Trebinje at a glance
Trebinje lies in the Republika Srpska, which is one of the entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the Federation and the Brčko District. You are still in the same country as Mostar, so there is no international border between the two towns.
The town is small and easy to walk. Its center is a walled old town from the Ottoman period. Above it stands the church Hercegovačka Gračanica, and a few kilometers west lies Tvrdoš Monastery with its wine cellars. The city's own website comes in a Latin and a Cyrillic version, so you may meet both scripts.
This guide is independent. It is not run by the city, the tourist board or any monastery. Prices in Bosnia are in convertible marks (KM, or BAM), fixed at 1 euro = 1.95583 KM.
The old town of Trebinje
A walled Ottoman core in the middle of the town.
Walls and streets
The old town is walled, and its walls run along the river. Plan a slow walk through the lanes rather than a list of sights.
Osman Pasha Mosque
The city names the Osman Pasha Mosque as part of the center. Dress modestly if you want to look inside, and ask on the spot whether visitors can enter.
Cafés and restaurants
The city lists the old town as a place to eat and drink. It is the natural spot for a break between the sights. We do not name single restaurants here, because menus and prices change.
Trebinje tours and day trips
Guided trips to Trebinje and the wider Herzegovina region, with live prices and availability.
Hercegovačka Gračanica
The church Hercegovačka Gračanica stands on the hill Crkvina above the town. It is the burial place of Jovan Dučić, whose remains were brought from the United States in 2000. Treat it as a church and a memorial rather than a medieval original.
Dress modestly and keep your voice low. Ask on site when the church is open, because opening times for religious sites can change.
Tvrdoš Monastery and wine
Tvrdoš stands on the right bank of the Trebišnjica, west of the town. The tourist board gives the distance as 5 km and the city's website as 4.5 km, so count on about 5 km. The tourist board lists opening hours of 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and weekends. Check the hours before you go on a holiday or in winter.
The monastery cellars are a known place to taste wine. The tourist board says Vranac ages in the old stone cellar, and a modern cellar stands next to it. Ask about tasting prices and booking when you arrive. If you drive, leave the glass to someone else.
Dress modestly and behave as you would in any working monastery. Tvrdoš is outside the town, so plan how you will get there before you set out.
Arslanagić Bridge
The Arslanagić Bridge, also called the Perović bridge, dates from 1574 according to the tourist board's brochure. It was moved because of a hydropower and reservoir project and now stands near Trebinje.
Go there as a short stop, not a half-day trip. Combine it with Tvrdoš or the old town.
Wine cellars
Wine is one reason people come to Trebinje. The cellars of Tvrdoš Monastery are the main address in this guide. If you plan to visit wineries, call ahead to ask about tasting fees and booking.
For where to sleep in a small town like this, our page on where to stay explains the areas.
A day in Trebinje
One way to order the sights.
Morning: old town
Start in the walled old town while the lanes are quiet. Take a coffee break in the old town.
Midday: Gračanica
Go up to Crkvina to see Hercegovačka Gračanica and the grave of Jovan Dučić.
Afternoon: Tvrdoš and wine
Plan the monastery for the afternoon, well before 19:00, when it closes. Ask about a tasting in the cellars. Add the Arslanagić Bridge if you still have time.
If you arrive from Mostar, read our Mostar guide for the larger sights of the region.
More places in Herzegovina
Ideas for the rest of your trip.
Trebinje: frequently asked questions
Is Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Yes. It lies in the Republika Srpska, one of the entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is no international border between Trebinje and Mostar.
What are the opening hours of Tvrdoš Monastery?
The tourist board lists 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and weekends. Check the hours before a visit on a holiday or in winter.
How far is Tvrdoš from Trebinje?
The tourist board says 5 km and the city's website says 4.5 km. Count on about 5 km.
Can I taste wine at Tvrdoš?
The monastery cellars are listed as a place to taste wine, with Vranac ageing in an old stone cellar. Ask about tasting prices and booking on arrival.
What is the Arslanagić Bridge?
A bridge dated to 1574 by the tourist board's brochure. It was moved because of a hydropower and reservoir project and now stands near Trebinje.