Latvia is a country where You can both to come with a group and to rest with Your family. You can choose an interesting and rich plan of excursions, as well as to spend a few weeks in a quiet atmosphere in a guest house at the shore of a river or lake, far away from the city fuss.
The description of the most popular and interesting tourist attractions and routes is presented for Your convenience:
Vecrīga (Old Riga)
The historical and geographical centre of Riga is Old Riga, located on the right bank of the river Daugava. Old Riga takes comparatively small territory inside the city walls of the 13 - 17 cent., where the unique monuments of medieval architecture are situated – St. Peter’s church, Dome cathedral, Riga Castle, Melngalvju (Blackhead’s) house, complex of dwellings buildings "Trīs brāļi" (Three brothers) and other historical monuments, museums and galleries.
St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church is one of the eldest and valuable medieval monumental architectural buildings in the Baltic States. It has been first mentioned in historical documents in 1209. The modern basilica, consisting of three parts, appeared as a result of reconstructions in the 15th century.
St. Peter’s Church became a kind of culture and art centre telling its visitors not only about the age-old building skills and teaching to feel the art, but also giving the knowledge of development of architecture and art in our days.
The visitors are offered a possibility to see a great panoramic view of Old Riga from its high 72 m steeple.
For details, click here.
Riga Dome Cathedral
The cornerstone of the Dome Cathedral was laid down on the 25th of July 1211 at the solemn ceremony conducted by the bishop Albert. The most rapid stage in building of the Dome Cathedral was the spring of 1215 when the first Cathedral burned inside the city walls.
One of the interior dominants of the Riga Dome Cathedral are its luxurious stained-glass windows.
The Dome organ is included in the list of the most valuable historical organs in the world and was built by the German firm "E. F. Walcker & Co" in 1883/1884.
For details, click here.
Riga Castle
Riga Castle is a residence of the President of Latvia in Riga. The Castle of the Livonian Order was built in this place in 1330 and had been destroyed during the war in 1484 and rebuilt in 1515. Since the second half of the 16th century, the castle was a residence of Polish and Swedish governors, and afterwards a residence of governor general of the Russian Empire. Since Latvia became an independent state, the Castle became a residence of the President of Latvia.
For details, click here.
Melngalvju (Blackheads’) House
The Blackheads’ House, at the beginning known as the New House, was built in 1334 as a place for meetings and celebrations for different public organizations of Riga. Since the 17th century it was used by the Blackheads’ Society consisting of Young single foreign merchants, mainly German. One of many patrons of the society was St. Mauritius, commander of the Roman legion who was violently beheaded, that is why the image of a blackamoor’s head became the sign and symbol of the society and is present on its arms. Building of the Blackheads’ House is the most luxurious decoration of Riga; during centuries it was repeatedly destroyed, but from 1999 Riga is again proud of the reconstructed beauty.
For details, click here.
"Three Brother" dwelling houses
The building in Maza Pils 17 is the oldest brick dwelling house in Riga. This house was built in the 15th century, when Riga had close connections with merchants from Netherlands. During this time the northern renaissance began to influence architecture in Riga. The house is the most typical dwelling-house of the 17th century. The building master had made a difficult, fashionable façade, but the idea and details were borrowed from the engravings of the Flemish master Vredeman de Vries.
For details, click here.
Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Latvian Ethnographic Museum is one of the eldest open air museums in Europe. The museum accepted its first visitors in 1932. This museum is unique as its territory of 87 ha offers to see 118 original rural houses of Latvia, churches, manors and craftsmen workshops of the 18th and 19th century.
For details, click here.
Recreation Centre "LIDO"
Latvian cuisine traditions and old traditions of food preparation will be glad to welcome You at the recreation centre "LIDO". Latvian environment, delicious and various dishes, live music every evening and national holidays with luxurious scenarios and concerts are the main features of the recreation centre.
For details, click here.
Bakery "Lāči"
Bakery "Lāči" offers a special program of entertainment for guests, i.e. a possibility to get acquainted with the history of breadmaking and participate in some of the breadmaking processes.
