Three Herzegovinian highlights: the Buna spring and dervish lodge, a fortified Ottoman village and the travertine waterfalls.
This circuit from Mostar links three of Herzegovina's best-known sights within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Blagaj Tekke at the source of the Buna river, the fortified Ottoman village of Počitelj, and the Kravice waterfalls on the Trebižat river. Distances range from about 12 km (Blagaj) to roughly 45 km (Kravice) from Mostar, with each leg taking 15 to 60 minutes. A rental car or a private driver is the practical choice, since the local bus from Mostar Bus Station reaches Blagaj for about BAM 2.50 but Kravice has no public service.
Blagaj is the first stop. The Dervish Tekke, a 16th-century monastery built under a 200 m cliff beside the emerald Buna spring, is one of the most photographed buildings in the country, and visitors can enter to see the Sufi rooms for a small fee. Above the village stand the ruins of Stjepan Grad fortress, reached on a steep footpath. Restoran Vrelo and other riverside restaurants nearby serve Buna trout, and this works well as a late-morning or early lunch stop.
Počitelj, about 30 km south of Mostar on the road toward Čapljina, is a protected historic settlement climbing a hillside above the Neretva. Its Hajji Alija Mosque, clock tower (Sahat-kula) and the Gavran-kapetanović tower can be reached by steep stone steps, giving views of terracotta roofs and the valley. Stalls sell pomegranates, figs and dried fruit. The climb to the tower requires 30 to 45 minutes on uneven stone.
Kravice is the final and most popular stop. The travertine cascade, around 25 m high and 120 m wide, drops into a pool where swimming is allowed in summer. Visitors descend several hundred steps from the car park, and small cafes and picnic areas sit by the water. Entry is charged per person in the high season.
A suggested arc is Blagaj at 09:00, trout lunch by 11:30, Počitelj at 13:30 and Kravice at 15:30 for a swim, returning to Mostar by 18:30. May to September is the best window, with warm water for swimming from June; spring brings fuller waterfalls. Budget BAM 60 to 90 per person with a shared taxi. Bring swimwear, water shoes, sun protection and cash.
| Distance | 12-45 km from Mostar |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 15-60 minutes each way |
| Getting there | Rental car or taxi from Mostar; local bus line to Blagaj departs from Mostar Bus Station (Trg Ivana Krndelja), about BAM 2.50 (~$1.50); Kravice has no public bus |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Blagaj bb, 88201 Blagaj |
How to get there
- Mode
- Local bus to Blagaj
- Cost
- BAM 2-3 (~$1-2)
- Frequency
- Several times daily
- Mode
- Taxi or private driver for the circuit
- Cost
- BAM 100-150 (~$58-87) per car
- Frequency
- On request
Location
Blagaj bb, 88201 Blagaj
43.2578, 17.8917 View on map
Highlights
- Blagaj Tekke
- Počitelj fortress
- Kravice swimming
- Buna trout lunch
Tips for visiting
- Hire a private driver or rent a car; a taxi for the full circuit costs about BAM 100-150 per car and splits well among 3-4 people.
- Start at Blagaj by 09:00 before tour buses arrive and the heat builds.
- Bring water shoes and swimwear for Kravice; the rocks are slippery and the pool is cool even in summer.
- Carry cash in BAM for the Tekke entry, Kravice fee and small stalls.
- Skip the climb to the Počitelj tower in midday summer heat; go in late morning or after 17:00 instead.
When to visit
May to September is best, with swimming at Kravice from June; start early to beat the heat and the tour groups.
Accessibility
All three sites involve steep steps and uneven stone, and Kravice requires descending several hundred steps. Wheelchair access is limited; the Blagaj riverside terraces are the easiest area.
Frequently asked questions
Can the three sites be visited without a car?
Blagaj is reachable by local bus from Mostar for about BAM 2.50. Počitelj and Kravice have little or no public transport, so a taxi or rental car is needed.
Can visitors swim at Kravice?
Yes, swimming is allowed in the pool below the falls in summer. The water is cold and the rocks are slippery, so water shoes help.
How long should be allowed at each stop?
Allow about 1.5 hours at Blagaj, 1 hour at Počitelj and 1.5 to 2 hours at Kravice, plus driving time.
What does the circuit cost?
A shared taxi circuit costs roughly BAM 60-90 (about $35-52) per person including a modest lunch. Entry fees are extra.