautiful view on Kravica waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina [ Photo credit: RossHelen/Shutterstock]
Probably among the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, this natural wonder is formed by the river Trebižat, which decided to fall from a height of 28 meters in this spot. Given that this waterfall is almost 150 meters wide, you’re sure to lose yourself just observing its beauty. Kravica is a mini oasis of nature that’s around 40 kilometers from Mostar and is under state protection, while it also offers much more to see. Located nearby are a small cave and an old mill, and canoeing is also possible. Thanks to an abundance of fresh water and strong sunshine, the vegetation of the area is extremely dense and green, making it reminiscent of some exotic distant destination.
2. Koćuša Waterfall
Koćuša Waterfall is situated in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is one of the most beautiful nature pearls in the region. The height of the tufa waterfall is 5 m and the length is 50 m. [ Photo credit: Uros Stepisnik/Shutterstock]
Heading upstream beside the seductive Trebižat, you’ll reach another beauty after a drive of around 20 minutes: Koćuša Waterfall, which is often overlooked despite being stunningly beautiful. Here the river forms a five-meter-tall wall of water over rocks that extend for around 50 meters, thus creating a beautiful oasis with a deafening roar. Completing this idyllic scene are lush vegetation and watermills dating back to bygone times.
3. Hutovo Blato
Aerial drone view of lake surrounded by reeds. Beautiful landscape. Colorful swampy marsh in spring. Hutovo blato, nature reserve and bird reserve located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ Photo credit: Ajdin Kamber/Shutterstock]
The Hutovo mud marshland area is unusually located in the Herzegovina karst area and represents one of the richest wetland bird reserves in the Balkans. Birds aren’t the only revelers in this watery oasis, though there are more than 160 species of them here. An abundance of fish, numerous mammals, and reptiles have also been observed here. The best way to get acquainted with the Hutovo Blato reserve is by boat.
4. The Buna Spring
Small village Blagaj on Buna spring and waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina [Photo credit: Samet Guler Photographer/Shutterstock]
The Buna Spring is located 12 kilometers to the southeast of Mostar in the town of Blagaj and flows from beneath cliffs that are several hundred meters tall. It probably ranks among the most photographed spots in the country, thanks to its fairytale appearance and the fact that it is one of Europe’s cleanest rivers. The spring itself is located in a cave that marks the start of the turquoise river Buna’s short but striking journey.
Characterized by its frigid and beautifully colored water, it merges spectacularly with the Neretva just nine kilometers from the spring. The precise date of the construction of the adjacent tekke monastery is unknown, though it is known to have been built by Achik-Pasha, whose grave is located there. The whole place exudes an air of serenity, which is undoubtedly why the dervishes chose the Buna Spring for the location of their tekke.
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Written by Jelena Pantovic.
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