Known for fortress, museum, river, orthodox cathedral, islam mosque
This beautiful and historical city surrounded by green hills, split into two by the Vrbas river. Banja Luka is the second largest city, after the capital Sarajevo, of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the capital of the Republika Srpska entity. It has a rich mixture of preserved architecture combined with a rich culture that give Banja Luka a unique charm. It's one of Bosnia's most modern and up-and-coming cities.
Medieval fortress Kastel is located here in Banja Luka. The fortress is situated on the site of previous fortifications going all the way back to Roman and even pre-Roman times. The fortress is well-preserved, and is one of Banja Luka's main attractions.
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Monterrasol private car tours to
Blagaj - Known for architecture, bridge, cave, fortress, landmark, museum, river, viewpoint, islam monastery; monastery is a UNESCO Tentative List Site
Bobovac - Known for fortress, medieval old town, viewpoint
Bosnian Pyramids - Known for ancient settlement, landmark, museum, nature, park
Doboj - Known for fortress, historical center, museum
Mogorjelo - Known for ancient settlement, archaeological site, nature
Mostar - Known for brewery, bridge, historical center, medieval old town, museum, river, franciscan monastery, islam mosque, orthodox cathedral; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Počitelj (Pocitelj) - Known for fortified town, fortress, medieval old town, viewpoint; medieval old town is a UNESCO Tentative List Site
Radimlja - Known for archaeological site; archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sarajevo - Known for brewery, bridge, fortress, funicular, historical center, museum, park, river, viewpoint, catholic cathedral, orthodox cathedral, islam mosque; historical center is a UNESCO Tentative List Site
Šćit (Scit) - Known for museum, peninsula, franciscan monastery
Banja Luka is the administrative capital of the Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and by far the largest city in the northwest. To protect the route Salona-Servitium the Romans built a fortress (Kastel Fortress) here (in the center of the city). When the Roman Empire collapsed, the Slavs took over. Once the Ottomans finally controlled the town, they gave it a distinct oriental style. During the Ottoman glory days were built bridges, mills and plenty of mosques.
In the course of the Ottoman centuries, Banja Luka was destroyed repeatedly by Ottoman-Austrian warfare (as well as earthquakes and plagues) until eventually the Austrian-Hungarian Empire absorbed Banja Luka in the 19th century. They rapidly modernized the town, building railroads connecting it to Vienna and other capital cities. The infrastructure appeared and developed, which led to a modern city factories.
The town expanded enormously in the 20th century. After World War I, Banja Luka became a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During World War II, it was part of the Independent State of Croatia. Finally, in 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 center of the Republika Srpska politics.
Banja Luka has a continental climate, making it ideal for travel in the summer months. Warm weather and surrounding woodlands make it ideal for nature enthusiasts and hikers. The most notable mountains are Manjača (1,214 m), Čemernica (1,338 m), and Tisovac. These are all part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range.
The River Vrbas, a vibrant green river that flows through the heart of the city, is a key feature of Banja Luka’s natural surroundings. There are also a number of springs close by. The city straddles the banks of the river, which provides a relaxing zone to explore with picturesque natural beauty. The willow trees that line the river banks provide shade for peaceful walks alongside it. Away from the city, the river also offers opportunities to kayak, canoe, and hike along the river basin. Besides, the city is full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens and parks.
Banja Luka is one of Bosnia most modern and cosmopolitan cities, perfect for shopping.
Banja Luka related tours
We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Banja Luka during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Banja Luka.
We have developed several private tours that visiting beautiful Banja Luka. But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. We charge nothing for develop a custom itinerary. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.
tour destinations: Banja Luka, Blagaj, Doboj, Jajce, Ljubačke doline, Maglaj, Radimlja, Sarajevo, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tvrdoš, Višegrad, Vjetrenica, Zavala, Šćit
All seasons 6 days Bosnia-Herzegovina exploring tour from Mostar. Visit the most important places of the medieval land of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
With this tour we going to see historical town Blagaj with dervish monastery (tekija) built around 1520; visit archaeological site Radimlja with carved gravestones (UNESCO World Heritage Site); walk in Vjetrenica Cave (UNESCO Tentative List Site), Bosnia's largest and most important cave, and see a unique and totally endemic animal, so-called human fish; close to the cave we will see small Orthodox monastery Zavala, partially located in cave; end of the day we will come to Trebinje, to see its cathedral and have good dinner in local restaurant that also serve wine from its own vineyard.
