Just a two-hour drive from Banja Luka, there are attractive excursion spots, which are most beautiful in spring. Near Banja Luka, within a radius of about fifty kilometers, there are lakes, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls that many residents of Banja Luka have never visited.
Even by bike, if you're in top condition, you can reach the
lakes in Manjača, the picturesque Krupe on the Vrbas River, or the ethno
village of Ljubačka Dolina. If biking isn't your thing, you can always go by
car.
Each of these excursion spots is just a half-hour drive from
the center of Banja Luka. If you extend your journey a bit, you can reach
Jajce, Kozara, Janjske Otoke, and you can even go to the end of the world. So,
all it takes is a day off, good mood, and a little fuel in your car for a nice
trip with minimal costs. The Srpskainfo team has selected the top 10
destinations, all within less than 100 kilometers from the city.
Jajce
Jajce boasts as many as 30 monuments protected by the state.
Mills that are over 500 years old, known as "millstones," an
underground church, a fortress that was once considered the strongest in
Bosnia, catacombs, the temple of God Mithra from the 4th century. For lovers of
more recent history and Yugoslav nostalgia, there is also the AVNOJ Museum, the
birthplace of Tito's Yugoslavia. However, natural beauty overshadows all the
monuments created by man. The waterfall in Jajce is listed among the 12 most beautiful
waterfalls in the world and is one of the few located in the city center. And
on the river Pliva and Pliva Lake, you can enjoy nature with local coffee or
delicious food.
Krupa on the Vrbas River
Krupa on the Vrbas River is on the list of the most beautiful
tourist villages in the world. It is located within the territory of the City
of Banja Luka and is only about thirty kilometers away from the center. And
there, on the outskirts of the city, are a hundred wonders. The waterfalls of
the Krupa River and its springs, the monastery, and the 18th-century log
church. Legend has it that this small church in the Krupa hamlet of Tovilovići
was built by Beg Đumišić for his serfs and that he had problems with the Sultan
because of it. The monastery also has its story. The monks from Krupa on the
Vrbas River in the 14th century, fleeing from the Turks, arrived in the
Dalmatian hinterland and founded one of the most beautiful Orthodox monasteries
in present-day Croatia, which is also called Krupa.
Vagan Cave
One of the most beautiful caves in Bosnia and Herzegovina is
located about a hundred kilometers from Banja Luka. It is illuminated,
arranged, and open to tourists. Tourists are fascinated by the magnificent cave
jewelry. Particularly impressive is the Festive Hall, where, according to the
idea of researcher Dr. Radenko Lazarević, weddings and chamber concerts could
be organized because the acoustics are outstanding. There are also the
Shepherd's Hall, Fox Canal, Simele Šolaja Gallery, Janjski Canals, Hall of
Giants. Legends about the cave have been spun among the people for centuries,
which tourist guides will gladly retell. Vagan Cave is located near Šipovo and
is protected by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural and Historical
Heritage of the RS.
Janjske Otoke
Janjske Otoke is also located near Šipovo. The play of
nature on the Janj River has created numerous islands and cascades. This,
according to many, the most beautiful excursion spot in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
welcomes guests with charming messages, such as: "Take off your worries,
slow down, and enjoy." Perhaps there are too many cafes and bungalows in
this magical, but small space, so on weekends, when the weather is nice, it can
be crowded. But that's not the biggest danger. Much more ominous are the
announcements of the construction of small hydroelectric power plants, which
could cause great damage to the Janjske Otoke.
Source of the Pliva River
Again Šipovo, but what can you do when this town at the end
of Krajina is rich in natural beauty, but also gastronomic offerings,
especially trout and Janjska pie. This pie has fed generations of Šipovljani,
so they erected a monument to it in the city center. And when you go from
Šipovo to the source of the Pliva River, at the end of the road, in the village
of Pljeva, there is the "Homestead at the End of the World." As you
stroll through the fairytale landscape, the hostess will prepare a rich feast
for you, including, of course, Janjska pie.
Kozara
The mountain, known for its heroic resistance to the Nazis
in World War II, is one of two national parks in the Republic of Srpska. Its
symbol is the monumental monument on Mrakovica. Kozara National Park offers
visitors walking trails, hiking, and mountain biking, and a particularly
attractive "via ferrata" for an adrenaline-filled climbing
experience. In winter, there is a ski resort here, and throughout the year,
there is accommodation of various kinds, from hotel, to bungalows and mountain
lodge.
Source of the Sana River
Thanks to the efforts of the Center for the Environment in
Banja Luka, the source, or Spring of the Sana, was protected as a natural
monument two years ago. It encompasses three springs of the Sana River, the
lower course of the Korana, and the Mračaj Cave. This gem, located near the
village of Donja Pecka in the municipality of Mrkonjić Grad, is not a mass
tourism destination. There are no cafes or souvenir stalls, just forests and
water so clean you can drink it. Walking paths are well-maintained, and wooden
bridges, benches, shelters, and tables have been installed thanks to EU funds
and local eco-activists.
Zelenkovac and Balkana
A forest, a stream, and a watermill on the stream,
transformed into a painting studio, surrounded by several bungalows and a café.
This is Zelenkovac, an excursion spot near Mrkonjić Grad. This peaceful
eco-ethno zone is the work of the painter Borislav Bora Janković. After walking
through Zelenkovac, you can continue your journey for another four kilometers
to Lake Balkana, where visitors have access to swimming facilities, as well as
fields for football, basketball, handball, and tennis. And there's plenty to
drink and eat.
Manjača
For many, the first association with Manjača is Kočić's
choir, but when the choir commotion and noise pass, what remains is what
Manjača actually is: peace and nature, vast pastures with flocks of sheep. For
gourmets, there are restaurants in Stričići with excellent lamb, and for those
eager for active rest, there is a tourist-recreational complex with a lake at
the Šljivno site. It might be too late for swimming or water skiing, but
there's always something to do in a place like this.
Bliha Waterfall
The attractive waterfall on the Bliha River, a tributary of
the Sana, is located in the heart of the forest and until a few years ago was
quite inaccessible. However, since wooden stairs were built, a pedestrian path
was arranged, and benches for resting were placed, there are more and more
tourists at this site near Sanski Most. The waterfall is 56 meters high, and
the water breaks against the rocks, creating a fascinating sight. Nearby, there
are also several watermills.
Favorites of Robert Dacešin
Robert Dacešin, a resident of Banja Luka who has traveled to
more than 90 countries on five continents, says he included his hometown on the
list of the most beautiful places in Bosnia and the region precisely because of
its magical nature. On his list of the top 10 most beautiful excursion spots
around Banja Luka, Dacešin highlights Balkana Lake and the eco-village Pecka,
located not far from the lake. "This area is particularly magical in
autumn when the mushroom season begins because there are over 1,000 species of
mushrooms that grow here," says Dacešin for Srpskainfo. He also recommends
Krupa on the Vrbas River and Hajdučke Vode on Mount Borja.