Travelling between Sarajevo and Dubrovnik and staying for one night in Mostar, combined with in-depth explorations of Herzegovina region, is by far the best possible way to maximize your Bosnian and Herzegovinian holiday break.
This is a connecting door to door 2day tour which is covering the most amazing destinations in Herzegovina with overnight in Mostar. You can start either in Sarajevo and end in Dubrovnik/Kotor/Split or the other way around.
Regardless of your start/end destination, we always do the full itinerary.
Destination: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Eden 4* or similar
Meals Included: B
Morning:Morning ride will take us through interesting suburbs of Sarajevo and areas of central Bosnia until we pass Ivan mountain and enter Herzegovina region. As soon as in Herzegovina, we’ll start descending, as region of Herzegovina is generally on lower altitudes and is totally different climate, so you’ll notice dramatic natural environment change.
Konjic: First stop of the day is visit to old part of Konjic town. Unique, prehistorically inhabited, famous for 17th century 6-arch Old Bridge, looming over turquoise Neretva river, usually very sunny place, is day’s perfect start. Standing at WW2’s last day, during the Nazi withdrawal, destroyed bridge, we learn the story of the “monument to human stupidity”, mystery of Tito’s Bunker, famousness of white water rafting at upper Neretva region and glacier Boracko Lake, and few other stories before we visit Tito’s Bunker.
In the early 1950s, Josip Broz Tito, the late leader of the former Yugoslavia, ordered the building of a secret bunker that would safeguard the country’s ruling class in case of a nuclear attack.
Located 900 feet (270 m) underground, town of Konjic, the 26-year project was only completed in 1979, the year before Tito died, and it was built at a cost equivalent to just under £3 billion ($4.6 billion).
If restocked with supplies it would still serve its purpose – allowing 350 people to live and work for six months without ever coming outside.
More about this place you see here.
Jablanica – Battle on Neretva story: Ride continues by passing large, dammed but very beautiful Jablaničko lake, with short stop at Jablanica where we learn WW2 story of “Neretva Battle” and “sniff” into the way how our greatest delicacy, famous roasted lamb on the spit is made.
Views of Jablaničko lake and regions of Prenj mountain are simply breathtaking and will make you wanna stop and breathe those in.
Blagaj Dervish House & Buna River Spring: Blagaj town is home to Buna river spring – Europe’s most beautiful, most powerful, clean and drinkable karst river spring, settled beneath a few hundred meters high rock. Water comes out of a quite large but stunningly deep cave, which springs an amazing 43 cubic meters of water per second. Can you imagine this?
Just next to the spring, under the rock, is home to Blagaj Tekke – Dervish house, dating most likely pre or early Ottoman era from the early 16th century, as a unique sacral-residential example of Islamic architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Visiting this complex and learning more about Dervish life in Herzegovina as important part of our history is, MUST DO. For Muslim travelers “Tekija” is place where prayers are hosted 5 times a day and can be attended if wanted.
Lunch:Later, after visiting “Blagajska Tekija” and “Izvor rijeke Bune” before we continue our ride to Dubrovnik, it is time for lunch. Due to famousness and cleanliness of Buna river the most important thing to taste in Blagaj today, is local trout. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so plan to spend 8/10 EUR per person for great lunch. As mentioned earlier, depending on the tour pace, alternatively lunch can be planned at Jablanica (Stop 3) where you get to taste famous Bosnian roasted lamb.
That is why we don’t leave the place before we offer our guests to try locally prepared trout on “Blagaj Way”, enjoying the amazing scenery of Buna river spring and Dervish house next to it. Vegetarians don’t worry, we have solutions for you as well 🙂
Mostar:As soon as we arrive to Mostar we’ll do our hotel check-in and start our 2 hour walking tour which will cover most important sites and locations in Mostar.
Our focus will Mostar’s Old Bridge, Old Bazaar and Old Town, but offer stories of Mostar’s uniqueness, in regard to historical and cultural diversity.
Story of Mostar will be about the Bridge, it’s rise and fall, and how it had risen again. You will learn about Siege of Mostar, about why it is called Mostar, about “Mostarians”. We recreate Mostar for you and with you.
Evening:Spending a night in Mostar and enjoying this gem in the late evenings when all the crowds are gone is simply amazing. Free time, or dinner on your own or with us 🙂
Mostar by Nobel Prize winner, Ivo Andric
“When a man spends a night in Mostar, it is not the sound that awakes him, but the light. I know that from experience. The light I was greeted upon arrival at Mostar, the light I was followed from morning to evening, and later, after departure, the light remained within me, as the main characteristic of my memories of Mostar.
I’ve always felt that what shines over this nature privileged city, and the way it permeates everything within, is some sort of remarkable light, extraordinary in strength and quality. I’ve always thought, this way (light) is the way the love for life, courage, cheerfulness, a sense of proportion and creative work, enters man’s life.
