Banja Luka

Banja Luka has a continental climate, with harsh winters and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 21.3 °C (70 °F). The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures average near freezing at 0.8 °C (33 °F). Annual precipitation for Banja Luka is about 988mm. Banja Luka has an average of 143 rainy days a year. Due to the city's high latitude, it snows in Banja Luka almost every year as well. Strong winds come from the north and north-east.

The bus station is approximately 3 km to the northeast of the centre. There are taxis at the exit of the bus which for ~10 marks (KM) can drive you to the centre. The city bus leaves from next to the train station, 200 m away, and a fare to the centre is less than 2 km.

• 🌍 Agencija Neobas, Jevrejska, ☏ +387 51 223 090, agencija@neobas.org. Purchase tickets at the bus station, or at the Neobas tourist agency in the town centre, Jevrejska bb (Novi Zanatski Centar). Prices are the same. 

There are direct bus connections from the main bus station to

• Bosnia: Sarajevo, Šipovo, Prijedor, Bosansko Gradiška, Bosansko Grahovo, Trebinje, Prijedor, Teslić, Banja Vrućica, Novi Grad, Gornji Graci, Višegrad, Bihać, ...
• Austria: Vienna, Linz and Salzburg http://www.boro-bus.com/%5Bdead+link%5D
• Croatia: Zagreb, Makarska, Pula, Split, Zadar (http://www.cazmatrans.hr/zd-bih.html), Rijeka
• Denmark: Copenhagen
• France: Paris, Lyon, ... see Eurolines.
• Germany: Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Ingolstadt, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Pforzheim, Stuttgart and Ulm
• Montenegro: Igalo, Podgorica
• Serbia: Belgrade, Novi Sad (http://www.smiljic.com/index.php?id=55), Kragujevac, Sombor, Zrenjanin, Niš, Subotica
• Sweden: Stockholm
• Switzerland: Zürich, Luzern

See http://www.autobusni-kolodvor.com/en/terminal.aspx?k=148&d=070

Several international buses from Western Europe to Bosnia follow the route Zagreb - Brod - Derventa - Doboj - Sarajevo, providing you with a wide detour around Banja Luka

Normally you would get out of those buses at Derventa but if the weather is alright and its not in the middle of the night, you could ask the bus driver to let you already out at the Novska service station (3 km after the Novska exit) on the Zagreb-Bosanski Brod highway, approx 3 hours before Derventa. From the Novska service station its another 15 km hitchhike to Okučani, the highway exit to Banja Luka (the bus won't let you off there, it is off the highway, but it's easy for cars to drop you off there). From Okučani its 3 km (hitch)hike to the Bosnian border. You can then cross the border on foot (or hitching) and continue the last lap of your travel by taking a bus to BL in Bosanska Gradiska (approx 8 KM). This will almost always save you several hours, and widens the spectrum of buses available to travel to Banja Luka.

• 🌍 Banja Luka International Airport (BNX  ^IATA) (23 km (14 mi) from the city). Regular flights to Berlin, Charleroi-Brussels, Göteborg Landvetter, Memmingen, Milan Bergamo, Nuremberg, Stockholm Arlanda, Vienna with Ryanair; Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Dortmund, Hamburg, Malmo, Stockholm Skavsta with Wizz Air, Belgrade with Air Serbia and seasonal to Tivat (Montenegro). 

Smiljić bus company arranges a minibus/taxi to and from the airport to the old bus station (stara autbuska stanica - old bus station) in the centre of town. Its recommended to make a reservation by email (agencija_smiljic@blic.net), otherwise you have to be quick to get out of the terminal and to the bus first—there are only about 20 places. The charge is 10 KM for the one-way ticket. In general, the buses operated by the aforementioned company run between the front of the airport and the Banja Luka "old" and "new" bus stations (based on the arrivals/departures from the airport). Although the schedules are impossible to find online, I've confirmed and tested that the general modus operandi (as stated by BNX airport) for these buses is as follows: For example, for a flight departing at 8:05 in the morning, there will be a bus departing from the 'old' bus station at 6:00, stopping at the 'new' bus station at 6:10, and then proceeding to the airport. Both the "new" bus station and the transport company itself readily confirmed that, but the information itself is hard to find online. Whole journey might take around 30-40 minutes. In the case of late flights to the airport, it was possible to request a drop-off point along the route. The bus driver asked everyone for their preferred drop-off location. Capacity might vary, but it seems to be sufficient for every scenario, from microbus to large bus. For the late arrival it was possible to pay with both currencies (EUR and BAM) at the bus.

