I spent a month working remotely from Mostar, a compact city with a rich history, located in the Herzegovina region.
And I think this city might soon become the digital nomad hub for Bosnia and Herzegovina!
Neighboring Croatia is an incredibly popular digital nomad destination. And working remotely from Montenegro is also quickly growing in popularity.
Does that make Bosnia and Herzegovina perfectly positioned to be the new, up-and-coming digital nomad destination?
I think it might, and I think Mostar is a good city to base yourself in if you want to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina while working remotely.
Mostar for Digital Nomads
Mostar is a beautiful, small city with a gorgeous historic center, friendly people, and easy access to nature with a wide range of outdoor activities.
In this article I want to share the main aspects of Mostar I think are useful to know for anyone working remotely and considering a longer, or shorter, stay in Mostar.
If you’re planning to move to Mostar more permanently, or just want to know what expat life is like in Mostar, check out my interview with an expat about living in Mostar.
1. Internet in Mostar
Most cafes and restaurants have wifi, and so do all the hotels and Airbnbs I’ve come across.
But, the wifi speed varies a lot. I’ve found plenty of places that have over 20mbps upload & download speeds, but also many cafes and restaurants where the internet was incredibly slow.
Even in the coworking space in Mostar I heard people complain about the internet dropping out or being slower on some days than others.
So if you have a lot of calls, the internet in Bosnia and Herzegovina might at times be challenging.
My local sim card, from HT Eronet, generally worked very well and has been a good backup option.
If you have a sim card that works in all of the EU it will, generally, not work in Bosnia. But local sim cards are easy to get and inexpensive. I paid 22BAM (about 11 Euros or 12 US$) for a 30-day sim card with 7GB of data.
I bought my sim card at a phone store inside Mepas Mall in Mostar, but you can buy them at any newsstand as well. And you can buy top-ups at these same newsstands and at phone stores.
2. Places to Work From in Mostar
Code Hub
Code Hub is currently the only coworking space in Mostar.
It’s a very comfortable, generally quiet space to work from.
There are monitors you can use, and private phone booths and meeting rooms you can book.
They occasionally organize events, which is a nice way to connect both with other digital nomads and remote workers from Mostar.
It’s not the most sociable coworking space I’ve ever seen, so don’t expect to make tons of connections here instantly. But if you are looking for a good place to work, Code Hub is definitely a great option.
FitBar and Teco
FitBar and Teco are two good cafes to work from in Mostar.
They are generally quiet and have stable internet.
Both serve a lot of healthy dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Other Cafes to Work From in Mostar
Again, almost all cafes and restaurants offer wifi.
And nobody seems to find it strange to see you sitting with your laptop, even in restaurants. So although the two cafes mentioned above are my recommendations, do explore other places as well!
Since the digital nomad scene is still relatively small in Mostar you won’t find many others working on their laptops in cafes yet. I’m sure that will change soon and it’s nice to see that even though it’s not too common, cafes and restaurants have no problems with it.
Intera Technology Park
If you’re looking for reliable, high-speed internet and you don’t want to go to Code Hub then the cafe inside the Intera Technology Park might be your best bet.
Unfortunately it’s a bit outside of town, but the cafe is nice and perfect for remote working. So that might make it worth the drive or taxi ride.
3. Where to Stay in Mostar
If you’re planning to work from Mostar for more than just a few days I’d recommend staying just outside of the old town but within easy walking distance from it.
The old town is beautiful, but it can get quite crowded with tourists and it’s noisier.
Therefore staying just outside of the old town to me offers the best of both worlds. You’re still close enough to enjoy easy visits to the old town’s cafes, restaurants, and sightseeing, yet you’re staying in a quieter, less touristy area.
Thankfully accommodation in Mostar is plentiful and quite inexpensive.
In other European cities I try hard to find good deals on monthly rentals, avoiding Airbnb and Booking.com because of the cost.
In Mostar though I’ve found many very affordable apartments on both Booking.com and Airbnb. Therefore I’d recommend starting there.
And if you do decide to stay much longer, you’ll probably have made enough local friends who can help you find long-term accommodation.