The bakery "Lāči" uses an ancient breadmaking style – it uses the rye-flour of different grades, the process of fermentation takes place in trugs with the real sour dough and bread is baked in the real stove with firewood.
For details, click here.
Latvian castles
Palaces and castles of Rundale, Turaida, Bauska, Jaunpils, Cesis and other Latvian cities show building traditions and artistic styles of different periods of time.
You have a possibility to visit both castles of the medieval order, which served as the fortress of Livonian order for Christianity, entering Latvia, and luxurious masterpieces of mannerism, baroque and rococo.
Rundale Palace
Rundale Palace was built between 1736 - 1740 and 1763-1768 as a summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. Rundale Palace is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia.
For details, click here.
Turaida Castle
Turaida derived from the Liv language and means "God’s garden" was mentioned first in written at the end of the 12th century in the "Chronicle of Henry of Livonia". Building of the castle’s wall was begun at the place of a destroyed wooden castle of Livs in 1214. Beginning of the fortress’s building is connected with arrival of Christianity to Latvia. A major monument of Turaida is its tower, which is not only the most ancient building of Turaida but also a favourite tourist attraction with a great view to the wide valley of the river Gauya and the places around it. The castle is also a witness of military history of Latvia. It saw armed conflicts between the archiepiscopacy of Riga and Livonian order. The castle was "a prize" in the battles conducted by Polish, Swedish, and Russian warriors.
For details, click here.
Bauska Castle
The Order of Livonian Knights built the fortress near the joining of the Musa and Memele rivers in about 1443. It had an unusual planning system; the gates to the castle were situated between two towers. Till the end of the 16th century a settlement was located near the castle. In 1580 - 1596 the first Duke of Curland, Gothard Kettler, rebuilt the fortress as his residence in the mannerism style.
Nowadays the castle offers its visitors to see the bulwarking around the castle built in the beginning of the 18th century, ruins of the Order’s castle, as well as to visit the viewing point on the central tower of the castle.
For details, click here.
Jaunpils castle
Jaunpils castle is one of the rare medieval castles, which has magnificently has not lost its historical look. Jaunpils castle was built in 1301 as Livonian Order fortress. More than 350 years fon der Recke strain lived in the palace.
Nowadays at the palace, surrounded by water from three sides, Jaunpils social life continues to run. Together with monks, jesters, lords of manor and servants You will have a possibility to become a real medieval hero.
For details, click here.
Cesis Castle
Cesis Medieval Castle was built in the beginning of the 13th century and was one of the first forts built by the German crusaders on the territory of ancient Latvia. During centuries the complex of buildings of the castle looking like a great architectural monument has survived and now shows us the building tradition and artistic style of the "Livonian" period.
For details, click here.
"White Dune" in Saulkrasti
"White Dune" is one of the most beautiful dunes of its kind in Latvia with great view to the coast of the Baltic Sea – Vidzeme Seaside. In order to enjoy this special place, the sightseeing platform is built on the top of the dune. 3.6 km walking trail called "Sunset trail" starts from the "White Dune" and goes along the sea coast.
For details, click here.
Adventure Park "Mežakaķis"
Adventure Park "Mežakaķis" includes sporting attractions for people who like an active lifestyle. Attractions are located on the trees and consist of the special paths with barriers (the small platforms with ropes, nets, different bridges, swings, logs, ropes and stairs between them are fastened to the live trees from 2 to 17 meters high).
For details, click here.
National Park Gauja
The first and oldest national park of Latvia covering the area of 91 745 ha is proud of almost 900 types of plants, 149 types of birds and 48 types of mammals.
The park also has more than 500 cultural monuments of pan-Baltic importance – ancient settlements, walls of castles, churches, farmsteads, water and wind mills, and other archaeological, architectural and art monuments.
For details, click here.
Pedvale Open Air Art Museum
The Open-Air Art Museum in Pedvale was opened by sculptor Ojars Arvids Feldbergs in 1991 near buildings of the former farmsteads Firkspedvale and Brinkpedvale on the area of 100 hectares. Now this museum is a State Historical Monument situated on the specially protected territory.
