Are you looking for the best things to see and do in and around Jajce in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Then you've come to the right place - in this article I summarize all the must-sees and activities in the central Bosnian city!
Anyone who visits Jajce can only take one step in front of the other in awe, in this town where Bosnian kings have walked and where Marshal Tito proclaimed the Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia during the horrors of the Second World War. Every stone in Jajce breathes history, from the Vrbas to the ruins of the old medieval castle.
Incidentally, Jajce's old town centre has been on the tentative list for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2006.
Today, not quite 30,000 inhabitants live in the small town, a colourful mix of Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim Bosnians, a small remnant of the Yugoslavian spirit - one can only imagine that Tito would hopefully be pleased.
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The very best things to do in Jajce: quick overview
No time to read the whole article?
Here are my Top tips and sights for Blagaj:
☀️ Die Nature around Jajce is unspoilt, from the forested mountains to the Pliva Lakes
🧡 Be sure to watchThe Pliva waterfall right in the heart of the town
🛶 Best activities: A pedal boat ride on the Pliva Lakes
🛏️ Best accommodation: Konoba Slapovi
📱 Stay connected: For mobile data you can use the Airalo Bosnia data package get
🏯 Insider tip: Visit the Temple of Mitra from the 4th century AD.
What can you expect in Jajce?
- Relaxed vibe: You can stroll through the alleyways of the small town in a day, but the surrounding nature invites you to stay longer
- Steeped in history: From the last Bosnian king to Tito, the most important men in Bosnian history have all been here
- Good food: Dishes from the Bosnian kingdom, the Ottoman period and, of course, modern times combine here to create a delicious mix
- Gorgeous nature: Jajce is of course famous for its waterfall, but the surrounding nature, the mountainous and forested central Bosnia, is also worth discovering
The eight best things to do & see in Jajce
Pliva waterfall
You can hear it long before you see it: the Pliva waterfall. The Pliva cascades 22 metres into the Vrbas here. A spectacle that I have never seen anywhere else - where else would you find a waterfall in the centre of the city?
You can view the Pliva waterfall from a platform (and get a good splashing). Meanwhile, admission to the platform costs 10 KM.
My honest opinion: although it's impressive from below, you'll get the best view of the waterfall and Jajce Castle in the background from this secret spot .
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Mlinčići water mills
The crooked little wooden huts huddle close to the branching streams that were diverted from Lake Pliva to power the 400-year-old mills of Mlinčići. The national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina is located just a few kilometres from Jajce.
Unfortunately, the mills are located directly on the main road and when a large coach with 50 people arrives, they are hopelessly overcrowded - but it's still worth a detour.
My tip: It takes about an hour to walk from Jajce to the Mlinčići water mills. After a short stretch along the road, the path leads directly along the Pliva Lakes, past the Most Ljubavi Bridge of Love and two beach bars where you can take a break.
Pliva lakes
On the way to the small watermills of Mlinčići, you will pass them: the Pliva Lakes fed by the River Pliva. There is a large and a small one. Here you can go pedal boating, relax, take a walk across the ‘Bridge of Love’ or hike around both lakes on a hiking trail.
Like many places in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Pliva Lakes are still almost completely unspoilt. There are also many flats along the lakes if you want to stay in the countryside rather than in Jajce itself.
Catacombs of Jajce
The catacombs of the 15th century town of Jajce were originally built as a crypt for a nobleman of the Bosnian kingdom. They are small, but still worth seeing. However, if you have ever visited catacombs in larger cities such as Brno or Paris, they might be a bit underwhelming.
Temple of Mitras
I find it really exciting that there is a temple to the Persian sun god Mitras in Jajce - what a multicultural city! Mitras was originally worshipped in Roman times, which is probably how the cult came to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The temple dates back to the early
💡 My tip: Do you want to be reachable and also easily navigate to restaurants and spots that I recommend in my article? Then get an eSIM from Airalo. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the EU, which means you can't use your mobile data and roaming is expensive. With a Airalo data plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina but you'll be online as soon as you arrive. You can download the app here.
Jajce Fortress
Walking up to Jajce Castle is a must when you are in the old royal city. On the way, you will pass the Sahat Kula, the old clock tower, and several buildings from the time of the Bosnian kingdom.
The fortification itself, the Jajačka tvrđava, is being restored, but there is not much to see. There is only an old wooden building in the inner courtyard, and unfortunately no information boards or guided tours reveal more about life here in the Middle Ages or under the Ottomans. But the view down to the city is worth it!
If you turn left out of the fortress, you can also walk a little way along the old city wall via Džikavac Street and pass the Sinan-begova/Okića džamija, an old mosque.
Museum of AVNOJ
Jajce is a town full of history and the founding of Yugoslavia in 1943 is of course part of it. Where there is now a museum, the meeting of the Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ) took place in November 1943 - the six republics gave up part of their sovereignty in favour of the republic at this meeting.
The museum could be better equipped and offer more explanations and background knowledge, but for anyone interested in the country's rich history, a visit is simply a must.
Franciscan monastery Jajce
The mortal remains of the last Bosnian king, Stjepan Tomašević, have been laid to rest in the Franciscan monastery in Jajce. They are laid out here in a sarcophagus. The monastery, which was destroyed in the war, has now been rebuilt and houses a small museum as well as the king's remains.
How long should you plan to spend in Jajce?
You can explore Jajce in an afternoon, the old town is not very big. Nevertheless, I would recommend an overnight stay – simply because the town and the surrounding nature are really pretty and you'll have more time to soak up the atmosphere.
Want more tips and must-sees for Bosnia?
I've been living in the country since 2021 and now know it really well - from restaurants and must-sees to real hidden gems!
For anyone exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first (or second) time, I've put together this handy travel map and app for you. over 300 spots that you should not miss.
Hotel tip for Jajce
My favourite accommodation is not located directly in Jajce, but between the town and the watermills: Konoba Slapovi. A bed and breakfast with guest rooms in the most beautiful location imaginable, right next to several small waterfalls. Even when the rooms are fully booked, it's worth stopping by for breakfast or dinner.
The Restoran Omerbegova kuća right inside the city walls also offers great food. Here you can enjoy soups and stews such as Bosanski Lonac, a stew from the Bosnian kingdom.
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Day trips around Jajce
Central Bosnia has many other sights that are worth visiting. For example, you can visit the former capital of the country, Travnik , from Jajce – the colourful mosque in particular is a must-see rhwew. You will soon find more tips for Travnik here. The nature around Šipovo is also really beautiful – there you can go hiking, eat really tasty trout or spend an afternoon strolling around, for example on the islets of Janj (Janjski Otoci).
My conclusion about Jajce
The old Bosnian royal city is quite different from Mostar and Sarajevo. Its location in central Bosnia, surrounded by wooded mountains, makes it just as special as its medieval architecture, the waterfall in the centre of town and the cultural mix. So in my opinion: A visit is a must.
