When a Latvian wakes up on a sunny Saturday autumn morning, the first thing that comes to mind is to go to Sigulda. When a tourist asks what to visit in Latvia, one of the first places a Latvian will recommend is Sigulda. Sigulda really does enchant everyone with its natural splendour, culture and history, but after visiting Sigulda, every visitor will take with them memories to last a lifetime.
Sigulda can be reached in less than an hour’s drive from Riga and is easily accessible to residents and tourists from all regions of Latvia. The town is located in the heart of the Gauja National Park, and the picturesque banks of the Gauja River are interspersed with countless nature trails, castle mounds and places steeped in legends. Sigulda is often called the most popular destination for enjoying Latvia’s “golden autumn” and also its winter sports capital. In Sigulda, everyone will find adventures to their liking – from seeing the natural landscapes and ancient architecture and enjoying cultural events to adrenaline-filled outdoor activities.
Why is this town so magical and interesting? Let’s give some recommendations for what to see and experience in Sigulda and its surroundings.
The magic of nature
Sigulda is enchanting, with the grandeur and splendour of the ancient Gauja valley – a river valley serenely surrounded by forests and sandstone cliffs. The soul of the town is the Gauja National Park – the largest and oldest park in Latvia, famous for its biodiversity and picturesque views. When visiting popular tourist destinations, such as Paradise or Painter’s Hill or the viewpoints Ķeizerkreslas and Ķeizarskatu, you can admire the breathtaking views across the ancient valley. On a clear day, you can see almost 12 kilometres from Paradise Hill. Here you can gaze at the Gauja, which is 80 metres below, and the epic tower of Turaida Castle on the other side of the valley. Sigulda attracts romance lovers, because here you can feel the presence of nature and the magic of the “Switzerland of Vidzeme”.
In autumn, when the Gauja National Park is bursting with colours, Sigulda turns into a gorgeous autumnal fairy tale. Thousands of visitors travel to Sigulda to enjoy the famous “golden autumn” from viewing platforms and on walks.
Cultural and historical charm
Sigulda boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage that perfectly coexists with the dynamics of the modern town. For example, the Sigulda Castle of the Livonian Order stands at the centre of the town and harkens back to the knights of the 13th century. The order's castle, built in 1207, was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, until it finally fell into ruin during the Great Northern War. Today, after its restoration, the castle ruins have been reborn – they are open to visitors and have become a popular venue for outdoor events. Climbing the observation tower of the castle ruins or standing on the walls, a wonderful view of the ancient Gauja valley and the surrounding forests opens up – it’s easy to imagine the castle guards watching over this same landscape centuries ago. The ancient walls are filled with the sounds of music and the roar of people every summer, as impressive concerts and festivals take place here under the open sky.
On the horizon, in nearby Turaida, another historical treasure rises – the Turaida Museum Reserve with the red Turaida Medieval Castle. The conical tower of Turaida Castle, towering above the treetops, has become a symbol of the ancient Gauja Valley. The 42-hectare museum reserve preserves stories that are more than a thousand years old – here you can walk along the Daina Hill with sculptures dedicated to folk song characters, get to know the life of the medieval castle and see the ancient manor buildings. Legends about the Rose of Turaida and historical events that took place in this area give the place an inimitable aura of romance.
No less charming is the Krimulda Manor – a 19th-century residence of the Princes of Lieven with a neoclassical manor house and a large landscaped park. The group of manor buildings is located on the other side of the Gauja River, directly opposite Sigulda, and from here you can enjoy a view of the river valley. Today, Krimulda Manor welcomes guests, allowing you to enjoy the historical atmosphere and spend the night in the old manor apartments.
Cultural adventures that inspire
Throughout the year, there are cultural events to suit every taste in Sigulda – city-break tourists will find a plethora of museum nights and exhibitions, as well as annual and international events, festivals and a youth reading festival that gathers visitors from all over the world.
At the beginning of May, the town’s museums invite you to experience the magic of Museum Night until late at night, when historical stories come to life in lights and music. In the summer season, the Festival Square becomes a large, vibrant stage for concerts, fairs and open-air performances. Every year at the end of May, the Sigulda Regional Festival is held here with great fanfare, gathering residents and guests from the surrounding areas for a large-scale recreational and cultural programme.
On warm July evenings, for more than thirty years in a row, the Sigulda Castle Ruins have been transformed into the stage for the International Opera Festival. Opera lovers these days enjoy performances by world-famous soloists in a unique atmosphere – under the sky, with acoustics surrounded by ancient walls and the majestic beauty of the Gauja Valley in the background.
