The Perfect Bosnia & Herzegovina Day Trip From Dubrovnik
A brilliant way to immerse yourself in the Balkan region and enhance your travel itinerary along the Adriatic is to take a day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik.
With Bosnia & Herzegovina situated on the horizon of Dubrovnik, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit this wonderful country for the day.
Just from a day tour, I would be instantly swept into the city of Mostar or swimming in the pristine waters of Kravica waterfalls. It was an opportunity too good to miss.
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Getting from Dubrovnik to Bosnia
For my Bosnian day trip from Dubrovnik, I took a wonderful day tour of Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls. This is the option I recommend the most if you’re planning a day trip!
I usually prefer venturing to attractions without the need for a tour guide, as I like to travel within my own time frame, but after extensive research, I found that taking a day tour was the only viable – and easiest – option.
This is because getting to Mostar or Kravica waterfalls from Dubrovnik via public transport is extremely difficult.
It requires far too many connections and is not worth the stress when a hotel pickup and transport to both attractions are readily available.
My partner and I opted for the small group tour via a minivan, which gave us more extensive freedom around the tour attractions, passing the borders in a quicker fashion because we avoided the coach lanes. This is something that is unavoidable on the cheaper tours with larger groups using coaches.
If you plan to explore more of Bosnia than Kravica Waterfalls and Mostar, then I highly recommend hiring a car in Dubrovnik. Most major attractions in Bosnia can not be reached all at once via a day tour or public transport from Dubrovnik.
Crossing the Bosnian border
Crossing the Bosnian border when travelling from Dubrovnik is an easy process if you plan ahead, mapping out which border to cross and taking into account your timings.
The Gornji Brgat—Ivanica crossing station is the closest border from Dubrovnik to Bosnia and is only a 15-minute drive from the Old Town.
Make sure to bring the correct identification documentation, as you’ll need your passport to enter Bosnia.
Recommendation: Always allocate at least 1-2 hours extra for the border crossings, as during tourist seasons, traffic can build along the border, leaving you waiting hours to cross.
Renting a car:
If you are renting a car, you’ll also need to ensure you have your passport to cross the border.
Your rental must also be insured to drive in Bosnia. Depending on your place of residence, this may include getting a Green Card.
Find out more information about this on the official guidelines for foreign drivers entering Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What to Pack on Your Dubrovnik to Bosnia Day Trip
When planning your day trip to Bosnia, it’s essential that you plan ahead for items and accessories to bring to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Here is what I recommend taking along with you on your day trip;
- Passport: You must bring your passport to cross the Bosnian border, so be sure to make this a priority when packing.
- Local currency or euros: The Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Marka is the current local currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, you will be fine with just euros in most touristy areas like Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls. You will need €10 for Kravica Waterfalls entry and for food if you plan to eat in Bosnia.
- Swimming gear: To most people’s surprise, you can swim in the Kravica Waterfalls, something that isn’t possible in many waterfalls in Croatia. Be sure to bring your swimming gear!
- Sun Lotion and water: Bosnia and Herzegovina can get scorching hot, especially in the summer. Be sure to bring sun lotion and, of course, water to hydrate yourself.
- Comfortable footwear: Your trip will require some walking, especially in Mostar, so be sure to bring your comfy walking shoes.
- Battery pack for electronics: Be sure to bring a battery pack for electronics; you’ll be taking plenty of pictures during your day trip to Bosnia!
Kravica Waterfalls
Kravica Waterfalls is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most famous natural wonders, featuring a series of pristine waterfalls on the Trebižat River.
It is Bosnia’s version of Croatia’s Krka and Plitvice, and one of the best places to visit from Dubrovnik, for very good reason—it is incredibly beautiful!
On your tour, you will be dropped off around 5 minutes away from the waterfalls just inside the parking lot. If you arrive by car, parking here is only €1 for the full day.
From the parking lot, you can make your way down the allocated walkways to the waterfalls. Along your walk, you will find many brilliant vantage points from which to take postcard-worthy photos of the different series of waterfalls.
Onsite, there are various restaurants for a spot of lunch, where euros and cards are widely accepted.
Around the nature reserve, there are plenty of spots to put your towel down and have a light snooze. And if you need a cool down, a swim in the waters would just do that, as it is absolutely freezing but appreciated when Bosnia hits its peak temperatures!
However, if you like to be on the move instead of relaxing, there are scenic areas away from the waterfalls where you can have a walk around and explore the nearby nature.
