After exploring Mostar as the first stop on our one-day tour from Dubrovnik to Bosnia and Herzegovina, we continued toward one of the country’s most famous natural attractions, Kravica Waterfalls. This was the second stop on the tour. Surrounded by greenery, turquoise water, and the sound of waterfalls everywhere, it felt completely different from the busy streets of Mostar. After our visit, we also did a bit more research to understand how to get there without a guided tour, what the entrance fees are, what you should realistically expect during your visit, and whether Kravica Waterfalls is actually worth adding to your Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary.

  • Location: Near Ljubuški
  • Height: Around 25 meters high
  • Width: Nearly 120 meters wide
  • River: Formed by the Trebižat River
  • Water Flow: Up to 28,000 liters of water per second during stronger seasons
  • Name Origin: “Kravice” comes from the word for cow
  • Swimming: Swimming is allowed
  • Formation: Created naturally by travertine limestone
  • Location: Near Ljubuški
  • Popular For: Day trips from Mostar and Dubrovnik
  • Fun Fact: The river disappears underground in some sections due to the karst landscape
  • Lesser Known Fact: Small watermills once stood along the river nearby
  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning for fewer crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere
  • How Long Do You Need: 1–2 hours for sightseeing, 3–5 hours if you want to swim and relax by the waterfalls

📍 Location: Zvirići 88320, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Kravica Waterfalls are in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, close to the town of Ljubuški in the Herzegovina region. The waterfalls sit around 40 km from Mostar and roughly 170 km from the capital, Sarajevo. Because of its location near the Croatian border, it is also a very popular stop on day trips from Dubrovnik.

  • By Car From Sarajevo. Driving is the easiest and most flexible way. The drive from Sarajevo takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and stops along the way. Most routes pass through Mostar, making it easy to combine both destinations into one road trip.
  • By Public Transport. It takes more planning. First, you need to take a bus from Sarajevo to Mostar or Ljubuški. From there, you usually need a taxi to reach the waterfalls themselves, since there is no direct public bus stopping at the entrance. Because of this, many travelers either rent a car or join an organized day tour instead.

Or, you can do what we did and join a one-day tour from Dubrovnik. As already mentioned, our tour first stopped in Mostar before continuing toward Kravica Waterfalls later in the afternoon. It ended up being a really easy and stress-free way to visit both places in one day without worrying about border crossings, parking, or public transport connections.

If you are arriving by car, there is a large parking area near the entrance with plenty of space for regular cars, buses, campers, and motorcycles. Even during busier periods, the parking area is organized and designed to handle a large number of visitors arriving throughout the day.

Parking prices are currently:

    • Passenger vehicles: 3 KM per hour or 6 KM for a daily ticket
    • Buses: 10 KM per hour or 30 KM for a daily ticket
    • Camping trailers and campers: 4 KM per hour
    • Motorcycles: 3 KM per hour

The parking area is only a short waddle from the waterfalls entrance, so you do not need to worry about any long transfer or shuttle afterward.

Kravica Waterfalls are open every day throughout the year, usually from 7:00 in the morning. Closing hours depend on the season, with shorter winter opening times until around 17:00 and much longer summer hours, when the area stays open until 22:00 between June and September. Spring and autumn usually fall somewhere in between, making summer the best period if you want to stay longer by the water or visit later in the evening.

The entrance ticket for Kravica Waterfalls also includes access to the nearby Koćuša Waterfall and the monastery museum in Humac, which is a nice extra if you plan to explore more of the area.

Ticket prices are currently:

  • Adults: 20 KM
  • Adults with Bosnia and Herzegovina residency discount: 10 KM
  • Children and students (7–18 years): 10 KM
  • Children and students with Bosnia and Herzegovina residency discount: 5 KM
  • Children under 7 years old: Free entry
  • Plushies: Free entry

There are also special conditions for larger tourist groups, journalists with a valid press ID, and commercial photography or filming. Commercial photography costs 50 KM per hour, while commercial filming starts at 100 KM per hour.

For more details on opening hours or ticket prices, check their official website.

