Where to stay in Mostar

In Mostar the choice is between sleep and the bridge. A night in the Old Town buys a morning without the coaches, and it also buys noise and parking that is hard to find. Every other area gives some of that morning back in exchange for quiet or a lower price, and the distances are short enough that none of them is a mistake.

Stone houses, the bazaar and the Old Bridge lie within five minutes of each other, and the Old Town is the liveliest, loudest and priciest part of Mostar. Hostel Nina, about two minutes on foot from the bridge, is among the cheapest beds in town. Dorm bed prices: from €8 (dorm bed).

The reason to pay for the location is the hour. The bridge is at its best before 9 am and after 6 pm, which is exactly when the tour groups are elsewhere, since they leave around 4 or 5 pm, and a guest who sleeps here walks out into both quiet hours. Come without a car, since parking in the Old Town is hard and no hotel can fix that.

West of the Old Town: quieter, still on foot

The area west of the Old Town is quieter and still close, and it suits mid-range travellers who want to sleep properly. Hotel Mepas and Hotel Eden are the names to know. Hostels there, Majdas among them, sit about half a kilometre from the centre, and Backpackers is another hostel in that band.

You give up the two-minute walk and get a longer one in exchange. Kujundžiluk and the bridge stay within reach on foot, and the evening noise stays behind. It is the sensible pick for a second night, after the first one in the Old Town has made its point, or for a longer stay with a calmer base.

The east side and near the stations: cheaper, farther

The east side is residential, local and cheaper than the rest. Hostel Miran stands near the bus and railway stations, about 700 m from the centre, which helps anyone arriving or leaving early, and Taso's House is another budget option. The bridge is a longer walk from here, so this area suits travellers who put the price first.

A three-star room has no confirmed per-person price; guides give only a room average.

Prices and when to book

Dorm beds start low, but the summer peak and weekends cost more, and from June to August rooms fill quickly, so book ahead. Guides quote only a room average for a three-star hotel, with no per-person price, so hotel prices are left out here. The tourist tax is unconfirmed, so ask your host about it when you book.

Getting aroundWhichever area you pick, the walk from the stations and the airport matters. The getting-around guide starts from both.Getting around Mostar →

2 daysA bed near the bridge makes the first morning easy. The two-day itinerary shows how to spend it.Mostar in 2 days →

When to goSummer fills the rooms and winter empties the bridge. The seasons guide gives the weather month by month.The best time to visit Mostar →

FoodDinner is a short walk from most of these beds. The food guide names what to order and where.What to eat in Mostar →

Day tripsA base on the east side shortens the start of every excursion. The trip guide covers Blagaj, Počitelj, Kravice and Medjugorje.Day trips from Mostar →

MistakesBooking the wrong area is one slip among several. The page on common mistakes collects the others.Mistakes everyone makes in Mostar →

Hidden gemsOnce the bridge is done, the quieter corners wait. The page on hidden places picks them out.Mostar Beyond the Old Bridge: A Cemetery, Mosques and Houses →