Mostar rewards attention more than speed. Use this as a sequence, not a timetable, and adapt it to heat, crowds and your own interests.
Early: meet the bridge quietly
Begin around Stari Most before the busiest part of the day. Cross in both directions, then descend toward the river where public access is open. Looking upward makes the height and setting much easier to understand than the classic photograph alone.
Morning: read the Old City
Walk the bazaar lanes slowly and pay attention to changes in stone, rooflines and street level. Choose one museum, historic house or guided walk rather than trying to enter everything. The aim is context: how the river crossing shaped trade, neighbourhoods and the city's identity.
Midday: stop properly
Take a real break for lunch or coffee. Ask about seasonal dishes and current prices instead of following a generic "best of" list. In hot weather, this is also the right time to slow down indoors or in shade.
Afternoon: go beyond the postcard
Walk into the contemporary city and along another stretch of the Neretva. Mostar is more than its heritage core; a wider circuit gives the bridge context and shows how people use the city today.
Evening: return with different light
Finish on the opposite bank from where you started. Choose a public viewpoint or a table with a genuine reason to stay. If an event interests you, verify its time and venue with the organiser before changing the plan.