  • Restaurants and cafés near the waterfalls
  • Public bathrooms at the entrance area
  • Large parking area
  • Walking paths and viewpoints
  • Swimming area during warmer months
  • Boat rides are available seasonally
  • Picnic and relaxing spots by the river
  • Souvenir stands during peak season
  • Stairs leading down to the waterfalls
  • Shaded areas with plenty of trees
  • Changing cabins near the swimming area
  • Trash bins and maintained visitor zones

To reach the main waterfall area, you need to walk down a series of stairs and sloped pathways from the entrance and parking area. The walk itself is not particularly long, but the uphill return can feel a bit tiring, especially on hot summer days. For visitors who prefer an easier option, there is also a small tourist mini train that takes you closer to the waterfalls, making the site more accessible for families, older visitors, or anyone who does not want to walk the entire way.

As already mentioned, we visited Kravica Waterfalls as part of a guided day tour from Dubrovnik. Once our bus parked near the entrance, everything moved quickly, and we were quite rushed to reach the waterfalls. One really convenient thing, though, was that our guide had already organized all the tickets in advance, so we completely skipped the main ticket line. Instead of waiting at the entrance, our whole group was let inside together, which saved quite a bit of time. From there, we followed the path and stairs leading down toward the river, and with every step, you could slowly start hearing the sound of the waterfalls getting louder and louder.

Just like Mostar, Kravica Waterfalls is a major tourist destination, so definitely expect crowds, especially during the main season and in the middle of the day when tour buses arrive. We already expected it to be busy because guided tours usually follow similar schedules, but it still surprised us just how crowded the area around the waterfalls was. As you walk down, the waterfalls themselves are beautiful and very impressive to see in person, especially with all the water crashing down into the turquoise pool below. Still, as you get closer to the main viewing and swimming area, the space can feel a bit cramped due to the number of people trying to relax, take photos, swim, or find a spot near the water.

We spent some time waddling around the area surrounding Kravica Waterfalls, which is actually much more spacious than it first appears when you arrive near the main waterfall viewpoint. As we explored further, we found free bathrooms down by the river, which was honestly quite convenient given how many visitors the place gets. We also noticed that people were swimming not only near the waterfalls themselves, but even all the way toward the small island in the middle of the water. Overall, there were quite a lot of little corners, walking paths, and riverside spots to discover and relax around, even though the waterfalls themselves are of course the main attraction everyone comes to see.

We also considered swimming, especially since so many people were already in the water, but in the end, we decided not to. The water is known for being very refreshing, with temperatures usually around 20–25°C during summer, depending on the season and recent weather.

What we personally did not really enjoy, though, was the atmosphere directly around the main waterfall area. Right after walking down toward the falls, there are several restaurants, buffet-style food stands, and seating areas packed quite closely together. While it is convenient if you want food or drinks, it also makes the area feel much more crowded and commercialized than we expected. We would have personally preferred a more natural atmosphere, focused more on relaxing with nature and simply enjoying the waterfalls themselves. For us, it felt like the restaurants and food stands would make more sense slightly farther away, rather than being placed directly beside the main waterfalls.

Before leaving Kravica Waterfalls, we bought ourselves an ice cream, and it tasted exactly like the old-school tutti frutti ice cream from childhood, instantly bringing back a lot of nostalgic memories for us. After that, we slowly started waddling back uphill toward the parking area, since we did not have as much time at the waterfalls as we would have liked. Eventually, we made our way back onto the bus and continued the tour.

One really nice surprise on the walk back was a small stand along the path where a couple of local guys were selling homemade wine and other local spirits. They were super friendly, and it honestly felt much more authentic and personal compared to the busy restaurant area below. We stopped to try a few things and ended up buying a homemade wine, which was genuinely really delicious. If you visit, we would definitely recommend stopping by for a quick tasting or to bring home something local.

The time here really depends on the kind of visit you want. Some people come to see the waterfalls, take a few photos, and continue toward their next destination, while others easily spend half a day here relaxing by the water. If you enjoy swimming, sunbathing, sitting at the riverside cafés, or simply slowing down and enjoying nature, you could comfortably spend 3 to 5 hours here, especially during summer.

