2025 Cesis Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

#europetrip Gauja National Park isn't just for nature lovers; it's a surprising hub for adrenaline sports! We took the iconic Sigulda Cable Car across the valley, which offers breathtaking aerial views of the forest canopy, the river, and the castle ruins. From the cable car, you can even spot the Bobsleigh and Luge Track, which is open for public rides (a slightly terrifying but exhilarating experience!) in both summer and winter. For true thrill-seekers, bungee jumping or riding the Zērglis Zipline across the river is available. The combination of easy access to stunning nature plus these unexpected, high-octane activities makes Sigulda a unique destination. A fun and unexpected dose of adventure on an otherwise nature-focused #europetrip.

#europetrip There is no better way to appreciate the immense scale of the Gauja River valley than by paddling on the water itself. We rented a canoe for a half-day trip and floated past towering forested cliffs, secluded beaches, and the occasional wildlife sighting. The river currents are generally gentle, making it accessible even for beginners, and it provides a completely different, peaceful perspective of the park's sandstone formations, like the Erglu Cliffs. It’s incredibly calming to drift along, surrounded by the silence of the Latvian forest. Many local companies offer rental and shuttle services, making the logistics easy. This activity provided a fantastic break from walking and city sightseeing. A wonderful, relaxing adventure activity for your summer #europetrip.

#europetrip For a slightly different focus, exploring the Līgatne area of the park is rewarding. The Līgatne Nature Trails offer a chance to view native Latvian wildlife like wild boars, moose, and deer in large, natural enclosures—a great, family-friendly activity. More fascinating, though, is the nearby Secret Soviet Bunker located deep beneath the Līgatne Rehabilitation Centre. This fully preserved Cold War relic, complete with its original equipment, is a sobering and intriguing step back into the recent history of the Baltics. This dual offering—natural wildlife viewing combined with a unique, atmospheric historical site—makes Līgatne a unique stop within the park. A great option for travelers seeking both nature and Cold War history on their #europetrip.

#europetrip Visiting Gauja National Park during the 'Golden Season' of autumn (late September/early October) is a visually stunning experience. The deciduous forests along the slopes of the valley explode into a breathtaking palette of red, orange, and gold, providing an incredible contrast to the dark green pine trees. The best views for photography are definitely from the Turaida Castle Tower and the Ķeizarskats (Emperor's Seat) viewpoint. The cooler, crisp air is perfect for long hikes, and the early morning mist rising from the Gauja River adds a magical, ethereal quality. If you want to capture spectacular European fall foliage, this park should be high on your #europetrip list. A perfect destination for breathtaking autumn landscape photography.

#europetrip The hiking trails along the Gauja River valley are the true heart of this national park. The highlight is undoubtedly the towering, sculpted sandstone cliffs—unique geological formations that create dramatic river bends and ravines. We hiked a challenging 15km loop from Sigulda, passing several key sites. The sheer lushness of the forest is striking; you could easily mistake it for a wilder, more remote region. The most famous cave, Gūtmaņala (Gutmanis Cave), the largest in the Baltics, is steeped in ancient legends and features historic wall inscriptions. While some of the trails can be a little poorly marked in remote sections, the sheer beauty of the river-carved landscape makes navigation worth the effort. Highly recommended for a refreshing and quiet nature walk on your #europetrip.

#europetrip Gauja National Park offers a rare mix of pristine nature and deep cultural history. The town of Sigulda serves as a perfect hub, often called the gateway to the park. The sheer concentration of medieval castles here is incredible. We spent a day exploring the majestic Turaida Museum Reserve, with its iconic red-brick fortress offering panoramic views over the winding Gauja River valley—an absolute must-see viewpoint! The nearby Sigulda Medieval Castle Ruins and the neighboring New Castle add layers to the region’s history, showcasing its importance to the Livonian Order. It's fantastic how easily you can transition from exploring ancient stone walls to hiking deep forest trails. A perfect blend of European medieval history and natural beauty for your #europetrip.

#falladventures If your looking for a stunning sky photos. you should visit Latvia during Summer and Autumn. The colourful display will leave you in and I bet you're friends will drool over every picture you'll show. This is place of nature, serenity and peace. Latvian rivers offer great relaxation opportunitiesm if you like to hike or kayak or just spend a night in a tent - look no further. If you’re looking for stunning sky photos, visit Latvia in summer or autumn. The colors are unreal, and I guarantee your friends will be jealous of every shot you take. It’s a place of nature, serenity, and quiet beauty. Latvia’s rivers are perfect for relaxing—whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, or simply spending a night in a tent, you won’t find a better escape.

Built in 1852, the raii Windmill (Fig. 1) is the so-called Dutch-style mill. Initially, in the 14th century, such a mill was built on the existing territory of Latvia, close to the castle and the manor. With the help of a special mechanical device, the top of the mill can be turned to the wind. People use windmills to grind flour to make brown bread and feed, and they can also shell the grain. Located in the Vienkou park, the Lgatne Woodcraft Museum (Fig. 2) is a traditional workshop for making spoons. It is possible to polish the original wood into a spoon in a short time, which is very good as a unique experience. Cisis St. John's Church (Fig. 3), built in 1284, is one of the oldest medieval monuments in Latvia. The church's organ and bells are often echoed in the streets. The ancient city of Cesis (Fig. 4) was built in 1206 and is dotted with a quiet courtyard with a unique red tiled roof. The narrow, cobbled medieval style trails are still in the city, painted in ancient times. Folk houses are scattered in every corner. Although the city of Cesis is not big, there are quite a few interesting shops. A local woman opened a shop called Skola 6 specializing in carrot-related foods, 100% green organic freshly squeezed carrot juice (Figure 5), the taste is very good, a large bottle is only 3 euros. She reprocessed the residue left in the juice and made a dim sum of different flavors. The beer here is also very famous, and the oldest beer in Latvia comes from Cesis. The brewery called Trimpus can taste black tea beer, alcohol-free sweet beer and other unique brewed beer. Xiao Ge (Figure 6) is happy to share, humorous, often go to Hong Kong, went to China three times, and even has a lot of memories in Tibet. Cesis Maize, next to St. John's Church, is a workshop that specializes in local handmade bread. The owner uses local ingredients to create six different flavors of bread. In addition, his home solid wood cutting board is very characteristic, the price is only half of Riga. (Fig. 7) Araisi Archaeological Park has two major attractions, one is the castle ruins left by German rule, and the other is the wooden buildings from the 9th-10th centuries (Figure 8 ). The Cesis Medieval Castle (Fig. 9) dates back to the early 13th century and is the best preserved castle in Latvia and the most magnificent castle relic in the Baltic States. It witnessed the history of the Livonian Knights fighting the Tsarist Russia, Poland and the Swedish army. After being attacked by the Ivan the Terrible army of Tsarist Russia in 1577, all the people in the castle lit the explosives and committed suicide, leaving a story of ecstasy.