Banja Luka is a picturesque city in the western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the administrative capital and the largest city of Republika Srpska, and the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Banja Luka or Banjaluka, is the second largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the de facto capital of the Republika Srpska entity.
Traditionally, it has been the centre of the Bosanska Krajina region, located in the northwestern part of the country. According to the 2013 census, Banja Luka has 185,042 inhabitants.
It is home of the University of Banja Luka as well as numerous state and entity institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city lies on the river Vrbas and is well known in the countries of the former Yugoslavia for being full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens and parks.
Banja Luka covers some 96.2 km2 (37.1 sq mi) of land in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the Vrbas River. The city is located at 44.78°N 17.19°E. Banja Luka's downtown is at 163 m (534.78 ft) above sea level, surrounded by hills.
The source of the Vrbas River is about 90 km (56 mi) to the south. The tributary rivers Suturlija, Crkvena, and Vrbanja flow into the Vrbas at Banja Luka. Banja Luka has also a number of springs close by.
The area around Banja Luka is mostly woodland, although there are mountains a little further from the city. The city itself is built in the Banja Luka valley, which is located at the transition between high and low mountain areas.
The most notable of these mountains are Manjaca (1,214 m), Cemernica (1,338 m), and Tisovac. These are all part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range.
On 26 and 27 October 1969, two devastating earthquakes - 6.0 and 6.4 on the Richter scale damaged many buildings in Banja Luka. Around 20 to 23 people were killed, and over a thousand injured.
A large building called Titanik in the centre of the town was razed to the ground, and the area was later turned into a central public square.
With contributions from all over Yugoslavia, Banja Luka was repaired and rebuilt. That was a period when a large Serb population moved to the city from the surrounding villages, and from more distant areas in Herzegovina.
During the 1990s, the city underwent considerable changes when the Bosnian War broke out. Upon the declaration of Bosnian-Herzegovinian independence and the establishment of the Republika Srpska, Banja Luka became the de facto centre of the entity's politics.
Nearly all of Banja Luka's Croats and Bosniaks were expelled during the war and all of the city's 16 mosques including the Ferhat Pasha Mosque were destroyed. A court ruling resulted in the authorities of Banja Luka having to pay $42 million for the destruction of the mosques.
Later, an estimated 40,000 Serbs from Croat and Bosniak dominated areas of Bosnia, having been exiled from their homes, settled in Banja Luka.
However, the Banja Luka district court later overturned the ruling stating that the claims had exceeded a three-year statute of limitations. The Bosniak community vowed to appeal against the decision.
On 7 May 2001, several thousand Serb nationalists attacked a group of Bosniaks and members of the diplomatic corps attending a ceremony of marking the reconstruction of the historic 16th-century Ferhadija mosque.
There were indications of police collaboration. More than 30 individuals were injured during the attack, and on 26 May, Murat Badic, who had been in a coma after the attack, died from head injuries. Fourteen Bosnian Serb nationalists were jailed for starting the riots.
The 2013 census in Bosnia indicated a population of 185,042, overwhelmingly Serbs. During the war from 1992-95 some 60,000 people, mostly Bosniaks and Croats, left Banja Luka.
Ethnic composition in Banja Luka
- Serbs: 165,750
- Bosniaks: 7,681
- Croats: 5,104
- Others: 6,507
- Total: 185,042
Religious composition in Banja Luka
- Serbian Orthodox Church: 168,985
- Islam: 10,526
- Roman Catholic Church: 4,842
- Agnostic: 412
- Atheist: 855
- Others: 4,422
- Total: 190042
Banja Luka plays an important role on different levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina's government structures. Banja Luka is the centre of the government for the Municipality of Banja Luka.
A number of entity and state institutions are seated in the city. The Republika Srpska Government and the National Assembly are based in Banja Luka.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina State Agencies based in the city include the Indirect Taxation (VAT) Authority, the Deposit Insurance Agency as well as a branch of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina formerly the National Bank of Republika Srpska.
Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Serbia, the United Kingdom and the United States maintain diplomatic representation through consulates-general in Banja Luka.
In 1981 Banja Luka's GDP per capita was 97% of the Yugoslav average.