The permanent collection of the Museum includes more than 150 works of art created during symposia, workshops and pleinairs. The simple, rural accommodation is available for the artists and visitors, including a small hotel, restaurant, conference hall, and picnic areas.
For details, click here.
Munchausen’s Museum
The museum of the famous masters of fantasies Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen is located in Dunte just 55 km from Riga. The permanent historical exposition "Munchausen’s world" lets You meet the baron, a man who enjoyed the life, who could laugh at himself and others.
Try to reach the sea and get into the world of Munchausen’s adventures. Visitors of the museum are invited for a walk by the longest in Europe trail made of aspen wooden paths.
The 2nd floor of the museum welcomes the greatest in Latvia collection of waxworks "Outstanding personages in the history of Latvia".
For details, click here.
"Cinevilla" Backlot
"Cinevilla" is the only open air film decoration in the Baltic States. The decoration is built so that it can be used and adjusted for various filming projects.
The decoration was started to build in May 2004 for the needs of the historical drama "Rīgas sargi" (Defenders of Riga). The story of the film takes place in Riga in 1919, that is why the decoration consists of historical buildings and objects, creating the sense of reality of the beginning of the 20th century.
For groups "Cinevilla" offers a possibility to change clothes and become servicemen of the beginning of the 20th century and to take a tour of a small cinema village.
For details, click here.
Former military base Karosta in Liepaja
Karosta, as an autonomous urban area formed itself in the end of the 19th and in the beginning of 20th century. Liepaja, which at that time was part of the great Russian Empire, was known for its ice-free harbour and was chosen to be the Russian Empire Baltic Marine fleet support base. In 1890, north of Liepaja city began massive construction of fortifications and military camp that was named after Russian tsar Alexander III. The port of Alexander III was completely autonomous populated area with its own infrastructure, electricity power plant and sewage system, church and schools.
For details, click here.
For organization of an excursion and visiting of these or other tourist attractions, apply to the reception of the hotel or call: +371 6777 1400.
The description of the most popular and interesting tourist attractions and routes is presented for Your convenience:
Vecrīga (Old Riga)
The historical and geographical centre of Riga is Old Riga, located on the right bank of the river Daugava. Old Riga takes comparatively small territory inside the city walls of the 13 - 17 cent., where the unique monuments of medieval architecture are situated – St. Peter’s church, Dome cathedral, Riga Castle, Melngalvju (Blackhead’s) house, complex of dwellings buildings "Trīs brāļi" (Three brothers) and other historical monuments, museums and galleries.
St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church is one of the eldest and valuable medieval monumental architectural buildings in the Baltic States. It has been first mentioned in historical documents in 1209. The modern basilica, consisting of three parts, appeared as a result of reconstructions in the 15th century.
St. Peter’s Church became a kind of culture and art centre telling its visitors not only about the age-old building skills and teaching to feel the art, but also giving the knowledge of development of architecture and art in our days.
The visitors are offered a possibility to see a great panoramic view of Old Riga from its high 72 m steeple.
For details, click here.
Riga Dome Cathedral
The cornerstone of the Dome Cathedral was laid down on the 25th of July 1211 at the solemn ceremony conducted by the bishop Albert. The most rapid stage in building of the Dome Cathedral was the spring of 1215 when the first Cathedral burned inside the city walls.
One of the interior dominants of the Riga Dome Cathedral are its luxurious stained-glass windows.
The Dome organ is included in the list of the most valuable historical organs in the world and was built by the German firm "E. F. Walcker & Co" in 1883/1884.
For details, click here.
Riga Castle
Riga Castle is a residence of the President of Latvia in Riga. The Castle of the Livonian Order was built in this place in 1330 and had been destroyed during the war in 1484 and rebuilt in 1515. Since the second half of the 16th century, the castle was a residence of Polish and Swedish governors, and afterwards a residence of governor general of the Russian Empire. Since Latvia became an independent state, the Castle became a residence of the President of Latvia.
