Tucked into the Herzegovina countryside, the Kravice Waterfalls are one of Bosnia's most beautiful natural sights — a horseshoe of cascades up to 25 metres high, pouring into a wide emerald pool ringed by greenery. It looks tropical, feels like a secret, and makes a perfect family day out. Here's everything you need to plan a visit.
What exactly is Kravice?
The Trebižat river fans out over a curved tufa cliff to form roughly twenty falls side by side — a natural amphitheatre often compared to a mini Niagara. Below them, a broad, calm pool is shallow at the edges, with wooden walkways, shaded picnic spots, and a couple of simple cafés. In late spring the falls thunder; by high summer they soften and the pool becomes a swimming spot.
Where is it & how do you get there?
Kravice sits near Ljubuški in Herzegovina — about 40 minutes from Mostar and roughly 2.5–3 hours from Sarajevo. There's no useful public transport to the falls themselves, so realistically you either drive or go with a driver/tour. Most visitors pair it with Mostar, Blagaj, and Počitelj in one southern loop — exactly how we run it (see our Mostar day-trip guide). With a private driver, the timings stay flexible — worth it with children.
When to go
- Late spring (May–June) — the falls at full power and everything lush and green. The most photogenic window.
- Summer (July–August) — warm water, swimming, and the liveliest atmosphere; arrive before ~11am to beat the day-tripper rush and the Herzegovina heat.
- Autumn — quieter, golden, still lovely for the walkways and photos.
More on seasons in our best time to visit Bosnia guide.
Can you swim?
Yes — in summer the pool is open for swimming, and it's glorious: cool, clear water with the falls roaring behind you. The water stays brisk even in August (it's spring-fed), the edges are shallow and family-friendly, and pedal boats sometimes run for a gentle paddle toward the curtain of spray. Water shoes are a good idea — the tufa rock is uneven underfoot.
Tickets, facilities & practicalities
- Entry: there's a modest per-person entrance fee (a few euros — pay at the gate; a small train/shuttle runs down from the car park in season).
- Facilities: toilets, changing spots, and simple cafés by the water. Facilities are rustic — part of the charm.
- What to bring: swimwear and a towel, water shoes, sun cover (shade is limited at midday), and cash for the gate and cafés.
- Modesty note: it's a mixed public swimming spot, busiest at summer midday. Families wanting a quieter, more modest atmosphere should come early morning or later afternoon, or visit in shoulder season — we time our trips with this in mind.
The halal picnic move
Our favourite way to do Kravice: pick up fresh somun, cheese, grilled chicken, and fruit beforehand, claim a shaded table by the pool, and make an afternoon of it. On our trips the halal picnic is arranged for you — one of the small touches guests mention most. Browse more activities like this, or see how Kravice fits a longer route in our 5-day family itinerary.
Worth combining with
- Mostar — the Stari Most bridge, 40 minutes away.
- Blagaj Tekija — the dervish house at the turquoise Buna spring.
- Počitelj — a stepped Ottoman stone village en route.
Ready to stand under the spray? Send us your dates and we'll build Kravice into a prayer-friendly, halal-catered day you won't forget.