Although the city itself was not directly affected by the Bosnian war in the early 1990s, its economy was. In this period Banja Luka fell behind the world in key areas such as technology, resulting in a rather stagnant economy. However, in recent years, the financial services sector has gained in importance in the city.
In 2002, the trading began on the newly established Banja Luka Stock Exchange. The number of companies listed, the trading volume and the number of investors have increased significantly.
A number of big companies such as Telekom Srpske, Rafinerija ulja Modrica, Banjalucka Pivara and Vitaminka are all listed on the exchange and are traded regularly. Investors, apart from those from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, now include a number of investment funds from the EU, and from Norway, the United States, Japan and China.
A number of financial services regulators, such as the Republika Srpska Securities Commission and the RS Banking Agency are headquartered in Banja Luka.
This, along with the fact that some of the major banks in Bosnia, the Deposit Insurance Agency and the value-added tax (VAT) authority are all based in the city, has helped Banja Luka establish itself as a major financial centre of the country.
The Museum of Republika Srpska inherited the Ethnographic Museum established in 1930, and broadened its setting with collections of archeology, history, art history and nature.
The Museum of Modern Art of Republika Srpska, also called MSURS, the Museum of Contemporary Art, displays exhibitions of both domestic and worldwide artists.
Banja Luka is home to the National Theatre and National Library, both dating from the first half of the 20th century, and of numerous other theatres.
The headquarters of the Archives of Republika Srpska is situated in the building known as Carska kuca or Imperial House, built around 1880. It has been in continuous public use longer than any other structure in Banja Luka.
One of the most famous cultural sites in Banja Luka is the cultural centre of Banski Dvor or Halls of the Ban, built in the 1930s as the residence for the Bans of the Vrbas Banovina.
In the city there are many Cultural Artistic Associations. The oldest is CAA Pelagic founded 1927, one of the oldest institutions of this kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Banja Luka has one major football stadium and several indoor sports halls. The local handball, basketball and football teams bear the traditional name Borac meaning fighter.
The three football teams from Banja Luka are Borac Banja Luka - 2010/2011 season champions of Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BSK Banja Luka, and Omladinac Banja Luka - both in the First League of the Republika Srpska, FK Naprijed Banja Luka and FK Vrbas Banja Luka
Borac Banja Luka is the most popular football club in the Republika Srpska. The club has won several major trophies in its history such as trophies as a champion of Mitropa Cup, Yugoslav Cup, Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Cup, First League of the Republika Srpska, Republic Srpska Cup. They have participated in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
The city has a long tradition of handball. RK Borac Banjaluka was the European Champion in 1976, the European Vice-Champion in 1975 and the winner of the IHF Cup in 1991.
Recently, tennis has taken on a bigger role in the city. The local tennis tournament, Memorijal Trive Vujica, has become professional and has been awarded ATP status in 2001, with the rank of a Challenger. The Banja Luka Challenger takes place in September each year.
In 2005, the European Championships in Rafting were held on the Vrbas river. In 2006, the Davis Cup matches of the Europe/Africa Zone Group III took place in the city. Since 2015, the city hosts the Banjaluka Half-marathon.
Public transportation within Banja Luka is exclusively operated by the bus services. Over thirty bus lines connect downtown with the rest of the city and its suburbs. The oldest bus link in the city is line No 1. Taxis are also readily available.
The expressway E-661 that is locally known as M-16 leads north to Croatia from Banja Luka by way of Gradiska, near the Bosnian/Croatian border.
A wide range of bus services are available to most neighbouring and larger towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to regional and European destinations such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and Slovakia.
Banja Luka is the hub of the railway services of Zeljeznice Republike Srpske, comprising one half of the railway network of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Services operate to most northern Bosnian towns, and two modern air-conditioned Talgo trains run to Sarajevo every day.
However, services are relatively slow and infrequent compared with neighbouring countries.
Banja Luka International Airport is located 23 km (14 mi) north of Banja Luka. The airport is served by Air Serbia, which operates flights to Belgrade and summer charters to Antalya, while Ryanair operates flight to Brussels, Memmingen and Stockholm. There is also Banja Luka Zaluzani Airfield, a small airstrip.
