Jajce – Wonderful Experience You Are Unlikely to Surpass

The world’s prettiest little town. Gracious and charming. That is how travellers from afar, who have travelled the world, see the former royal town situated on the shores of the Pliva and Vrbas rivers. Jajce does that—it simply enchants you.

Written by: Semra Hodžić

Enjoy Yourself by the Plivsko Waterfall

Any story about Jajce begins with the magnificent waterfall that sits at the place where the River Pliva enters the River Vrbas. It is no wonder that it does! It is a spectacular sight to see: the 21-metre waterfall right in the middle of Jajce is one of the twelve most beautiful waterfalls in the world which makes this town quite unique. It is a must see natural landmark in this charming little town. As you stroll through the beautifully landscaped park which leads you to the site where the River Pliva comes crashing and foaming down into the River Vrbas, you cannot get enough of how gorgeous and clean the area is! And the moment you set your eyes on the waterfall, you are at a loss for words! You cannot capture the moment on camera or in a song, as one of our old writers would say. From whichever side you approach the waterfall, whether you are looking down from above—from where the waterfall drops down, or from the sides—from landscaped terraces and the park that treat you to wonderful views of this natural wonder, it feels equally spectacular. Stay there for a while and immortalise the moment by taking pictures that you will cherish forever. If you want to truly enjoy yourself, bring a blanket with you, take the best spot in the park overlooking the waterfall, switch off your phone and enjoy a picnic with absolutely unbeatable views of the area.

Zip Line Across the Waterfall

If you are one of those people who cannot just stand still in awe of natural wonders, you will be thrilled to learn that you can experience an incredible adventure above the Plivsko Waterfall. Indulge in the newest tourist offer in Jajce—the 250-metre zip line that runs right across the waterfall. Experience this unique zip line adventure by riding down a cable across the River Vrbas Canyon to the viewing area right across the Pliva Waterfall, and then fly down to the Town Park across the waterfall. You can revel in the views of this breath-taking waterfall from all sides, but those who flew down the wire say that the views it offers are priceless. A ride across one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls costs BAM 20, and there is a weight restriction in place—all riders must weigh less than 110 kilograms.

Culinary Specialties

After a long walk through Jajce’s lovely parks or a zip line adventure, you are bound to get hungry and wish to treat yourself to a good meal. In Jajce, everyone is a good host, and the best way to see it for yourself is to try the local cuisine and culinary specialties. Since rivers in the vicinity of Jajce abound in fish, fish is an authentic dish in Jajce. Historical narratives suggest that trout baked in sour cream, which is also known as the “royal trout”, was a favourite dish at the royal court, and this season you can try it in Slapovi Tavern or in many other restaurants on the waterfront where you can also enjoy the amazing natural environment. In addition to fish, restaurants in Jajce also serve traditional Bosnian culinary specialties—from bosanski lonac (Bosnian stew) to ćevapi (a small rolled patty of grilled ground meat, usually beef, seasoned with paprika, and served in a flatbread often with chopped onions or sour cream), from baklava to modern-day cakes and the inevitable Bosnian coffee.

American magazine Thrillist included Jajce on its list of the most breathtakingly beautiful little towns in the world. Their compelling and uncommon beauty takes visitors’ breath away. “You can still see the ancient hilltop castle, and explore the warren of curving cobbled streets splayed out below. But Jajce’s greatest asset is a natural wonder—the 21-meter Pliva waterfall, which spills over a sheer drop at the confluence of the Pliva and Vrbas rivers. Jajce is bound by water on three sides, making it a prime base for some of Bosnia’s best white water rafting,” Conor O’Rourke, Berlin-based freelance journalist and translator, writes in the magazine.

If you want to find out more about what this town was like back at the time when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a kingdom, you will enjoy exploring 30 national monuments located in Jajce.