Do you want to know how to spend one day in Jajce, Bosnia and Hercegovina?
Jajce (pronounced Yight-suh) is one of Bosnia’s most beautiful towns. And yet, most visitors to the country have never heard of it! Sarajevo and Mostar get all the attention, but we can definitely recommend adding Jajce to your Bosnia Itinerary.
Jajce is known for it’s spectacular waterfall, right in the middle of the town. But there’s a lot more to Jajce than just the waterfall. With it’s rich Ottoman history, hilltop fortress and nearby lakes, there are plenty of things to do in Jajce.
We visited Jajce while we were travelling Bosnia by Campervan. We spent a couple of nights in a central campsite and walked to all the main attractions, then took a drive out to the Pliva Lake.
While there’s plenty to see here, the main highlights can be easily explored in one day. Follow our one-day Jajce itinerary to make the most of your day here.
NOTE: We arrived in Jajce around lunchtime and we spent the afternoon checking out the attractions in Jajce Old Town. We had dinner in the old town, and stayed overnight. The next morning we revisited the waterfall (minus the crowds!) and then went out to Pliva Lakes before continuing on our journey.
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Best things to see in Jajce
Starting in the old town, cross the pedestrian bridge in the City Park (Plivski Most) and turn left for the best views of Jajce’s main attraction. If you’ve arrived in Jajce by bus, the Bus Station (Autobuska Stanica) is right here.
Pliva Waterfall (also known as Jajce Waterfall)
Jajce’s famous waterfall plunges 22m where the Pliva River flows into the Vrbas River. There are several places along this road where you can see the waterfall in all it’s glory.
Here you’ll find lots of souvenir stands, and a viewing platform to see the falls from the top. The view from this platform is free but it does get very crowded here during the day.
You can see the falls from the base by walking down a small path by the Zipline booth. There is a 10 BAM fee to get into the area at the base of the falls. It’s spectacular here and you’ll be covered in spray from the waterfall. We went first thing in the morning and missed the crowds.
Jajce Zipline
During the summer months you can take the 250m zipline across the top of the waterfall. The zipline costs 30 BAM (2026 price).
It’s just a short ride, but it gives you a perspective of the waterfall and the old town and fortress that you won’t get from the viewing platforms.
AVNOJ Museum
If you’re interested in history, don’t miss the AVNOJ Museum. You’ll find the museum on the left just before you cross back over the pedestrian bridge.
This building is where the Second Session of AVNOJ (Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia) took place in November 1943. At this meeting representatives from across Yugoslavia laid the foundations for the federal state that would emerge after World War II.
The main hall has been recreated with photographs, documents and original artefacts. It’s amazing to stand in the place where such an important piece of history occurred. The museum is open 8am – 7pm daily and costs 8 BAM for adults.
Plivski Most (Pliva Bridge) and City Park
As you cross back over the pedestrian bridge, pause for a moment and look up. From here you can see all the history of Jajce laid out in front of you. The medieval fortress, St Luke’s Bell tower, an Ottoman Era building and the yellow building from the Austro-Hungarian period.
The yellow building just over the bridge is the Tourist Information office, and there are public toilets here.
Jajce Old Town
Jajce was once the capital of the Kingdom of Bosnia, and the old town lies within the old city walls. You’ll enter through the Travnik Gate.
While parts of the city walls date back to the 15th century, the Travnik Gate was built in the 18th century, when Jajce was under Ottoman rule.
Wander through the narrow streets of the old town, and maybe grab a traditional Bosnian coffee to fortify you for your uphill walk to come.
Turn left after the Travnik Gate and make your way to the street called Svetog Luke. There are several things to see along this street.
Ethnographic Museum
This small museum houses artefacts showing what everyday life was like in Bosnia (and particular in Jajce) during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s worth a visit if you haven’t seen another Ethnographic museum in Bosnia, but if you’re pushed for time, you can give this one a miss.
St Mary’s Church
Just past the Ethnographic Museum you’ll see the ruins of St Mary’s Church. There has been a church here since the 12th century. Legend has it that the last Bosnian King Stjepan Tomašević was crowned here in 1461.
The church was turned into a mosque in the 16th century after the Ottoman conquest, and later it was destroyed by fire.
What you see now is just the ruins of the outer walls, and you can’t enter the walls.
St Luke’s Bell Tower
Right next to the ruins of St Mary’s Church, you’ll see St Luke’s Bell Tower. This medieval tower was built in the 15th century and is one of the few medieval bell towers still standing in Bosnia.
It’s a really beautiful tower with arches on all sides, and remarkably well preserved.
The Bear Tower (Medvjed Kula)
The Bear Tower is part of the medieval fortifications of the city. It’s a squat round tower, that some say is shaped like a bear (I can’t see it!). Apparently the walls are 4m thick in places.
The views from next to the Bear Tower are beautiful as you look up to the fortress and along the Pliva River valley.
Jajce Catacombs and Catacomb Church
Just across the square from the Bear Tower you’ll find the Catacombs. These underground caverns were carved into the rock in the 15th century. They were designed to be a church and a burial place for the family of Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić.
