If you have ever searched for images of Jajce, one of the most charming towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ve undoubtedly encountered one iconic view that appears time and time again: cascading waterfalls plunging dramatically against a backdrop of terracotta rooftops and an ancient fortress atop a hill. Lush greenery frames the scene, often illuminated by the glow of a golden sunset or contrasted against an impossibly blue sky.
It’s a postcard-perfect view which appears almost unreal. But, trust us, it really does exist. And the journey to discover the exact spot from which this famous image is captured adds an extra layer of adventure to any visit to Jajce.
Here’s how to find the viewpoint based on our own experiences, including the mistakes we made along the way.
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Finding the famous viewpoint of Jajce
When you arrive in Jajce, most signs and directions guide visitors towards a different viewing platform. This alternative platform is located directly at the base of the spectacular Pliva Waterfall. There’s no doubt this vantage point has its perks. Here, just a few metres from the falls, the thunderous sound of water crashing into the riverbed fills the air, while a gentle mist cools your face. It’s the best spot to experience the sheer power of nature.
However, this viewing platform – which will cost you 10 KM to access during the peak season – isn’t the viewpoint you’ve likely seen in photographs. To find the iconic image – the waterfall, the historic fortress and the houses of the old town – you must venture slightly off the beaten path.
The famous viewpoint is discreetly tucked away on the opposite bank of the Vrbas River, across from the mountain. Hidden in a small clearing within a tiny sliver of forest, a modest wooden pavilion marks the location that photographers are looking for.
Although this spot is easily found on Google Maps – pinpointed as “Pavilion” – the route itself remains surprisingly obscure. We could hardly find any information online about how to get to the famous Jajce viewpoint. This lack of guidance left us puzzled about the safest and best way to reach it.
Initially, we assumed it would be straightforward. A leisurely stroll from Jajce’s historic centre, past the bus station and across the main road bridge, before cutting down through the trees to reach the viewpoint.
Side note: The view from the main road bridge, part of the E761 road, is also pretty good. Nevertheless, it doesn’t beat the actual viewpoint!
Our assumption quickly gave way to reality once we had crossed the bridge. Although the viewpoint is geographically close to Jajce’s old town, the route involves navigating a hazardous stretch along the busy E661 road. With no pedestrian pavements, sharp bends limiting visibility and heavy traffic including buses and large lorries barreling past at considerable speed, attempting the walk on foot was neither safe nor pleasant.
We followed the Google Maps route as far as a small layby, squeezing into the side occasionally to let large vehicles pass us as safely as possible. Once we got to the layby, we realised that there was no obvious path down to the viewpoint. It was tantalisingly close, but it would have involved navigating a steep, overgrown bank through the trees. The wet ground looked unstable, and we decided not to risk a fall into the thick undergrowth just for the sake of a photo. We retraced our steps and reconsidered our options.
Thankfully, it turns out that reaching the viewpoint safely and comfortably is entirely possible – even without a car. Here are your options, including how we (finally) did it:
How to get to the Jajce viewpoint
Below, we’ve outlined the different options to reach the Jajce viewpoint. Feel free to scroll down to these options for more details. In the meantime, here’s a quick summary of the key things you need to know:
- The Jajce viewpoint is marked as Pavilion on Google Maps. We can confirm that this is where you need to walk.
- To reach the viewpoint, you will need to walk down a small woodland trail that starts at a layby on the busy E661 road.
- Due to the lack of pavement and the volume of traffic, we do not recommend walking from Jajce old town to the viewpoint. Instead, we think the best option is to park in the layby and walk down the trail. You can easily book a taxi if you don’t have your own car. See Option 3 for our experience of taking a taxi to the viewpoint.
Option 1: Reaching the viewpoint on foot
Best for: If you don’t have access to a car or can’t find a taxi. Otherwise, we can’t recommend this due to the risk of walking along the busy road.
While technically possible, the walk is risky due to the traffic and road conditions described above. If you are determined to proceed on foot, you should exercise extreme caution, remain visible, and be prepared for an uncomfortable journey squeezed between speeding vehicles and roadside barriers.
The Jajce viewpoint can be accessed via a short trail through the woods – this is the trail we were looking for on our first attempt and failed to find.
The trail starts next to a different layby, a bit further along the E661 from where we had originally walked. This layby itself offers an excellent view of the town and is roughly marked as Jajce Skyline on Google Maps.
We wouldn’t recommend walking to this layby using our original route – there are simply too many blind corners and too much traffic. Instead, if you do decide you want to walk, we recommend approaching from the north, as shown on the map below.
The above route takes you from the excellent Bedem bakery (where you can find the best burek in Jajce), over the Vrbas river via a small bridge, and up onto the main road via a quiet residential area. You will still need to walk along the road for a few hundred metres until you reach the layby, but it is a shorter stretch compared to approaching from the other direction.