For details, click here.
Melngalvju (Blackheads’) House
The Blackheads’ House, at the beginning known as the New House, was built in 1334 as a place for meetings and celebrations for different public organizations of Riga. Since the 17th century it was used by the Blackheads’ Society consisting of Young single foreign merchants, mainly German. One of many patrons of the society was St. Mauritius, commander of the Roman legion who was violently beheaded, that is why the image of a blackamoor’s head became the sign and symbol of the society and is present on its arms. Building of the Blackheads’ House is the most luxurious decoration of Riga; during centuries it was repeatedly destroyed, but from 1999 Riga is again proud of the reconstructed beauty.
For details, click here.
"Three Brother" dwelling houses
The building in Maza Pils 17 is the oldest brick dwelling house in Riga. This house was built in the 15th century, when Riga had close connections with merchants from Netherlands. During this time the northern renaissance began to influence architecture in Riga. The house is the most typical dwelling-house of the 17th century. The building master had made a difficult, fashionable façade, but the idea and details were borrowed from the engravings of the Flemish master Vredeman de Vries.
For details, click here.
Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Latvian Ethnographic Museum is one of the eldest open air museums in Europe. The museum accepted its first visitors in 1932. This museum is unique as its territory of 87 ha offers to see 118 original rural houses of Latvia, churches, manors and craftsmen workshops of the 18th and 19th century.
For details, click here.
Recreation Centre "LIDO"
Latvian cuisine traditions and old traditions of food preparation will be glad to welcome You at the recreation centre "LIDO". Latvian environment, delicious and various dishes, live music every evening and national holidays with luxurious scenarios and concerts are the main features of the recreation centre.
For details, click here.
Bakery "Lāči"
Bakery "Lāči" offers a special program of entertainment for guests, i.e. a possibility to get acquainted with the history of breadmaking and participate in some of the breadmaking processes.
The bakery "Lāči" uses an ancient breadmaking style – it uses the rye-flour of different grades, the process of fermentation takes place in trugs with the real sour dough and bread is baked in the real stove with firewood.
For details, click here.
Latvian castles
Palaces and castles of Rundale, Turaida, Bauska, Jaunpils, Cesis and other Latvian cities show building traditions and artistic styles of different periods of time.
You have a possibility to visit both castles of the medieval order, which served as the fortress of Livonian order for Christianity, entering Latvia, and luxurious masterpieces of mannerism, baroque and rococo.
Rundale Palace
Rundale Palace was built between 1736 - 1740 and 1763-1768 as a summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. Rundale Palace is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia.
For details, click here.
Turaida Castle
Turaida derived from the Liv language and means "God’s garden" was mentioned first in written at the end of the 12th century in the "Chronicle of Henry of Livonia". Building of the castle’s wall was begun at the place of a destroyed wooden castle of Livs in 1214. Beginning of the fortress’s building is connected with arrival of Christianity to Latvia. A major monument of Turaida is its tower, which is not only the most ancient building of Turaida but also a favourite tourist attraction with a great view to the wide valley of the river Gauya and the places around it. The castle is also a witness of military history of Latvia. It saw armed conflicts between the archiepiscopacy of Riga and Livonian order. The castle was "a prize" in the battles conducted by Polish, Swedish, and Russian warriors.
For details, click here.
Bauska Castle
The Order of Livonian Knights built the fortress near the joining of the Musa and Memele rivers in about 1443. It had an unusual planning system; the gates to the castle were situated between two towers. Till the end of the 16th century a settlement was located near the castle. In 1580 - 1596 the first Duke of Curland, Gothard Kettler, rebuilt the fortress as his residence in the mannerism style.
Nowadays the castle offers its visitors to see the bulwarking around the castle built in the beginning of the 18th century, ruins of the Order’s castle, as well as to visit the viewing point on the central tower of the castle.
For details, click here.