If you're traveling with three or more people, taking a taxi might be just as cost-effective. Alternatively, you can try to walk out to the main road and catch a lift there.

For the return journey to the airport, it was possible and perhaps required to buy a ticket at the bus station. The airport itself is very minimal, they handle just a couple of flights weekly and the services there are minimal - don't count on buying anything there. There is essentially one gate, so there's no need to rush. The airport has only a small café and limited seating for flights departing around the same time.

The train and bus station is about 3 km northeast of the centre. Connections to: Doboj (2hr) and Novi Grad. There are only a few trains passing the station each day, but tickets are a bit cheaper than the bus (around 9 BAM to Doboj), and the train is generally more comfortable.

Closest train station in Croatia with fast connection to Zagreb is Okučani, accessible by car or bus.

Ride-sharing to and from Banja Luka is possible using BlaBlaCar web/app or facebook groups like Trazim- nudim prevoz (Searching- offering transport).

You can have your bike fixed á la minute at the Bike Servis Shop (cyclingshop.bl@gmail.com), in the Ul. Gundulićeva 104 - next to the football stadion. Tel. 051/301-470. Another bike shop is 5 doors down in the row of buildings.

The tourist office owns 15 rental bicycles, which are maintained by the above bike shop. Rental: 1 KM/hour, or 15 KM/day.

There's a bike sharing network (nextbike) with few stations scattered across town; but none at the station.

Banja Luka has dozens of city- and suburban buses. There are frequent busses to/from the bus/train station. From the main square (opposite Park Petar Kočić) take lines 6 or 10 for less than 2KM.

• Demofest. Festival of alternative music, usually lasting three days, consisting of two different parts: each evening there is a contest of demo bands, with two semifinal nights and the finals, which are held on the third day of the festival, and concerts of bands with more reputation following each part of the contest. 
• Banjalukanima. Animaton films, October 
• Kratkofil. Festival of short films in summer 
• Neofest. Pop music, organised by Dom Omladine. 

It is not compulsory to tip in Banja Luka, though a reward of about 10% for good service in restaurant or bar is always appreciated.

You can get local, handicraft souvenirs for example at the shop of association "Duga". All items there are made of natural materials by traditional technologies, and are decorated with ornaments from original traditional clothing from the area of Dinara. Their collection contains: ethno souvenirs, decorative products and clothing. Address: Etnoradionica "Duga", Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića 88 (the same street as the city hall) All of the handicrafts are produced in an ethical manner and by purchasing them you will help Duga to continue providing aid to all of its beneficiaries and support to other local humanitarian projects.

Next to Kastel is also a souvenir shop, look for the big "Suvenir"-sign.

If you like meat, you'll love Banja Luka. Meat is a standard for any meal. However, there is still lots of interesting meals you can make do if you are a vegetarian.

Here is a list of the most popular traditional dishes:

• Ćevapi - small meat sausages of pork, lamb and beef mix. They are usually served with fresh onions and pita bread (lepinja) on the side. Ćevapi usually come in pointer finger size sausages and are offered by five or ten pieces, although the variety commonly found in Banja Luka (banjalučki ćevap) usually consists of quadrangular pieces of meat.
• Pita - traditional pies, e.g., burek (with meat, which is different than in Serbia!), krompirusa (potato), sirnica (cheese) zeljanica (spinach), tikve (courgette) or with gljive (mushrooms). Normally, krompirusa and tikve are vegan (no animal products). You'd eat your pita with yoghurt (not vegan)
• Bamija - a dish of meat cooked with okra, a traditional vegetable.
• Sarma - meat and rice rolled in cabbage or grape leaves.
• Prasetina - pork grilled over an open fire.
• Teletina - is veal, usually served in cutlets. Veal in B&H is not produced by locking calves in a cage to ensure softer meat.
• Janjetina - lamb grilled over an open fire.
• Musaka - a meat pie made of minced beef, very similar to shepherds pie.
• Filovane paprike - fried peppers stuffed with minced meat and spices.
• Pršut - air dried ham, similar to Italian proscuitto.
• Suho Meso - dried meat, either beef or pork.
• "Ispod Sača" - similar to Dutch oven. A metal dish is placed on hot coals, the food is placed in the dish and covered by a lid which is then completely covered in hot coals and left to bake.
• Vlašićki Sir - similar to Travnički cheese. It is a highland cheese from the mountain villages on Vlašić Mountain in central Bosnia.
• Mladi Sir - Cottage cheese. It has a soft texture and is unsalted. Oftentimes it is served with a cream sauce on top. It is very healthy.
• Kajmak - is analogous to clotted cream in the UK. The top layer of fat skimmed from milk, it is creamy and extremely tasty. Kajmak and Uštipak (doughnut type roll) is a wonderful appetizer.
• Iz mjeha - sheep milk poured into a specially sewn sheep skin 'bag'. After a time the dry cheese is taken out of the skin container and the result is a strong, dry cheese that resembles real Parmesan.

