Break-up of Yugoslavia & The War in Mostar: Life Under Siege

Break-up of Yugoslavia & The War in Mostar: Life Under Siege

  • Overview of the establishment of the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as well as its role during the Cold War.
  • Post Tito period during the 1980s when the slowdown of the economy and growing nationalism lead to political tensions across the country, the death of Yugoslavia, and the beginning of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Learn why Mostar was so strategically important and why it was left as one of the most destroyed cities in Bosnia after the war.
  • Listen to stories and facts during the war in Mostar and learn how the people survived under constant shelling.
  • Our guide will share personal experiences and stories of the terrible events that unfolded in this city 30 years ago (shelling, concentration camps, Mostar enclave).

Hidden Yugoslavian Military Base

The first stop is the abandoned aircraft hangar located only five minutes southern of Mostar. Yugoslavian revolutionary, Josip Broz Tito, had fighter jets placed deep in the mountainous bowels of the hanger, ready to deploy.

The natural fortress protected the planes from attack as well as from the prying eyes of citizens and spies.

Mostar War Museum

The second stop is the Mostar War Museum. You will hear first-hand stories and experiences from your guide on how Mostar was affected by the devastating war, what it is like to live in a divided city, and what happened between the lines.

The guide will use a board to draw a map of the former Yugoslavia, which will help to put some puzzles together. We feel a great responsibility to educate you on this matter, so please feel free to ask us any questions.

West Front Line

The tour will end with exploring Šantića Street, where the closest fights happened between Bosnian and Croatian forces. You will see some bunkers that still exist so many years after the war, practically in the city center. We will walk through the city, through the front line which is now unfortunately the invisible line between two parts of Mostar.

As we come close to Spanish Square and Boulevard Street we will show you pictures of those places during the war so you can compare them to the current day.

DepartureMostar
TravellersAdults and Children
GearAll you need to bring with you is a swimming suit, towel, dry clothes to change after the tour, bottle of water. Sunscreen and a smile!
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Price: from 30€

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Inclusions
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
  • Mostar War Museum Entrance Fee
  • Live commentary on board
  • Free time to explore the stops at your own
  • Small groups of 8 people or less
  • All local taxes
  • Professional guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities (optional)

Duration: 3 hours

Price: 30 euro per person

Things to note:

  • Tour is only in English
  • Required: 2 people minimum
  • Optimize your time: are you leaving Mostar by bus or train after the tour? Come on the tour and bring your luggage with you! Your tour guide will drop off you at the bus/train station.
  • Optimize your time: if you are coming to Mostar from Sarajevo by train or bus, tour guide will wait for you at the bus/ train station to pick you up.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Infants must sit on laps

Reviews from Tripadvisor

EXCELLENT
582 reviews on
Ismagh
Ismagh
2. April, 2023
Interesante y recomendable visita ¡Súper interesante tour! Gran experiencia a cargo de un excelente guía, Esmer es una persona muy amable, puntual y simpático. Se nota que he vivido el tema de cerca y sus explicaciones son muy buenas. ¡Gracias Esmer! 100% recomenble.
Lanna
Lanna
24. March, 2023
Amazing day trip in Mostar This day trip with Esmer (our tour guide)is definitely the highlight of my entire trip in BH, informative and interesting. He shared with personal experience of the war, and his stories are very touching. A building is no longer just a building, a mountain is no longer just a mountain, and a river is no longer just a river. You can feel his deep love for his nation and people. I have a lot of respect for him.
Anyi
Anyi
4. March, 2023
Amazing day tour with Esmer This is one of the best day tours I’ve done. The views were breath-taking. Our guide Esmer was very friendly and also professional. Along the tour not only did Esmer explain to us so much about the places we are visiting, he also shared his personal story about the war. The tour is very educational, informative and meaningful.
ezra shachar
ezra shachar
9. February, 2023
IN the times of the BITTER SWEET Being one with the process with such a influx of turmoil in the warfront.Because of the impending set of circumstances they was a intercept of bike lanes walking lanes etc.
Denise C
Denise C
13. January, 2023
Highly recommend! This was an excellent tour - not only do you get a run down of the history of Mostar, the guide shares very personal and real experiences from the war. He is very knowledgeable, personable and shares insights we would never otherwise know. Highly recommended!
Iris E
Iris E
2. October, 2022
Memorable day with Esmer This is probably one of the best tours I've experienced. It's a combination of war history, stories, & sightseeing. It gives you a chance to enjoy the sights in between learning a bit of BiH's history, especially what happened during the Bosnian War in 1992-1995, as well as insights into the personal experience of our guide, Esmer, during the war.The sights such as Blagaj and Pocitelj were fantastic, and they're absolutely worth the visit. But what really made the tour in our small group is Esmer, our highly knowledgeable & passionate guide. He even gave us a bag of fruits to snack on during the tour, and then after our stop at Kravice Waterfalls, he prepared some refreshing sage drink for us. This is one of the those trips I'll remember, not just for the sights, but for Esmer's passionate story-telling. Highly recommended!
MtnBikerSC
MtnBikerSC
27. September, 2022
Amazing history lesson Our guide, Esmer, was fantastic and so knowledgeable. He gave us historical and detailed information which greatly increased our understanding of Bosnia Herzegovina and the old history as well as the events of the war on the early 1990s. We are truly grateful for his personal sharing as well.
Kali298
Kali298
21. September, 2022
Amazing day with Esmer We went on a tour with Esmer and 2 other couples. We had an amazing time from start to finish, with Esmer being incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. We learnt so much in a short space of time through Esmer's teachings, including talking about the war and important moments during the war.The sights themselves were also incredible. It really shows just how beautiful Bosnia and Herzegovina really is! We especially loved Počitelj - a lovely little village with so much character to explore.We highly recommend a tour with Mostar Tour Agency. Everything was brilliant from start to finish, and the small touches (like a whole bag of delicious fruit given to us by Esmer) really topped it off. Thank you for a great day!
Thomas M
Thomas M
19. September, 2022
5/5!! The tour was fantastic. Esmer took us to beautiful locations, provided fascinating (and inspiring) anecdotes, and gave us a lovely insight into Herzegonian culture! Would fully recommend!
8rodica8
8rodica8
15. September, 2022
Highly recommended! Very good guide Esmer, professional,enthusiastic and engaging with all. An excellent way to see and understand better this part of the world in a short time.