Blagaj tekija
Blagaj tekija
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
893 reviews
Excellent
511
Very good
253
Average
95
Poor
24
Terrible
10
CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1,079 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We stopped here on our way from Mostar heading towards Dubrovnik. Blagaj was not far from Mostar and it started to rain as we arrived at the parking lot. There were plenty of open spaces but this rude, awful, nasty man swooped up asking for cash to leave the car. I would have gladly paid the 2E for parking if we had the right cash, but he would not make change as we just had large bills.
By now, it was pouring rain and he just got annoyed and told us to leave. It was our worst experience during our entire trip.
We went to a corner store and attempted to get small change but I just had large Euro bills that could be exchanged for Bosnian money, which we did not need nor want. Becoming increasingly frustrated, we returned to the parking area and offered a Euro, which was grudgingly/graciously accepted after he thrust his palm into my husband’s face while aggressively blowing cigarette smoke into our car. I ended up having a minor asthma attack. We parked and after I began to feel better, we made our way towards the site.
It was about a 15 minute walk from the parking area to the site along the riverside where vendors were selling trinkets along with fresh fruit.
Before entering the complex, we sat at a table at a nearby restaurant to read information from my guidebook. An attendant told us that we could not sit there if we were not eating. I pointed at the other tables, occupied by school groups who had not ordered anything and she just shrugged, and once again told us that we had to leave. Was her attitude so negative because we were not Bosnian? Or was it something else?
It had stopped raining by now, so we paid our 5E to get into the monastery which is built into a cliff at the side of the river. The Blagaj Tekija, or Dervish house, was built around 1520 and is a three-story Sufi lodge situated on the banks of the Buna River. Gents cannot wear shorts and ladies must cover their heads, shawls and wraps are provided free of charge, shoes must also be removed. Once again, I just found the attendants a bit rude and abrupt. Perhaps they did not like their jobs? And it was just the start of tourist season.
Inside, the surroundings were very simple and it did not take much more than 20 minutes to have a wander through the various rooms and the balcony. There are toilets just inside the entrance.
There were numerous small rooms with colourful mats on the floor. We saw the loo, the balcony (overlooking the river) and a small Hamman with its domed roof studded with coloured glass stars. We were told it would have had underfloor heating as it was above the kitchen.
Although I found the inside moderately interesting, there was minimal description about the monastery and admittedly, I was put off by the unwelcoming manner of the attendants. I just found the overall experience a bit disturbing.
The surrounding area was quite nice. I recommend that you skip visiting the interior and cross over the bridge, then walk a short distance to the cave which afforded great views of the Tekija. We spent over an hour photographing the beautiful surroundings.
For the best views, cross the river, pass through one of the cafes that are directly on the river front, go up to the trail and follow it toward the cave to its end for several photogenic views of the house, the river, cave and cliffs.
There were plenty of restaurants lining both banks of the river, which just increased the commercialization feeling. The water was so high that some of the tables were inaccessible.
I had seen lots of photos of this site, and it looked just like the photos. In my opinion, the overall setting of the Monastery is what's spectacular....not so much the Monastery itself. I would avoid paying the fee to go inside the rooms of the Monastery and rather cross the river and take in the dramatic view of the 600 year old Monastery set in a nook of a 240 meter high cliff, with the spring waters pouring out from under the rocks.
By now, it was pouring rain and he just got annoyed and told us to leave. It was our worst experience during our entire trip.
We went to a corner store and attempted to get small change but I just had large Euro bills that could be exchanged for Bosnian money, which we did not need nor want. Becoming increasingly frustrated, we returned to the parking area and offered a Euro, which was grudgingly/graciously accepted after he thrust his palm into my husband’s face while aggressively blowing cigarette smoke into our car. I ended up having a minor asthma attack. We parked and after I began to feel better, we made our way towards the site.
It was about a 15 minute walk from the parking area to the site along the riverside where vendors were selling trinkets along with fresh fruit.
Before entering the complex, we sat at a table at a nearby restaurant to read information from my guidebook. An attendant told us that we could not sit there if we were not eating. I pointed at the other tables, occupied by school groups who had not ordered anything and she just shrugged, and once again told us that we had to leave. Was her attitude so negative because we were not Bosnian? Or was it something else?