Banja Luka has a continental climate, with harsh winters and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 21.3 C (70 F). The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures average near freezing at 0.8 C (33 F).
Annual precipitation for Banja Luka is about 988 mm. Banja Luka has an average of 143 rainy days a year. Due to the city's high altitude, it snows in Banja Luka almost every year as well. Strong winds come from the north and northeast.
In Banja Luka, the capital of the Republika Srpska the local language is Serbian. In Republika Srpska official languages are also Croatian and Bosnian. Although, these languages are virtually the same.
There are direct bus connections from the main bus station to:
- Bosnia: Sarajevo, Sipovo, Prijedor, Bosansko Gradiska, Bosansko Grahovo, Trebinje, Prijedor, Teslic, Banja Vrucica, Novi Grad, Gornji Graci, Visegrad, Bihac.
- Austria: Vienna, Linz
- Croatia: Zagreb, Makarska, Pula, Split, Zadar, Rijeka
- Denmark: Copenhagen
- France: Paris, Lyon.
- Germany: Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Ingolstadt, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Pforzheim, Stuttgart and Ulm
- Montenegro: Igalo, Podgorica
- Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Maastricht.
- Serbia: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Sombor, Zrenjanin, Nis, Subotica
- Sweden: Stockholm
- Switzerland: Zurich, Luzern
International bus companies driving for instance from Zagreb via Banja Luka to Sarajevo (Croatia Bus) are not allowed to take passengers for a domestic route. You won't be able to buy tickets for these buses, no exceptions made.
Buses to Sarajevo leave from the main bus station approximately four times a day. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, and costs around 31 KM.
Banja Luka International Airport, 23km (14.3 miles) from the city. Flights from Belgrade with Air Serbia five times per week. Connecting flights to other cities in Europe are also offered. There are some charter flights from Gothenburg scheduled for late December and early January.
Ryanair flights are connected by bus to Banja Luka center for 5 euro. Bus to aeroport goes from Stara stanica at 17:00 for flight at 19:50. A taxi to Banja Luka will cost around 40-50KM.
As an alternative you can take a minibus transfer from the old bus staton or stare autobuske, leaving at 13.30. The minibus transfer from the airport to the old bus station leaves daily at 15.30. The journey takes about 20 minutes and cost 10KM.
There is no ATM on the airport. Wireless Internet is free of charge.
The train and bus station is located about 2 km northeast of the center. By summer 2018, the city had connections with: Doboj (6 trains daily, 2h), Zenica and Sarajevo (2 daily, 3.5/5h), Prijedor and Novi Grad (5 daily, 1/2 h), and Bihac (1 daily, 3.5 h).
From March 2017 there are no international trains anymore to/from Zagreb or/from Belgrade.
You can have your bike fixed a la minute at the Bike Servis Shop, in the Ul. Gunduliceva 104 - next to the football stadion. Another bike shop is 5 doors down in the row of buildings.
The tourist office owns fifteen rental bicycles, which are maintained by the above bike shop. Rental: 1 KM/hour, or 15 KM/day.
Rentacar Omega: Ul. 1 Krajiskog Korpusa 58. 60KM per day, 55KM if longer then 3 days, etc.
There are many historic things to see in the city of Banja Luka.
Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure Built in 1887, the 1969 earthquake leveled the church. The Roman Catholic cathedral was built in 1974.
Christ the Saviour Cathedral This Orthodox Christian church was originally built in 1929 is in the city's center. After being destroyed in the 2nd World War, it has been reconstructed in 2004 and it is one of the most beautiful churches in the region.
Banski Dvor or Governor’s Palace in center of the city. Built in 1930's. A concert hall and gallery. This is the main cultural center.
Monastery of Gomionica built before 1536 near Banja Luka. Monastery has the collection of ancient icons from 18th century.
Ferhat-Pasha Mosque or Ferhat-pasina dzamija, also called Ferhadija mosque. This example of Islamic 16th century architecture was built during the time of the Ottoman rule. Built in 1579 it has a central fountain called Shaderwan, stone and iron fence.
It is built in the classical Ottoman style. Ferhadija was listed as a cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1950. Later it was protected by UNESCO until destroyed in 1993 and reconstructed in 2015.
