Cēsu Municipality: Nature, Castles and Hotels in Latvia

Cēsu Municipality combines extensive natural landscapes with medieval history and an unusually dense succession of specific excursion destinations. More than 65% of Cēsu Municipality is characterized by forests, bodies of water, hills and cliffs; the municipality also has 49 natural monuments. Gauja National Park also includes areas within Cēsu Municipality.

Nature

One of the most notable landscape features is Zvārtes iezis on the banks of the Amata. The reddish Devonian sandstone outcrop is considered one of the most beautiful of its kind in Latvia. Good views can be enjoyed both from the river and from the top of the rock. The Cecīļi Nature Trail runs along the Kumada, Dančupīte and Amata rivers and includes a canyon, a small waterfall and the Cecīļi rock.

The nature trails of Līgatne also lead through forested landscapes shaped by ravines. There, visitors can observe native wildlife and the Gauja Valley. Another special crossing over the Gauja is the Līgatne Ferry: two connected boats with a plank deck are moved by the current from one bank to the other along a cable stretched across the river. It is considered the only ferry of its kind in the Baltics. The ferry operates daily, although technical or other unavoidable circumstances may cause exceptions.

Culture and History

Cēsis has a history spanning more than 800 years and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. Cēsu viduslaiku pils is also an 800-year-old historical testimony and is considered one of the best-preserved castle ruins in Latvia. In summer, visitors can try medieval games and activities in the castle garden at weekends, learn old craft techniques and explore the medieval garden.

The Cēsis Museum was founded in 1925 and has more than 160,000 museum objects. Another historic site is Liestraupe Castle, the only castle in Latvia connected to a church within a single building. Āraiši Archaeological Park contains the only reconstruction in Europe of a fortified settlement from the 9th to 10th centuries. There is also a guided tour about the way of life and building traditions of the ancient Latgalians.

Near the Melānija Vanaga Museum is a Siberian dugout, considered the only facility of its kind in Latvia. The museum shows a film about Melānija Vanaga, handwritten unpublished books, the writer’s personal belongings and the stories associated with them.

Activities

The region offers various ways to get around and explore the landscape. The Jaunpiebalga–Viņķu kalns circular route is 17 km long, of moderate difficulty, and begins at Gaujas iela 21 in Jaunpiebalga. The cycling route leads through the landscapes of Piebalga and to the cultural and historical sights in the centre of Jaunpiebalga. VeloTava in Jaunpiebalga can recommend and accompany individually tailored routes that include natural and cultural-historical attractions.

A cultural and historical trail runs through the paper-mill village of Līgatne and includes a 3 km-long walking route. There is also a 1.8 km-long variant accessible by bicycle and with a pushchair. The Līgatne Tourist Information Centre is located at Spriņģu iela 2 in Līgatne.

For water activities, the Žagarkalns boat base rents canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, river catamarans, rafts and SUP boards for trips on the Gauja and Brasla. The base also offers transfers from the campsite to the starting point or from the destination back to the starting point. In winter, Ozolkalns Ski Resort has four slopes: a blue, a green, a red, and a children’s and practice slope. Each is up to 500 metres long; there is also a chairlift.

More than 200 animals live at Rakši Zoo, including camels, llamas, alpacas and lemurs. Activities include camel rides, walks with llamas, donkey-cart rides and feeding lemurs in direct contact.

Culinary Delights and Regional Places

Latvijas Ķiploks offers a 1.5-hour guided tour of garlic production with a tasting. The Straupe Slow Food Market takes place in the historic complex of Straupes zirgu pasts; the Straupes zirgu pasta virtuve is also located there.

For further orientation within the region, direct connections lead to Rāmuļi, Cēsis and Raiskums.

For the broader travel overview: Latvia.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Jēkabpils, Cesvaines Novads, Līvānu Novads, Aizputes Novads, Skaistas pagasts.