A northeastern Bosnian industrial center with deep salt-mining roots dating to the 15th century. Home to three universities and the region's major coal production facilities.
Tuzla, Bosnia's third-largest city, has deep roots in salt mining that date back to Roman times. Walk through the stone streets to see the white-washed wooden Dzindic Mosque, swim in the salt-water Pannonica Lake complex in the city center, or step back in time at the Archaeological Park where you can explore reconstructed Stone Age dwellings.
Getting to Tuzla
WizzAir operates flights to multiple European cities from Tuzla International Airport, located 20 minutes from the city center. Regular buses connect Tuzla with Sarajevo (3 hours, 20 KM), while trains run to Doboj where you can catch connections to Zagreb and Belgrade.
Swimming in the Salt Lakes
The Pannonica complex includes three artificial salt lakes in the city center. The main lake has several swimming zones, children's pools, and water slides. Two additional lakes, Modrac and Bistarac, sit outside the city and include beach areas and waterfront cafes. The lakes open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM (June-September). Entry costs 5 KM for adults, with lockers and umbrellas available for rent. The water comes directly from local salt wells and maintains a constant 35°C temperature.
Walking Through the Old Town
Stone streets wind through the old town, where you'll find buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s. Walk down Korso, the main pedestrian street, to see bright yellow and red 19th-century buildings. Due to underground salt mining, several streets in the historic center have subsided by up to 40 centimeters since 2000.
Religious Architecture
Turalibeg's Mosque has a distinctive stone minaret and pyramid-shaped roof, rebuilt in 2007 with special foundations to prevent subsidence. Inside the 1926 Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, you can see a three-story iconostasis and detailed wall paintings. The Dzindic Mosque looks different from typical mosques - its wooden construction and white walls resemble a traditional Bosnian house.
Museums and Culture
At the Eastern Bosnia Museum, you can see Stone Age tools, Roman coins, and traditional costumes from the region. The museum opens Monday to Friday (8 AM - 3 PM), with guided tours available in English. The National Theatre runs performances from September to July, including local drama productions and classical concerts.
Day Trips from Tuzla
Take a 30-minute drive to see the medieval Srebrenik Fortress, built in 1333 on a steep cliff. For swimming and fishing, head to Lake Modrac - catch a 20-minute bus to Lukavac and then take a short taxi ride to the lake.
Local Food
Find small restaurants serving cevapi (grilled meat in flatbread with onions) and burek (meat or cheese-filled pastry) around the old town. Many local restaurants cluster near Korso street, where you can sit at outdoor tables during warm months.