If you mainly want to explore the area, walk around the viewpoints, see the waterfalls, maybe grab an ice cream or drink, and take some photos, then around 1.5 to 2 hours is usually enough. That was about the amount of time we had during our guided tour, and while it was enough to experience the waterfalls, it still felt a little rushed. Personally, we think Kravica Waterfalls is best enjoyed slowly, without constantly watching the clock.

We visited Kravica Waterfalls sometime between 13:00 and 14:00, and it was extremely crowded. There were people everywhere, a lot of bumping into each other around the main waterfall area, and at times, it felt more hectic than relaxing. Because of that, we personally did not enjoy the atmosphere as much as we had hoped. If we visited again, we would definitely try to come much earlier in the morning, ideally right after opening hours, before the big tour groups and buses start arriving.

That said, the best time also depends on the kind of experience you want. If you mainly want peaceful views, photos, and a more nature-focused atmosphere, early morning is probably the best option. On the other hand, if you prefer warmer weather for swimming, sunbathing, and spending several hours by the water, then visiting later in the day might suit you better. We also heard that sunsets around Kravica Waterfalls can be beautiful, especially during summer evenings, though we would still choose the quieter early-morning experience.

Honestly, yes, we do think Kravica Waterfalls is worth visiting, especially if it is your first time exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina or if you enjoy natural spots mixed with a relaxing swimming atmosphere. The waterfalls themselves are beautiful, the turquoise water looks stunning in person, and the whole area is very easy to access compared to many other waterfalls in Europe. We can also easily imagine spending several relaxing hours here, swimming, sunbathing, and simply slowing down, especially outside of the busiest hours.

That said, the experience really depends on when you visit. The biggest downside for us was definitely the number of people around midday and how commercialized the main waterfall area felt because of the restaurants and buffet stands placed directly beside the falls. At times, it took away from the peaceful nature atmosphere we personally hoped for. Still, if you arrive early in the morning or later in the evening, we think the experience would feel completely different and much more enjoyable. Overall, despite the crowds, we are still happy we visited Kravica Waterfalls and would recommend it, especially if combined with places like Mostar or Blagaj.

Buy Me a Ko-fi
  • Arrive early in the morning for fewer crowds
  • Bring swimwear if you want to swim near the waterfalls
  • Pack a towel and water shoes for the rocky river areas
  • Wear comfortable shoes for the stairs and walking paths
  • Bring sunscreen during hot summer days
  • Expect large crowds around midday, especially during the summer
  • Bring cash for parking, small stands, or local vendors
  • A waterproof pouch for your phone or camera can be useful
  • Stay hydrated, especially if visiting during peak heat
  • Plan extra time if you want to relax and not just quickly visit
  • Mostar. One of the most famous cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its iconic Old Bridge, historic old town, river views, and mix of Ottoman and Balkan culture. It is the most common stop on day trips, combined with Kravica Waterfalls.
  • Blagaj. A small village famous for the beautiful Dervish monastery built directly beside the turquoise Buna River spring. It is one of the most peaceful and scenic spots in Herzegovina and feels much calmer than Mostar.
  • Koćuša Waterfall. A smaller, less touristy waterfall near Ljubuški, with a much quieter atmosphere than Kravice. It is known for its charming wooden watermills and relaxing riverside setting.
  • Počitelj. A historic stone village overlooking the Neretva River, famous for its medieval architecture, fortress, narrow stone streets, and Ottoman-era atmosphere. It feels almost like an open-air museum and is a great quick stop on the way between Mostar and Kravice.

The waterfalls are beautiful, the turquoise water looks even better in person, and despite the crowds, it was still a very memorable stop during our trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina. That said, if we visited again, we would probably skip the organized one-day tour and visit the waterfalls separately on our own instead. While the guided tour was convenient, the schedule felt rushed, and we never really had enough time to relax, swim, or fully enjoy the atmosphere. Next time, we would much rather arrive early in the morning, stay several hours, and experience Kravica Waterfalls at a slower pace without constantly watching the clock.

Pack your bags and waddle more!


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