All these are in or near the city centre:

• 🌍 Pite pod sačem, Patrijarha Makarija Sokolovića 1 (next to Ferhadija, behind mediamarket), ☏ +387 65 706-145. 08:00-20:00. Where the Albanian cooks prepare pita in the traditional way, under the Sač, a steel lid covered with burning cinders. They make real traditional burek, which is baked on the spot. The staff is very friendly and pleasant. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Tihe noći, Prote Todora Srdića. Unique restaurant that offers cheap, delicious, homemade food. Large selection of local dishes, including fish. Seating is possible on the terrace or inside. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Cap Cap (Obilićevo / Mejdan), Cara Lazara. Very tasty the cevapi. Burgers to die for. Good service and pleasant workers. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Ćevabdžinica Mrvica 1, Cara Lazara. Good kebabs and shish kebabs. Who wants to eat cevap, try this. Excellent grill master, delicious dishes and friendly relationship with guests. (updated Sep 2022)

• 🌍 Restoran Obala, Jesenjinova 26, ☏ +387 51219 652. Jesenjinova 26 on the River Vrbas, good local food, very nice location. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 MCB – The Master Craft Brewery, Bulevar vojvode Stepe Stepanovića 44, ☏ +387 65 916-917. Mexican food. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Restoran Sirano, Karađorđeva 64. A restaurant with tradition. A quiet and elegant place for lunch and dinner. An ideal place for smaller celebrations. The light sounds of the accordion are often heard from the restaurant, which fully evoke the style and karma of this restaurant. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Lovački restoran, Slatinska 37. Cozy hunting themed restaurant. Traditional food with meat being main focus. Deer, bear, rabbit and domestic cousine delicacy. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Kod Muje, Braće Mažar i majke Marije 24 (near Kozara cinema). By many, the place with best ćevapčići in city. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 Kazamat (Казамат), Teodora Kolokotronisa, ☏ +387 51 224-460, +387 51 224-466. In one of the cellars of the old Tvrdjava Kastel, with English menu's, decent wine, several vegetarian alternatives (only part of the Tropic Club-chain!. Open daily 11:00-23:00. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 Integra Restaurant, Trg Republike Srpske 8, ☏ +387 51 337 430. On the 14th floor of the RTRS building (RTV dom, РТВ дом), build by the Integra company for the Integra company, right next to the building of the Vlada (the government) of the RS. You might be sitting next to President Dodik signing oil deals with the Russians. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 Citadela, Kralja Alfonsa XIII 2, ☏ +387 51 226-807. the main shopping street. On the ground floor a cake and coffee shop, in the basement a traditional restaurant, and on the first floor another. Good quality. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 Mala Stanica, Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića, ☏ +387 51 326-730. The old train station, now right at the foot of the Vlada (government building). European style, amazing souffles. (updated Jan 2023)

Rakia or Rakija is considered to be a national drink. Its alcohol content is normally 40%, but home-produced rakia can be a tongue burner, typically 50 to 60%! Frequently used as a common drink at all celebrations, birthdays, holy holidays, slava (Orthodox Christian custom of honoring a patron saint) and even funerals. Common flavors are slivovitz, traditionally made from plums and lozova, which is made from grapes. But, you can also distill from pears, peaches, apricots, apples, figs and cherries. Plum and grape rakia are sometimes mixed with other ingredients, such as herbs, honey, sour cherries and walnuts after distillation.

Nektar pivo is the local beer, brewed in Banja Luka.