The Best Day Trip from Mostar: Blagaj, Počitelj & Kravica Waterfalls
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Mostar is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s highlights, with tourists rightfully enjoying the Old Town and Stari Most. Beyond this stunning town, the surrounding region of Herzegovina is full of gems like medieval stone towns, cliffside monasteries and stunning waterfalls.
The most popular, and easiest way to see these sights is a classic Full-Day Herzegovina Tour from Mostar – a fully packed day of incredible sights.
After taking this Herzegovina day trip myself in January, I can confirm it’s the perfect way to see the highlights of the region without navigating off-peak bus schedules.
Here is my honest review of the Herzegovina tour, what to expect, practical tips for booking or self-driving and more.
Key Stops on the Herzegovina Full-Day Tour
Different tours may offer different routes and stops and seasons may also effect the itinerary but you’ll likely still hit the three key stops:
1. Blagaj Tekke (The Dervish Monastery)
Blagaj Tekke is a 600-year-old Ottoman Dervish monastery built directly into the base of a 200-meter tall cliff face where the stunning Buna River runs directly out of the cave.
Here, you can explore both the beautiful interior of the monastery and the surrounding area as well as heading on a short walk uphill to the Blagaj Fortress. In summer time, the riverside cafes and stalls are bustling with great energy. In winter, everything is closed however, you’ll likely get the place entirely to yourself.
2. Počitelj (The Historic Ottoman Fortress Village)
This fortified stone village features beautiful residential spaces, a 16th-century mosque, a gorgeous clock tower and stunning views of the village and surrounding area. Following the Bosnian War, many locals were displaced due to damage in the village so Počitelj is now only home to around 40 permanent residents.
3. Kravica Waterfalls
Kravica is a huge, 25-meter high set of waterfalls which flow into a gorgeous natural pool, surrounded lush greenery.
In summer this is a perfect swimming spot, with plenty of locals and visitors enjoying kayaking, sunbathing and drinks at the open-air bars. However, in winter, the bars completely close and no activities are going on. The water is at it’s highest during these times so some of the buildings are even submerged but it also makes the waterfalls the most dramatic.
Additional Stops on the Tour
These are some extra stops that were included in my tour beyond the main three:
Fortica Hill: A short 15-minute drive up a steep road next to Mostar and you’ll be greeted with incredible views of Mostar below from a glass skywalk as well as a zipline!
Bunski Kanal: A natural hidden gem where the Buna River flows through a narrow limestone channel and then merges with Neretva River.
Organised Tour vs Renting a Car vs Public Transport
When planning this day trip from Mostar, you have three main options:
| Option | Approximate Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organised Tour | €35 – €45 / person | Includes door-to-door transport, local guide stories, and simple logistics. | Fixed schedule, less flexibility, most expensive |
| Rental Car | €25 – €40 / day + fuel | Complete freedom of stops and timing | Caution needed when driving on some rural roads |
| Public Bus | €2 – €4 per ride | Most affordable | Not practical, difficult to connect each stop and takes a long time |
Winter Off-Season Realities: Is It Worth It?
My trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina was in January and of course travelling to the Balkans in winter comes with pros and cons but in my opinion, it was absolutely worth it.
Pros: We ended up on a private tour and there were absolutely no crowds at any of the stops, we actually didn’t see another tourist until our last stop at Kravica Waterfalls where there was just one family. Tour prices drop in off-peak season, along with general travel costs. A lack of tourists also means the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, making it considerably more enjoyable.
Cons: Simply, it’s cold! You have to wrap up in lots of layers and weather is more unpredictable. The daylight hours are shorter so your tour will likely end around 4pm, before sunset. Seasonal closures of riverside cafes at both the monastery and waterfalls mean the stops are more of a see and move on rather than a sit and enjoy.
Note: If you do not have a rental car, I do not suggest attempting to do the tour by public transport in winter. The public transport schedules are limited in off-peak months making it near impossible to get to everything in one day. Consider a tour by GetYourGuide or Viator to keep your day stress-free and enjoyable.
Looking to Explore Bosnia and Herzegovina in Winter?
Cost Breakdown: How Much Does the Herzegovina Day Trip Cost?
No matter which option you choose (car rental, tour or public transport) you’ll still have additional costs to consider:
Blagaj Tekke: Outside access is free, inside the monastery is 10 BAM (€5 / $5.50) and parking is 4 BAM (€2 / $2.40).
Počitelj Fortress: The village is free to wander around, and free parking is available along the nearby main road.
Kravica Waterfalls: Entry is 20 BAM (€10 / $11), or 10 BAM (€5 / $5.50) in off-peak season. Parking is around 4 BAM (€2 / €2.40).
Winter Bonus: Parking is often free in winter as they is nobody designated to parking tickets due to a lack of tourists.
As someone who is very budget-conscious, I typically don’t book tours and I try to do everything on my own by public transport. However, after spending some time researching connections between stops and realising I probably wasn’t going to be able to make all of the stops in one day, I made the decision to book a day tour from Mostar and it turned out better than I could have hoped.
In January, tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is considerably low, so our tour ended up being entirely private. Our guide was incredible, he was knowledgeable, sharing local history as well as personal stories. He made our day entirely stress-free and enjoyable.
We visited all the stops I’ve mentioned throughout the post, with every single one being completely devoid of tourists other than a single family at the waterfalls right at the end of the day.
Of course, it was cold but the lack of crowds and the chilly atmosphere was extremely enjoyable and I couldn’t recommend this tour more to anyone considering doing the same.
The exact tour I booked was this: From Mostar: Blagaj, Počitelj & Kravice Waterfalls Day Tour
Essential Travel Tips for the Herzegovina Tour
Dress Appropriately: Wear something comfortable, there’s walking and climbing steps involved at most stops. In summer, wear sunscreen and in winter, layer up.
Blagaj Monastery Dress Code: Modest clothing is required here, shoulders and knees should be covered and a head covering is provided at the entrance.
Footwear: Opt for shoes you’ll be comfortable walking around in all day, and in winter months opt for shoe with good grip to avoid falling on icy ground.
Bring Local Cash: Entrance fees are more reliably paid in cash, parking fees are paid in cash, local buses are paid in cash and tips are paid in cash.
Hi, I'm Kelly!
Welcome to The Untold Journeys, a travel blog with a focus on raw, authentic travels and finding those exciting hidden gems.
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