Quick answer: Una National Park, in Bosnia’s northwest near Bihać, centers on Štrbački Buk — a wide, multi-tiered waterfall on the Una River with a 20 KM entrance fee (about €10). A short drive away, Jajce has its own, completely different waterfall: a 20-meter drop right in the middle of town, where the Pliva River meets the Vrbas, plus the historic Pliva watermills and lakes just outside. Bring cash — there are no ATMs inside Una National Park, and both the park and Jajce’s sites run on small, coins-friendly entrance fees.
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Una National Park and Štrbački Buk
Štrbački Buk is the park’s signature sight: a broad set of travertine waterfall cascades spanning the width of the Una River, surrounded by forest rather than a single dramatic single-drop waterfall. Entrance is 20 KM per adult (about €10), paid in cash — there are no ATMs inside the park, so withdraw what you need before you arrive. A second, smaller site, Martin Brod, charges around 5 KM (roughly €2.50); bring coins specifically for this one, since it’s a smaller, less-staffed entry point. Both sites are swimmable in summer, and the water stays notably cold even in peak heat thanks to its spring-fed source.
Rafting on the Una
The Una is also a popular rafting river, with operators running trips through Bihać and the surrounding area — gentler than Montenegro’s Tara Canyon rapids, making it a reasonable choice for families or less experienced rafters. Specific prices vary enough by operator and trip length that it’s worth comparing a couple of local outfitters directly rather than relying on a single quoted figure; this is one spot where booking locally on arrival often works as well as pre-booking online.
Jajce: A Waterfall in the Middle of Town
Jajce, about two hours from Bihać, has a genuinely unusual feature: a roughly 20-meter waterfall where the Pliva River drops into the Vrbas, located right in the town center rather than out in a park. It’s one of the few places in Europe where you can see a waterfall this size without leaving a town’s main streets. Jajce was also briefly the capital of medieval Bosnia and later the site where Yugoslavia’s post-WWII constitution was declared, giving the town more historical weight than its small size suggests.
Pliva Lakes and the Watermills
Just outside Jajce, the Pliva Lakes are a popular swimming and picnicking spot, with a cluster of small wooden watermills (mlinčići) built on stilts over the water that have become one of the most photographed scenes in this part of Bosnia. It’s an easy, low-key add-on to a Jajce stop — not a destination requiring a full day on its own, but worth the short detour if you’re already in town for the waterfall.
FAQ
Can I combine Una National Park and Jajce in one day?
It’s possible but rushed given the roughly two-hour drive between them; an overnight stay in Bihać or Jajce lets you see both properly.
Is there an ATM inside Una National Park?
No — withdraw cash before you arrive, since the entrance fees (20 KM at Štrbački Buk, around 5 KM at Martin Brod) are cash-only.
Is the Una River good for beginner rafters?
Yes — it’s generally gentler than Montenegro’s Tara Canyon, making it a reasonable choice for families or first-time rafters.
Photo: Julian Nyča, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Štrbački Buk waterfall on the Una River in Una National Park.