Una National Park Travel Guide

Una National Park covers a stretch of the Una river and its tributaries in the far northwest corner of Bosnia, close to the Croatian border. The river is known for its clarity and its colour, a strong turquoise green, and for a series of waterfalls and rapids that make the area one of the country's main centres for rafting and kayaking.

The main town for the area is Bihac, on the river itself, with smaller villages such as Martin Brod further into the park holding some of the more striking waterfall systems. This is a nature and outdoor activity destination rather than a historic town, and it is best planned as a base with day trips into the park.

The Una is one of the cleanest rivers in Europe and one of the more overlooked outdoor destinations in the Balkans, mostly because it sits in a corner of the country that most itineraries skip. It rewards travellers who want an active, nature focused stop rather than another historic town, and it is close enough to Plitvice Lakes across the border in Croatia to combine the two.

• Clear, fast flowing water good for rafting, kayaking and swimming through the warmer months
• Waterfall systems around Martin Brod and Kulen Vakuf, less visited than Croatia's Plitvice equivalent
• A genuinely rural, green corner of the country, good for a slower few days
• Proximity to Plitvice Lakes National Park across the border, an easy add on

Two nights allow for one rafting or kayaking day and one day exploring the waterfalls around Martin Brod or a swim spot near Bihac, which covers the essentials.

Three nights give more flexibility for weather and for a slower pace, particularly if you want to add a half day across the border at Plitvice Lakes, which is close enough to combine with a Una trip without excessive driving.

• Raft or kayak a stretch of the Una, widely available between spring and early autumn depending on water levels
• Walk the waterfall trails around Martin Brod, where the river splits into several cascades
• Visit Kulen Vakuf and the Strbacki Buk waterfall, one of the largest single drops on the river
• Swim in the calmer stretches near Bihac on a hot afternoon
• Walk the old town in Bihac itself along the riverbank
• Combine with a half day at Plitvice Lakes across the Croatian border if time allows

We do not book accommodation, so this is general guidance on the area rather than specific properties.

• Bihac itself: the largest town, with the most services, restaurants and rafting operators based nearby.
• Villages closer to the park such as around Martin Brod: fewer services but closer to the main waterfalls, better for a slower stay.

For a country wide view, see where to stay in Bosnia.

Bihac has no significant airport, so most visitors arrive by road, either from Zagreb in the north or from Sarajevo and Banja Luka to the south and east. A car is close to essential for reaching the waterfalls inside the park, since public transport within it is limited.

• By car: about two hours from Zagreb, and around three and a half hours from Sarajevo.
• By bus: Bihac is connected to Sarajevo and other major towns, but the park itself is easiest to explore with your own transport or an organised rafting trip that includes transfers.

For more on getting around without a car, see travelling Bosnia without a car.

Una is the outlier on most Bosnia itineraries, since it sits far from Sarajevo and Mostar and closer to the Croatian border. It suits travellers entering from Zagreb who want an active nature stop before heading south, or a dedicated outdoor trip combined with Plitvice Lakes rather than a stop bolted onto a Sarajevo and Mostar route.

If you are building a longer trip, see the 10 day Bosnia itinerary for how a northern loop through Una, Banja Luka and Jajce can lead into Sarajevo.

Late spring through early autumn is the main season, when water levels suit rafting and the weather is warm enough to swim. May and June often give the strongest flow, while July and August are warmest for swimming but can see lower water in a dry year.

Outside that window, rafting operators generally scale back or close, and the area is better suited to a quieter walking visit rather than water activities.

• A car makes a real difference here; the park's highlights are spread across a wide area with limited public transport.
• Rafting and kayaking availability depends on water levels, so confirm conditions if visiting outside peak summer.
• Bring proper footwear for the waterfall trails, which can be uneven and wet.
• If combining with Plitvice Lakes, check border crossing hours and expect queues in midsummer.