Mostar Travel Forum

During a trip to Croatia this fall I would really love to plan a day trip to Mostar, however my traveling companion is concerned about our safety in traveling to as well as while visiting Mostar. Everything I have read leads be to believe it is safe. She was on board until a former military friend of hers told her we "absolutely shound not go". Does anyone have recent information on the safety of this area?

Hi

My friend and I visited Mostar in May this year and found it to be perfectly safe.

There are still lots of scars from the 1990s war, especially in the form of derelict buildings. However, much of the old town has been rebuilt, including the famous bridge, and it's quite a touristy place nowadays.

It's a truly beautiful town and the people are incredibly friendly, especially given what they have been through in the not too distant past.

Feel free to take a look at my half-built Mostar page for more details and photos.

I strongly recommend a visit to Mostar. You will not regret it!

Best wishes,

Jonathan

I was there a couple years ago - just for a day - and felt perfectly safe in the area I was in (old town/bridge area). I saw nothing to activate "beware mode". The ravages of war were still very present and the countryside was littered with wind-blown plastic caught on fences but the town was clearly starting to recover from the ravages of war.

Hi Jonathan - our posts crossed each other - looks like we had a very similar experience - it is a lovely town - so sad that so much was destroyed in war

Hi Kathy,

Glad you enjoyed Mostar as much as I did. I'd heard similar horror stories before visiting, so I was a little unsure of what to expect. In the event, I needn't have worried - I loved the place and will hopefully make a return visit some day in the future. Here's hoping the town's ongoing recovery continues!

Best wishes,

Jonathan

That is wonderful to hear! Thanks so much fo the quick response!

the first time i went to mostar it was not a long time after the war - and despite the evident damage I found the old town extremely safe. I went to the croatian quarter, and I must say I felt a bit uneasy... there was also nothing to see there, anyway - and in all fairness nothing happened to me.

I re-visited mostar last summer, to see the bridge rebuilt - definitely a very safe place... one of the safest i have been - the old old town is getting quite touristy, so u better go there as soos as possible. I walked as far as the old frontline - very safe there, too. I did not go to the croatian quarter, though - so i can't comment on it.

hope this helps...

I agree with previous posts. I've been there twice and will likely be there again in a few weeks, and would have no concerns about safety.

It would have been useful if the former military friend had explained exactly why you should not go. It's difficult for us to reassure you when we are not sure exactly what dangers we are trying to reassure you about. But Mostar is quite a mainstream tourist destination these days, lots of people visit on excursions from the Croatia coast, and I've never heard reports of any problems.

Note that if you are planning a daytrip, you'll really need a car or to join an organised excursion - it's a bit too much of a rush by bus. Personally I liked Mostar a lot better at night when most of the daytrippers have gone, and the bridge is beautifully floodlit. There are other places of interest in the area worth seeing if you do stay the night.

I agree with all the other posters, I stayed there for 3 days 2 years ago. I agree seeing the place lit up at night is wonderful. Very safe, I have great memories of there.

Enjoy

Linda

With all due respect your friend has no idea what they are talking about. Mostar is as safe as anywhere else in Europe and is working hard to re establish a tourist industry. I was there last month and felt as safe and relaxed and possible. There is absolutely no threat other than what you would expect to experience in any major city,in fact less as Mostar has more of a small town feek to it than a big city. The locals made me feel welcome and at home. Don't let the opinion of someone who has obviously not been to Mostar recently cloud your judgement and precent you from visiting one of the most beautiful and friendly cities anywhere in Europe. If you'd like some recent photos from Mostar email me at rich00cap@aol.com.
Richard

I concur with the other posters. We were there last month and felt safe strolling day or night.