Jajce: the waterfall town and the Pliva lakes

Why go

Few towns in Europe have a waterfall in the middle, and Jajce's is lovely at any time of day. The old town is easy to explore in a few hours, with real history at every turn, and the Pliva lakes just outside town are a peaceful place to walk, swim or paddle.

Top things to do

Start at the viewing platforms below the **Pliva waterfall**, then climb through the old streets to the **Jajce Fortress**, built by the Bosnian kings, for views over the town and valley. On the way, see the **Catacombs**, an underground church carved into the rock for a medieval nobleman, the ruined **Church of St Mary** with the **Tower of St Luke**, and the **Temple of Mithras**, a rare Roman relief of the god slaying a bull.

The **AVNOJ Museum** marks the 1943 session that laid the foundations of socialist Yugoslavia, and it explains a period many visitors know little about. The old **Bear Tower** and gates complete a walk around the walls.

The Pliva lakes and watermills

A few kilometres west, the **Great and Small Pliva lakes** are linked by the **Mlinčići**, a cluster of small wooden watermills that once ground flour for local families. They are one of the most photographed sights in the country. A path follows the shore, and in summer you can rent boats or swim at the lake beaches.

Day trips

An hour or so east, **Travnik** was the seat of Ottoman viziers, with a fortress, painted mosque, the birthplace museum of Nobel writer Ivo Andrić and the famous Travnik cheese. North towards **Banja Luka**, the road follows the Vrbas canyon, a popular spot for rafting and canyoning.

Where to stay

Stay in or near the **old town** for evening walks to the waterfall, or by the **Pliva lakes** for quiet, nature focused guesthouses and campsites.

Practical tips

Jajce is on main bus routes between Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Bihać. Several sights have small entrance fees, so carry cash. The lake area is busy with local families on summer weekends. Shape your route with the free trip planner.

A little history

Jajce was the seat of the medieval Kingdom of Bosnia, and its last king, Stjepan Tomašević, was crowned here before the Ottoman conquest in 1463. The town changed hands several times between the Ottomans and the Hungarians, which is why its walls are so strong. In the Second World War it briefly became the political centre of the Partisan movement.

Food and coffee

Jajce is in lamb country: the roads around town are lined with restaurants roasting **janjetina** on spits. In the old town, try local pies, grilled trout from the Pliva and Bosnian coffee near the waterfall.

Outdoor activities

The Pliva lakes are good for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding in summer, and the area has walking and cycling routes. The nearby **Vrbas canyon** offers rafting and canyoning with local operators, and in winter the hills see snow.

Combining Jajce

Jajce fits neatly between Sarajevo and Una National Park, or between Sarajevo and Banja Luka. Many travellers pair it with Travnik on the same day.