CITY ON THE VRBAS CAPTIVATES TOURISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Banja Luka is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers, as confirmed by recent data from the Banja Luka Tourist Organization. In the first six months of the year, the number of visitors rose by 10 percent, while overnight stays increased by 13 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to the Tourist Organization, the largest city of Republika Srpska recorded 61,163 tourist arrivals and 93,035 overnight stays in the first half of the year. These figures reflect only registered tourists staying in hotels, motels, and guesthouses.

The statistics also confirm the continuing trend of foreign tourists showing great interest in the "city on the Vrbas."

In June alone, Banja Luka welcomed 12,244 tourists – 9,092 foreign and 3,152 domestic – who accounted for a total of 19,146 overnight stays.

“The majority of tourists still come from neighboring countries, primarily Serbia, Slovenia, and Croatia, just like in previous years. However, visitors have also arrived from Germany, Austria, Italy, Montenegro, the United States, Switzerland, China, Hungary, Malta, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Poland, North Macedonia, Russia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Turkey, and France,” the organization reported.

Although more detailed statistics by country of residence are only available annually, last year’s data showed that most foreign visitors came from Serbia (30.33%), followed by Slovenia (19.90%) and Croatia (12.76%). These three countries accounted for 63% of foreign tourist arrivals in Banja Luka – a figure close to the pre-pandemic level of 59.1% recorded in 2019.

A similar trend is expected this year.

When it comes to the most visited tourist sites, the organization highlights several key attractions in the city: the Kastel Fortress, the Christ the Savior Orthodox Cathedral, the Ferhadija Mosque, Gospodska Street, the Banja Luka City Hall, and the Banski Dvor Cultural Center.

Beyond the city center, tourists are drawn to thermal springs in Srpske Toplice, the easternmost Trappist monastery in Europe, and Banj Brdo – a scenic lookout point and memorial site.

“In addition, the Museum of the Republic of Srpska and the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Republic of Srpska are also among the must-visit spots. The city offers numerous events, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Just outside Banja Luka, visitors can explore the ethno-village ‘Ljubačke doline,’ Krupa na Vrbasu with its waterfalls, watermills, monastery, and lake on Manjača. In the wider region, highlights include the royal city of Jajce, Kozara National Park, wineries, distilleries, spas, and more,” the Tourist Organization concluded.