I could never have enough of it, even though I was met everywhere. It is within laughter of people, within clear vowels of their speech, in the faces of boys and girls at the evening walks. It is refracted as gold, restless gleam within the glass of Mostar Zilavka (wine), and lives as a compressed strength and sweetness in these peaches and cherries. It hides in shady, cool waters of Radobolja.
And upon it, Neretva is our brightest river, and upon it, bare karst surrounding hills have some sort of unrestrained grandeur. Upon that light I remember Mostar the best.”
WHEN YOU HAVE FREE TIME IN MOSTAR
Probably one of the most inspiring moments in Mostar is having a drink of your choice at beaches just under the bridge, at very late evening hours. During the day Mostar’s old town area is extremely crowded and busy, while in the late evenings when most of the shops and cafes around Mostar are closed, spending a “private” time with the bridge, listening the sound of Neretva river will be one of those awe-inspiring moments of your Balkan travels.
The Partisan Cemetery of cenotaphs (symbolic graves), a masterwork of renowned Yugoslavian architect Bogdan Bogdanovic, finished in 1965, as a memorial to the partisan victims of WW2 in Mostar, beautifully displays all features of complex architectural, aesthetic and landscape design. Being a unique monument of the urban scale of the city of Mostar, with great ambient value, this cemetery serves as a monument of Yugoslav solidarity. Cemetery is some 20-25min walk from the Old Bridge area and is quite easily reachable just by using Google Maps. There is no entrance fee.
Destination: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Accommodation: Not included
Meals Included: Not included
Morning: As soon as light upon wakes you up, in your beautiful Mostar hotel and after delicious breakfast it is time for some morning free activities on your own. We usually give some free time to our guests when in Mostar to explore town on your own and discover some nice spots, which are sufficient all around.
Počitelj Town:After departing from Mostar very soon we’ll arrive to Počitelj.
Stunningly nested above Neretva river, visit to Počitelj (“Počivati” – Bos.”to rest in peace”), easy uphill, one hour long walking activity, accompanied with a stories of town’s development and strategic importance during its 600+ year long written history and visit to most important sites such as Hajji Alija Mosque, Clock Tower and Gavrankapetanović tower, IS A MUST, for anyone passing through or near Herzegovina region.
Unique, medieval, Ottoman era glorified, present day Ottoman-Mediterranean style “architectured” fortress – town Počitelj, is one of the very few urban ensembles in Bosnia and Herzegovina preserved in their integrity to the present times.
Kravica Waterfalls near Ljubuški:After we are done with Počitelj explorations, get ready for highlight of the day, small Niagara’s, stunning waterfalls of Kravica.
Situated near Ljubuški, Trebižat river with its travertine sedimentations is today offering us a unique and breathtaking attraction – Kravica waterfalls. Height ranges from 26-28 meters and a water amphitheater of 120 meters below, plus surrounding nature of Kravica waterfalls altogether fall into a unique geological monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If you are conducting this tour in summer time (between June – September) feel free to bring along a swimsuit and join us for some chilling swim, or at least to cool your feet along with a good drink.
Pass by:
Medjugorje Catholic Pilgrimage & Local Wine Tasting:The area of west Herzegovina is famous for its amazing wine story and nowadays local producers are making some of the finest wines in the region. If you are interested in exploring this part of the Herzegovina story, to learn and taste the finest of Blatina (red) and Zilavka (white) authentic wines along with other local products, visiting one local winery is a must. We’ll teach you about biodynamic wines, what they represent and why they are quite rare today, but slowly picking up. We’ll learn about the history of winemaking in Herzegovina and where it aims today, so all in all it will be another highlight of your day. For guests not interested in wine tasting we can organise alternatively local lunch.
The most famous Catholic pilgrimage in Southeastern Europe today is Medjugorje. Virgin Mary apparition place since 1981 until today, has attracted a large number of pilgrims and other travellers interested to discover the amazing story behind this phenomenon. It is part of Herzegovina and it is part of our tour too.
Radimlja Necropolis (UNESCO):After West Herzegovina, time to move more south and visit interesting area of East Herzegovina and the next stop is the World famous site – Radimlja necropolis near Stolac – UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stećci are one of the biggest mysteries of Bosnia and Herzegovina history.
Appearing in the mid 12th century, with the first phase in the 13th century, the tombstones reached their peak in the 14th and 15th century, before disappearing during the Ottoman occupation in the very early 16th century.
Most frequent dilemmas are focused on questions of their origin, the origin of the deceased who were buried under them, and as well as the symbolic messages carved on them.
Vjetrenica Cave and Zavala Monastery: Vjetrenica (eng.”wind cave”) is the largest and most important cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one of the most interesting caves in the Dinaric Alps mountain range.
The cave has been explored to a total of about 7 km in length but is assumed to be around 20 km and as it is known, is the richest cave in the world in terms of subterranean biodiversity. Proteus anguinus (human fish), amazing stalactite and stalagmite decorations are simply too amazing to miss out on, so that is why Vjetrenica is also one of Herzegovina must see.