My favorite apartment in Mostar is Happy Apartments. The owner is very helpful and the location is great, just a short walk from the old town as well as the train station and bus terminal.
4. The Digital Nomad Community in Mostar
I can see Mostar becoming a popular destination for digital nomads. But right now there are very few digital nomads here.
Code Hub is a good place to connect with other remote workers. Most will be locals, which is a nice way to connect with the local community as well.
There is a Facebook Group called Expats Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a smaller group called Expats in Mostar. And yes, the groups are set up for expats, but you’ll find some location independent people there as well so if you want to connect with others it’s worth posting a message there.
5. Getting Around in Mostar
Mostar is a very walkable city, especially if you stay in or near the old town.
Taxis are also very inexpensive, so you can always decide to hail a taxi if you don’t feel like walking home after a night out, or need to go somewhere on the outskirts of the city.
By bus and train you can visit some of the main cities in both Bosnia & Herzegovina and neighboring Croatia.
This is the official website for train routes and times. For bus routes and times, check Autoprevoz Bus and Buskarta.
But, if you really want to explore the area, which I highly recommend, you’re better off renting a car.
6. Best Time to Go to Mostar
Spring and fall are the best times to go to Mostar.
The weather is pleasant, and you avoid the summer crowds. Plus, in July and August it can get quite hot, with average daily highs well above 90ºF / 32ºC.
In April and October there is more chance of rain, leaving May, June, and September as the best months.
But, if you like a cold winter and want to go skiing, there are several ski resorts in Bosnia & Herzegovina. So in that case winter might be the best time for you to go to Mostar.
7. Safety in Mostar
Mostar is a very safe city to visit as a digital nomad.
As a woman as well I never felt unsafe and walked home alone after dark without any issues.
One thing worth mentioning though is that Mostar, and the rest of Bosnia & Herzegovina, in many ways still hold very traditional views.
Those views include traditional opinions about the roles of men and women in society, and sexual orientation.
This may not affect safety per se, but it might affect how you feel while in the country.
8. Pros and Cons of Mostar as a Digital Nomad Destination
Pros
– Very affordable.
– Very friendly, welcoming people.
– A very walkable city.
– Many good coffee shops, restaurants and bars, plus a few nightclubs.
– Easy access to nature and a lot of adventure sports.
– Warm, sunny summers.
– In close proximity to ski slopes.
In general, people speak English well. Much better than I expected, although you will definitely run into situations where a waiter, a shop assistant, or a taxi driver doesn’t speak a word of English.
The younger generation generally speaks English well and seems very happy to have a conversation, even when their English isn’t perfect.
Cons
– There isn’t much of a digital nomad community (yet).
– Internet isn’t always good enough for video calls or anything else that requires a strong, steady connection.
– Vegetarian options in many restaurants are limited and vegan food is even harder to find.
– Not as LGBTQIA+ friendly as other destinations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina for Digital Nomads – Extra Tips
1. Other Places to Consider as a Base
Sarajevo
If you’re more of a city person, you might prefer to be based in Sarajevo.
Sarajevo has much more of a big city vibe, with trendy bars and restaurants, and shopping streets with big international chains.
You might not find a huge digital nomad community here, but you will find a much larger expat community.
And, although Bosnian food is really nice, after a while you might like to eat something else. Sarajevo offers a lot more international food than Mostar, with many more vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Neum
Neum is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only coastal town.
To be honest, it feels like a town that has seen better days.
All the locals I spoke to about visiting Neum told me I shouldn’t go, because Split and Dubrovnik, in Croatia, are nicer and quite easy to get to.
I see where they are coming from, but I still enjoyed visiting Neum.
If you want to be on the coast for a bit, in a relatively quiet seaside resort, which is quite inexpensive, then Neum can be a good base.
Just don’t compare it to other towns on the Adriatic coast. Because if you’ve been to Croatia or to Montenegro, then Neum can’t compete.
Jahorina
If you love a cozy ski resort, whether it’s summer or winter, then Jahorina is worth visiting!
I enjoyed visiting in summer, taking the ski lift up the mountain to work from Olimpijski Bar, and bobsledding back down the mountain.
For skiing and snowboarding, there are 47 km of slopes available.