It had stopped raining by now, so we paid our 5E to get into the monastery which is built into a cliff at the side of the river. The Blagaj Tekija, or Dervish house, was built around 1520 and is a three-story Sufi lodge situated on the banks of the Buna River. Gents cannot wear shorts and ladies must cover their heads, shawls and wraps are provided free of charge, shoes must also be removed. Once again, I just found the attendants a bit rude and abrupt. Perhaps they did not like their jobs? And it was just the start of tourist season.
Inside, the surroundings were very simple and it did not take much more than 20 minutes to have a wander through the various rooms and the balcony. There are toilets just inside the entrance.
There were numerous small rooms with colourful mats on the floor. We saw the loo, the balcony (overlooking the river) and a small Hamman with its domed roof studded with coloured glass stars. We were told it would have had underfloor heating as it was above the kitchen.
Although I found the inside moderately interesting, there was minimal description about the monastery and admittedly, I was put off by the unwelcoming manner of the attendants. I just found the overall experience a bit disturbing.
The surrounding area was quite nice. I recommend that you skip visiting the interior and cross over the bridge, then walk a short distance to the cave which afforded great views of the Tekija. We spent over an hour photographing the beautiful surroundings.
For the best views, cross the river, pass through one of the cafes that are directly on the river front, go up to the trail and follow it toward the cave to its end for several photogenic views of the house, the river, cave and cliffs.
There were plenty of restaurants lining both banks of the river, which just increased the commercialization feeling. The water was so high that some of the tables were inaccessible.
I had seen lots of photos of this site, and it looked just like the photos. In my opinion, the overall setting of the Monastery is what's spectacular....not so much the Monastery itself. I would avoid paying the fee to go inside the rooms of the Monastery and rather cross the river and take in the dramatic view of the 600 year old Monastery set in a nook of a 240 meter high cliff, with the spring waters pouring out from under the rocks.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edcookstour
Stourbridge, UK115 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Really impressive site, worthy of a day trip from Mostar. The valley is lovely, with great views and the scenic Dervish house topping it off.
The house itself is interesting and worth visiting for the price (about €5) - a historic curiosity. Legs need to be covered as do ladies’ heads, but they provide shawls if you don’t have anything with you.
Most people appear to come on tours however we came via the Mostar public bus - the journey was only about 15-20 minutes and cost just 2BAM. Buses don’t show on Google maps, but can be found online and are fairly regular (every hour or two). Worth noting the times are when they leave the terminus, so you have to do a bit of estimating as to when the bus will get to your stop!
The house itself is interesting and worth visiting for the price (about €5) - a historic curiosity. Legs need to be covered as do ladies’ heads, but they provide shawls if you don’t have anything with you.
Most people appear to come on tours however we came via the Mostar public bus - the journey was only about 15-20 minutes and cost just 2BAM. Buses don’t show on Google maps, but can be found online and are fairly regular (every hour or two). Worth noting the times are when they leave the terminus, so you have to do a bit of estimating as to when the bus will get to your stop!
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarymcI50
Derry, UK74 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Stunning place, the boat trip through the cave into the green water is beautiful .food is lovely in the restaurants , beautiful place
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MOHAMED NIZAM
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates11 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Very Beautiful Place with Stunning views . Small boat trip to the Cave was excellent with the Boat Guide explaining the History. Water is blue and very clear .Such an amazing volume of fresh water. House is build on the edge and amazing to the whole history. There are some good restaurants nearby with stunning views
Blagaj is situated at the spring of the Buna river and a historical tekke (tekija or Dervish monastery). The Blagaj Tekija was built around 1520, with elements of Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style and is considered a national monument. Blagaj Tekke is a monastery built for the Dervish. Blagaj. Village.
Blagaj is situated at the spring of the Buna river and a historical tekke (tekija or Dervish monastery). The Blagaj Tekija was built around 1520, with elements of Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style and is considered a national monument. Blagaj Tekke is a monastery built for the Dervish. Blagaj. Village.