Just next to the cave, the last spot of the day will be a visit to Zavala Monastery. Amazingly nested in the hills above stunning Popovo Field, this 15th century Orthodox monastery is a great way to learn and understand why this seemingly dry and uninhabited areas through the history have always been a great source of different religious stories.
Evening: Last part of our journey before we reach Dubrovnik (Kotor or Split on request) will be interesting ride through areas of East Herzegovina where we expect to be in destination between 7 and 8 pm, and of course we’ll drop you off at location of your request.
If you prefer to be in destination earlier, please let us know so we can arrange the day according to your request.
WHEN YOU HAVE FREE TIME IN DUBROVNIK
Srdj is a low mountain just behind the walled city of Dubrovnik. Cable Car to Mt. Srdj is definitely a “must” experience while in Dubrovnik and will enable you to admire the city from the above. Place where the ocean blue sky meets the ancient Dubrovnik reflecting in softly dousing sea is absolutely a perfect spot for taking some everlasting memories and awe inspiring photos. Moreover, if you are into adrenaline pumped activities, you can do zip-line.
Kupari is a village in Croatia southeast of Dubrovnik and it is just about 15 minutes of drive from the center of Dubrovnik. The Kupari beach is an abandoned complex which includes several large hotels severely damaged during the Croatian War of Independence. Be careful but do check out the inside of the ruins. You will have a chance to see some amazing graffiti and recreate the old glory of the place which used to host ex. Yugoslav president Tito, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and many others.
Did you know that The State of Dubrovnik was among the first countries to abolish slave trade in the 15th century? Moreover, Dubrovnik had the first orphanage in the world and is home to the oldest commercial pharmacy in the world. That is to say, interesting stories are lurking over at each corner of this city which will never fail to absolutely amaze you.
What Do I Need to Bring?
We have just returned from our Balkans Adventure. What an Incredible part of the world. We had planned our trip which would take in 6 of the Balkan countries. However, these plans we out into jeopardy when a certain bus company cancelled our journey from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo 1 week prior to us setting off from the UK.
I made contact with Funky Tours after seeing an advert. We are so glad that the bus company cancelled our journey now as we could not have asked for a better experience than the one we received. From initial contact, Funky Tours went above and beyond to ensure that our experience was amazing.
I spoke with Ema via email and was left in no doubt that we’d made the right choice.
We were picked up at our hotel in Dubrovnik by Emir and dropped off at our hotel in Sarajevo. What happened in between these points was spectacular. From the waterfalls at Kravica, the Old village at Počitelj, the beautiful town of Mostar to Dervish House at Blagaj. Emir was incredibly friendly, passionate and very knowledgeable. He shared stories and memories with us and even bought us fresh oranges from a ride side shop. Thank you Emir you absolutely made our day. Thank you Funky Tours for saving our trip.
If your thinking of using this company for any excursion, don’t think, just do it!!!!
I don’t often take guided tours, but when I do I want them to be exactly like the Funky Tours excursion from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik (via Mostar).
My husband and I both said, there’s no way we could have navigated the logistics of all of these sites on our own and, even if we had, we 100% would have missed out on the incredibly nuanced history and anecdotes we learned. Adnan was so approachable and answered all of our questions so thoughtfully.
Great experience through and through.
Thank you Ema, Emir, and Senad for such a wonderul family tour and experience in Croatia and Bosnia.
Emir and Senad were such great guides throughout the trip and made it a memorable family experience for us all. Thank you so much for introducing us to your home country of Bosnia and for introducing us to the history, cuisine, and culture of both Croatia and Bosnia.
The locations, accommodations, and everything was just perfect for our family. We all had such memorable experiences. All of the local guides were great as well.
In particular, the siege tour in Sarajevo was unforgettable and a transformative experience. It was just so well planned and executed. We are very thankful and appreciative of all of your hard work and the effort and attention!
We cannot wait to come back to visit and to use Funky Tours again!
The best way to get to Sarajevo from Dubrovnik
Almir was an extraordinarily knowledgeable, friendly, compassionate and great guy to spend a day learning and touring with. He weaves his personal experiences as a soldier during the war to powerfully inform current day realities.
Funky provides responsive, creative itineraries at great value. We learned so much. What a great way to get from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo. We did the one long day version and it was packed but a good option versus two day version.
Funky Tours
I cannot recommend these guys highly enough. We did the Siege of Sarajevo tour with Almir. His local knowledge, first-hand experience of the war and openness to answer our many questions, added greatly to our tour and we departed with a hugely positive impression of Sarajevo. A day we won’t forget.
The following day we went from Sarajevo to Mostar in the company of Edna and Senad. Again, Edna’s friendly, warm welcome and willingness to share her knowledge and experiences and respond to our questions along with Senad, made this a day that went far too quickly!
Finally, Venad accompanied us from Mostar to Dubrovnik. The visit to Kravice waterfalls and wine tasting at Brkic was great and we were very grateful for his extensive knowledge and interest in history (and Geography!) gave us plenty of entertainment for the day.