Jahorina is small, but it can be a good base that gives you easy access to skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Goranci
If you’re looking for a very easy escape from city life in Mostar, the small town of Goranci, surrounded by nature, is worth considering.
I spent a week working from Guesthouse Zlatni Dol, which is set up with digital nomads in mind.
They have good internet, they can organize all sorts of outdoor activities including quad biking, horseback riding, and tennis lessons, and the owners are incredibly friendly and welcoming.
If you don’t have a rental car, a taxi from Mostar to Goranci only costs 20 BAM (around 10 Euros or 11 US$).
Banja Luka
Banja Luka is the second largest city in the country.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit the city myself. But, everyone who I’ve spoken to about Banja Luka, and the people I met from Banja Luka, are very positive about it, so it deserves a mention here.
It could be a great base to explore the northern part of the country.
And if you have visited Banja Luka, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this article to share your opinion!
2. Rent a Car and Go on a Road Trip!
No matter where you decide to be based in the country, I can highly recommend renting a car and going on a road trip.
The roads are good, traffic is quite easy to navigate and there is just so much to see that makes this country perfect for road trips.
You could visit wineries, check out some hiking trails and waterfalls, go rock climbing, rafting, canoeing, cycling, or just drive around and take in the diverse scenery.
Konjic is a cute town I’d recommend visiting, with lots of adventure sports around it. These lodges near Konjic are a popular place to stay for a few days.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s nature is really stunning. Stay in a mountain cabin to enjoy nature and get away from it all.
Check out this cute chalet near Sarajevo, or this hobbit house if you’re looking for a quirky place to stay.
3. History and Politics are Complicated
Until 1992 Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of Yugoslavia. Immediately after its independence, the Bosnian War started. It was a devastating, ethnically rooted war that lasted until 1995.
Today politics are complicated, with three different presidents and a noticeable divide between the country’s three main population groups: Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs.
I highly recommend reading up on this a little because it’s quite interesting and much too complex for me to share here!
The Bosnian War is something most of us have read about in history books. But for the people here it’s something that happened only 30 years ago. And that means that every adult you meet has either lived through it themselves (in one way or another, as many temporarily fled the country) or has parents who lived through it.
Don’t be surprised if you’re admiring a beautiful view and the local next to you all of a sudden points out, very matter-of-factly, that 4000 people were killed down in that valley (yes, this happened to me).
You’ll also find buildings with bullet holes still in the center of Mostar and in many other places, as another clear reminder that the war really isn’t that far in the past.
In general, I’ve found the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina very open to talking about both history and politics. And by asking (polite) questions I’ve learned so much.
But of course, do be careful not to upset or offend someone you’ve just met.
Final Thoughts About Mostar for Digital Nomads
If you’re working remotely and are looking for an inexpensive destination with extremely welcoming people, a rich history, beautiful nature, and lots of outdoor activities, then Bosnia and Herzegovina could be perfect for you!
I think Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country is a great destination for digital nomads, and Mostar as a compact city with welcoming locals is a great base.
I really enjoyed my time here. I’m looking forward to seeing how the digital nomad community develops in Mostar and hope to be back soon!
If you want to see where exactly I’ve been in Bosnia & Herzegovina and the things I’ve done, check out the highlighted stories ‘Bosnia’ and ‘Bosnia 2’ on my Instagram account.
I want to thank Intera for inviting me to spend a month in Mostar and the Herzegovina region. If it wasn’t for their digital nomad pilot program I might have never discovered this beautiful country!
Other Articles About the Balkan Region Worth Reading:
- What It’s Like to Move to and Live in Mostar
- What It’s Like to Move to and Live in Sarajevo
- Coliving and Coworking in Montenegro
- The Best Places to Visit in Croatia
Other Articles About Digital Nomad Life & Working Remotely:
- Emotional Struggles of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle & Practical Solutions
- How to Stay Productive While Working Remotely
- 10 Gift Ideas for Digital Nomads
- Why Spain is a Great Country for Working Remotely
- Joining a Digital Nomad Retreat in Rural Romania
- A Digital Nomad’s Guide to popular digital nomad destinations: Bali, Playa del Carmen, and Medellin
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This blog about working remotely from Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost.