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Jajce
A 22m waterfall in town, a royal fortress and watermills on the Pliva lakes
A 22m waterfall in town, a royal fortress and watermills on the Pliva lakes
The Pliva drops 22m over a travertine ledge into the Vrbas right at the edge of town. You can see it for free from the road bridge and viewpoints, or pay a small fee to walk down to the platform at its base.
The waterfall is fullest in spring.
Photo: Adam Harangozó, CC BY-SA 4.0
The fortress crowns the hill above the old town, its walls running down to the town gates. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, it was the seat of Bosnian kings and later an Ottoman stronghold. From the top there are wide views over the rivers.
A short but steep walk up from the old town.
Photo: Julian Nyča, CC BY-SA 3.0
The town’s founder, the nobleman Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić, had an underground tomb carved into the rock, known as the catacombs, though where he was actually buried is uncertain. Nearby are the Bear Tower, the ruined church of St Mary with the bell tower of St Luke, and Ottoman-era mosques.
Photo: Julian Nyča, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dating from the 2nd century AD and renovated in the 4th, this small Roman shrine with a relief of Mithras slaying the bull is one of the best preserved in Europe and a national monument. It is viewed through glass in a small building in town.
Photo: Zavičajac, CC BY-SA 4.0
On 29 November 1943, delegates met in the Sokol hall to establish the basis of federal Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina as a republic. The hall is now a museum covering the session and the wartime partisan movement.
Photo: Flammard, CC BY-SA 3.0
A few kilometres upstream, the Pliva lakes are separated by natural travertine dams. Where the water spills from Veliko Plivsko into Malo Plivsko lake stands a cluster of small wooden watermills, used to grind wheat until the Second World War and now a national monument.
Walk, cycle or take a taxi; you can swim and hire boats on the lakes in summer.
Photo: Ekki3, CC BY 4.0
Bosnian food is hearty: ćevapi (grilled minced-meat sausages in flatbread), burek and other filled pastries, slow-cooked stews and river trout, often from the Pliva. Finish with Bosnian coffee and baklava or tufahija (poached apple with walnuts).
There are restaurants in the old town and by the Pliva lakes, many with terraces over the water.
Jajce is about 160km north-west of Sarajevo, roughly three hours by bus, and around 70km south of Banja Luka. Buses also connect it with Travnik and Split in Croatia. The nearest major airports are Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
The old town is small and walkable, but steep. The Pliva lakes are a few kilometres west of the centre.
Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the convertible mark (BAM, KM). Jajce is inexpensive by European standards.
Many sights charge small entry fees.
Euros are sometimes accepted but change is given in KM.
Combine with Travnik or Mostar on a road trip.
One full day covers the town; stay overnight to add the lakes at a relaxed pace.
See the waterfall from the viewpoint and the platform below, then climb through the old town gates to the fortress, visit the catacombs, Temple of Mithras and AVNOJ Museum.
Visit the waterfall early or late for softer light.
Walk or cycle to the watermills and along the lakes, swim in summer and eat trout by the water.
Carry convertible marks for small entry fees and cafés.
Wear comfortable shoes for the old town and fortress.
Check bus times in advance; services are less frequent on Sundays.
Spring brings the most water; summer is best for the lakes.
Quick answers for planning time in Jajce.
The Pliva Waterfall is 22 metres high.
About 160km, roughly three hours by bus.
Yes, in summer; boats and kayaks can also be hired.
Yes, for the waterfall in the town centre, the royal fortress and the lakes nearby.
One full day for the town, or two to include the Pliva lakes.
Planning a wider trip? Our Bosnia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.