Carved medieval tombstones at Radimlja near Stolac
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Southern Herzegovina

Stolac travel guide

Region
Herzegovina-Neretva Canton
From Sarajevo
161 km · 2 h 50 min
Best time
April–June, September–October
Time to allow
Half a day

Quick answer

Stolac lies on the Bregava river about 37 km south-east of Mostar — around 45 minutes by road. Just outside the town, the Radimlja necropolis holds some of the finest carved medieval tombstones (stećci) in the country, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing since 2016. In town, the river, old mills and the rebuilt mosque make a peaceful walk.

Stone, water and history

Stolac is one of the oldest towns in Herzegovina, and it shows: Illyrian walls on the hill at Daorson, a medieval fortress above the town, Ottoman mosques and mills along the river. The Bregava keeps the valley green even in the hottest months.

Radimlja tombstones near Stolac
Radimlja

The highlight for most visitors is Radimlja, where the tombstones of a medieval family stand in rows beside the road, carved with figures raising their hands. It takes an hour, and with Blagaj and Počitelj nearby, Stolac fits easily into a day from Mostar.

Explore

What to see

#PlaceWhat it isTime neededGoogle Maps
1Radimlja necropolisUNESCO siteAbout 1 h
Google Maps Directions
2Bregava river and the millsRiver & old mills1 h
Google Maps Directions
3Čaršija mosqueMosque30 min
Google Maps Directions
4Vidoški fortressFortress1 h
Google Maps Directions
5DaorsonAncient city1–2 h
Google Maps Directions

  1. Radimlja necropolis

    Dozens of large stone tombstones from the 15th and 16th centuries, carved with figures, hunting scenes and patterns — among the best examples of Bosnian stećci.

    Google Maps Directions

  2. Bregava river and the mills

    The clear Bregava runs through town past old watermills and small waterfalls — the nicest place for a walk and a coffee.

    Google Maps Directions

  3. Čaršija mosque

    The 16th-century mosque at the heart of the old bazaar, destroyed in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004.

    Google Maps Directions

  4. Vidoški fortress

    The ruins of a large fortress on the hill above Stolac, with a view over the town and the valley.

    Google Maps Directions

  5. Daorson

    The remains of a hilltop city of the Illyrian Daorsi tribe, with walls of huge stone blocks, a few kilometres from Stolac.

    Google Maps Directions

Practical notes

  • Radimlja is on the main road just west of town — easy to stop on the way from Mostar.
  • Summer afternoons are very hot; visit in the morning.
  • Combine Stolac with Blagaj and Počitelj for a full Herzegovina day.
FromToDistanceDrive time
MostarStolac37 km45 min
SarajevoStolac161 km2 h 50 min

Road distance and drive time without stops, calculated with OSRM on OpenStreetMap data (October 2026). Mountain roads, weather, border queues and photo stops add time.

Prices, timetables and entry rules change. We checked the facts on this page on the date shown; confirm time-sensitive details before you travel.

Questions travellers ask

What are stećci?

Medieval tombstones carved from limestone, found across Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries. Radimlja near Stolac is one of the best-known sites on the UNESCO list.

How far is Stolac from Mostar?

About 37 km, around 45 minutes. It fits into a Herzegovina day together with Blagaj and Počitelj.

Sources and further reading

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