In autumn, the Sigulda Children’s and Youth Literature Festival is unique, which turns the town into a magical kingdom of reading and children’s imagination. This event is dedicated to promoting literature to children and young people.
In turn, the Night of Legends is a fabulously romantic annual event, when the castles, manors and castle ruins of Latvia, including Sigulda, come to life under candlelight, allowing guests to listen to ancient stories, walk through corridors wrapped in stories and become a part of legends themselves.
Throughout the year, Sigulda offers eight different museums, more than twenty creative workshops and master studios, nine parks and picturesque squares, hospitable event venues, and warm souvenir shops, where every traveller can put a piece of this town's romantic soul in their pocket.
Latvian Plant Parade
The annual gardening event – Latvian Plant Parade – is a particular highlight, which takes place every spring in the town of Sigulda. This large-scale festival traditionally attracts experts from all over Latvia, promoting and highlighting the national gardening industry and its uniqueness. This can be considered the largest Latvian “plant stage”, with several hundred participants, representing all regions of the country. Of course, representatives of garden goods and equipment manufacturers are present at this event, offering their best gardening solutions. As is customary at such large festivals, Latvian craftsmen and food producers also offer their delightful products and delicious dishes and food products.
Active recreation
The Sigulda region not only offers its natural beauty and cultural and historical heritage, but also provides the opportunity to enjoy active recreation in the fresh air and even see Sigulda from a bird's-eye view. Several cycling routes have been established in the town and its surroundings, allowing you to ride along forest roads and river banks. Boating on the Gauja River is popular in summer, as it is from a boat that you can best view the sandstone cliffs of the ancient valley. In adventure parks, you can also test yourself in the treetops – for example, in Kaķīškalns, the height of the obstacles is up to 25 metres above the ground, while in the thrilling open-air park Tarzāns you can climb high above the ground and rush down the toboggan run. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can go across the Gauja River on an aerial cable car, which also features an attractive ride called Zērglis – it travels at speeds of up to 100 km/h, offering an unforgettable flight over the treetops. Especially brave individuals can even try bungee jumping from the cable car, experiencing a 43-metre free fall over the Gauja. And what other activities are there – not far from Sigulda is the vertical wind tunnel Aerodium, where you can experience a real flight in the wind. Meanwhile, the Safari Park More offers a more peaceful rest in a wildlife park, which has been specially adapted for visitors in 170 hectares of pastures.
In winter, Sigulda confidently asserts itself as the winter sports capital of Latvia – several ski slopes have been created here, including the Fischer ski centre with a modern 1.25 km-long artificial cross-country track, as well as several downhill skiing and snowboarding runs. Thrill seekers are in a hurry to see and enjoy the Sigulda bobsleigh and luge track – one of the few where not only professional athletes, but also anyone interested can ride the track. In the winter months, an adrenaline ride in a four-seater bobsleigh, while in the summer, in a wheeled vehicle.
Taste experience
After an active day, there is nothing more pleasant than a leisurely meal or drink in one of the authentic local taverns and cafés.
Those who want to feel the breath of history and leisurely conversations go to Krimulda Manor, where not only can you see the luxurious interior of the manor, but you can also taste local wines. The fruit and berry wines of the Cremon brand made in Krimulda Manor have gained recognition – wine tastings are available here, during which the owners are happy to show you the manor’s wine cellars and share stories about the making of each bottle. A special souvenir from Krimulda is the manor’s “love wine”, which is bottled and specially sealed. In summer evenings, you can indulge in lazy relaxation on the manor’s terrace – a glass of aromatic wine, conversations with loved ones and a view of the sun-drenched forests of the Gauja Valley create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Restaurant Aparjods has been delighting guests with excellent food and a special atmosphere for three decades. The restaurant’s cuisine offers delicious, simple local and European dishes in a Latvian interpretation, which perfectly matches the atmosphere of a small town. If you want to enjoy authentic harmony, go to the restaurant Kungu Rija, which is located in a log cabin on the riverbank and is like a homestead with its own rhythm of life in harmony with nature. Everything that the chefs use to prepare delicious dishes is grown and cared for by themselves – each dish is seasonal and natural, and even the spices and sauces are dominated by the goodness of the local garden. Meanwhile, if you want to enjoy a cup of delicious coffee and freshly baked cinnamon bread, the well-known pastry shop Mr. Biskvīts has returned to the town. This welcoming, cosy café pampers visitors with natural and delicious pastries made with special love, and you should definitely try the legendary Mr. Biscuit honey cake or seasonal dessert.
Sigulda inspires and enchants with its romantic atmosphere, giving every visitor to the town the opportunity to create beautiful and lasting memories. Join this beautiful story!