Jaunpils castle
Jaunpils castle is one of the rare medieval castles, which has magnificently has not lost its historical look. Jaunpils castle was built in 1301 as Livonian Order fortress. More than 350 years fon der Recke strain lived in the palace.
Nowadays at the palace, surrounded by water from three sides, Jaunpils social life continues to run. Together with monks, jesters, lords of manor and servants You will have a possibility to become a real medieval hero.
For details, click here.
Cesis Castle
Cesis Medieval Castle was built in the beginning of the 13th century and was one of the first forts built by the German crusaders on the territory of ancient Latvia. During centuries the complex of buildings of the castle looking like a great architectural monument has survived and now shows us the building tradition and artistic style of the "Livonian" period.
For details, click here.
"White Dune" in Saulkrasti
"White Dune" is one of the most beautiful dunes of its kind in Latvia with great view to the coast of the Baltic Sea – Vidzeme Seaside. In order to enjoy this special place, the sightseeing platform is built on the top of the dune. 3.6 km walking trail called "Sunset trail" starts from the "White Dune" and goes along the sea coast.
For details, click here.
Adventure Park "Mežakaķis"
Adventure Park "Mežakaķis" includes sporting attractions for people who like an active lifestyle. Attractions are located on the trees and consist of the special paths with barriers (the small platforms with ropes, nets, different bridges, swings, logs, ropes and stairs between them are fastened to the live trees from 2 to 17 meters high).
For details, click here.
National Park Gauja
The first and oldest national park of Latvia covering the area of 91 745 ha is proud of almost 900 types of plants, 149 types of birds and 48 types of mammals.
The park also has more than 500 cultural monuments of pan-Baltic importance – ancient settlements, walls of castles, churches, farmsteads, water and wind mills, and other archaeological, architectural and art monuments.
For details, click here.
Pedvale Open Air Art Museum
The Open-Air Art Museum in Pedvale was opened by sculptor Ojars Arvids Feldbergs in 1991 near buildings of the former farmsteads Firkspedvale and Brinkpedvale on the area of 100 hectares. Now this museum is a State Historical Monument situated on the specially protected territory.
The permanent collection of the Museum includes more than 150 works of art created during symposia, workshops and pleinairs. The simple, rural accommodation is available for the artists and visitors, including a small hotel, restaurant, conference hall, and picnic areas.
For details, click here.
Munchausen’s Museum
The museum of the famous masters of fantasies Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen is located in Dunte just 55 km from Riga. The permanent historical exposition "Munchausen’s world" lets You meet the baron, a man who enjoyed the life, who could laugh at himself and others.
Try to reach the sea and get into the world of Munchausen’s adventures. Visitors of the museum are invited for a walk by the longest in Europe trail made of aspen wooden paths.
The 2nd floor of the museum welcomes the greatest in Latvia collection of waxworks "Outstanding personages in the history of Latvia".
For details, click here.
"Cinevilla" Backlot
"Cinevilla" is the only open air film decoration in the Baltic States. The decoration is built so that it can be used and adjusted for various filming projects.
The decoration was started to build in May 2004 for the needs of the historical drama "Rīgas sargi" (Defenders of Riga). The story of the film takes place in Riga in 1919, that is why the decoration consists of historical buildings and objects, creating the sense of reality of the beginning of the 20th century.
For groups "Cinevilla" offers a possibility to change clothes and become servicemen of the beginning of the 20th century and to take a tour of a small cinema village.
For details, click here.
Former military base Karosta in Liepaja
Karosta, as an autonomous urban area formed itself in the end of the 19th and in the beginning of 20th century. Liepaja, which at that time was part of the great Russian Empire, was known for its ice-free harbour and was chosen to be the Russian Empire Baltic Marine fleet support base. In 1890, north of Liepaja city began massive construction of fortifications and military camp that was named after Russian tsar Alexander III. The port of Alexander III was completely autonomous populated area with its own infrastructure, electricity power plant and sewage system, church and schools.
For details, click here.
For organization of an excursion and visiting of these or other tourist attractions, apply to the reception of the hotel or call: +371 6777 1400.