There’s actually nothing in the catacombs now, but it is cool to see how they were chiselled out of the rock.
Entry to the catacombs is 5 BAM during the summer months. We’ve heard it’s actually cheaper to go in here during the off season.
From the catacombs make your way up the hill to the Fortress. There are steps and quite a steep hill, but it’s worth it.
Jajce Fortress
The Jajce Fortress sits at the highest point of the town. The fortress dates back to the medieval period and was once the stronghold of the Bosnian kings. Today, much of it is in ruins, but the remaining walls and towers give you a good idea of how impressive this fortified town must have been.
The real reward, though, is the view from the top. From the fortress you can climb up onto the walls to look across the rooftops of Jajce and out over the surrounding green hills and valleys. You can also see just how dramatically the town sits above the rivers below.
Take your time up here and have a wander around the old walls before heading back down. For us, this was one of the best places to really appreciate the setting of Jajce.
Walk back down and grab some lunch in the old town. We had a delicious meal at Kristal, with trout from the river, bean soup and vegetable stew. It was HUGE.
Pliva Lakes
Take a drive out to the Pliva Lakes in the afternoon. These two lakes are surrounded by parkland and walking trails. You can swim here in the summer. The Pliva Lakes (there are two – the large Pliva Lake and the small Pliva Lake) are popular with both locals and tourists. There is even a small beach here where you can swim.
Mlinčići (Water Mills)
Probably the biggest attraction at the Pliva Lakes are the historic water mills (Mlinčići). These small mills were once used by the locals to grind grain, using the power of the water.
Now they provide a beautiful photo opportunity with the little huts by the cascades of the water.
You can wander around the huts (be careful, some of the wooden paths are slippery) and although they are locked, you can peep into a few and still see millstones.
The Pliva Lake is less than 5km from the centre, the drive takes around 10 minutes. We were able to park right near the lake, opposite the watermills. We paid 1 BAM to park here. If you don’t have a car, you best option to get here from Jajce is a taxi, which will cost around 10 BAM each way.
One day in Jajce – Essential information
How to get to Jajce
By Road
The easiest way to get to Jajce is by car (or campervan), and if you’re on a road trip through Bosnia, Jajce is a great place to add to your Bosnia itinerary. From Sarajevo, head north on the A1 towards Travnik, and then follow the M5/E661.
By Bus
You can catch a bus to Jajce from Sarajevo, Banja Luka or Travnik. Bus bookings can be made through Flixbus. You may find the bus is locally owned and operated though, and not one of the regular green Flixbus busses.
By Air
If you’re travelling from outside Bosnia, the closest international airports are in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
Getting Around Jajce
Jajce is a compact town, and the main attractions around the Old Town, can all be explored by walking. The Old Town is quite hilly, though, and there are plenty of steps, particularly if you plan to climb up to the fortress.
The Pliva Lakes and Mlinčići are located around 5 kilometres outside the town centre. If you have a car or campervan, they are just a short drive away.
If you don’t have a vehicle, we would recommend taking a taxi. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the lakes, and you should expect to pay approximately 10 KM each way. There may not be taxis waiting around the lakes, so it is worth arranging a return journey with your driver.
Where to Stay in Jajce
There is a good range of accommodation in and around Jajce, including hotels, guesthouses and apartments. Staying in or close to the town centre is the most convenient option if you want to explore the Old Town on foot and be close to restaurants and the main attractions.
If you’re travelling by campervan, we can recommend the Autocamp Jajce by the Youth Hostel. Its right on the river, with beautiful grassy pitches. There’s a large Bingo supermarket right over the road and it’s walking distance into the old town and waterfall. It cost 30 BAM per night.
FAQs
Is Jajce worth visiting?
Jajce is one of Bosnia’s hidden gems. Most visitors already have Sarajevo, Mostar, Blagaj and maybe the Kravice waterfalls on their itinerary. We loved the smaller towns and found they gave us a really good insight into Bosnia and Hercegovina.
Jajce is quite unique, with it’s waterfall in the centre of town, and we think it’s definitely worth spending a day here.
What is Jajce known for?
Of course, the main attraction in Jajce is the waterfall, but dig a bit deeper, and you’ll discover the town’s rich history, including being the capital of the Kingdom of Bosnia in the 15th century, and the site of the second AVNOJ meeting where plans for post-war Yugoslavia were drawn up.
How Long do you need in Jajce?
You can see the main highlights of Jajce in one full day. The Old Town is compact enough to explore on foot, while the Pliva Lakes and Mlinčići can easily be visited in the afternoon.
If you’re travelling slowly and don’t want to rush, consider staying overnight. This will give you time to explore the Old Town at a more relaxed pace on the first day and visit the lakes the second day.
See more of Jajce in our Bosnia video
We featured Jajce in our Top 10 Places to visit in Bosnia travel film. Check it out!
Final thoughts
We think Jajce is one of the best places to visit in Bosnia. We really loved our time in this Balkan nation – don’t miss some of the others on our Bosnia Top Ten.
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