The town of Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina makes the perfect day trip from Mostar. With both the Dervish House Monastery and Stjepan Grad Fortress such a short distance from each other, it’s easy to pack in a lot of sightseeing in a few hours. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting these awesome sights in Blagaj!
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How to get to Blagaj
The town of Blagaj is about 7.5 mi (12 km) southeast of Mostar. The drive only takes about 15 minutes.
Getting there by car is the easiest way, but using public transportation is also possible! From Mostar, take the #11 bus towards Blagaj Španski Trg. You can buy tickets directly from the bus driver for 2.10 marks (about $1.25 USD). If you prefer, there are also several different tour companies that organize trips to the town.
Things to do in Blagaj
Dervish House (Tekija Blagaj)
Dervish House is an Ottoman-style monastery at the base of a cliff along the Buna river. The bright blue water beside the building flows into a mysterious cave (people say it contains mystical properties!).
The monastery itself was built in 1520 by the Dervish, followers of a religious order that’s known for ecstatic rituals and whirling. Also known as a tekke or tekija, a place of spiritual retreat and reflection, the Dervish House is still used for traditional rituals and ceremonies today.
There is a small entrance fee to access the monastery. Once inside, everyone needs to remove their shoes and cover their legs and shoulders (women also need to cover their hair with a scarf). You’ll find several rooms with brightly colored carpets and intricate wooden paneling to wander through. Afterward, you can pay a few marks to take a short boat ride into the adjacent cave.
In addition to the monastery, there is also a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating along the river. We got some tasty Nutella crêpes and cappuccinos when we arrived to fuel up for the rest of the day.
For the best picture spot at the Dervish House, cross over the bridge toward the restaurant. There is a trail behind it that brings you to an open clearing. There, you’ll find a good view of the monastery, river, cave, and cliffs.
Stjepan Grad (Old Town Fortress)
Stjepan Grad (also known as Old Town Fortress) was built in the 4th century. At 1,020 ft (310 m) above sea level, the fortress served as a fortified town complex for royal families in medieval Bosnia. Nowadays, the ruins of the fortress are open to the public to explore.
From the Dervish House, you can access the base of Stjepan Grad Fortress by car or by a 25-minute walk. Once you reach the parking lot, there are two trails going up the hill: one “goat path” that zigzags up and one extremely steep path that is a straight shot. I highly recommend taking the longer, zigzag path. You might walk a longer distance, but you’ll have a much easier time! Our walk up the trail took about 20 minutes at a casual pace.
Once we reached the fortress gates, I was surprised to see that there was no official ticket booth, workers, or informational signs. The whole area felt very underdeveloped — in a good way! Besides one other couple, we were the only tourists at Stjepan Grad. The relative desolation and lack of oversight really added to the “ancient castle ruins” vibe. We were free to explore and climb around the walls at our leisure.
The fortress ruins were very cool to see in person and something I definitely recommend doing when in Blagaj. Besides the impressive historical aspect, the view from the top of the hill is also incredible — you get a 360° view of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and countryside villages.
Where to eat in Blagaj
I couldn’t leave off this blog post without mentioning the best place to eat in Blagaj (and maybe in all of Bosnia!). We randomly stumbled upon Konoba Gold Fish restaurant when searching for the best place to get fish in town and we were not disappointed. The restaurant is located on the Buna river and you can actually watch the restaurant workers catch the fish you’re about to eat in front of you.
I ordered the grilled squid and let me tell you — it was the best squid I’ve ever had in my life, hands down. The portion was large and my plate came with some delicious sides. It’s inexpensive, family-run, and the perfect place to relax on the river. Definitely don’t miss out when you’re in Blagaj!
Blagaj FAQ
Is Blagaj worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely! Blagaj is just a short drive away from Mostar, making it the perfect town for a day trip. The Dervish House monastery is beautiful and uniquely carved into the mountain, while the Blagaj Fort is a lot of fun to explore.
How much is the entrance fee for Blagaj Tekija?
The entrance fee costs 2.50€ (~4.89 Bosnian marks).
Book a tour to Blagaj
More from Bosnia & Herzegovina:
- 9 Unmissable Things to Do in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Roaming the Bosnian Countryside: Ljubuški & Kravice Waterfalls
- Balkans Road Trip Itinerary: 2 Epic Weeks Down the Adriatic Coast
Thanks for reading this guide to Blagaj!
xoxo Niki
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