Balkan Discovery: Arriving in Mostar, Bosnia

Day Five: Fairytale Bridges and Comfort Food in Mostar

There is a distinct thrill that comes with driving toward a destination you know almost nothing about. As a traveller, those are the places that usually leave the deepest impression. Day Five was all about crossing into the unknown as we packed up the bus with our Trip Manager, Meg, and our trusty driver, Janek.

Our first destination of the day took us right back to the Montenegro border. We made a quick lunch stop in Podgorica, stretching our legs with a stroll through the small town while devouring some seriously delicious local pizza.

Podgorica views (May 2026)

Before we knew it, the wheels were turning again, and we were navigating our second border crossing of the day: officially entering Bosnia and Herzegovina. I had been looking forward to this specific leg of the trip the most, purely because it was a total blank slate in my mind, and I was incredibly eager to learn.

Falling for Mostar: Fairytales and Stray Cats

By late afternoon, we rolled into Mostar and pulled up to the HA Hotel. I absolutely loved this stay, it was easily one of my favourite properties of the entire trip. My only regret is that we were only checked in for a single night! After a quick refresh to wash off the long drive, we piled back onto the coach to head down to the Mostar Old Town for dinner.

Stunning nighttime views of the Old Bridge in Mostar (May 2026)

Stepping into Mostar at dusk felt like walking right into a fairytale. The views of the iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most) were completely jaw-dropping, especially as the lights kicked on and reflected off the water below. The Old Town itself is a dream to wander through: a maze of cobbled paths lined with resident stray cats and beautiful little artisan shops showing off local painters, authentic gelato, and shimmering copper Bosnian coffee sets.

The Ultimate Bosnian Comfort Meal

After working up an appetite exploring the alleys, Leah and I set off to find some food. We managed to hunker down at an outdoor table at Food House Mostar, tucked away just a stone's throw from the busy historic core.

I ordered what turned out to be one of my absolute favourite meals of the entire trip: traditional dolma (perfectly cooked peppers stuffed with seasoned beef and rice) served alongside a mountain of mashed potatoes and rich sour cream. Paired with a glass of fresh watermelon juice on the side, it was absolute perfection.

Delicious dinner and winding streets of Mostar (May 2026)

To make the atmosphere even more magical, a friendly local cat decided to hop up onto the bench right next to Leah, keeping us company for a good portion of our dinner. After a massive day dominated by endless driving, highway scenery, and multiple border crossings, just sitting in the cool evening air, laughing with a great friend, and enjoying incredible food was exactly what the soul needed.

We wrapped up the night with a peaceful evening walk from the restaurant back to the hotel, letting the quiet charm of the city settle in.

Coming up next on the blog: A morning look at Mostar before a short drive over to Sarajevo