Sarajevo is a compact city in a long valley, and Mostar is a small town built around a single river crossing, so choosing where to sleep is mostly a choice between atmosphere and convenience. This guide breaks down the neighbourhoods and ties them to five hotels across price points.
The Old Town (Baščaršija and Ferhadija)
This is where most first-timers should stay. The streets are pedestrian, the Latin Bridge, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the bazaar are minutes away, and restaurants and coffee houses are everywhere. The trade-off is noise on busy weekend nights and some difficulty reaching your hotel by car. Europe Hotel Sarajevo, at Vladislava Skarića 5, is the larger option, with an indoor pool, spa, sauna, rooftop terrace and about 160 rooms, two minutes from the Latin Bridge. Hecco Deluxe Hotel, on Ferhadija, is the smaller, mid-range alternative with a rooftop terrace, a restaurant and a location one minute from the Eternal Flame.
The modern centre (Marijin Dvor)
West of the old town, the boulevards are wide and quieter in the evening, with shopping, offices and the museums that mark the Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav city. Swissôtel Sarajevo, at Vrbanja 1 beside Sarajevo City Center, is the area's five-star, with a spa and fitness area, and the walk to Baščaršija is about twenty minutes. This area suits travellers who want space, modern comfort and easy road access, as well as business visitors.
Skenderija and the river
The district just across the river from the old town is another option, with mid-range chains and the old sports complex. We did not include a hotel here, but if the old town is full, it is worth a look for a quieter stay within a walk or short tram ride of the sights.
Mostar's Old Town
If you can spare a night in Mostar, stay in the historic quarter. Boutique Hotel Old Town, at Rade Bitange 9, is about two minutes from the Old Bridge and one minute from the Crooked Bridge, and its free breakfast buffet is served from 7:30 to 10:00, which helps when you have a day trip to Blagaj or Kravice. There is no elevator and parking is limited, so request what you need in advance.
Mostar on a budget
Hostel Miran Mostar, at Pere Lazetića 13, offers dorm beds, a queen double and a twin room, a shared kitchen, a garden and free parking, about a fifteen-minute walk from the Old Bridge. Its listing has only a few reviews so far, so read recent ones before you book.
Which to choose
For a first visit to Sarajevo, choose the old town: Europe Hotel if you want a pool and spa, Hecco Deluxe if you prefer a smaller, central place. Choose Swissôtel if you want modern luxury and do not mind a twenty-minute walk. In Mostar, pick Boutique Hotel Old Town for atmosphere or Hostel Miran for the budget.
Practical tips
Rates rise during the Sarajevo Film Festival and in summer, so book early for those dates. Ask about quiet rooms in the old town, confirm parking in advance and check whether breakfast is included, since policies vary by rate. Airport transfers are available at most places for a fee. If you are arriving late, tell the hotel and ask for directions, because the pedestrian zones can be confusing at night.
A suggested split
For four nights, spend three in Sarajevo and one in Mostar. Add a night if you want to visit Blagaj and Kravice at a slower pace, or use the Mostar day trip from Sarajevo if you prefer to keep one base. Whichever you choose, a central location saves more time than a bargain further out.
