SHOPPING
It often happens that people from other cities come here to do their own shopping. Mostar, in fact, is well-known for its famous craft shops and for the wide choice of stores in its shopping malls. Therefore, it is well-worth visiting some of them.
Shopping malls:
- “SPC Rondo” in K. Petra Krešimira IV;
- “Shopping mall” in Stjepana Radića;
- “Biosphera”, in B.Fejića b.b.;
- “Vila Neretva”, in Musala Square.
What to take home?
It is impossible to return home without having bought something that reminds you of this trip. Perhaps a typical and traditional object, handmade, with a unique shape and an unmistakable style. We therefore suggest that you head towards the city’s Old Bazaar, where you can find an enormous range of products, to be purchased in one of the many craft shops: artistically carved wooden or copper objects, plates, trinkets, antique weapons, and also very beautiful carpets that are still wooden by skilful craftsmen using ancient weaving frames. The wool used, coming from the sheep bred in the area, is processed with natural colours, extracted from plants and local minerals. And then: hookahs, pipes, traditional garments and footwear, paintings and ceramics decorated with typical motifs. Do not be surprised to even find war souvenirs, such as cigarette lighters and pens made out of war relics, helmets etc.
Inside the old city, you should also visit the bookshop called the “BuyBook” which, apart from guidebooks and tourist pamphlets, has a good selection of foreign language books; the café inside, furnished with comfortable sofas, is an ideal place to spend some time reading, even with an excellent cup of fragrant coffee next to you.
Markets are another place that enthusiastic shoppers looking for unusual ideas should not miss. One of these, called the “tepa” in the local language, is close to the old city, and another one, called “Tržnica” by local people, is situated in the new part of the city; both offer an appealing variety of foods: wine (we suggest Zilavka and Blatina), liqueurs (amongst which the local grappa, called “loza” or “rakija”), honey and its sub-products, dairy products, salamis, herbal medicines and an infinite number of spices. Tobacco is another product that boasts a long tradition (selected, dried and shredded by hand); the one that is cultivated in the valley of the River Neretva is one of the most important.
At Vrapčići, a few kilometres north of the city, there is also large ‘flea market’, open on Saturdays and Sundays, where particularly cheap objects, of every shape and size, can be found.