Kastel fortress on the bank of the Vrbas river with history up to Roman ages.
The Trapist monastery, close to Pivara Banjaluka. The monastery is the only trapist monastery in the Western Balkans and it was reopened in 2008. It is known for its home-made wines and cheese. Address: Slatinska 1 on the road to Slatina.
Gospodska street Actually Veselin Maslesa street, is the main street of city with shops, offices and cafes. Recommended time to visit, because of its liveliness, is during day on Saturdays whole day, and between 12h and 14h on workdays. During evenings visit on Fridays and Sundays or each day in the case of nice weather.
Dom Omladine, Đure Danicica 1. The youth centre run by the local youth council, with regular concerts, performances, expo's, workshops, etc.
Banja Luka is a city with the rich night life. The best place for night occasion is Kruna club at the top of merchant building in Gospodska street. Others are Opium in basement of hotel Bosna, cafe Focus in bottom of Gospodska street.
Boom Boom Room, Veselina Maslese 15-17, Gospodska ulica. In a town where folk music is a general trend,Boom Boom Room is the first club in Banja Luka offering unique,world-like atmosphere,playing exclusively DJ electronic music. Located in the very heart of the city,open W-Sa
Demofest klub (DFK), Patre 5 entrance across the street from Kastel. offers a colourfull programme with diverse music, live gigs from various bands, all genres of music except folk, decent afterparties and average drink prices.
Market, Knjasa Milosa, Right next to the bus station. 8-14h. The market, close to the bus- and train station is worth your while.
Seems to be coming straight from the countryside, each day of the week in the morning you can buy everything you need there, from vegetables to hardware to second hand frezers. On Sunday cars are on sale - and an occasional French-plated Mercedes, on Tuesdays livestock.
Take a Dajak tour over the Vrbas from Zeleni, 20 KM/ one person; 25 KM/two persons, 30 KM/three persons, maximum: three persons for one boat
Multipleks Palas (Cinema), Trg Krajina underneath Boska. Cinema Palas with your fair amount of blockbusters and some local movies.
Restoran Slap - Swim, Novoselija. Go to the east shore of the Vrbas, and continue the road all the way south until you come in Novoselija. Restuarant Slap - Waterfall lies next to a small barrage in the Vrbas and it is excellent swimming there on summer days if the water is not too high.
Charitable organization Duga, Kralja Petra I Karadordevica 88, between the Government building and the Tobacco Factory, sharing the yard with a kindergarden. If you are interested in the traditional arts and crafts of the region, Duga can offer fantastic learning opportunities to you.
Contact Duga and arrange a visit where you can watch and learn from local crafts people as they conduct live demonstrations of a wide range of handicrafts including weaving, crocheting, embroidery and knitting. You will be able to have a hands on experience and a chance to learn new skills in the process.
Demofest is festival of alternative music, usually lasting three days, consisting of two different parts: each evening there is a contest of demo bands, with two semifinal nights and the finals, which are held on the third day of the festival, and concerts of bands with more reputation following each part of the contest.
Banjalukanima - Animaton films, October
Kratkofil - Festival of short films in summer
Neofest - Pop music, organised from Dom Omladine
The local currency is the Convertible Mark (KM), which is tied to the Euro at a rate of 1KM to 0.51129E. Convertible Mark coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 1, 2, 5 Marks while banknotes come in 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Marks.
Many establishments especially hotels accept Euros notes only. ATMs are all over the place with MasterCard, Visa and other offshoots being accepted. Credit Cards such as Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club are readily accepted by larger establishments all over the country.
When changing money, it is best to ask for small bills as shops often are hard-pressed for change. Traveler cheques can be readily changed at Raiffeisen and Zagrebacka Banks.
Near the fortress in the center of the city there is a market, where you will be able to find every kind of products. In the main town square there is a big shopping mall, Boska, which has a wide variety of stores.
Also, in the main pedestrian street you will find a lot of renowned stores, from food to clothing designer and sports stores.
It is not compulsory to tip in Banja Luka, though a reward of about 10% for good service in restaurant or bar is always appreciated.
