Although Bosnia and Herzegovina shares a common history with much of Croatia, the country has its own disparate, and deeply varied, character. A crossroads between the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires for centuries, the strong influence from the east led to a rich culture which can be explored with a local guide on this private, full-day tour.
Walk the cobbled lanes and narrow streets of Mostar, see its renowned bridge, and venture to the nearby medieval town of Po膷itelj for sweeping views over the rocky mountains and deep river valley.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Split at the start of the day by your private driver who will take you to Mostar, a drive of roughly two hours. Crossing the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ll begin to notice subtle difference from Croatia.
Although both countries were once populated by Illyrian tribespeople, and later endured a succession of foreign governments before finally gaining independence in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a far stronger Ottoman influence.
In Mostar, your guide will fill you in on the history of the town which served as a meeting point of the East and West for centuries. As you walk the narrow streets of the old town, you’ll see mosques and Orthodox churches, 16th-century townhouses, traditional hammams and Turkish tea houses.
The city’s highlight however, is the Stari Most (Old Bridge), one of the most photographed locations in the Balkans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re fortunate, you might spy the legendary bridge jumpers plunge 23 m (75 ft) into the Neretva River below.
You’ll have plenty of time to admire the bridge’s architecture, reflection and poignant history over lunch in a local restaurant with views of the bridge and river below. From there, you’ll continue out of the city to the 14th-century town of Po膷itelj.
Here, you can climb to the top of the stone fort for panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valley, and a bird’s eye view over the Šišman Ibrahim-Paša Mosque and Sahat-Kula clock tower below. The fortified town was an important medieval and Ottoman hub. Its well-preserved streets, mosque, madrasa, hammams and townhouses offer an insight into the complex cultural history of the region.
Once you’ve had some time to look around and learned a little about the history of the town from your guide, your driver will take you back to your hotel.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Croatia specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Bi拧evo and Vis boat tour
Discover dramatic cliffs, historic coastal towns and the Blue Cave, an underwater grotto, on a private, full-day boat trip from Hvar. Visiting the islands of Vis and Bi拧evo, you鈥檒l gain a scenic introduction to the Dalmatian Coast.
Bra膷 Island tour
Get a comprehensive introduction to the island Bra膷 and its residents as you explore its karst scenery, fertile valleys and historic towns with a private guide. During the tour, you鈥檒l take in olive presses and stonemasons, wineries and museums.
Diocletian Palace walking tour
Walk in the footsteps of Roman emperors, warriors and traders in the Diocletian Palace in Split. With a private guide, you鈥檒l get expert commentary on the history, construction and preservation of the city and the lives of those who lived there.
Klis Fortress, Sinj and Gata
Enjoy a private, full-day tour of the Dinaric Alps, a little-visited area where historic towns celebrate age-old battles, traditional customs and lifestyles are maintained, and you can sample local recipes such as soparnik, the precursor of pizza.
Krka National Park visit and winery lunch
On this full-day private tour, take in the karst scenery and gushing waterfalls of Krka National Park by boat before visiting a 15th-century monastery. Then, join the owners of a small vineyard on a tour of their estate before sitting down to a wine-paired lunch.
Trogir with a local chef
Explore the cobblestone streets and historic architecture of Trogir, tour its market with a local chef, and enjoy a five-course meal in the city鈥檚 botanic gardens on this unusual tour that offers a comprehensive overview of local history and culture.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
