Kastel Fortress 792x530 1
travel

These Amazing and Funny Things to Do in Banja Luka

If we were to describe Banjaluka in one sentence, it would probably be the city of amazing natural heritage, cultural monuments, green boulevards, some of the of the best festivals in the region and a place whose citizens would probably win a most hospitable award, if there was one. Rarely in the world, you will see people as friendly and willing to help you. Especially when they start to invite you to their house and offer you some meal. From adventures on the water to monuments of historical importance, we will take you on a journey through Banja Luka that you will never forget. Let find out These Amazing and Funny Things to Do in Banja Luka below.

These Amazing and Funny Things to Do in Banja Luka

Get in touch with nature at Krupa na Vrbasu

Is there something that relaxes your mind and soul like nature does. Located some 20 km from the center of Banja Luka, Krupa na Vrbasu is a true paradise for nature lovers. This green oasis is one of the favorite picnic destinations of the locals and place where all your problems are destined to go away.
Surrounded by endless greenery, here you will encounter waterfalls, watermills and one very interesting religious site. Sitting on a top of a hill, you will find a 13th century monastery, known as the Church of Saint Ilija. Visit the place in spring when all trees start to blossom. It is truly amazing.

Get in touch with nature at Krupa na Vrbasu

Stroll down Gospodska street and see the Memorial Clock

The most famous street in Banja Luka is definitely the Gospodska street. It is the most popular walking route and a place with numerous clothing stores, jewelry and other shops. Based on the story from in 1878, a Banja Luka’s trader Tomo Radlovic wrote a sign on his shop Albania which said Gospodska street gentleman’s street. The sign was mostly put because of the reason that many people were just coming to the shop and were not buying anything. Even though the official name of the street today is Veselina Maslese.
And at the end of it, you will see a monument, that tells a story of a tragic event that happened here. It is called the Memorial clock and it is probably the main meeting point in the city. There is no person born in Banja Luka that has not met with someone here at some point. But, what you will notice is that this clock is not ticking like all the other clocks. On 27th of October 1969 in 09 hours and 11 minutes, Banja Luka was hit by a terrible earthquake of over 6 degrees Richter scale.

Stroll down Gospodska street and see the Memorial Clock

Embrace the culture at Banski Dvor

Built by Banjaluka’s most important figure, Svetislav Tisa Milosavljevic, Banski Dvor is the cultural hotspot of the city. Place where young and old reunite to enjoy the city’s best exhibitions and concerts of classical music. The history of the place dates back to 1930 when some of the best architects in the region were asked to make a proposal to build this object. That is once of These Top Things to Do in Banja Luka.
A year later, the construction of the place started and it was finished in 1932. Until today, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. If you are a culture lover, we also recommend a visit to the Museum of Republic of Srpska and Museum of Contemporary Arts which hosts a rich collection of modern art paintings.

Embrace the culture at Banski Dvor

Go back in time at Kastel Fortress

If the answer is yes, that head straight to the Kastel Fortress, place that survived many wars, floods, earthquakes. The castle is located in the area of 48000 square meters, and there you will see nine bastions and two drops of the towers. If you are here during the summer, you will enjoy great festivals such as Demofest, and if you happen to be here during the winter, you will experience something a bit unusual.
Every year, with the arrival of the first snow, a man named Jefto, comes here, showers himself with the snow and swims in the freezing cold river. The reason behind this is something that happened in his childhood. When he was a baby, he almost froze in the cold and barely survived.

Go back in time at Kastel Fortress