Neum

Herzegovina’s seaside gem

Bosnia and Herzegovina has 24 kilometers of Adriatic coastline. Located 80 kilometers from Makarska and 66 kilometers from Dubrovnik, shielded from the open sea by Klek and the Pelješac Peninsula, Neum is the only seaside town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Neum was first mentioned in 533, as Neumene. Later, it was a part of the Dubrovnik Republic until 1718, when it was given to the Turks. In 1878, it became a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1918 it was included in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. When the Adriatic coastal road was built passing through the city in 1965, the communist elite began building villas. In 1977, Hotel Neum was built and the city slowly started being recognized as a tourist resort. Today, Neum is not as beautiful as some nearby Croatian cities, but it offers well-priced accommodations and, as is the case almost everywhere on the coast, the Adriatic Sea is crystal-clear and beautiful. It is, for instance, still possible to find lodgings for approximately 20 percent less in Neum as compared to nearby locales in Croatia. Neum has several big, Socialist-era hotels, and many Dalmatian-style houses where you can rent a room. Ston, Makarska, and Dubrovnik are close. You can easily organize a day trip to Pelješac, or catch a ferry from Pelješac to the beautiful islands of Korčula and Mljet. In town, there is a museum with archeological and ethnographic collections and a City Gallery with over 400 paintings. Most are the product of art colonies held in Neum during the past 10 years.

WHEN YOU GO

Train

Neum has no train station. The closest train station is in Ploče (Croatia), 36 kilometers away. There is a regular train line from Sarajevo to Ploče. 

Bus

Address Kralja Tomislava 52. Phone 036 880 396

There is a daily bus line from Sarajevo to Neum. There are buses from Ploče to Neum every hour. There are also regular bus lines from Mostar and Konjic. 

Automobile

This is a tricky one. Bosnia’s only road to Neum is via Hutovo. The road is narrow and windy. If you are driving on the main coastal road, then you will have to enter Croatia at Metković, and then enter Bosnia and Herzegovina again near Klek. Border control is used to this and will usually let you pass without stopping.

Plane

The closest airport is in Mostar, 70 kilometers away. Dubrovnik’s airport is 85 kilometers from Neum.

Tourist Information Center

Address Kralja Tomislava 4. Phone 036 880 117. Hours 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. 

This is the branch office of Tourist Organization of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. It is located at the entrance of town if you are arriving from Mostar. If you are looking for accommodation, they can help with a list of private options.