Blagaj, located about ten kilometers from Mostar, has found its place on the prestigious list of the best European destinations for 2025, as the fifth destination among the most beautiful hidden gems of the old continent. The Blagaj Tekija, the source of the Buna River beneath a 200-meter-high cliff on which the Fortress of Herceg Stjepan Kosaca is located, is today a magnet for visitors seeking an authentic experience.
Blagaj near Mostar has found its place on the map of Europe and records an increasing number of both domestic and foreign visitors every year.
After the Old Bridge, Blagaj is the second most visited destination in Mostar.
“It’s my first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Mostar, and Blagaj. I came with friends. It’s beautiful, we like it here, it’s a little too hot, but the ambiance is wonderful, nature and history combined into one, we are delighted,” says Sada Salmanova from Azerbaijan.
“I live in California, originally I’m from Livno, I’ve been living in the United States (U.S.) since 1995, and I came to Blagaj. It’s beautiful, my family and I think this is paradise on earth. I’ve been to many countries, but this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, they have excellent fish and everything is beautiful,” adds Merima Jakirlic.
Through the vignette system, more than half a million guests visited Mostar last year, and most of them also visited Blagaj, say officials from the Tourist Board. They emphasize that they are already recording increased interest from foreign guests after Blagaj was recently ranked fifth among the most beautiful hidden gems of Europe. Local shopkeepers and restaurateurs are also satisfied.
“Well, it means a lot to us, for tourism it is extremely important, it means a lot. There will be even more tourists from various regions. I’ve been working here for a few years now, the season is quite good,” says Anela Golos from Blagaj.
“We already have a lot of announced guests, regarding the Arab countries, England, and other countries, reservations and all that concerning our restaurant, and I hope for others here too,” says Emina Crnomerovic from Blagaj.
“That specifically only confirms how desirable a destination Blagaj actually is, for the reason that there are several historical layers, from the Green Cave, which is a prehistoric Neolithic site, to the Tekija in Blagaj, and to the medieval fortress of Stjepan Kosaca,” states Nikica Cerkez from the Tourist Board of the City of Mostar.
The spring of the Buna river in Blagaj is the largest karst spring in Europe, located beneath an imposing rocky cliff, on which the Fortress of Herceg Stjepan Kosaca was built. Right next to the spring is the dervish Tekija. In one place, the combination of historical-cultural heritage and nature creates a unique authentic whole, which from a peaceful oasis becomes a hub for mass tourism, which is also a call to the authorities to additionally protect and preserve this area.