The tour will continue with visiting Tvrdos monastery, learn why this monastery is so important for all local people, and taste its famous wines; next, we will take a picturesque road to Visegrad, small town almost on the border with Serbia, to its beautiful Ottoman-era bridge (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and modern time tourist attraction called Andricgrad, produced by famous film director Emir Kusturica. At the end of this day we will come to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In Sarajevo, we will spend a whole day to see the Tunnel of Hope, walk in historical center, see cathedral, mosques, old market, and finish Sarajevo tour with panoramic view of whole city from the hill we come by funicular.
From Sarajevo, we will take a road to fortress Travnik, after visit fortrees Maglaj, and will come to Doboj. In Doboj, we need to see Doboj fortrees, and on the way to Banja Luka to see another attraction, the Tesanj fortress. In Banja Luka, we need to see historical center, cathedral, and fortress. On the way back to Mostar we will visit ethnic village where a private collector store 200 years original village houses from different regions; visit town Jajce to see waterfall, fortress, and cute small wooden watermills. We will also see Scit monastery located on tiny peninsula at the middle of beautiful lake.
tour finishes in: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
tour duration: 7 days (6 nights)
tour countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina
tour destinations: Banja Luka, Blagaj, Doboj, Jajce, Ljubačke doline, Maglaj, Mostar, Radimlja, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tvrdoš, Vjetrenica, Zavala, Šćit
We welcome you to travel with us across Bosnia-Herzegovina with our year-round discovery 7 days tour from Sarajevo. Let's travel medieval Bosnia-Herzegovina off the beaten path.
With this tour we going to visit medieval fortresses Travnik, Doboj, Maglaj and Jajce, see beautiful Jajce waterfall, walk historical center of town Mostar (UNESCO World Heritage site) and walk over famous Mostar bridge, explore historical center of Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Jajce, get to know why Radimlja is UNESCO World Heritage site, meet silent Zavala monastery and try amazing wine in old cellars of Tvrdos monastery, visit thin peninsula at the middle of lake with Franciscan monastery and explore its ethnographic museum, wonder on beauty of Vjetrenica cave, passing the beautiful landscapes every day.
We invite you to come with us to explore Bosnia-Herzegovina with our year-round, 11 days discovery tour over Bosnia-Herzegovina from Sarajevo. Come to explore this medieval land and see medieval fortresses, old towns, and Orthodox monasteries. Take this tour as a good example of off-beaten-path travel, a conscious way to travel where you are more mindful of your journey and gain a deeper awareness of the country.
At the beginning of this tour, we are going to walk through the historical center of Sarajevo, both East and West parts. On the next day, we will take a ride in the Sarajevo funicular to see the whole city from a mountain. Next, on the same day, we will visit the Sarajevo Tunnel (called the Tunnel of Hope), an important reminder of the Sarajevo siege.
On the way to the medieval fortress Travnik, we will visit a controversial place called the Bosnian Pyramids. The next day, we will see Travnik and Vranduk fortresses and come to sleep in the city Doboj. In Doboj, we will see a local cute fortress, and before arriving in Banja Luka, the main city of Republica Srbska, we will visit the medieval Tesanj fortress.
After our stay in Banja Luka, we will come to see the ethnic village Ljubacke doline with cute rural houses carefully stored here, visit the town Jajce to see its waterfall, fortress, and famous small old wooden watermills, and before arriving in Mostar, we will visit the monastery Scit and its ethnographic museum located on a thin peninsula in the middle of a beautiful lake.
In Mostar (UNESCO World Heritage site), we are going to walk its historical center, learn about the history of this beautiful town, and, of course, stay on the famous Mostar Bridge. From Mostar, we will visit several places in its vicinity: the Dervish monastery Blagaj, located under a cliff with the source of crystal-clean water from the Buna River; the medieval town, Pocitelj (ranked as an open-air museum); the Catholic pilgrimage center Medjugorje; the amazing Kravica waterfalls; and the real Roman Villa Rustica, established as an agricultural estate in the 4th century AD.
