How to Visit Kravica Waterfalls in Bosnia & Herzegovina (2026)!
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If you’re travelling to Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Balkans, you cannot miss Kravica Waterfalls.
It’s a scene straight from a fairytale with a series of roaring cascades, emerald foliage and a turquoise lagoon.
Although it is breathtaking, getting here can be a challenge without a car.
Here is a complete guide on how to visit Kravica Waterfalls in Bosnia.
What are Kravica Waterfalls?
Kravica Waterfalls are the largest waterfalls in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The ‘oasis in stone’ is 28 metres high and 120 metres wide.
They are also known as Kravice (plural), and the name translates to ‘Little Cow’.
This is due to many legends about cows at this waterfall. They came here to drink, huddled under a cascade, fell in, etc.
Did any of it happen? Not sure. But why let the truth get in the way of a good story?
The basin looks like a wide amphitheatre with emerald green foliage, and has a series of waterfalls that cascade through it.
At the bottom of the falls is a huge lagoon, which is a popular swimming spot when the weather is warm.
Where are Kravica Waterfalls located?
Kravica Waterfalls are part of Kravica Nature Park near a village called Studenci in southern Bosnia & Herzegovina.
It’s around 40 kilometres away from Mostar, and 10 kilometres from Ljubuški.
Due to its proximity to Mostar, it makes a very popular day trip. But getting here can be a bit of a challenge if you’re not driving.
The address is Studenci, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Click here for a Google Pin.
How to visit Kravica Waterfalls
The easiest way to visit Kravica Waterfalls would be by car. The journey time is approximately:
- From Mostar: 1 hour (42 kilometres)
- From Sarajevo: 3 hours (167 kilometres)
- From Dubrovnik: 2 hours (127 kilometres)
There is ample parking available at the site on entry, which charges a small fee.
Thinking of a road trip? I recommend renting a car through RentalCars, where you can book with free cancellation. Click here to book.
Can you visit Kravica Waterfalls by public transport?
No, unfortunately, Kravica Waterfalls is not accessible by public transport.
It’s in a remote location of the Bosnian countryside, and no trains or buses stop directly here.
You could take a bus to Ljubuški and then take a taxi from there. But it’s easy to get stranded.
Also, you could take a taxi to the waterfalls from Mostar, but it would be more economical to book a guided tour.
Why not book a guided tour from Mostar?
If you want to visit Kravica Waterfalls without a car, there are many day trips that you can book from Mostar or Sarajevo.
I booked a day trip from Mostar, which included the Fortica Skywalk, Blagaj, Pocitelj and Kravica all in one day.
It was an incredible trip, and we got to learn the tragic history of this beautiful country with the events of the Bosnian War from a local.
The walk down to Kravica Waterfalls
When you arrive at the entrance, you’ll need to walk around 15-25 minutes down to the cascades in a valley below.
The walk runs on a loop, and there are three options you can take;
- Steps route (not accessible, but 15 mins)
- Scenic slop route (accessible and 20-25 mins)
- Tourist mini train (only in summer)
I opted for the longer route and loved it. You could catch glimpses of the waterfalls from above along the way.
You can also take a wheelchair/pushchair as the path is accessible.
Along the way, there were some small souvenir stalls selling magnets, local wines and fresh fruit. It was lovely.
Tip: I would use the toilets in the parking area, as there aren’t many facilities at the bottom and queues are long.
Arriving at the magical cascades
On the walk down, I did see bits of the waterfalls, but nothing prepared me for how breathtaking they are up close.
The scene looked like something from a fairytale with crashing cascades, emerald foliage and a large turquoise lagoon.
It was stunning and made the journey well worth the effort.
Things to do
There aren’t a lot of things to do at Kravica Waterfalls, as it’s mainly a place to relax next to natural scenery.
You can visit some viewpoints to admire the cascades, and there are lots of photo opportunities to be had around the lake.
There are also some restaurants where you can have a drink or a meal while admiring the view.
They often run boat rides over the river to get closer to the falls, or you can opt to kayak. But most people spend their time swimming!
Can you swim in Kravica Waterfalls?
Yes, the most magical thing about visiting Kravica Waterfalls is that you can swim in this emerald lagoon.
Honestly, it looks like a mermaid lake and would be so enchanting to splash around.
On my visit, it was the coldest October day on record in 80 years. This is not normal, as it’s usually quite pleasant still.
