Several themes come together in Čapljina: the Neretva, the Hutovo Blato wetland and buildings from different periods. To plan your trip, you can first consider whether you are especially interested in water activities, birdlife or history.
Rivers, wetlands and canoe tours
The Neretva flows for 21.6 kilometres through the territory of the Čapljina municipality. Hutovo Blato lies within the municipalities of Čapljina and Stolac and is considered one of the largest bird wintering grounds in Europe. So, alongside the river, an important wetland and its birdlife are central to the area’s natural attractions.
At Hutovo Blato, sightseeing tours of the lakes and canals are offered by motorboat; canoes are also available for rent for birdwatching. If you plan to take up either of these offers, confirm availability before your trip. This lets you make birdwatching a focus in its own right, while a motorboat tour takes in the lakes and canals.
On Čapljinka’s “Canoe Safari” tour, the 10-kilometre route runs from Božjak to Struga, using two-person tourist canoes. Another tour called “Canoe Safari” is offered on the Trebižat. Swimming is available at selected stretches of the river; seasonal conditions may affect this. Lunch can also be ordered on a “Canoe Safari” tour and is served outdoors. Confirm the tour details before your trip and the meal arrangements before booking.
History in the townscape
The building that once stood on today’s town square in the centre of Čapljina was a railway station. After it was demolished in 1998, four plane trees were left as a reminder of the former narrow-gauge railway. This historic connection shapes a central spot in the town, while older buildings can be seen in other parts of the townscape.
The historic district of Čapljina I retains the outlines of the old settlement, with narrow streets and courtyards. Gradina is the oldest part of Čapljina, dates from the Turkish period and has an Oriental-Herzegovinian character. The two descriptions offer different insights into the town’s historic character: the preserved streets and courtyards on the one hand, and Gradina’s historically shaped identity on the other.
Buildings and cultural heritage
Počitelj is a historic urban complex in the municipality of Čapljina. Its character is shaped by surviving medieval and Ottoman fortifications and buildings; Počitelj is on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. Stari most Klepci is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to historical sources, it was built in 1517.
Mogorjelo represents another period: it is considered one of the finest examples of Late Antique architecture in Herzegovina and includes the remains of a suburban villa rustica from the 4th century. Gabela is a national cultural monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The features described there include the remains of an old fortress and a stone slab bearing a winged lion.
The Cape Tower on the Krupa River, also known as Rt Kula, is an Ottoman-era fortification in the settlement of Dračevo in the municipality of Čapljina. It has been declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Štangerova ćuprija, in turn, is an iron bridge in the village of Sjekose within the municipality of Čapljina, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Together with the historic townscapes, these buildings represent different forms of cultural heritage, without sharing the same historic purpose or construction method.
Festivals and music
The International Summer Carnival in Čapljina has been held continuously since 1997 and traditionally takes place every August. If you are planning a trip for the occasion, check the dates and programme for the year in question. The XIX International Klapa Festival “Trebižat” took place in the village of Trebižat in 2026. This traditional cultural and music festival continues a tradition spanning almost two decades of bringing klapa ensembles together and nurturing klapa singing. For a future edition, check its dates and programme.
Discover more destinations: Počitelj, Polje Bijela, Stolac, Konjic, Višići, Ježeprosina, Lakševine, Čitluk.
For the main travel overview: Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