You can get local, handicraft souvenirs for example at the shop of association the Duga. All items there are made of natural materials by traditional technologies, and are decorated with ornaments from original traditional clothing from the area of Dinara.
Their collection contains: ethno souvenirs, decorative products and clothing. Address: Etnoradionica, Duga, Kralja Petra I Karadordevica 88, the same street as the city hall.
All of the handicrafts are produced in an ethical manner and by purchasing them you will help Duga to continue providing aid to all of its beneficiaries and support to other local humanitarian projects.
Nedeljni rucak
If you like meat, you'll love Banja Luka. Meat is a standard for any meal. However, there is still lots of interesting meals you can make do if you are a vegetarian.
Serbs generally eat their largest meal, rucak, in the late afternoon, often as a family, so foreign travelers seeking something approximating a western lunch may have to look a little harder for an establishment serving mid-day meals.
Most popular traditional dishes:
Cevapi - small meat sausages from beef. They are usually served with fresh onions and a bun called Lepina. Cevapi usually come in pointer finger size sausages and are offered by five or ten pieces, although the variety commonly found in Banja Luka or Banjalucki cevap usually consists of quadrangular pieces of meat.
Teletina - is veal, usually served in cutlets. Veal in B&H is not produced by locking calves in a cage to ensure softer meat.
Janjetina - lamb grilled over an open fire.
Musaka - a meat pie made of minced beef, very similar to shepherds pie.
Filovane paprike - fried peppers stuffed with minced meat and spices.
Prsut - air dried ham, similar to Italian proscuitto.
Suho Meso - smoked beef.
Sarma - meat and rice rolled in cabbage or grape leaves.
Ispod Saca - similar to Dutch oven. A metal dish is placed on hot coals, the food is placed in the dish and covered by a lid which is then completely covered in hot coals and left to bake.
Vlasicki Sir - similar to Travnicki cheese. It is a highland cheese from the mountain villages on Vlasic Mountain in central Bosnia.
Mladi Sir - Cottage cheese. It has a soft texture and is unsalted. Often times it is served with a cream sauce on top. It is very healthy.
Kajmak - is analogous to clotted cream in the UK. The top layer of fat skimmed from milk, it is creamy and extremely tasty. Kajmak and Ustipak a doughnut type roll is a wonderful appetizer.
Iz mjeha - sheep milk poured into a specially sewn sheep skin 'bag'. After a time the dry cheese is taken out of the skin container and the result is a strong, dry cheese that resembles real Parmesan.
Restaurants in Banja Luka
Restoran-Bar Mala stanica KRALJA PETRA I KARADORDEVICA bb, Next to the Government building.
Restoran Master. Mexican Food.
Restoran Sirano
Restoran Ognjiste, Josifa Pancica br.2. Ethna Food, Serbian National Food, Ethno Shop.
Restoran Borac, Vidovdanska 53 at Football stadium.
Restoran Lovački Bar, Slatinska 37.
Restoran Obala,Jesenjinova 26 on the River Vrbas.
Kod Muje is by many, the place with best cevapcici in city.
La Pastaria, Bana Milosavljevica 34. 9-12; Sa 10-22; Su 12-20. a moderate selection of pasta and Mexican-inspired dishes, with several salad options as well.
Agi Pasta Away, Aleja Svetog Save 2. 8-22 Mo-Sa. basic pasta dishes with various sauces and accompaniments.
Kazamat in one of the cellars of the old Tvrdjava Kastel, with English menu's, decent wine, several vegetarian alternatives - only part of the Tropic Club-chain. approximately 50 Km for three course meal with drinks. Open daily 11-23h.
Integra Restaurant on the 14th floor of the RTRS building, build by the Integra company for the Integra company, right next to the building of the Vlada or the governemnt of the RS. You might be sitting next to President Dodik signing oil deals with the Russians.
Citadela, in Gospodska street, the main shopping street. On the ground floor a cake and coffee shop, in the basement a traditional restuarant, and on the first floor another. Good quality.
Mala Stanica; the old train station, now right at the foot of the Vlada building. European style, amazing souffles. Kralja Petra I.
Rakia or Rakija is considered to be a national drink. Its alcohol content is normally 40%, but home-produced rakia can be a tongue burner, typically 50 to 60%.