Mostar: Best things to do
The next stop on your day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik is Mostar, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most prestigious cities with a remarkable history.
If you’re heading there via a day tour, you will be dropped off just outside the Old Town and given time to explore it yourself. For those planning to head there by car, there are plenty of parking areas all around the Old Town.
Throughout your time in Mostar, you can see some of its most important attractions, like the Mostar Bridge and Old Town, and of course, try out the delicious local cuisine.
1. Walk along the Mostar Bridge
The Old Town is home to the renowned UNESCO attraction, Stari Most (Mostar Bridge), which is undoubtedly the biggest highlight of Mostar.
Unfortunately, the bridge has undergone severe jeopardies over the years, but its current form was rebuilt in 2004 after previously being destroyed in the Bosnian war in 1994.
This is Mostar’s busiest part, where crowds fill up, both on the Neretva Bay at its side and also on the bridge. We were lucky to visit during the Cliff Diving World Series, where crowds all gathered at the side, watching the divers jump into the waters.
If you want the best view of Mostar Bridge and the Old Town, make sure to climb to the top of Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque for a great panorama.
Top tip: Bring suitable footwear to walk across Mostar Bridge. Its steep incline and somewhat slippery cobblestone path are not suitable for those with mobility issues or unsteady footing.
2. Explore the Old Town
Much of Bosnia was destroyed during the war, but after the rebuilding of the Old Town, this doesn’t make the destruction that occurred heavily evident.
You will still find bullet holes imprinted in some of its walls and a few buildings in ruins, but its architecture and cobblestone streets in the Old Town have all preserved their charm.
The Ottoman influence is instilled in the city. In the Old Town, you’ll find the Old Bazaar, which features traditional Ottoman markets along the cobblestone streets, selling local crafts and jewellery. This is where we picked out our souvenirs for our Bosnia day trip from Dubrovnik.
In Mostar, you can expect to find a lot of authentic Bosnian cuisine, drawn from its Ottoman influence. It is also much cheaper for food than Dubrovnik. You can pick up cheap street food like a Burek or Cevapi for cheaper than €6.
However, we much preferred to sit down and enjoy a meal. We managed to grab a nice table with a view of Crooked Bridge in Restaurant Divan and then went higher up after eating for a better view.
Crooked Bridge is almost a spitting image of Stari Most, but it is just in smaller form. Or at least I like to tell myself that to avoid embarrassment.
On our arrival, my partner and I thought this was Mostar Bridge and feared we had been catfished from the images we had seen beforehand—not my proudest moment!
Top tip: For a picturesque view of Mostar Bridge with a cocktail, Terasa is your go-to bar.
Other places to visit in Bosnia from Dubrovnik.
Your trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik doesn’t stop at Kravica Waterfalls and Mostar, with plenty of Bosnian locations just a short drive away or accessed through a day tour.
But which other places in Bosnia can you visit from Dubrovnik? Here are some other brilliant locations nearby to add to your itinerary.
1. Počitelj
Just a 28-minute drive away from Kravica Falls lies Počitelj, a beautiful little village in the town of Čapljina.
It is clear in its Ottoman influence, with much of the Ottoman architecture still intact today and well preserved, earning the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List status in 2007.
Although the village was massively hit in the Bosnian war during 1992-1996, it has been rebuilt since. Much of the town has a notable religious influence in both Christianity and Islam, which is similar to most Bosnian locations.
Its main Islamic building, Šišman Ibrahim Pasha Mosque, was destroyed in the 1990s during the Bosnian war, with its minaret and domes completely ruined but recently rebuilt a decade later. Some of its remains are still available to see during your visit there.
The mosque and the remaining village can be seen high above from the top of Gavrankapetanović Tower at Počitelj Fortress. This is the best view of the town, enhanced with clear shots of the Neretva River.
Plan your visit
How to get there: If you’re driving from Dubrovnik, it is only 1 hour and 44 minutes away. I recommend combining it with a trip to Kravica Waterfalls as it is very close by.
For those wanting to visit by tour, there is a day tour from Dubrovnik that heads to Mostar, Kravica Waterfalls and Počitelj.
2. Međugorje
Međugorje is a village that has become a worldwide pilgrimage location and has a massive Catholic following in Bosnia.
Catholicism is huge within this village, with pilgrims located throughout and daily masses held at its famous religious building, the Church of Saint James the Greater.
