Sigulda
Latvia · Vidzeme · 100 m
Description
Sigulda sits on the edge of the Gauja valley an hour east of Riga, where the river has cut a wooded gorge into red Devonian sandstone deep enough for Latvians to call the area their Switzerland. Three castles face each other across it, a Livonian Order ruin at Sigulda, a nineteenth century manor beside it and the restored medieval Turaida on the far bank with a brick tower above the trees. A cable car crosses the valley. The bobsleigh track built for the Soviet team still runs and takes paying passengers.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Turaida Castle and its brick tower
- Gauja valley and the cable car crossing
- Gauja National Park sandstone cliffs
- Sigulda Livonian Order castle ruins
- Gūtmaņa cave and its inscriptions
- Bobsleigh track rides
- Autumn colours in the Gauja valley (September - October)
- Bungee jumping from the cable car
- Canoeing the Gauja river
- Krimulda manor and the valley paths
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Sigulda