Mostar's Rebuilt Old Bridge Stays Car-Free in 2026

Mostar’s Stari Most, the Old Bridge, was destroyed by shelling in November 1993 and rebuilt stone by stone, reopening in 2004. The old town around it, its bazaar street worn smooth by foot traffic, is pedestrian-only, so cars park near Hotel Ero or along the Bulevar and walk in from there. Bosnia’s convertible mark is fixed at 1.95583 to the euro, and both fuel and parking run cheaper than in Western Europe.

Do You Need a Car?

For Mostar city alone: a car is the main reason most people arrive. There is no train service and intercity buses are slow.

A car is essential for:

• Coming from Dubrovnik (135 km) or Split (160 km)
• The drive through the Neretva gorge from Sarajevo — one of the most scenic roads in the region
• Day trips to Blagaj, Počitelj, Kravice waterfalls, and Medjugorje — all require a car
• Flexibility to stop at the canyon viewpoints that buses drive past

Skip the car if:

• You are coming from Sarajevo by bus (buses run regularly, 1.5-2 hours)
• You’re on a guided tour from Dubrovnik

Road Conditions in Bosnia

Bosnia has no motorway in the Mostar region. The main route is the M17, a two-lane national road that follows the Neretva river. It is the backbone of road travel in the country.

What to expect:

• Good road surface on the main M17 corridor with some rough sections
• No motorway between the coast and Mostar — plan for 1.5 hours of active driving, not autopilot
• Tunnel sections near Jablanica where the road squeezes between the gorge wall and the river
• Speed limits vary — 80 km/h on open rural sections, 40-50 km/h through every settlement
• Traffic police on the M17 are regular — fines issued on the spot, card payment not always available, carry cash KM
• Secondary roads to villages and waterfalls can be rough, unpaved in sections
• No motorway toll in Bosnia — but roadside police checks are common

Insurance: Bosnia is covered under the European Green Card system. Most EU and UK policies include BiH automatically — check your certificate of insurance before travel. If you’re renting, confirm the rental agreement covers cross-border travel to Bosnia.

Parking

Mostar does not have a sophisticated parking system. Most parking near the old town is informal metered street parking or small private lots.

Best options near the Old Bridge:

• Hotel Ero area (ul. Kralja Zvonimira, west of the old town) — metered street parking 2 KM/hour (€1/hour), about 10 minutes’ walk to the bridge. Most reliable daytime option.
• Robna Kuća area (ul. Ante Starčevića, market district) — 1.50 KM/hour (€0.75/hour), slightly further walk but less busy
• Bulevar — the wide boulevard that marks the former front line between east and west Mostar. Some free evening parking here. Not ideal but convenient if arriving late afternoon.
• Opposite the old town (east bank) — informal parking along the river road south of the bridge. Free in some sections. Short walk across the pedestrian area.

Practical reality: Mostar in peak summer (July–August) fills with day-trippers from Dubrovnik and Split. Arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00 if you want to park easily and see the old town without crowds. Midday in July is chaotic.

Getting to Mostar

From Dubrovnik (135 km, ~1.5h): North on the D8 coastal road to Neum or across the Pelješac Bridge — both routes eventually join the M17 into Mostar. The Pelješac Bridge route avoids the BiH border at Neum; the coastal D8 route is more scenic but requires two border crossings (Croatia→BiH and BiH→Croatia at Neum, then Croatia→BiH again near Dubrovnik). Via Pelješac Bridge: cross at Zaton Doli to BiH, then M6.1/M17 north to Mostar.

From Sarajevo (130 km, ~1.5h): M17 south through the Neretva gorge — the most spectacular road in Bosnia. Allow 2 hours if you plan to stop at viewpoints or Počitelj.

From Split, Croatia (160 km, ~2h): A1 motorway south to Ploče, then cross into BiH at Metković and follow the Neretva valley M17 north to Mostar.

Border crossing note: Carry your passport. Vehicle registration document and proof of insurance (Green Card) are checked at BiH border crossings. Queues can be significant in summer — allow extra time.

The Neretva Gorge Drive

The M17 between Mostar and Sarajevo follows the Neretva river through a series of gorges that compress the road against limestone walls while the river runs turquoise far below. It is genuinely one of the best roads in the Balkans.

Key stops en route to Sarajevo:

• Počitelj (30 km north of Mostar) — pull off the M17 at the village sign. A UNESCO-listed Ottoman fortified village of tower houses, a domed mosque, and castle walls climbing the hillside. 30-minute stop minimum.
• Jablanica (70 km north) — famous for the WWII bridge destruction site (Partizans destroyed the bridge to slow German advance). A monument and restaurant make it a logical lunch stop.
• Konjic (90 km north) — Ottoman bridge and old bazaar above the Neretva. Worth a short stop.

Day Trips by Car

Speed Limits

Speed limits drop to 40–50 km/h through every village and settlement on the M17. Police position themselves just past the village exit signs. Fines issued on the spot — carry convertible marks (KM) as not all officers have card readers.

Fuel

Bosnia has lower fuel prices than Croatia, Slovenia, or Germany — one of the cheapest countries in the region. Petrol stations on the M17 are reasonably spaced. Fill up in Mostar before heading to Kravice waterfalls or other minor roads, where stations can be sparse. Most accept cash only — some larger stations on the M17 take cards but do not rely on it.

Required Equipment

Bosnia follows the same equipment requirements as other Balkan countries. If you’re driving a rental from Croatia or Slovenia, confirm the rental agreement allows travel to Bosnia — not all rental companies permit cross-border travel into BiH without advance notice.

Emergency Numbers

Related Guides

• Complete Bosnia and Herzegovina Driving Guide — road rules, insurance, border crossings
• Bosnia and Herzegovina Tyre Laws — winter equipment requirements
• Driving in Dubrovnik — old walled city access, parking garages
• Driving in Sarajevo — Baščaršija, parking, ring road
• More City Driving Guides