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Banja Luka
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Introducing Banja Luka
A city swamped between lush green hills and a darting river slicing through its heart are the unforgettable icons of the capital of the Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) Banja Luka.As the second largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina after Sarajevo, it is situated in the northwest of the country and is home to traditions and cultures of its kind.
With a population of 250,000, Banja Luka’s citizens buzz throughout the city’s tree-line avenues, boulevards, gardens and parks. During the day, everyone enjoys a relaxing lunch break in cafes and slasticarnas ‘cake cafes’ or lunching away in one of the restaurants, in which they remain till their hearts content. As the day retreats to darkness, a vibrant nightlife awakens where people can drink and dance away to their traditional folk music and other genres of music in bars and clubs around town.
On the banks of the Vrbas River, you can take a stroll amongst the weeping willows that droop their boughs into the water or stop by a riverside café and immerse yourself in a river brimming with wildlife. You can even enjoy a dip in the summer or participate in sporting activities such as rafting and kayaking.
The most beautiful cultural heritage site is the fortress Kastel, built by Ancient Romans and fortified by Ottomans, which settles next to the river. On the weekends, a hike up the Banj Brdo hill to the World War II memorial through the forest is a popular getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can enjoy a barbeque on the picnic grounds and soak up breath-taking views of the city.
Although, Banja Luka remains now a delightful, charming and peaceful city, and the scars from the 1990s conflicts are surprisingly not obvious whilst mingling around town. You will notice existing mosques tend to lie along the main roads leading out of town and close to the Vrbas river. A dozen mosques, along with the famous Ferhadija mosque (1580) had once been a part of the city’s cosmopolitan centre is due to be rebuilt later this year. In 1969, an earthquake also managed to demolish about 80% of the city. The main clock in the centre’s square shows the time when the earthquake struck the lives of its citizens.
OUR Banja Luka HIGHLIGHTS
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Mala Stanica
The restaurant arose in the place of former railway station „Mala stanica“ that connected the city's periphery with the centre in 19th century. You will notice details of rails,
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Water Mills and Cascades of the Krupa
Charming old water mills stand and watch almost as locals and tourists alike whip up surf with their high-speed rafting and canoeing along the rapids of the Krupa river.Nearby, however, anglers
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Kastel Fortress
Perhaps Banja Luka's most striking structure with its high walls and towers, though it could do with some renovation work. But passing through the archway you are greeted with a wonderfully seren
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Kod Muje
If you fancy a proper Bosnian meal, this place is known as the number one in barbequed cevapi and all manner of grilled meats. Kod Muje is a classic old-style eatery, passed down by its lo
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Hotel Bosna
The most renowned hotel in Banja Luka, satisfies the demands of all its guests. The hotel’s complex offers air-conditioned rooms from singles through to some exceptionally posh suit
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Latest Banja Luka Comments
Dragan, that has to be joke for 1st of April. Ratio is more in direction 20 beautiful ladies / 1 nice guy. So nice guys you are more then welcome to come and visit us (but be prepared also to get married, because when you once come in Banja Luka, yo[...]
Not Much. Where are the results? What about some pictures of the events & teams.[...]
One of the best places I have eating in Bosnia! Wish there were more of them.....If you havent been there try and make a plan to visit![...]
"It's also worth mentioning that the current female/male ratio is 7:1."Sorry, but statistically proven, this can be regarded only as urban legend. Nothing more. :([...]
not to be missed, order cevapi with a glass of sour yogurt..combination preferred by many locals..it was super tasty[...]
Good beers (which provide a welcome relief from bottles of the usual), friendly crowd, ok music... Recommended[...]
A by-the-numbers nite club for no-holds-barred Friday and Saturday dancing to the latest floor fillers. If you're in that mood, there's nothing else to match it in town.[...]
An OK place to go if there's nothing else going on or you're bored in the other spots. Nothing special...[...]
If you like your music with a distinctly regional pop flavour, give it a go. Ladies dress to impress... guys look on from the sides. It has it's audience who enjoy nights here.[...]
Worth a visit. The early week live music can be refreshing given what you get in much of the town, and the upstairs bar is a comfortable place to enjoy a few beers with friends.A good place to go Sunday nights when the rest of the town can be less [...]
Small crowded basement club recently cleaned up and extended. Extremely popular.I always seem to end up here... and always leave having had a good time. Wandering barmen keeping the crowd well watered makes up for the lack of space making and diff[...]
Good, well prized pizzas... say no more![...]
No surprises here... Pretty good italian food, stylised decor. Business men and ladies-who-lunch. Worth stopping for a coffee or drinks if you want someone slightly quieter than the city centre cafe bars. A handy hideaway for a quiet l[...]
A good selection of fish (obviously, given it is a fish restaurant!), mostly well-cooked. The fish soup was a delight, and the range of river fish is superb (those less familiar should beware of bones!). Service (and clientele) suits the decor [...]
Best to visit in the warmer months when the balcony tables bring out the best in the restaurant's location. Beware of over-ordering as the portions are huge!Good value, well cooked food for Banja Luka.[...]