At a glance
- Best for
- Slow days, wine, food, monasteries and a coast connection
- Airport
- Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia is closest; Sarajevo (SJJ) and Mostar (OMO) are further
- Time needed
- One to two days
- Best season
- April to June and September to October
- Getting around
- Walking in town, taxis or tours for monasteries and wineries
- Good base for
- Dubrovnik, the Bay of Kotor and the Herzegovina wine routes
Why go
Trebinje has a slow, Mediterranean feel. Days revolve around coffee under the plane trees, a walk by the river and long lunches with local wine. It is quiet compared with Mostar, and an easy add on for anyone visiting Dubrovnik or Montenegro.
Top things to do
Start in the **Platani square**, the market square in the old town, where farmers sell cheese, honey, dried figs and homemade spirits in the mornings. Walk through the **Kastel**, the walled Ottoman quarter by the river, and see the restored **Osman Pasha Mosque**. The **Museum of Herzegovina** covers local history and art.
Just outside the centre, the **Arslanagić Bridge**, a sixteenth century Ottoman stone bridge, is the town's most photographed sight. On **Crkvina hill** above town, **Hercegovačka Gračanica** is a modern copy of a famous Kosovo monastery with wide views over the valley. Across the river, the **Tvrdoš Monastery** is a working Orthodox monastery with an old wine cellar where the monks make and sell wine.
Wine and food
East Herzegovina's warm, rocky land is good for the white **Žilavka** and the red **Vranac**. Several family wineries around Trebinje welcome visitors for tastings, and the town's restaurants serve lamb, cured ham, cheese and river fish. Ask for **Trebinje cheese** and local honey at the market.
Day trips
**Dubrovnik** in Croatia and **Herceg Novi** and the **Bay of Kotor** in Montenegro are close enough for day trips, borders and queues permitting. Inland, the **Popovo polje** valley and the village of **Ljubinje** are quiet and rural.
Where to stay
Stay in or near the **old town** for walking access to cafés and the market. Small hotels and guesthouses here are usually better value than on the coast.
Practical tips
Trebinje is in Republika Srpska, one of the country's two entities; signs often use the Cyrillic alphabet as well as Latin. Summers are hot. If you plan to cross into Croatia or Montenegro, check entry rules for your passport and allow time at the border in high season. Plan your route with the free trip planner.
A little history
Trebinje has been a crossroads for centuries, on the old trade route from the Adriatic coast into the Balkan interior. The Ottomans built the walled Kastel and its mosque, and the Austro-Hungarians added barracks and the plane tree square. The town's most famous son is the poet **Jovan Dučić**, whose wish to be buried here led to the building of Hercegovačka Gračanica.
Outdoor activities
The **Trebišnjica** river is good for swimming in summer at several spots near town, and cycling routes follow the old narrow gauge railway line towards Dubrovnik. Hikers can walk up **Leotar**, the mountain above town, for wide views towards the sea.
Getting there
Buses run from Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi. The road from Mostar passes through quiet karst landscapes and small villages.
Events
Summer brings outdoor concerts and festivals to the old town, and the autumn harvest is a good time to visit the wineries.
Questions about Trebinje
Is Trebinje worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like food, wine and slow days. It is a calm, sunny base that pairs well with Dubrovnik and Mostar.
How far is Trebinje from Dubrovnik?
About half an hour to an hour by road depending on the border crossing. Queues can be long on summer weekends.
Can I visit Tvrdoš Monastery's wine cellar?
Visitors are generally welcome in the monastery and its shop. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
What alphabet is used in Trebinje?
Both Cyrillic and Latin scripts are used. Many signs in Republika Srpska are in Cyrillic first, so it helps to recognise a few letters.
How many days do I need in Trebinje?
One or two days is enough for the old town, the bridge, the monasteries and a winery visit, with longer stays suiting day trips to the coast.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
