How to spend top weekend in Banja Luka - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

Get Bright Emotions while Kayaking

If you want to enjoy water sports, you can go for a trip on the Vrbas River in Banja Luka. It has a number of natural features. The river has a different depth, whirlpools, and rapids. Its bottom is covered with granite, pebbles or porous tuff. Therefore, you need a special swimming means of transportation on it. The low-to-the-water boat became it. It's called a kayak.

Its body has a length of 8-9 meters, width – from 70 to 100 centimeters and depth – 30 centimeters. A stylized figure of an eagle, snake or creature from mythology is usually placed on its bow. You will have to use a pole instead of a paddle because of the features of Vrbas. Its length is 4 meters. It is made of solid wood. Its surface is treated to smoothness so that there are no splinters on the hands. However, the pole should not be slippery. A sharp steel tip is located at its end.

A sports club operates in the city. You will be taught to operate such a boat for free here. The club can arrange river trips on these boats. You will pay from 10 to 15 euros for the trip. The number of passengers in the kayak affects the price. You can also rent a boat for a period of 1 hour to 3 days, paying respectively from 5 to 60 euros. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Journey at the Stone Bridge

If you are not indifferent to such activities as mountaineering and rock climbing, then one of the natural attractions of Bosnia and Herzegovina will interest you. It's a Stone Bridge. It is not spanned over a river or a precipice. It is a rock at the top of a hill. The hole appeared in it because of the long influence of the wind. Therefore, it looks like a real bridge.

Stone Bridge is located 24 kilometers from Banja Luka. You can get only on foot there. You will have to park the car near the restaurant of Stara Ada. If you arrive by public transport, you will have to get off near the same restaurant. Your way to the rock will start from the bridge, spanned over the Vrbas. You need to walk the trail, following the symbols on the signs.

The training ground for climbers is equipped on the Stone Bridge. You will be able to choose a route regardless of whether you are an experienced climber or a beginner. There are routes from 6 to 40 meters long. You can choose the level of difficulty that is suitable for you. However, if you do not want to do rock climbing, you can go up the cliff to admire the Vrbas River valley from its height. The view is amazing from here! Trails for tourists intersect here. So you can go to other interesting places.

Terrific Trekking to the Strickin Cave

If you like to travel on foot, to see the attractions and take part in speleological expeditions, then you can make trekking in the village of Krupa. It is located 25 kilometers south of Banja Luka near the river of the same name. You will see the Tvrđava Greben which was built during the middle ages, the ancient Saint Elijah's Monastery, and the Church, built of logs. There are also mills that stand on the waterfalls and a fish farm there. You will also follow the tourist trail along the Krupa River to its four sources.

Strickin cave is a little higher. The only source of the Krupa River was there before. Its name comes from the surname Strick. This is the name of the family that owned the land on which the cave is located. There are 2 tunnels in it. Their total length is 41 meters. You will see bats here. They belong to a species of Water bat discovered in the cave in 2013.

Breathtaking Tandem Paragliding Flight

You can take a tandem paragliding flight with an experienced instructor pilot in Banja Luka. You will see the sights of the city from a great height. You will also feel the unity with nature. The half-hour flight costs 60 euros. You will choose the route on your own. The duration of air travel will depend on your preferences, as well as weather conditions.