Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Travel Guide to Herzegovina's City of Sun and Plane Trees

Trebinje is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, just 30 kilometres from Dubrovnik but a world away from its crowds. Known as the "city of sun and plane trees," it enjoys a Mediterranean climate, a relaxed pace of life and a thriving wine culture. With a walled Ottoman old town, elegant stone bridges, hilltop monasteries and family-run wineries, Trebinje is one of the Balkans' most charming hidden gems.

Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Trebinje

1. Old Town and Platani Square

Trebinje's Old Town (Kastel) was built in the early 18th century by the Ottoman Resulbegović family, surrounded by stone walls along the banks of the Trebišnjica River. Inside the walls, narrow streets lead to small squares, cafés and the Osman Pasha Mosque. Just outside, Platani Square, shaded by enormous plane trees, is the social heart of the city. Every morning, local farmers sell cheese, honey, vegetables, wine and homemade products at the lively open-air market, a perfect place to taste local specialties.

Booking tip: The old town and market are free to explore. A guided walking tour, arranged through local operators or as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik on GetYourGuide, adds context about the town's history.

2. Arslanagić Bridge

The Arslanagić Bridge, also known as the Perović Bridge, is an elegant 16th-century Ottoman stone bridge built in 1574 by Grand Vizier Mehmed Paša Sokolović, who also commissioned the famous bridge in Višegrad. Originally located a few kilometres upstream, it was dismantled stone by stone and relocated to its current site in the 1970s, when a hydroelectric dam flooded its original location. With its double arches reflected in the river, it's one of the most photographed spots in Trebinje.

Booking tip: The bridge is free to visit. Go at sunset for the best photos.

3. Hercegovačka Gračanica

On the hill of Crkvina above the city stands Hercegovačka Gračanica, a monastery complex built in the early 2000s as a replica of the famous medieval Gračanica Monastery in Kosovo. The site was chosen to fulfil the wish of the poet Jovan Dučić, one of Trebinje's most famous sons, to be buried here. The monastery's golden domes and terraces offer panoramic views over the city and the surrounding hills.

Booking tip: The monastery is free to visit; dress modestly.

4. Tvrdoš Monastery and Its Wine Cellar

Just outside Trebinje, the Tvrdoš Monastery is an Orthodox monastery whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, built on the remains of an earlier Roman-era site. Destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, it remains an active monastery with a peaceful courtyard and a church decorated with frescoes. The monks have been producing wine here for centuries, and the monastery's old stone cellar is one of the oldest wine cellars in the region. Visitors can taste the monastery's wines, including Vranac, a robust red, and Žilavka, a fresh white.

Booking tip: Wine tastings are available at the monastery shop.

5. Herzegovina Wine Route

Trebinje lies at the heart of the Herzegovina wine region, where the sunny, rocky landscape and Mediterranean climate are ideal for vines. Family-run wineries produce excellent wines from indigenous grapes, especially the red Vranac and the white Žilavka. Many wineries offer cellar tours and tastings, often accompanied by local prosciutto, cheese and olives, and some have terraces with sweeping views over the vineyards and the Trebišnjica valley. For a different perspective on the landscape, hike or drive up Leotar, the mountain overlooking the city.

Booking tip: Wine tours, available on GetYourGuide or through local operators, include transport and tastings.

Practical Travel Tips for Trebinje

Getting Around

• From Dubrovnik: about 45 minutes by car, plus border crossing time.
• By bus: buses connect Trebinje with Mostar, Sarajevo and Dubrovnik.
• On foot: the old town, market and bridges are easy to explore on foot.
• By car: useful for visiting wineries and monasteries outside the centre.
• Combining destinations: Trebinje pairs well with Dubrovnik, the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro and Mostar.
• Money: the currency is the convertible mark (KM or BAM); euros are sometimes accepted, but carry local cash.

Local Culinary Specialties

• Herzegovinian prosciutto (pršut): air-dried ham, cured by the dry mountain winds.
• Cheese in a sack (sir iz mijeha): a strong, aged cheese matured in sheepskin.
• Vranac and Žilavka wines: the region's signature red and white.
• Lamb under the bell (ispod sača): lamb and potatoes slow-cooked under a metal dome covered with embers.
• Honey: Herzegovina is known for its fragrant sage and wildflower honey, sold at the market.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (April–June): blooming countryside and pleasant temperatures.
• Summer: hot and sunny; enjoy the shade of the plane trees and swim in the river.
• September: the grape harvest and wine festivals.
• Autumn: warm days and golden vineyards.

Conclusion: Plan Your Trip to Trebinje

Trebinje combines Ottoman charm, Orthodox heritage, wine culture and Mediterranean sunshine. Whether you're exploring the old town, visiting the Arslanagić Bridge or tasting wine at Tvrdoš, it's a perfect escape.

Plan ahead: book your wine tours and day trips, and get ready to discover Trebinje.