On the way to Trebinje, we will see the archaeological site Radimlja (UNESCO World Heritage site) with medieval carved tombstones, the hilly fortress Stolac, the beautiful Vjetrenica cave, and Zavala monastery, partially located in a cave. Close to Trebinje, we will visit the Orthodox monastery Tvrdos, famous for its old vine cellars, where we can try their award-winning white, rose, and red vines. We will take the road back to Sarajevo, which will pass partially through Sutjeska National Park.
tour destinations: Banja Luka, Blagaj, Bosnian Pyramids, Doboj, Jajce, Kravica, Ljubačke doline, Međugorje, Počitelj, Radimlja, Sarajevo, Stolac, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tvrdoš, Vjetrenica, Zavala, Šćit
We welcome you to come with us to discover the beautiful Balkan country Bosnia-Herzegovina. Travel with us on our all seasons 12 days discovery tour over Bosnia-Herzegovina from Mostar. We are going to visit many places in this medieval land and see old towns, fortresses, and monasteries. This tour is a good example of off-beaten-path travel, out of modern touristy areas and common destinations.
We will start this tour by visiting Blagaj, known for its historical tekija (historic Sufi monastery with a mausoleum and old Turkish bath) built around 1520 on the cliffs by the water. The tekija is located under the cliff, near the cave, which is the source of the Buna river with amazing crystal-clear water. The same day later, we're going to take a walking tour of Mostar historical center (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and learn interesting details from Mostar history.
The next day will bring us to the medieval town Pocitelj, known as an open-air museum, with a great panoramic view all over the valley and river from the old Ottoman's fort. After, we will come to see beautiful Kravica waterfalls, and later we will come to Medjugorje to learn how this small village became an important Catholic pilgrimage center.
On the way from Mostar to Trebinje, we will visit the Radimlja archaeological site with unique carved tombstones (UNESCO World Heritage site), climb to the medieval fortress Stolac, visit the beautiful Vjetrenica cave, and visit the small Zavala monastery located partially in a cave. In Trebinje, we will learn about the history of this town and the whole region, visit the famous Tvrdos monastery, and try local red, white, and rose wine from the monastery's cellars.
From Trebinje, the road will take us to the capital, multicultural Sarajevo. We will walk the historical center, learn about the history of this very interesting town, visit the so-called Tunnel of Hope, and see why it was so important for the people of Sarajevo during the siege.
The tour will continue with a visit to the controversial place called the Bosnian Pyramids, and the Ottoman fortress Travnik later the same day. In town Doboj, we will visit another fortress, and on the way from Doboj to Banja Luka, we will come to see the great and important medieval fortress Tesanj.
In Banja Luka, we will walk the historical center, see the cathedral and walls of the fortress, and have dinner at a local brewery. Going out from Banja Luka, we will see an interesting ethnic village, and the same day we will come to the medieval town Jajce, famous for its waterfall, fortress, and amazing, cute small watermills made of wood. From Jajce, before returning to Mostar, we will come to Scit, located on a tiny peninsula, to see a Franciscan monastery and a very good ethnographic museum.
Explore main attractions in Bosnia-Herzegovina with all seasons 12 days tour. We will pick you up in Tivat, a coastal town with an airport, in southwest Montenegro. This tour is particularly interesting for travelers without Schengen Visa.
With this tour we will visit medieval towns and Ottoman fortresses, Orthodox monasteries, explore historical centers of few famous towns, try local food specialties and wine, try local made craft beer, visit several museums, few outskirt parks with rivers, beautiful waterfalls, Ottoman bridges, an ethno village with 200 year old original houses, UNESCO archaeological site, famous pilgrimage center, and enjoy scenic valley and hills roads all across the Bosnia-Herzegovina.
tour countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary
tour destinations: Banja Luka, Bory, Doboj, Dubovac, Gradačac, Keszthely, Ključ, Medvedgrad, Ostrovica, Ostrožac, Ozora, Siklós, Srebrenik, Szigliget, Sümeg, Tešanj, Trakošćan, Varaždin, Velika Kladuša, Veliki Tabor, Zagreb
Balkans castles tour in 13 days. With this tour we going to visit 5 castles located in Hungary, 5 castles located in Croatia, together with historical center of Zagreb, and 3 castles and 4 fortresses in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Most of the sites are national monuments in own countries. Most of them dated back to 15-16 centuries and everyone have rich history.
Come with us to discover Bosnia-Herzegovina with our all seasons 15 days in-depth cultural discovery tour from Sarajevo. Get to know this medieval land with its Ottoman towns, medieval fortresses, monasteries, parks and waterfalls. Think on this tour as good example off the beaten path travel, out of touristy areas but in-depth cultural.
