Ferhadija Mosque
Ottoman mosque from the 16th century that was destroyed in 1993 and carefully rebuilt using original stones. Its dome and slim minaret are a symbol of the city's recovery.
Banja Luka
Rafting on the Vrbas River, a riverside fortress and the rebuilt Ferhadija Mosque feature in the country's second city.
Attractive locations
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
Large Serbian Orthodox cathedral in the centre, rebuilt in the 2000s after wartime destruction. Inside are rich icons and painted walls, and the bell tower stands over the main square.
Kastel Fortress
Old fortress beside the Vrbas River with thick stone walls and a green park inside. It is a favourite place for strolls, outdoor events and views of the river.
Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure
Roman Catholic cathedral in the city centre, a modern building with a tall tower. It is an active place of worship and a landmark of the main boulevard.
Museum of Republika Srpska
City museum with archaeology, history and natural history collections, showing how life in the region has changed from ancient times to the 20th century.
Mariastern Abbey
Trappist monastery on the outskirts of the city, set among fields and gardens. Monks follow a quiet life of prayer and work, and visitors come for the calm atmosphere.
Airports
Banja Luka International Airport BNX
It is about 21 km in a straight line from Banja Luka.
Tuzla International Airport TZL
It is about 126 km in a straight line from Banja Luka.
Sarajevo International Airport SJJ
It is about 139 km in a straight line from Banja Luka.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Bosnia and Herzegovina page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-0.1 °C60 mm
- Feb1.6 °C59 mm
- Mar6.1 °C62 mm
- Apr11.3 °C66 mm
- May16.0 °C91 mm
- Jun20.3 °C85 mm
- Jul23.0 °C66 mm
- Aug23.0 °C67 mm
- Sep17.2 °C87 mm
- Oct12.0 °C74 mm
- Nov6.5 °C72 mm
- Dec1.2 °C68 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: May, Jun, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 40% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
112. Police 122. Fire 123. Ambulance 124.
local government
Police emergency number 122
Helps with: The State Investigation and Protection Agency's contact page says that if you are in immediate danger you should call the local police on 122, the unique emergency number of the police services.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina in immediate danger, including visitors.
Phone: 122
Email: sipa@sipa.gov.ba
ngo
Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Helps with: The country's national Red Cross society. It describes health education, social support, family tracing, and disaster and emergency response, and runs blood donation drives. Contact its Sarajevo headquarters.
Who qualifies: People in Bosnia and Herzegovina who need its health, social, family tracing or emergency services.
Phone: +387 33 263 935
Email: info@rcsbh.org
Address: Kranjcevica 2, 71000 Sarajevo
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bosnia and Herzegovina
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1992 on orderly migration, fighting human trafficking and helping the government run migration programmes. Its office is in Sarajevo.
Who qualifies: Migrants and authorities working on migration in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +387 33 955 200
Address: Fra Andjela Zvizdovica 1, UNITIC Business Center, Tower A, Sarajevo