Aizkraukle Municipality: Hotels Between Castle Ruins, the Daugava and Nature

Aizkraukle Municipality combines medieval history with the landscape of the Daugava, protected natural areas, walking trails and unique experiences. Between museums, manors, castle ruins and waterways, the region offers a diverse picture that brings its cultural history to life alongside activities on the Daugava and the Pērse.

Culture and History

The Aizkraukle Museum presents exhibitions on painting, applied art, photography and regional history. In the museum garden, you can also try out traditional games and play elements. The Voldemārs Jākobsons Memorial House offers another perspective on regional culture: more than 50 sculptures, as well as drawings, graphics, tools and art and household objects belonging to the Jākobsons family, are on display there.

The medieval castle of Aizkraukle was built around 1211 at the mouth of the Karikste River. The medieval castle ruins of Aizkraukle are privately owned and should be viewed from a distance for safety reasons. Koknese also preserves striking traces of the Middle Ages: construction of the medieval castle of Koknese began in 1209, and impressive ruins have survived to this day. A historical exhibition is housed in the castle ruins pavilion.

Odziena Manor is a neo-Gothic landmark. Its history begins with the first written mention of the name Odensee in 1455. On a guided tour, you can discover stories and legends from the era of Aizkraukle Manor, as well as the cultural and historical diversity of Daugavas ieleja Nature Park. The Pēters Graudulis Museum displays the master's works, from his earliest to his latest creations.

Nature and Trails

Daugavas ieleja Nature Park is a 1,091-hectare protected area that has been part of the Natura 2000 network since 2004. It protects a characteristic section of the ancient Daugava Valley that has remained unchanged because of the construction of the Pļaviņas Hydroelectric Power Station.

The Daugavas takas walking trail is 828 metres long. It runs below the district secondary school building along Draudzības krastmala and extends to the skate park. The trail includes a viewing platform overlooking the Daugava landscape. The walking trail Daugavas takas, renovated and expanded in 2024, borders the Aizkraukle multifunctional bicycle park. The bicycle park itself features a pump track.

Near Koknese, the nature trail runs for 5.65 kilometres along the banks of the Pērse and the Daugava. In Likteņdārzs, the 200-metre-long Friendship Avenue is lined with 77 apple trees. Each tree is dedicated to a Latvian individual, family or clan. The roof of the building in Likteņdārzs serves as a walking area and viewing point overlooking the garden and the Daugava.

Water on the Daugava and Pērse

At the medieval castle ruins of Koknese, there is a landing stage for summer boat trips, as well as rentals of boats, SUP boards and catamarans. On the banks of the Pērse near the medieval castle ruins of Koknese, Ūdens prieki Koknesē offers excursions on a sightseeing boat and SUP board rentals. The Daugava Water Trail runs through the municipalities of Aizkraukle and Jēkabpils.

Food and Unique Activities

On guided tours at Skrīveru mājas saldējums, you can learn about the history of ice cream and taste up to 20 different flavours. During the visits, you can also learn how to make ice cream yourself.

At “Raganu lidlauks”, you can practise flying on a real broom under the guidance of a witch. Before that, you will work in teams to solve various entertaining and challenging tasks.

The direct subregion includes Aizkraukle.

Other destinations in the same regional context: Gulbene Municipality, Salacgrīva Municipality, Inčukalns Municipality, Aglona Municipality, Alsunga Municipality, Ropaži Municipality, Saulkrasti Municipality.

To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.