Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Most Beautiful Places: Mostar, Blagai, Počitelj + Kravica Waterfall

Quietly tucked away in southeast Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina tends to go under the radar for most travellers heading for a summer by the Mediterranean. Slowly rebuilding after the Bosnian-Serbian war that ended in 1995 the country is full of rich history, stunning scenery and small towns nestled in the untouched green landscape. The country's capital Sarajevo is also well worth a visit but as you head further south you will discover some of Europe's hidden gems.

Mostar

The small town of Mostar can be found in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia & Herzegovina and is split between the banks of the Neretva River. The most recognised landmark the Stari Most stands proudly in the centre and is a 16th-century Ottoman-style bridge connecting both sides of the town. The original bridge was built in 1566 and stood for 417 years until it was destroyed during the Bosnian War and rebuilt in 2004.

Tradition has it that Bosnian boys don't become men until they jump off the 23-meter bridge with the first jump dating back to 1664. During tourist season you can either pay to give it a go yourself or watch one of the locals take the leap for €25. Bridge diving in Mostar has also become a yearly event held every July and the bridge has become a stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. 

The streets surrounding the bridge are lively with coffee shops, market stands and restaurants built in a combination of Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architecture. Mostar is a great town to base yourself in to explore other areas of southern Bosnia & Herzegovina or can be reached on a day trip from Croatia or the capital Sarajevo.

Blagai

Only a 15-minute drive from Mostar is Blagai. The small town's biggest attraction is the 600-year-old Blagaj Tekija monastery which is situated at the base of a steep cliff next to the source of the river Buna. The monastery was built during the height of the Ottoman empire as a place of spiritual reflection. It has seen several repairs due to its risky location but is well maintained today, although still a place of worship, it has been turned into a museum to help pay for the upkeep.

This attractive piece of Turkish architecture is accentuated by the vivid blue colour of the water that runs alongside it. Cascading out from an eerie low-hanging cave the water runs over a small crescent waterfall as it heads towards the larger Neretva river. It is possible to take a short boat trip into the cave and drink directly from the river as it comes straight from a fresh spring. There are also a few scattered restaurants and cafes with pretty views over the water.

Počitelj

Potentially my favourite town out of the four Počitelj has the perfect mix of stunning views and historical architecture with an overwhelming sense of tranquillity as you walk around the quiet cobbled streets. Built in the middle ages and now a UNESCO world heritage site the town was partially destroyed during the Bosnian war in 1993 when families fled. The government is now encouraging those to return to rebuild, maintain and stimulate tourism back into the country however this also, currently, gives it a much more authentic feel in comparison to Mostar.

Passing through Turkish and Ottoman hands over the centuries the town gained an oriental-Mediterranean style of architecture which can be seen throughout. The most prominent building, Počitelj castle, still stands proudly in the centre gazing over the rolling hills and Neretva river below. Passing through the streets you will find a few small shops and cafes covered with low-hanging pomegranate trees with giant red fruits gleaming in the sun.

Kravica Waterfall

The Kravica waterfalls have been a local favourite for years but being so close to the Croatian border, is now attracting large crowds of tourists and it's clear to see why. The water cascades out of lush greenery with a 25m drop to where sits a calmly flowing basin of vivid turquoise green. There are several different walking trails from the car parks which vary in difficulty but all lead to a viewing point before descending to the water itself. Being part of the Kravica Nature Park this area is fully serviced with restaurants, toilets and changing rooms. You can swim to your heart's content and also rent a canoe further downstream. This does make the whole experience more touristy, but during my September visit it was significantly quieter compared to Skradinski Buk in Croatia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the perfect place for those on a budget and who wish to escape the well-walked tourist path of Croatia. You can see all these places within a day either alone or as part of a day tour and it is best to spend the night in Mostar or use it as a base for a two-night stay. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are reserved but friendly and it tends to be the younger generations who speak English and are more than willing to educate you on the county's rocky past and how they are working towards a brighter future putting the country back on the map for travel.