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petfriendly_8
Newark, NJ1,803 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I thought it's a place over rated, admission is too expensive for not much to see inside. thought its a tourist trap.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richcymru
Caernarfon, UK46 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Nice little place to stop for a short time. It broke up the journey from Sarajevo to Ploče. Good view of the monastery from the opposite bank. Parking was €3/6KM for as long as you wanted
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chilliepadee
London, UK1,639 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We were lucky to get a parking nearest to the allowed walking area to reach the monastery. We decided not to enter as there was a large crowd waiting for admission.
Blagaj is, in my opinion too touristic to my liking. The eateries along the river were full of people. The place is quite picturesque though.
We ended up taking photos of the Dervish House from the outside, from other side of the river.
Blagaj is, in my opinion too touristic to my liking. The eateries along the river were full of people. The place is quite picturesque though.
We ended up taking photos of the Dervish House from the outside, from other side of the river.
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dingo_6152
Fremantle, Australia1,979 contributions
Jul 2023
The Blagaj Tekija, or Dervish house, was built around 1520. It is a three-storey Sufi lodge situated on the banks of the Buna River, not far from the centre of the village of Blagaj. Towering above it are 240 metre high cliffs and springing forth from an adjoining cave is the source of the river.
It is open seven days a week, between 8:30am and 8:30pm. Entrance to the Tekija is 10BM/person and gives you access to the turbe, mejdan odaja, imaret, ribat, hamam and semahana. As this a religious building, where they hodl dervish Zikr praise-chanting three nights weekly, so you will need to cover bare arms and legs ( they do provide coverings for those who aren't modestly dressed). The rooms in the Tekija are relatively plain and unadorned. For me the highlight was the multi-chromatic celling of the hamam. It is worth remembering that this is a religious pilgrimage site not a tourist attraction.
On the opposite bank you can take a shared 10 minute boat ride into the cave, the source of the Burna River for 5BM/person.
Downstream there are a number of restaurants lining the banks of the Vurna River, with views across the fast-flowing water.
It is open seven days a week, between 8:30am and 8:30pm. Entrance to the Tekija is 10BM/person and gives you access to the turbe, mejdan odaja, imaret, ribat, hamam and semahana. As this a religious building, where they hodl dervish Zikr praise-chanting three nights weekly, so you will need to cover bare arms and legs ( they do provide coverings for those who aren't modestly dressed). The rooms in the Tekija are relatively plain and unadorned. For me the highlight was the multi-chromatic celling of the hamam. It is worth remembering that this is a religious pilgrimage site not a tourist attraction.
On the opposite bank you can take a shared 10 minute boat ride into the cave, the source of the Burna River for 5BM/person.
Downstream there are a number of restaurants lining the banks of the Vurna River, with views across the fast-flowing water.
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pavel1977
Banbridge, UK481 contributions
May 2023
Nice place to visit, close to Mostar
We went to Blagaj straight after visiting Mostar following local people recommendation, the place just 20 min drive from Mostar. You could spend here some time and also there is option to visit museum and restaurant here
We went to Blagaj straight after visiting Mostar following local people recommendation, the place just 20 min drive from Mostar. You could spend here some time and also there is option to visit museum and restaurant here
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ulya
13 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Awesome! Very beautiful place, good to go around lunch or dinner time. Good restaurants where better to try fresh fish 🐟
Written 22 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glengirl20
Bartlett, NH41 contributions
Parking? I have read both that there is a pay parking lot as well as if you continue further you can park free on the road. Any advice?
Boat? I am planning a visit the beginning of May (3rd). Is the boat running into the cave or is it too early?
Thank you..
MONichols
Seattle299 contributions
There is a large parking lot about 1km away. I saw cars parked along the road but thought they belonged to the vendors who worked in the kiosks along the road. It's slightly downhill getting in, uphill going back. There are lovely things to look at along the road, and vendors for a pomegranate juice or pastry. Make note of the rock roofs as you walk past. They are very prevalent in this area. You can get brochures in every hotel or the TI in Mostar by the bridge that will give you hours. They are seasonal, as I went in October couldn't tell you about May. Take some small Mark Bill's or change to tip the women who help you with headwear, or for the gift shop. They take Euros but not change.
