Discover Foča: Rivers, Nature and Culture

When planning a stay in Foča, you can give different weight to nature, activities and culture. The municipality includes river landscapes, Dinaric mountain ranges and protected natural areas. In Foča itself, cultural attractions include the Church of Saint Sava and a museum; the medieval burial ground of Mramor is in Vrbica near Foča. If you’re looking for hotels in Foča, it’s worth deciding first which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Rivers and Mountains

The municipality of Foča has 17 rivers and streams, with canyons, clear water and fast-flowing currents. The last 25 kilometres of the Tara River flow through the municipality. Foča is known for rafting on the Tara and Drina; the rivers in the Foča area also offer opportunities for canyoning and kayaking. Fishing is also popular in the municipality’s rivers: the Drina, Tara, Piva, Ćehotina, Sutjeska and Bistrica.

The municipality’s mountain landscape includes the high ranges of the Dinaric Alps: Maglić, Zelengora, Vučevo, Volujak, Bioč and Ljubišnja. These mountains are considered a challenge for hikers and mountaineers. River activities and mountain landscapes therefore offer different focal points when planning your trip.

Protected Areas and Natural Landmarks

The Perućica old-growth forest is located in Sutjeska National Park and covers a protected area of about 1,230 hectares. The 75-metre-high Skakavac Waterfall is in this forest. Here you’ll find both an extensive protected area and a specific waterfall to guide your nature-focused visit.

The earth pyramids are in Pirni Do, at the ninth kilometre of the old road towards Miljevina and Sarajevo. Their natural formation is still ongoing. The location links this natural phenomenon to a specific point along the road.

Activities and Planning in the National Park

A canyoning tour through Hrčavka Canyon in Sutjeska National Park is 13 kilometres long, takes five to six hours and is rated as moderately difficult. Its length, duration and difficulty rating can help you assess the time required and the challenge involved.

In Sutjeska National Park, bicycles can be rented at the tourist information centre, and you can ride along 48 kilometres of paved paths through nature. The central part of the national park is about 20 kilometres from Foča and can be reached via the Belgrade–Višegrad–Foča–Tjentište–Trebinje–Dubrovnik highway.

Culture in Foča and the Surrounding Area

The Church of Saint Sava is in the centre of Foča, on the right bank of the Ćehotina River, and covers 1,500 square metres. A museum in Foča was founded in 1956. Its exhibitions cover the ethnographic collection, the history of Foča, the National Liberation Struggle and Dr. Risto Jeremic; it also has a memorial room for fallen soldiers of the Army of Republika Srpska.

The medieval burial ground of Mramor in Vrbica near Foča is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Stećci – Medieval Tombstone Graveyards” and has the designation 1504-018. It adds a site of medieval heritage in Vrbica to the city’s cultural attractions.

Regional Cuisine

Specialities in the Foča area include veal roasted under a bell—a traditional metal lid—and lamb cooked in milk. This description of local cooking makes food another theme to consider when planning your stay, alongside nature and culture.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Vučja Luka, Doboj, Ponir, Ograde, Dvorovi, Zidine, Kotor Varoš, Lužani.

For the broader travel overview: Republika Srpska.