During this tour we going to visit historical center of town Mostar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and stay on famous Mostar bridge, climb narrow streets of fortified town Pocitelj served as open-air museum, walk in medieval fortresses Doboj, Srebrenik, Travnik, Jajce and Tesanj, see the ethnographic museum of Bosnia's village life, meet the capital of Republica Serbska entity the city Banja Luka and its fortress and cathedral, see the historical center and siege museum in Sarajevo.
We will see controversial Bosnian Pyramids and learn why around this place so many disputes, we will visit Vjetrenica natural cave (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with unique animal called human fish, wonder on beauty of Kravica waterfalls, walk in Una national park close to waterfalls Martin Brod and Strbacki Buk, and see real Roman villa Rustica, established as agricultural estate in 4th century AD.
We will visit calm sunny town Trebinje and taste real white, rose, and red Herzegovina wines from cellars of silent Tvrdos monastery and understand why Tvrdos wine is so famouns, see Zavala monastery partially located in cave and with great viewpoint over, archaeological site Radimlja (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with medieval carved gravestones, enjoy hilly Ottoman fortress Stolac, visit Medjugorje pilgrimage center and Blagaj Dervish monastery.
All days of this tour we will enjoy the beauty of Bosnia-Herzegovina nature, enjoy scenic roads, and wonder how all that was saved nowadays. Also, we can extend this tour for one more day for unique experience, watch a herd of real wild horses, maybe last in Europe (subject of time of year).
tour destinations: Banja Luka, Bihać, Blagaj, Bosnian Pyramids, Doboj, Jajce, Ključ, Kravica, Livno, Ljubačke doline, Martin Brod, Međugorje, Mogorjelo, Mostar, Počitelj, Radimlja, Sarajevo, Srebrenik, Stolac, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tvrdoš, Una National Park, Višegrad, Vjetrenica, Vranduk, Zavala, Štrbački buk, Šćit
We welcome you to travel all across Bosnia-Herzegovina with our all seasons 17 days discovery tour starting from Tuzla. Visit the medieval land of Bosnia-Herzegovina and see old towns, fortresses and monasteries, as well as most of the existing UNESCO World Heritage sites. This tour is a good example of off the beaten path travel, out of touristy areas, and still in Europe.
During this tour, we are going to visit several medieval fortresses: Srebrenik, Doboj, Tesanj, Banja Luka, Kljuc, Jajce, Stolac, Travnik, and Vranduk. We will come to see wonders of nature, waterfalls Strbacki Buk, Martin Brod, and Kravica. We will pass small roads across National Parks Una and Sutjeska. We will visit medieval towns Jajce, Blagaj, Pocitelj, Stolac, and Visegrad. We will stay on bridges from the Ottoman era in Visegrad, Mostar, and Trebinje.
The whole tour will open for you the history and nature of the medieval land of Bosnia-Herzegovina. You will learn local traditions, see museums and monasteries, try local food and drinks, and will remember this tour full of unexpected positive impressions.
We welcome you to discover medieval land of Bosnia-Herzegovina, country in Balkans region of Europe. This cultural all seasons 17 days tour will start in the capital of the country, multicultural city Sarajevo. During this tour we will visit medieval towns, castles and fortresses of kings, ancient monasteries and UNESCO places. This tour should be considered as Balkans cultural tour visited non-touristy places and is great example European off the beaten path travel.
During this tour we going to visit these notable places: medieval old town Jajce and its fortress, historical center of town Mostar (UNESCO site) and stay on famous Mostar bridge, will walk in medieval fortresses Vranduk, Doboj, Tesanj, Travnik and Srebrenik, visit calm sunny town Trebinje, stay silent in Tvrdos monastery and Zavala monastery, refresh in Vjetrenica natural cave, walk streets of fortified town Pocitelj, enjoy Stolac hilly fortress, wonder on beauty of Kravica waterfalls and pass the beauty of Bosnia-Herzegovina nature all days.
tour finishes in: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
tour duration: 19 days (18 nights)
tour countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina
tour destinations: Banja Luka, Bihać, Blagaj, Doboj, Dobrun, Jajce, Ključ, Kravica, Ljubačke doline, Martin Brod, Međugorje, Mogorjelo, Mostar, Ostrožac, Počitelj, Radimlja, Srebrenik, Stolac, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tvrdoš, Una National Park, Višegrad, Vjetrenica, Vranduk, Štrbački buk, Šćit
We welcome you to visit a medieval land of Bosnia-Herzegovina with our year round extended 19 days tour. This cultural all seasons tour will start in the capital of the country, multicultural city Sarajevo. During this tour we will explore the Bosnia-Herzegovina, a country in the Balkans region of Europe.