Telly G
Vienna, VA596 contributions
Where can I watch whirling dervishes whirling in Mostar? Actually doing their thing. Thank you.
Edward
Santa Rosa, CA1,953 contributions
Along the lines of what others have said, the Blagaj Tekija is a Muslim monastery, place of worship, and museum. While it may be a monastery or "dervish lodge," it does not, to my knowledge have whirling dervishes but there are many people there who visit for religious reasons or who are praying.
One other person noted that you need to go to Turkey to see that and as far as I know, that is correct. Even if there are dervishes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, they will not be "Whirling Dervishes," who are members of a specific monastic/dervish order, the Mevlevi, who are now only in Turkey (the only dervish order to survive the republic's secularization officially and intact). They have two lodges, one in Konya and one in Istanbul (near Istiklal Caddesi and the Galata Tower, if you are familiar with that city).
Elisabeth M
Barcelona, Spain7 contributions
Hola,
Este sábado viajo con mi pareja hacia Croacia, tenemos montada mas o menos una ruta por la costa y una noche en Mostar.
Tras ver de casualidad el nacimiento del Rio Buna agradecería si me podrían informar de donde se puede coger la barca para ver su nacimiento interior y si alguien puede orientarme del coste aproximado.
Gracias,
Elisabeth M
Barcelona, Spain7 contributions
Hola,
La excursión que contrataron fue por internet o una vez allí? Que era con la barca por el rio para ver la cueva? Si me pueden informar lo agradezco, no puedo poner el enlace de la web que habia localizado para ver si era el mismo que ustedes realizaron.
Gracias por todo!
Elisabeth M
Barcelona, Spain7 contributions
Buenas,
Me pueden informar de la distancia que hay desde Mostar, hasta el nacimiento del río Buna y si hay excursiones para poder contratar.
Toda información sobre la zona es bienvenida.
Gracias de antemano.
Saludos,
bk9net
The Villages, FL206 contributions
Hi,
My family & I will be staying in Dubrovnik in late April for a week. We want to take a day trip to Mostar and Blagaj from Dubrovnik. Is it better to rent a car to do this or is a tour better? If the latter, any recommendations?
Thanks
Kenan T
Calgary, Canada1,477 contributions
If I were you i would take guided tour, probably you are not familiar with the area, do not know language, (even majority of people know at least basic English) and for one day trip they would better organize your trip. Too much hassle going on your own... Parking in Mostar old town is big issue.
Do your research on the net for the agencies it's still enough time to find one. Like somebody before suggested make it two day trip and visit other places in Bosnia, Pocitelj must see, even Sarajevo is only two hours away from Mostar.
Not much to do in Dubrovnik in April. (If it was summer, one week is not enough).
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Frequently Asked Questions about Blagaj tekija
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Blagaj tekija:
- Mostar & Herzegovina 4 Cities Day-tour from Sarajevo (fees incl.) (From ₹ 6,485.59)
- Mostar - Blagaj Hiking Tour - Trails Of Medieval Bosnian Rulers (From ₹ 4,751.71)
- Herzegovina Day Trip (From ₹ 5,095.82)
- Sarajevo: Tour to Mostar, Sufi House, Počitelj & Kravice Falls (From ₹ 6,898.02)
- Sarajevo to/from Dubrovnik Transfer Tour via Mostar & Herzegovina (From ₹ 12,044.66)
- Hotels near Blagaj tekija:
- (0.12 km) Villa Bunski Biser
- (0.30 km) River Camp Aganovac
- (0.30 km) Hotel Ada
- (0.50 km) Hotel Blagaj
- (0.55 km) Villa Sana Sunny Apartments (App. Riverside)
- Restaurants near Blagaj tekija:
- (0.01 km) Restoran Mlinica
- (0.03 km) Restoran Vrelo
- (0.10 km) Restoran Hladovina
- (0.22 km) Restoran Fajic
- (0.30 km) Konoba Gold Fish