Tourism and natural beauty
The tourist potentials of the Republic of Srpska are based on the diversity of its natural and cultural heritage. Their protection, valorisation, revitalisation as well as inclusion in the tourist market is the strategic basis for the development of the tourist economy. History of this area, from Roman times until today, has left numerous cultural and historical monuments and traces of the rich spiritual heritage of the people who lived and survived at this crossroads of cultures and civilizations.
If we wish to single out the gems from the natural wealth, it would certainly be the mountains: Zelengora, Treskavica, Jahorina, Romania, Grmeč, Kozara, Ozren and many others, with a huge forest and hunting wealth. Thanks to the specific vegetation and microclimatic conditions, these mountains are a kind of air spa. When you come to the Republic of Srpska, don't miss the winter beauty Jahorina, where the XIV Winter Olympic Games were held in 1984. The Republic of Srpska inherited three national parks: Sutjeska (where one of the best-preserved rainforests of Perućica is located), Kozara (where the monument Mrakovica is located) and Drina (which is a habitat of endemic and relict plant species, primarily Pancic spruces).
The Tara River is the largest European reservoir of drinking water that can be drunk throughout its course. Tara Canyon, whose depth is 1300m, is known as the deepest in Europe and second in the world, right after the Colorado Canyon. In an authentic ambience of pure nature, one of the most demanding rafting in Europe is offered, ranked as level 3-5. Due to its canyon, rapids and beeches, the Vrbas River is one of the most suitable rivers in Europe for rafting and kayaking. Also, you can enjoy canyoning, kayaking - canoeing, paragliding, free climbing, hiking, biking, parachuting, as well as speleological activities. The World Rafting Championship in 2009 was successfully organised on the rivers Vrbas and Tara, which included Vrbas and Banja Luka on the map of the world's top destinations for adventure tourism. The Vrbas is the only river in the world where the conditions for night rafting are provided.
Numerous sources of thermal water have become spa - health and recreation centers, enriched with the latest diagnostic and physical equipment. The largest and most visited health and tourist center is the spa Vrućica, near Teslić, specialized in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular, rheumatological and neurological diseases. The most famous spas are: Laktaši spa, Slatina, Srpske Toplice, Višegradska spa, Dvorovi, Kulaši and Mlječanica.
Monasteries in the Republic of Srpska are among the most beautiful cultural monuments in terms of historical value and architecture, and some of them are: Tvrdoš, Duži, Hercegovačka Gračanica, Ozren, Lovnica, Krupa na Vrbasu, Liplje, Stuplje, Moštanica, Gomionica ...
When it comes to eco and ethno tourism, we will single out: Eco - center Ljekarice, Ethno village Stanišići and Tourist ethno settlement Royal village Kotromanićevo. The river Janj is extremely rich in trout, and is known for its tourist attraction Janjska islands.
The largest city of the Republic of Srpska, its administrative headquarters, economic and university center is Banja Luka, which is proudly called the ‘city of greenery’ due to its parks and numerous alleys. The center of Herzegovina is Trebinje, a city full of cultural and historical heritage, which is only 30 km away from the Adriatic Sea. In Višegrad, you can visit the tourist complex Andrićgrad and the bridge Mehmed - Pasha Sokolovic on the river Drina, which is under the protection of UNESCO.
You can watch the promotional video of the Tourist Organization called ‘Nothing much, but much more’ which shows the beauty of the Republic of Srpska and its nature at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0K55JOfmqs