So, apart from some brave souls, no one was swimming even in the afternoon.
That’s why my photos have no one in the water. As a photographer, I felt pretty lucky, but also wanted to play mermaids here. Next time.
My guide did say that they are talking about stopping swimming here in a few years.
The ecosystem in the lagoon is fragile, and the growing number of visitors each year is damaging it.
I guess it does the plant and wildlife no good having suncream and feet in their habitat all the time. So, take the chance while you still can!
Are there restaurants at Kravice?
If you’re feeling peckish during your visit to Kravice Waterfalls, there are three main restaurants, a bar and snack stalls to choose from.
Most of these are only in operation seasonally, and they only take cash.
As it was so cold on my visit in October, there was only one large restaurant open.
It served up civapi, egg dishes, pizza, burgers, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea and bottles of water.
You can also bring your own food, and picnic tables are available throughout the area.
But please remember to take your rubbish home and keep the area clean.
Opening times & ticket prices
Kravica Waterfalls technically don’t close and are open all year round. But the ticket office and car park have opening times:
- October: 7 am – 7 pm
- November – February: 7 am – 5 pm
- March – April: 7 am – 6 pm
- May: 7 am – 8 pm
- June – September: 7 am – 10 pm
Ticket prices are 20 KM for adults (approximately £8.85/€10) and 10 KM for children and students (£4.45/€5).
I had my tickets included with my guided tour, which was a great bonus.
What is the best time to visit?
Kravica Waterfalls is one of the most popular attractions in all of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The cascades can see huge crowds, especially in the summer months.
My advice would be to get there as early as possible, around opening time.
That way, you can enjoy this magical waterfall in peace and swim in the lagoon without too many people.
How much time do you need at Kravica Waterfalls?
I would plan for around 2-4 hours, although you could easily spend an entire day here as the locals do.
This time would allow you to walk down to the waterfall, have a swim, relax and then get a drink or some lunch.
If the weather is nice and the water is warm, there is no better way to spend a day in Bosnia.
Are Kravica Waterfalls worth visiting?
Yes, if you’re visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina, then these magical waterfalls have to be on your itinerary.
They look like a scene from the pages of a fairytale, and the fact that you can swim in them is the cherry on top.
It’s also the perfect day trip from Mostar, as they are only an hour’s drive away.
Don’t skip this enchanting natural wonder in the Balkans.
What to pack
Here is a quick packing list to help you plan your visit to Kravica Waterfalls;
- Swimming costume
- Suncream (preferably eco-friendly)
- Sliders/flip-flops
- Towel
- Bottle of water
- Cash
- Phone/Camera
- Bug spray (in warmer months)
- Sunglasses
Where to visit next
After you visit Kravica Waterfalls, there are plenty of magical destinations to visit nearby on a Bosnian road trip. Some ideas are below.
If you’re not driving, I highly recommend booking a guided tour where you can see more of this beautiful country from Mostar.
Blagaj Tekija
My favourite place in Bosnia is hands down Blagaj Tekija.
What could be more enchanting than a mystical medieval monastery built into a karst cliff over a river?
You can get some photos with the Dervish House and then explore the museum.
There’s nothing better than relaxing the day away here with a drink in hand.
If you’re feeling energetic, I highly recommend the walk up to Blagaj Fortress. The views from the top are phenomenal.
Related Post: A complete guide to visiting Blagaj Tekija in Bosnia
Pocitelj
Another place worth visiting close to Kravica Waterfalls is Pocitelj. This is a medieval settlement that feels like you’ve stepped back in time.
You can enter the stunning Shishman Ibrahim Pasha Mosque and climb the tower in the citadel (be careful).
My favourite thing to do was to admire the village from the glass bridge viewpoint. You could see for miles.
Related Post: Things to do in Počitelj medieval village
Mostar
If you haven’t yet, you must add Mostar to your Bosnian itinerary.
It’s a medieval city that has influence from the Ottoman Empire and looks like a fairytale.
You can wander the markets on the cobbled streets, catch bridge jumpers from the Old Bridge or sip a Bosnian coffee.
It’s filled with amazing attractions, and you will be enchanted.
Recommended Travel Resources
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Read more of my Bosnia travel guides
The Crooked Bridge – How to visit in Mostar
Discover Bosnia
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