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Voykit pocket guide · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vareš
Day trip from Sarajevo (1 h by car) to see historic sites; no overnight needed unless you want to explore further.
Vareš is a small mining town 50 km southeast of Sarajevo, known for its medieval monuments and Bronze‑Age sites. A half‑day visit covers the main sights; add a night if you prefer a relaxed pace or want to explore the surrounding countryside.
- Country
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, occasional thunderstorms)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BAM
- Money
- Currency is the convertible mark (BAM, KM). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants; bakeries, markets, taxis and guesthouses often want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget KM 40–70 excl. bed · Mid KM 70–120 excl. bed · High KM 120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- BH Telecom, m:tel and HT Eronet sell prepaid SIMs at kiosks and shops; passport needed.
- Emergency
- General emergency 112 · Police 122
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European two-pin.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: About 10% for good service.; Taxi: Round up.; Guide: 10–20 KM per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in cities; Sarajevo's public fountains (česma) are drinkable. Ask in rural areas.
- Toilets
- Cafés for customers; mosque ablution areas are not public toilets. Bring coins (0.50–1 KM) for bus station toilets.
Get in
By air
- SJJ · Sarajevo International Airport
- Nearest airport, about 50 km (31 mi); no direct bus to Vareš — rent a car or take a taxi (check)Nearest airport, about 31 mi (50 km); no direct bus to Vareš — rent a car or take a taxi (check)
Typical fares
- Sarajevo → Vareš by car/taxi
- ≈12 km (7.5 mi), 1 h, about 12 KM (check)≈7.5 mi (12 km), 1 h, about 12 KM (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car or taxi from Sarajevo (≈1 h). Local buses run infrequently; walking between monuments in the town centre is easy.
See and do
Known for
- Medieval royal town of Bobovac
- Parish church in Vareš
- Necropolis with stećak tombstones
- Archaeological area Dabravine
- Historic forge pits in Očevlje
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bobovac royal town | Walk from Vareš centre, about 15 min | ≈30 min total |
| Dabravine archaeological site | Local road, 5 km (3.1 mi) north, 10 min by carLocal road, 3.1 mi (5 km) north, 10 min by car | ≈40 min total |
Sleep
- Vareš centre
- Guesthouses and small hotels; suitable for a single night if desired.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Izviniteiz‑vee‑nee‑te |
| Thank you | Hvalahvah‑la |
| How much is it? | Koliko košta?koh‑lee‑ko koh‑sh‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | Gdje je toalet?gdye yeh toh‑ah‑let |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'dobar dan', 'merhaba' or 'selam' in Sarajevo; avoid: Assuming everyone is Muslim or everyone is Serb
- Coffee invitation: Accept and sit; it is hospitality; avoid: Rushing off after one sip
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring sweets or coffee; avoid: Refusing all food
- Mosques: Cover up, shoes off, quiet; avoid: Walking in front of people praying
- Politics: Ask about daily life and let people lead; avoid: Declaring who was right in the war
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited public transport; plan a car or taxi.
- Some sites have limited opening hours in winter – check locally.
Generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas and follow local traffic rules.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Vareš yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Medieval royal town of Bobovac
- Parish church in Vareš
- Necropolis with stećak tombstones
- Archaeological area Dabravine
- Historic forge pits in Očevlje
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Vareš, revision 5281101 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5281101
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/vares). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.