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City in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Photo: Biljana Latinović2, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Banja Luka (also written Banjaluka or Бања Лука) 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.
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Fortress on the bank of the Vrbas river with history up to Roman ages.
Ferhat-pašina džamija
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. The site and the remains of the mosque today are a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the mosque is under reconstruction.
Built in 1887, the 1969 earthquake levelled the church. The current cathedral was built in 1974.
Governor's Palace
In the centre of the city. Built in the 1930s. A concert hall and gallery. This is the main cultural centre placed in the city centre
from 16th century near Banja Luka. Monastery has the collection of ancient icons from 18th century.
Trapist monastery
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.
Spomenik na Šehitlucima
A very large WWII monument sitting on top of a hill south of town.
Veselin Masleša street
is the main street of city with shops, offices and cafes (on bottom) alongside. Recommended time to visit, because of its liveliness, is during day on Saturdays whole day, and between 12:00 and 14:00 on workdays. During evenings visit on Fridays and Sundays or each day in the case of nice weather.
The "youth centre" run by the local youth council, with regular concerts, performances, expos, workshops, etc. (it is closed due to local politics).
Саборна црква Христа спаситеља
This church is in the city's centre, and it is one of the most expensive and most beautiful churches in the region.
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.
DFK
Offers a colourful programme with diverse music, live gigs from various bands, all genres of music except folk, decent after-parties and average drink prices.
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 freezers. On Sunday cars are on sale - and an occasional French-plated Mercedes, on Tuesdays livestock.
Take a Dajak tour over the Vrbas from ("Zeleni most" - Prvi mlin - Kastel - "Zeleni most").
Cinema
Cinema Palas with your fair amount of blockbusters and some local movies.
Swim
Restaurant Slap (Waterfall) lies next to a small barrage in the Vrbas and it is excellent swimming there on hot summer days when the water is not too high.
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 craftspeople 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.
Join the locals in many small pools of hot springs just next to the river in Srpske toplice. It's free so don't expect it to be super tidy. You can buy beer and fruits there. It's an hour walk from town (walk on the right/southern river bed). There's also a bus stop. Just behind the springs starts a marked serpentine hiking path up to Banj Brdo (completely in the cool forest).
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.
Animation films, October.
Festival of short films in summer
Pop music, organised by Dom Omladine.
Where the Albanian cooks prepare pita in the traditional way, under the Sač, a steel lid covered with burning cinders. They make real traditional burek, which is baked on the spot. The staff is very friendly and pleasant.
Unique restaurant that offers cheap, delicious, homemade food. Large selection of local dishes, including fish. Seating is possible on the terrace or inside.
Very tasty the cevapi. Burgers to die for. Good service and pleasant workers.
Good kebabs and shish kebabs. Who wants to eat cevap, try this. Excellent grill master, delicious dishes and friendly relationship with guests.
Jesenjinova 26 on the River Vrbas, good local food, very nice location.
Mexican food.
A restaurant with tradition. A quiet and elegant place for lunch and dinner. An ideal place for smaller celebrations. The light sounds of the accordion are often heard from the restaurant, which fully evoke the style and karma of this restaurant.
Cozy hunting themed restaurant. Traditional food with meat being main focus. Deer, bear, rabbit and domestic cousine delicacy.
By many, the place with best ćevapčići in city.
Казамат
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!. Open daily 11:00-23:00.
On the 14th floor of the RTRS building (RTV dom, РТВ дом), build by the Integra company for the Integra company, right next to the building of the Vlada (the government) of the RS. You might be sitting next to President Dodik signing oil deals with the Russians.
the main shopping street. On the ground floor a cake and coffee shop, in the basement a traditional restaurant, and on the first floor another. Good quality.
The old train station, now right at the foot of the Vlada (government building). European style, amazing souffles.
Mladena Stojanovića 123.
Karađorđevića 97.
Subotička bb.
There are two restaurants within the hotel, one showcasing the local cuisine and the other à la carte.
Comfortable ambiance and friendly staff. Restaurant and free Internet.
Free internet access, free coffee in the café Hertz, quiet place to rest.
Green bridge
Right across Kod Nane-restaurant.
Hotel and restaurant with traditional and Italian cuisine.
By plane
Smiljić bus company arranges a minibus/taxi to and from the airport to the old bus station (stara autbuska stanica - old bus station) in the centre of town.
By train
The train and bus station is about 3 km northeast of the centre. As of 2026, the only trains operating are from Doboj (2 hr) and Novi Grad.
Ride-sharing
Ride-sharing to and from Banja Luka is possible using BlaBlaCar web/app or Facebook groups like Trazim- nudim prevoz (Searching- offering transport).
By bus
Banja Luka has dozens of city and suburban buses. There are frequent buses to and from the bus/train station. From the main square (opposite Park Petar Kočić), take lines 6 or 10 for 2.30 KM.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Mahovljani · International · BNX
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