11 waterfalls in Bosnia-Herzegovina to put on your bucket list (+ map)

by Kathi Daniela

Bosnia and Herzegovina boasts an incredibly diverse and rich natural environment - a large part of the country is still forested and dotted with rivers and waterfalls. There are said to be over 200 in the whole country , some of which have no names or are not shown on maps.

I have been living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2021 and have now explored almost every corner of the country. These waterfalls are my absolute favorites! I'll tell you how best to get there, what to consider and, of course, what makes each natural highlight special.

Strbački Buk

Impressive. Powerful. Untouched. These are just a few words that immediately spring to mind when I think of Strbački Buk in Una National Park. I have been there three times now, but each time it unfolds its magic differently. The waterfall right on the border with Croatia is a true natural spectacle that you can admire from a wooden bridge and platforms.

The Una River plunges 24.5 meters into the depths over several cascades. The waterfall is easy to reach, you just follow the signs and the road through the Una National Park.

Unfortunately, you have to travel most of the distances in the Una National Park by car (or maybe by bike). There aren't many hiking trails, but I still have a tip.

Tip: When you walk past the last viewing platform and come to the end of the wooden path, you will find a hiking trail on your right. You can walk along the Una for about 2 kilometers on this. But be careful, the path is not very well maintained.

📍 Parking lot for the waterfall

Martin Brod Waterfalls

Martin Brod is not just waterfalls, it is a whole village full of cascades. You can easily spend the whole day exploring the Una National Park and also spend a few hours in Martin Brod. When we visited for the first time, we missed a few of the highlights because we didn't take enough time to just walk around the village. We thought there were only the waterfalls to see.

Here you can marvel at the big Una waterfalls and the small Una waterfalls, but also visit a mill and eco-washing machine that is powered solely by the power of the Una. You can also walk along "Martha's Way" to Lake Martin Brod and enjoy the silence there. Everything is well marked on Google.

📍 Parking in Martin Brod

Bliha Waterfall

The Bliha Waterfall west of Sanski Most is one of the less visited waterfalls in the country, mainly known to locals from Krajina. The water falls 56 meters into the depths and creates a small pond at the foot of the waterfall. 

It is only about a 30-minute walk from the designated parking lot to the waterfall on a flat hiking trail, so a visit to this waterfall is also suitable for families with children or older family members.

📍 Starting point for the walk

Krupa na Vrbasu

Not far from Banja Luka is the small village of Krupa, which is a magical place for picnics and walks, especially in autumn and summer. When we were there in September, the trees already had gorgeous autumn colors and in the morning the light was beautiful and played between the old watermills.

The mills are even still in operation and you can have fresh flour ground here all year round and watch the millers at work. There is a small promenade around the mills and cascades that you can stroll along, with nothing in your ears but the sound of the water and the beautiful nature around you.

Although Krupa na Vrbasu is one of the most beautiful villages in Bosnia, it is still something of an insider tip. If you drive from Banja Luka to Jajce, you can perfectly incorporate a visit. 

📍 Krupa na Vrbasu

Pliva Waterfall in Jajce

Have you ever seen a waterfall in the middle of the city? And not just any waterfall, but a majestic, 17-meter-high natural spectacle? Me neither!

The Pliva River plunges into the Vrbas River here, in the middle of the city, creating a beautiful and absolutely extraordinary cityscape - in my opinion, a visit to Jajce is worth it for that alone.

Although the entrance to the platform under the waterfall is cheap, I still think that there are nicer spots to get the best photo opportunity. For example, this place below in the photo, on the opposite side above the waterfall and the old town of Jajce, which we discovered during our explorations there. 

The best view of Pliva Waterfall and more…

I've been living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2021 and now know the country really well - from restaurants to must-sees to real hidden gems!

For anyone exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first (or second) time, I've collected over 300 spots you shouldn't miss on this easy-to-use travel map and app.

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Skakavac Waterfall near Sarajevo

The Skakavac waterfall near Sarajevo is a popular destination for locals. I have also visited this natural spectacle several times and what can I say: The natural monument is not particularly wide, but its height of 98 meters is really impressive! Like a grasshopper (that's the Bosnian name), the water jumps from stone to stone and ends in a stream that is surrounded by endemic plants.

To get to the bottom of the waterfall, you have to hike - it goes steeply down. Almost 100 meters flat. If you just want to go to the viewing platform that looks down on the Skakavac, you can experience it with a leisurely walk of around 45 minutes.

📍Starting point of the hike: (if you don't want to go alone - then book a guided hike to Skakavac with an experienced guide!)

