Sigulda
A river-valley town at the heart of Gauja National Park, with medieval castle ruins, a cable car across the valley and autumn foliage, known as “the Switzerland of Latvia.”
Sigulda lies on the south bank of the Gauja Valley, about 50 kilometers northeast of Riga, and serves as the gateway town to Gauja National Park. Its main attractions are concentrated in the castle area. The ruins of the Sigulda Medieval Castle, built by the Livonian Order in the 13th century, let visitors climb restored towers and walls for views over the valley, and the 19th-century New Castle beside it now houses the town hall and craft shops. From the castle area you can walk to the cable car station that crosses the valley to Krimulda Manor on the opposite bank; in summer there is also cable car bungee jumping. South of town is an Olympic bobsleigh track where visitors can take a ride. Hiking along the valley leads to Gutmanis Cave, and farther north lies Turaida Castle. From Riga, the train takes about an hour. The foliage peaks from late September to mid-October, when weekends are crowded.
Opening hours
Town open all day; medieval castle about 09:00–20:00 (shorter hours in winter)
Nearby sights
- Turaida Castle
- Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
- Riga Motor Museum
- Mežaparks & Riga Zoo
- Riga Brothers' Cemetery
- Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation Deck
- Nativity of Christ Cathedral
- Latvian National Museum of Art