Banja Luka City Tour – Explore the Capital of Krajina on a Full Day Tour

Welcome to second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For centuries Banja Luka was known for its amazing architecture, rich history and incredible nature diversity. We will start our tour with a freshly squeezed juice at famous Banja Luka raft and enjoy the views of calming Vrbas river. During this time, we shall get to know each other, and after short briefing, our journey is ready to start.

>Meet and greet at one of famous Banja Luka rafts for fresh juice or local coffee.

We will continue with a nice and easy stroll in Banja Luka streets and explore its symbols which will help us soak up the atmosphere of the city and learn about its incredibly rich history which shaped an amazing mentality.

• Kastel Fortress
  We will explore the vast space in hundreds shades of bushy green and stone grey and walk the walls of the most recognizable Banja Luka’s symbol. Kastel Fortres is the oldest historical monument in the city.

>Banja Luka Kastel fort and Vrbas river

• Ferhadija Mosque
  Our next stop will be stunningly beautiful Ferhadija Mosque. According to a legend, people who worked on the construction were sentenced to death so they could never be able to make something so beautiful.

>Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka; In the Mosque’s courtyard lies the Ali-pasha’s tomb.

• Park Petar Kočić
  Easy walk through Banja Luka’s most beautiful park dating back from 1931 will guide us to a broken memorial city clock (a crooked clock) which will help us learn the story of devastating earthquake the city suffered in 1969.
• Gospodska Street
  We will continue our walk through a main walking street of Banja Luka, Gospodska Street (Gentleman’s Street), known for its numerous Neo-Renaissance buildings and beautiful decorated balconies.
• Ukrainian Church
  This vibrantly blue parish will show that Banja Luka indeed is an epitome of religious diversity. The church was founded and built in 1931 due to Ukrainians immigration to the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• The Cathedral of Christ the Savior
  Grandiose Holy Trinity Church will welcome us with its beautiful red and yellow travertine stones. We will learn about the original building which was dating back from 1929 and was completely demolished by people of Banja Luka, brick by brick during the WWII.

>The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is located in the very centre of Banja Luka and is one of the most important historical monuments of this city.

• Cathedral of St. Bonaventure
  This is one of four Roman Catholic cathedrals in Bosnia. With its hyper-modernist and almost futuristic architecture this church will give us an incredible insight into Catholic catholic community of the city but, at the same time, a place where we will learn more about Yugoslavia and brutalism.

Vrbas river is an inevitable part of Banja Luka experience and what better way of fully experiencing its powerfulness could be than joining a world’s unique dajak ride.

Just like the famous Venetian gondola, Dajak is a type of boat specifically created for the shallow but powerful Vrbas river making Banja Luka the only city in the world offering such experience.

While today being the most important tourist attraction of the city, earlier this specific vessel served for commercial purposes and transfers of goods over a 15 kms route through the urban part of the city of Banja Luka.

>Dajak has a very specific appearance and is completely adapted to fast river Vrbas making it able to go upstream and manage strong rapids which are easily mastered by a dajak driver.

After the ride we will head for a lunch and taste the finest Banjalučki ćevapi. Made in very traditional way, Banjalučki ćevapi are similar but very different to its “relatives” in Sarajevo, Travnik or Mostar.

Vegeterian and vegan options are available as well.

After the lunch we will head towards Banja Luka’s most famous tourist and recreation place, Banj Brdo formerly known as Šehitluci (Sehit, Turkish: Hero). 45 minutes of hike (for those who are less into a nice and easy walk, we can arrange a drive with a panorama bus) will take us to a 431 m high top of the hill known for its monumental construction dedicated to the fallen Krajina soldiers.

The short hike through an alley surrounded by dense forest will reveal some amazing panoramic views over the city of Banja Luka before we reach the monument. Besides being rich in flora and fauna, walking and hiking trails, sources of drinking water and well-kept places for rest and leisure, this resort is a home to the monument complex of special historical and ambient value.

>We will explore the stunning construction of memorial monument to the fallen Krajišniks which symbolically resembles a bullet fired in the direction of Krajina. The monument is a work of the famous Yugoslav sculptor Antun Augustinčić and, in a series of paintings, shows the struggle and suffering off the Krajišniks in World War II.

After some nice walks, we will take a well deserved rest and visit one of the most popular Banja Lukas destinations, a beach where the hot water of the spring encounter the cold Vrbas.

Place is located about 5 kms from the centre of Banja Luka, at the foot of Banj hill and, as a matter of fact, represents the oldest city district. Locals believe that the name of Banja Luka actually derived from this place, due to the large number of spas (Bos. Banja: Spa).

We will find numerous hot mineral water springs at this place and have a refreshments and snacks while hanging out with the locals. 

>Vručica is an spa under the open sky where warm water from spring meets the cold Vrbas river.

Tour is scheduled to last around 5 to 6 hours, with return to Banja Lukle being in afternoon hours. The drop off in Banja Luka will take place according to the guests choice.