Choosing a base in Herzegovina
Most visitors base themselves in Mostar, because the Old Town, the Stari Most and the bazaar lie close together and other places, such as Blagaj and Počitelj, are within reach of the city. Pilgrims often stay in Medjugorje. Trebinje, in the far south, works as a base for the monasteries and wine cellars of its own area.
This is an independent guide, not a booking site, and it does not rate or rank hotels. The location examples below describe where a property lies, not its quality or price. Compare listings for your dates and read recent guest reviews.
The four main areas compared
No area is officially the quietest, safest or cheapest. Use this as a map of locations.
| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Mostar Old Town | Evenings by the Stari Most, early walks before day visitors | Ask about car access and parking before you book |
| Mostar newer center | A base outside the bridge lanes, with a car or on foot | The walk to the bridge depends on the exact address |
| Medjugorje | Pilgrims and prayer sites | Church, Podbrdo and Križevac are three separate places |
| Trebinje | Old town, Gračanica and Tvrdoš | The 2026 canton tax rate does not apply here |
Tours from your base
Whether you sleep in Mostar, Medjugorje or Trebinje, guided trips cover Kravica, Blagaj and more. See live prices and availability.
Mostar: Old Town or newer center
Hotel Kapetanovina describes its location in the Old Town near the Stari Most. That puts it close to the bridge. It is a location example only, not a recommendation, and access for cars in the lanes is something to ask about.
Hotel Mepas gives its address as Kneza Višeslava bb, in the newer part of town. The city's tourism organization places it above the Mepas shopping center, with an underground garage. That can suit drivers who want to start outside the bridge lanes. No walking time to the bridge is listed, so check the map for your own address.
Whichever you pick, ask how far the address is from the bridge, whether the property has air conditioning for the hot months, and what the cancellation terms are. Seasons matter too: see the weather page for the months with the most rain and the hottest days.
More about the city itself is on the Mostar page.
Medjugorje
Medjugorje has three main places of prayer: the Church of St. James, Podbrdo (known as the Hill of the Apparitions) and Križevac (Cross Mountain). They are separate places, and a guesthouse near one is not necessarily near the others. Do not assume that every guesthouse is within walking distance of all three, and look at the map before you book.
From Mostar, public bus line 48 runs to Međugorje for 5.50 KM (about €2.81) one way, so a day trip is also possible. The parish asks groups to announce themselves at its information office. That is a request for groups, not a rule for every individual pilgrim. See the Medjugorje page for the sites and the dress code.
Trebinje
The old town lies in the city center. Hercegovačka Gračanica stands on the Crkvina hill above, and the monastery of Tvrdoš lies outside the city to the west, about 4.5 to 5 km away depending on the source. Staying in the center puts you close to the walled core, with the monastery a few kilometers away.
Trebinje is in the Republika Srpska, a different entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Mostar. The tourist tax decision below does not cover it, and its own tax and exemptions are separate. See the Trebinje page.
Tourist tax and registration in 2026
Herzegovina-Neretva Canton set a stay fee of 3 KM per night from 1 January 2026 (about €1.53). The decision also gives a daily rate of 50 percent of that amount, or 1.50 KM (about €0.77). It applies in that canton only. Do not assume the same rate in other cantons or in Trebinje.
- Exemptions and children: the decision on rates does not explain exemptions, child rates or how day visitors are charged. Ask your host what applies to you.
- Registration: foreign visitors must be registered. Hotels and guesthouses usually do this for you. Registration is separate from the tourist tax.
For other money questions, see the travel tips.
Keep planning
Once you know your base, choose dates and a way to get there.
Where to stay in Herzegovina: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Mostar?
It depends on how you travel. The Old Town puts you next to the Stari Most. The newer center suits drivers who want a garage and a calmer start. Check the exact address on a map.
Should I stay in Mostar or Medjugorje?
Stay in Medjugorje if the prayer sites are your goal. Choose Mostar for the Old Town and day trips. Bus line 48 links the two.
Is there a tourist tax in Mostar?
Yes. The canton set 3 KM per night from 1 January 2026 (about €1.53), with a daily rate of 50 percent. Ask your host about exemptions and children.
Does the same tax apply in Trebinje?
No. The rate is a decision of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. Trebinje is in the Republika Srpska, and its own rules apply.
Do I have to register during my stay?
Foreign visitors have to be registered. Hotels and guesthouses usually handle this. It is separate from the tourist tax.