Beautiful, Easy Day Trip to Bosnia From Dubrovnik

While Matt and I were in Croatia, we decided to take a day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik because, why not? I had always wanted to visit Mostar and when I realized just how close to Mostar we were, I knew we had to go. Unfortunately, we had already turned in our rental car, but we discovered that we could very affordably and conveniently take a day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik with this tour.

WHY WE CHOSE TO TAKE A TOUR FOR OUR DAY TRIP TO BOSNIA FROM DUBROVNIK

Although we’re big fans of independent travel, I do think that day tours can enhance your trips especially if you’r trying to do something quickly or want to learn more. Luckily, Get Your Guide is an easy-to-use portal full of tours, trips and tickets to attractions and destinations all over the world. We chose this tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina because it was affordable, gave you the most time in Mostar and had a local guide! While the tour is sometimes subject to change, based upon season and what the fellow tourists want. Here’s what we discovered on our day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik!

FIRST STOP: KRAVICE WATERALLS, BOSNIA

Kravice Waterfalls is a good halfway stop between Dubrovnik and Mostar. As major nature-lovers, it worked out perfectly to make a pitstop here. There is a small entrance fee to enter the waterfalls, but depending on the season it’s just anywhere from €3-€5. You have to walk down to the main level of waterfalls, but there are multiple little layers. Down at the bottom you can find a little snack shack, especially in the summer months, and you’re allowed to swim in these falls too! On the way back up, don’t forget to stop and take in the waterfalls from above!

MEDJUGORJE, BOSNIA – A CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE SITE

Medjugorje is a famous site for Catholics around the world. Starting in 1981, there have been apparitions of the Virgin Mary on these grounds. Later, it was declared to be a pilgrimage site. Although this seems like the not-so-distant past, the history of this site dates back to 1892 when the church here was established. The name of Medjugorje literally means “between the mountains” and its a very appropriate name. The church here is in a gorgeous location and its proximity to the Croatian border makes it a great stop on a day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik. That said, this isn’t a stop that I would’ve made on my own, as a non-Catholic. I can obviously appreciate its importance, but it wasn’t especially impactful for me. I would’ve rather had more time in Mostar.

EXPLORING THE CITY OF MOSTAR, BOSNIA

The whole reason I wanted to take a day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik was to visit Mostar. When I was in high school, I saw an episode of Rick Steves Europe where he visited Mostar. Instantly, I fell in love with a beautiful town, tucked in the mountains with a dark history, but a lot of charm, even though I had never been. So, when I realized just how close I was, I quick plans to take a day trip! Because we were on this day tour to Bosnia from Dubrovnik our time is picturesque Mostar was somewhat limited (we had a little over 2 hours of free time) and it left me desperate for more time to explore on a future visit.
In the not-so-distant-past Bosnia was in the midst of a devastating war and in addition to the many lives lost, the famous Stari Most bridge was sadly destroyed. Because of the bridge’s iconic mark on the landscape and beautiful example of Balkan Islamic architecture, it was rebuilt 11 years later and completes the city’s landscape once again. The beautiful Neretva River naturally divides the city, and it forms a bit of a cultural divide as well: Croat (Christian) and Bosniak (Muslim). It’s a unique feel and I think as time goes by it’ll be interesting to visit again and again.

We opted to spend almost all of our time in Mostar on the Bosniak side. That’s where much of the Old Town with old, brightly painted buildings, delicious food in cozy cafes, Bosnian coffee and mosques. One of the most memorable stops was climbing the itty bitty spiral staircase to the top of the minaret of Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque to get amazing views of the entire city, including Stari Most.

Although Mostar is an unbelievable place to visit and so worth stopping, there are reminders of the tragedies that occurred in this city and this country only 16 years ago. There are abandoned buildings, makeshift monuments, bullet holes and street art to serve as a reminder to never forget and to learn from past mistakes.

QUICK STOP IN POČITELJ, BOSNIA

The last stop on our day trip to Bosnia from Dubrovnik is the small town of Počitelj which has been around for almost 600 years! Our stop here was a super short 30 minutes or so, but we climbed up the hill up to mosque and back so we could take in the view from above and some architecture. Počitelj was also greatly affected by the war and suffered a lot of damage. It was a nice break to stretch our legs and soak up just a little bit more of this beautiful country. If you have more time the fort atop the hill is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR ANY DAY TRIP TO BOSNIA FROM DUBROVNIK

⋙ Local Currency – Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark – Although, the Euro is also accepted in most places, the exchange rate isn’t in your favor. So, if possible, maybe grab some local currency.
⋙ It’s Not Part of the EU or Schengen Zone – This benefits anyone who is traveling through Europe long-term because you have limited time in the EU and the Schengen Zone. If you’re from the U.S. (like us) you can travel in Bosnia + Herzegovina for 90 days in a six month period.
⋙ Don’t Forget Your Passport – Sometimes people space out and forget that they’re crossing a border. Don’t be left at the border because you left your passport in Dubrovnik. Consider this your gentle reminder. 😉
⋙ Don’t Bank on Using a Credit Card – Bosnia + Herzegovina is mostly cash-based. I think we used our credit card in one restaurant and everywhere else was cash-only. Just be prepared.
⋙ Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance – I’ve learned the hard way, more than once, that accidents can happen anywhere. There’s that saying, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford the trip (especially international). We use World Nomads because their policies are affordable, straightforward and making a claim is super easy! Check out their website for more info.

NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS DAY TRIP TO BOSNIA FROM DUBROVNIK

We greatly enjoyed this tour. You get all of the information about your next stop while in transit, which I really liked because then we could jump into explorations and free time to explore the different destinations. We got the most time in Mostar, then the waterfalls, with quick stops at the other two destinations. I wish we would’ve skipped the pilgrimage site because we’re not Catholic, it wasn’t as special to me, but that’s just me. The only reason I would’ve skipped it would be because I would’ve wanted more time in Počitelj to get up to the fort. Also, any admissions are extra on top of what you’ve paid for the tour, as are meals. I would absolutely recommend this tour to someone who wants to see Bosnia + Herzegovina but only has a day to do it. It was fun, easy, informative and nice to relax on the drives and learn more about the culture and history along the way.

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