We will visit medieval towns, castles and fortresses of local kings and rulers, UNESCO sites, ancient monasteries, and old bridges from Ottoman era. We will walk in beautiful park with rivers of crystal clean water and amazing waterfalls. You can consider this tour as Balkans off-the-beaten-path in-depth cultural tour, and as great example European non-touristy travel.
During this tour we going to visit these notable sites: the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina multicultural city Sarajevo, historical center of town Mostar (UNESCO site) and stay on famous Mostar bridge, medieval old town Jajce and its fortress, medieval fortresses Vranduk, Doboj, Tesanj, Travnik, Stolac, Jajce, and Srebrenik, visit calm sunny town Trebinje, silent Tvrdos monastery and its wine cellar, refresh in Vjetrenica natural cave, walk streets of fortified town Pocitelj, wonder on beauty of Kravica waterfalls and pass the beauty of Bosnia-Herzegovina nature all days.
We welcome you to explore 2 Balkans countries, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, with our all seasons 20 days tour from Sarajevo. In both countries, with this tour we will visit all the most important attractions.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, we will see are of Bosnian Pyramids, medieval fortresses Vranduk, Doboj, Srebrenik, Gradacac, Kljuc, Maglaj, Tesanj, Jajce. We will be in few museums, visit an ethno village, walks historical centers of medieval towns, visit monasteries in Zavala, Tvrdos and Scit, see cathedrals in Banja Luka and Trebinje, spend evening in winery, walks in parks and see waterfalls. We will see UNESCO World Heritage site town Mostar and UNESCO World Heritage site archaeological site Radimlja.
In Montenegro, we going to see cave monastery Dajbabe, Venetian towns Budva and Kotor (UNESCO World Heritage site), picturesque coastal village Perast, mosaic in Risan, abandoned medieval town in Bar.
Explore 2 famous Balkans countries Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Extended Balkans round trip via UNESCO sites of Adriatic coast of Croatia and venetian towns of Dalmatian Riviera. Meet medieval towns, fortresses and monasteries of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Transfers to Banja Luka
Currently we know prices for these transfers to Banja Luka:
April 22, 2025 Diakopto, Greece. Diakopto is a coastal town located in the Achaea region of West Greece, situated on the Gulf of Corinth near the mouth of the Vouraikos river and at the lower end of the Vouraikos Gorge. Diakopto is a tidy town known for its beautiful gardens and picturesque port. Diakopto is also know for a station of Rack Railway toward Kalavrita. The train can reach high altitudes and operate on steep grades, passing through territories of unique interest and spectacular views.
April 14, 2025 Llogara pass, Albania. The Llogara pass is a high mountain road within the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Riviera. The road itself is a steep zigzagging road on the southern end of the mountains and is 1027 meters above sea level. The pass is the highest point on the main coastal road between Vlore and Sarande and is 31.5 km long.
April 5, 2025 Amphipolis, Greece. Amphipolis is an ancient Greek archaeological site located in northern Greece, near the Strymon River and Mount Pangaion. Founded in 437/436 BC by the Athenian general Hagnon, it was an Athenian colony of strategic importance, situated to control the rich Strymon hinterland and the Pangaion gold mines.
March 30, 2025 Andromonastero, Greece. Nestled amid the olive-clad slopes of the Peloponnese, just a short distance from the majestic ruins of Ancient Messene, the Monastery of Andromonastero offers a serene escape into Greece's lesser-known historical and spiritual landscapes. Often overshadowed by the region's famed archaeological sites, this tranquil Byzantine-era monastery invites travelers to step away from the crowds and immerse themselves in quiet reflection, scenic beauty, and a tangible connection to the past.
March 5, 2025 Bassae, Greece. Bassae is an archaeological site in Oichalia, a municipality in the northeastern part of Messenia, Greece, remotely located at an elevation of 1,131 meters above sea level on the slopes of Kotylion Mountain. The site is famous for the well-preserved 5th century BC Temple of Apollo Epicurius, the very first Greek site to be inscribed in 1986 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Safe Travels
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Monterrasol Travel Private tours has implemented health and hygiene protocols. Monterrasol Travel is the Safe Travels company.