Frequently used as a common drink at all celebrations, birthdays, holy holidays, slava the Orthodox christian custom of honoring a patron saint and even funerals. Common flavors are slivovitz, traditionally made from plums and lozova, which is made from grapes.
But, you can also distill from pears, peaches, apricots, apples, figs and cherries. Plum and grape rakia are sometimes mixed with other ingredients, such as herbs, honey, sour cherries and walnuts after distillation.
Nektar pivo is the local beer, brewed in Banja Luka.
Where to stay in Banja Luka
Hotel Cezar Banja Luka, Mladena Stojanovica 123.
Hotel Palace , Karadjordjevica 60.
Hotel Bosna, Karadordevica 97.
Hotel Atina.
Hotel Grand, Suboticka Bed and Breakfast.
Hotel Talija, 9 Srpska Street.
Hotel Vidovic, Ul. Jevrejska.
Elit Motel Dragana.
Hotel Banja Luka, Mladena Stojanovica 123.
Hostel Monaco Dreams, Njegoseva 34. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 11:00. Free internet access, comfortable rooms. Pizzeria next to the hostel. 15 minutes walk to bus station and city center. € 15.
Hostel Banja Luka, Srpskih ustanika 26, 1.5 kilometers from city center, part of a town called Starcevica, very close to Merkator center and almost across Integral gas station. checkout: 2PM. Comfortable ambiance and friendly staff. Restaurant and free Internet. 10.
Hostel Hertz, Milana Rakića 22 in the center of Banja Luka - Borik, next to the Vrbas river. checkout: 2PM. Free internet access, free coffee in the café Hertz, quiet place to rest. €11. Possibility to pitch a tent in their huge back garden.
City Smile Hostel, Skendera Kulenovica 16.
Hostel Zeleni Most (Green bridge), 9. ul. Braca Moraca (On the west side of the Zeleni Most Green Bridge, 500m from the city center. checkin: 24/7. Right across Kod Nane-restaurant 11€/night.
Hostel Centar I, Slavka Rodica 4, 150 meters South-West from Kastel, 100 meters West from Gradski bridge. new, nice big rooms, I was in a huge single with terrace for KM 20 (~ €11 / US$ 13,50), 3 rooms in a floor for 2 WCs and 1 shower. Air conditioning and cable TV in rooms. Staff speak English. from 18 KM (~ € 8,5 US$ 12).
Do not talk about the former Yugoslav war, and do not talk about Kosovo. These are very sensitive matters, and locals can easily get offended without it being intended, and become aggressive.
Fans of the local Borac football team have history of attacking with knives or even machete tourists who wear football shirts of their local team, especially at night. In such cases police would rather detain the attacked, than the attacker.
Apart from that you have nothing to worry about if you use your common sense, there is practically no chance something will happen to you. As soon as you stroll around the city, you will notice how friendly and kind locals are.
Just remember that there are still some unexploded land-mines in the fields across the whole country. So if you are trekking or hiking in the hills nearby, do not go away from the marked pedestrian paths.
Climbing: 24km south of Banja Luka and 5km north of Krupa na Vrbasu is a nice climbing site; the stone bridge Kameni Most. More information you can for example get at Extreme Banja Luka climbing club.
Rafting: At Karanovac, 15 km south on the main road from Banja Luka is rafting club Kanjon from where you can go rafting in the Vrbas canyon. On the Vrbas, together with the Tara near Foca, the world championships of rafting were held in 2009.
Canyoning. Not far from Karanovac is the canyon of the Svrakava river, a small canyon where it is nice to try to climb through. Its a wild spot, it is not being commercially exploited. You can reach the canyon by going on the road towards Knezevo.
After you pass the bridge over the Vrbas to Karanovac, there is a small road going on your left with an indication of Svrakava. That is just before the main road goes uphill into the forest. After that indication there are no others, so you'll have to find it from there on yourself. Its about 3 km further that road.
If you really want to go canyoning, ask a local person to take you to Cvrcka canyon. Around 40 km south-east of town, between Kotor Varos and Knezevo. On hot summer days you can track up to 18km through the canyon wading through the fresh water of the Cvrcka river.
Tourism Observer