Option 2: Drive yourself
Best for: Convenience and safety – the ideal option if you have your own vehicle.
If you have access to your own vehicle, reaching the Jajce viewpoint is very straightforward. Simply drive to the layby on the E661, which has parking space sufficient for a few cars.
Then, after parking your car, take the short trail through the woods that leads directly to the wooden pavilion, revealing the sought-after vista.
Option 3: Take a taxi (our choice!)
Best for: Anyone who doesn’t have access to their own vehicle.
For most travellers, especially those without their own car or motorcycle, a taxi offers the easiest, safest and most comfortable way to reach the Jajce viewpoint.
If you don’t have time to plan ahead, there are usually a few taxis waiting on the road from Jajce bus station to the old town. Not all of the drivers will speak confident English, so you may wish to show them a map of where you want to go.
Alternatively, you could ask your hotel or guest house to arrange a taxi – they will know all the local drivers and will be able to negotiate the best price.
What we did: We contacted a driver called Hari directly via WhatsApp after seeing his excellent reviews on Google. After sending our message at 9:30pm, Hari replied to us within a few minutes and we arranged to meet at Jajce bus station at 9:30am the next morning.
Hari’s friendliness and enthusiasm proved invaluable. He knew exactly where we wanted to go and pointed us in the direction of the woodland trail leading to the viewpoint.
Not only did he transport us safely to the viewpoint, but had also offered to drive us a few kilometres further down the road to the famous Mlinčići – the tiny, picturesque watermills that are the other top attraction in the area. For us, it was a fantastic bonus – we had only booked one night in Jajce, and we didn’t think we would make it to the Mlinčići. Hari made it possible and got us back to Jajce bus station in plenty of time to catch our onward coach to Travnik.
How to contact Hari: You can send Hari a message on WhatsApp or Viber – his number is +38761989998. We agreed a price of 15KM to go to the viewpoint, and ultimately paid 20KM after the extra trip to the Mlinčići.
Read next: Our experience of returning to Ohrid in North Macedonia.
Wildcard option: Zipwire adventure
During the peak tourist season, which usually stretches from late spring through to the end of summer, an adventurous alternative presents itself – a thrilling zipwire ride directly over the Vrbas river to the viewpoint. This daring journey combines the breathtaking views of Jajce with a dash of adrenaline and costs 20KM or 30KM depending on which season you travel in.
Although the zipwire doesn’t operate during quieter months – it was not working when we visited – it would certainly be an exciting way to reach the Jajce viewpoint when available.
Local wildlife near the Jajce viewpoint
Since the viewpoint is tucked away from the town itself, it’s worth pointing out that a trip here can bring some unexpected encounters with local wildlife – namely dogs. On our visit, we encountered two playful, curious puppies who were foraging in the (disappointingly large) deposits of rubbish near the layby.
We also came across a slightly larger dog who, despite initial loud barking, proved harmless and quickly lost interest. For us, this wasn’t a problem – we never felt in any danger, but it’s worth mentioning for anyone who is scared of dogs.
Extending your stay in Jajce
Jajce itself deserves more than a quick stop. Rich in history, this beguiling town was once the medieval capital of the Kingdom of Bosnia and is renowned not only for the stunning waterfalls and ancient fortress, but also for its historic sites (churches, museums) and nearby lakes which are perfect for swimming or taking a leisurely boat ride.
To truly appreciate everything Jajce has to offer, we recommend staying overnight. Accommodation ranges from friendly guesthouses in the heart of the old town (we stayed at Guesthouse MIMA, which was wonderful – and only cost £24 for the night) to hotels on the nearby Pliva lake. Many of these offer stunning views over the old town and the surrounding hills.
If time allows, take a leisurely stroll through Jajce’s cobbled streets, explore the fortress ramparts, dip into a museum and savour traditional Bosnian cuisine at one of the local restaurants. We recommend Restoran Omerbegova kuća, where classic dishes are served in an old Ottoman house.
Read next: We travelled to Jajce from Banja Luka, where we loved exploring the city’s historic Kastel Fortress. Here’s our guide to visiting it.
Finding the iconic Jajce viewpoint: Our final thoughts
Our search for Jajce’s iconic viewpoint, though initially confusing, proved to be a highlight of our visit to the town. It gave us the opportunity to not only admire the breathtaking panorama of waterfalls cascading beneath ancient ramparts, but also to meet Hari, our friendly taxi driver.
It’s well worth making the arrangements to visit the viewpoint. As soon as you reach the end of the woodland trail and look out over Jajce, you’ll understand precisely why this image has become an icon of Bosnia.