Pilgrims are also located throughout the village. You can take the steep and rocky climb up Cross Mountain, where people come for a time of reflection while also appreciating the great views of the Međugorje village below.
Apparition Hill is also an important site and is where the statue of Our Lady of Medjugorje is located. Visitors often gather in the evening, at 6:40 PM in the summer and 5:40 PM in the winter, as a place to pray and remain silent while they reflect, marking the time of the apparitions.
Plan your visit
How to get there: If you rent a car, Međugorje is only a 23-minute drive from Kravica Waterfalls. It is also near Mostar and Pocitelj, so it is brilliant to visit if you’re planning a Bosnian road trip from Dubrovnik.
For those without access to a car, you can take a day tour to Medjugorje from Dubrovnik, which includes a trip to Mostar and a stop off in Pocitelj.
3. Trebinje
The charming city of Trebinje is an instant delight for those wanting a fresh place to visit in their Bosnian itinerary.
Very similar to Mostar, this city also stands out through its well-preserved Old Town and a bridge reminiscent of Stari Most in Arslanagić Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 1600s.
The Trebišnjica River is the prettiest feature of the city, flowing through the Arslanagić Bridge and surrounding the entire Old Town. You can get some picturesque views just on the edges of the town, looking back at the bridge.
A popular thing to do in Trebinje is to try out its wine, as it is renowned for its wine production!
Vineyards and local wineries are found throughout the city and the outskirts, with nearby attractions like Tvrdoš Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox church that today is known for its wine production, holding many wine cellars underground.
Plan your visit
How to get there: Trebinje is only a 37-minute drive from Dubrovnik, passing the Gornji Brgat – Ivanica border and driving on the M20 to Trebinje.
It is located next to most locations in Bosnia near the Croatian border, so it’s a brilliant place to stop off if you’ve rented a car and plan to do a road trip to Bosnia. Unfortunately, there are no day tours from Dubrovnik to Trebinje.
4. Blagaj
Blagaj is a brilliant place to visit on your Bosnia day trip. This town is very picturesque, with many old buildings, including the Blagaj Tekke, an old monastery built by the cliffs of the Buna River, one of the largest underground rivers in Europe.
The Sufi monastery is a great example of Ottoman and Mediterranean architecture. Though you can go inside the building, much of the outside, with the Buna River and walkaways, is lovely to walk around and worth the trip down.
There are plenty of spots where you can grab some great afar photos of the monastery.
If you are looking to do a bit of strenuous hiking, the trip to the Blagaj Fort can prove to put your feet to the test.
From Blagaj Tekke, it is around a 50-minute walk up the fort. However, if you are driving, Blagaj Fortress has a parking lot and from there, it is a 20-minute walk up.
Plan your visit
How to get there: Blagaj is located just a 20-minute drive from Mostar, so it is brilliant if you plan to rent a car and go on a road trip around Bosnia and want a scenic place to stop for lunch.
There is a tour from Dubrovnik that explores much of Bosnia, including Mostar, Kravica Waterfalls (including entry fee), Počitelj and Blagaj.
It is expensive! However, it is the only feasible option to get to Blagaj if you are not renting a car and includes a visit to all places mentioned other than Trebinje and Međugorje.
Final Thoughts
There are so many beautiful areas of Bosnia to see from Dubrovnik that are just a short drive away or accessible through a day tour for a brilliant day out.
Although exploring Mostar and other major Bosnian locations may need additional days in your itinerary to really reap everything this wonderful country has to offer, you can still explore plenty on your day out from Dubrovnik.
That being said, if you do have those extra few days to spare, Bosnia’s close proximity to the Croatian border makes this a very feasible extension to your trip.
Much of the country’s areas are incredibly beautiful, and it won’t be long until you’re venturing further into what Bosnia and Herzegovina has to offer in your next trip!
Looking for more days out from Dubrovnik? Check out
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Day Trip to Kotor From Dubrovnik
A Wonderful Day Trip to Cavtat From Dubrovnik
How to Visit Lokrum Island From Dubrovnik: Ultimate Guide
Check out my other Croatia-related posts:
All Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations: Self-Guided Tour
What to Do in Dubrovnik in a Day: Best Attractions
14 Helpful Tips For Your First Visit To Dubrovnik
The 21 Most Beautiful Areas in Croatia: Towns, Cities & More
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO CROATIA
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