Kravica Waterfalls

There's no question that they are the most famous sight in the country: a visit to the Kravica Waterfalls, located about an hour from Mostar, is a must on a trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina. You might read online: overcrowded, too expensive, too many people... and that's all true. But what's also true is that the waterfalls really are an incredibly beautiful natural spectacle. 

The Trebižat River plunges 28 metres into the depths over a width of 120 metres - a scene straight out of a fairy tale! Visitors can even jump into the cool water and swim near the waterfalls - but the water temperature should not be underestimated, even in midsummer it is around 10 degrees. Still perfect for cooling off.

Unfortunately, the Kravica Waterfalls are now very busy and sometimes even overcrowded. Some tourists stage a real spectacle, sneak into the park to avoid the 10 EUR entrance fee, take photos just a few meters from the waterfalls, even climb the sensitive karst rocks and tuff cascades and cause irreversible damage.

Please don't be such a tourist and respect the nature here, which has already been interfered with more than enough with restaurants right next to the waterfalls! 

My tip: Early in the morning when the park opens or later in the evening, the tour buses from Croatia are not there yet or have already left and the park is quieter. If you want to have it all to yourself, then stay overnight at the Kravica campsite and you can be the very first at the waterfall in the morning!

And here's a photo tip : The light is best here before 9 a.m., the sun shines directly on the waterfalls and through the trees, creating a magical atmosphere.

📍 Official website and current opening hours (they vary according to season)

Kočuša waterfall

Also in the south of Bosnia-Herzegovina and 20 minutes from Kravica is the Kočuša waterfall on the Mlade river. You can admire this natural spectacle (5 meters high, 50 meters wide) with almost no tourists.

Kočuša was one of the places I always liked in Herzegovina because of its tranquility and the beautiful swimming pond right next to the waterfall. Unfortunately, swimming is no longer possible, the swimming pond was destroyed and concreted over last winter - a sign that a lot still needs to be done to protect the environment in this country.

Of course, this cannot be undone now, but it is still a good idea to visit the waterfall and signal that the untouched nature and Bosnia and Herzegovina are valued and should be protected.

📍Kočuša waterfall

💡 My tip: Do you want to be available online and also easily navigate to the waterfalls that I recommend in my post? Then get an eSIM from Airalo. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the EU - this means you cannot use your mobile data and roaming is expensive. With an Airalo data plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina , you'll be online from the moment you arrive. You can download the app here.

Bunski-Kanal

Many visitors simply drive past here, which is why the Bunski Canal is almost something of an insider tip - only a small sign on the main road even points to it. This natural spectacle could be better prepared and of course protected - you will only find a parking lot right next to the riverbed - but it is definitely worth a visit.

The Buna flows into the Neretva here and creates several hundred meter long cascades of different widths and depths, which you can even walk along on the dried-up riverbed of the Neretva in summer. In winter the canal fills up completely and the cascades are no longer visible. A truly impressive natural spectacle!

📍Bunski-Kanal

Provalije Waterfall

Stolac is one of those places in Bosnia and Herzegovina that you should absolutely put on your list of places to visit! The small town is a true crossroads of cultures - from the Illyrians to the Romans to the Ottomans.

But it is also known for its beautiful nature and the many rivers and (of course) waterfalls. This one is one of the largest and most beautiful in Stolac. Especially in summer, when it is very hot in Herzegovina, it offers a wonderful way to cool down just by sitting here - the best place to do this is in the Old Mill restaurant, an old mill right on the water!

📍Provalije Waterfall

Skakavac waterfall in the primeval forest Perućica

I don't really have a favourite among these 11 waterfalls, I love them all. However, Skakavac (yes, another grasshopper waterfall) in Perućica has a very special place for me! Why? Because it is located in the strictest protection zone 1 of the Perućica primary forest, which only 16 people are allowed to enter daily!

This means that it is very likely that it will really only be you, your fellow travellers and your guide who will marvel at this special beauty. Perućica, one of the last primeval forests in Europe, is also a very special natural paradise with dense bushes, tall trees and endemic plant species - you feel like you are in a Jurassic Park film!

Tip: Since the waterfall is in a strict protection zone, a hike is only permitted with a certified guide from the Sutjeska National Park, and hefty fines are imposed for violations. You can book a hike to the waterfall here – the price is hefty at 130 EUR, but it is definitely worth it! And the money ultimately goes towards preserving the primary forest. 

Conclusion: The most beautiful waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia is truly a land of water and waterfalls! You can't travel there without being amazed by the natural beauty of the blue heart of Europe . I, for one, have never had enough of exploring the natural beauties here in Bosnia and Herzegovina and adding more and more of them to my interactive Bosnia and Herzegovina travel guide , which is always updated.

This blog article contains personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something via the links, I will receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. Thank you for your support.

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