7 Amazing Things to Do in Gauja National Park, Latvia
Gauja National Park is a hidden gem in Latvia. Located just a short drive from the capital, Riga, if you’re looking for beautiful landscapes, history, and one of the more underrated places to explore in Latvia, it’s a fab place to explore.
You’ll find hiking trails, nature, adventure activities like rafting and ziplining, and much more. The park feels wild and remote, and it’s a fantastic place to escape the busier tourist spots and experience a completely different side of Latvia.
We absolutely loved our trip to Gauja National Park, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Latvia.
So, I’m going to share everything you need to know about visiting Gauja National Park, including how to get there, the best things to do, where to stay, and my top tips from our own experience.
How to get to Gauja National Park
Gauja is located northeast of Riga and is very easy to reach from Latvia’s capital. I think Latvia is one of the most underrated places to visit in Europe, so this is a real hidden gem!
The park is pretty large, so there isn’t really one single entrance; instead, most people base themselves around towns such as Sigulda or Cēsis, which both offer easy access to the park’s main attractions, hiking trails, and viewpoints.
If you’re hiring a car, the drive from Riga to Sigulda takes around an hour. This is how we got there, and it was a really easy drive as most of it was motorway.
Having your own car also gives you much more freedom to explore the wider national park, particularly if you want to visit multiple places in one day.
Alternatively, you can reach both Sigulda and Cēsis by public transport from Riga. This is a great option if you don’t want to hire a car, although you’ll need to plan your itinerary more carefully as some of the attractions are quite spread out.
You could very easily visit Gauja National Park on a day trip from the city, but I recommend staying overnight as it’ll give you more time to explore the area.
We spent two days and one night in the park and, although we definitely could’ve spent longer, this was perfect for a quick getaway!
Best things to do in Gauja National Park
There are a LOT of amazing things to do in Gauja, and we could’ve easily stayed in the area for another week and not run out of things to do. However, if you’re looking for some of the absolute best things to do in Gauja, here are my recommendations:
1. Visit Gutman’s Cave
This was easily one of our favourite things we did in the area and, although it doesn’t take long to visit, the cave is pretty stunning. It’s also one of the most famous natural attractions in Gauja National Park.
Gutman’s Cave is the largest grotto in the Baltics and one of the oldest tourist attractions in Latvia. Located near the Gauja River, it’s just a short walk from the car park, and it’s fascinating when you get up close.
Almost the entire cave is covered in inscriptions and carvings, and it’s really interesting to see up close. Some of these actually date back several centuries.
The cave is also connected to the Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida, which you’ll likely hear mentioned while exploring this part of the area.
While nearby, I also recommend combining the cave with some of the nearby walking trails or Turaida Museum Reserve.
2. Explore Birini Castle
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring a castle that literally looks like a fairytale come to life, I highly recommend Birini Castle, even though, technically, it’s located just outside the national park!
This elegant pink manor house is surrounded by peaceful gardens, woodland and lakes, and feels completely different from the other medieval castles in the area.
It dates back to the 19th century and today operates as a hotel, restaurant and events venue, but you can also explore the estate. The grounds are magnificent, with lush gardens, a huge lake, and lots of flowers.
You can go for horse rides in the grounds, take a boat out on the lake, or just spend your time wandering the elaborate gardens. You can also pay a small additional fee to visit some of the magnificent rooms inside the castle itself.
I highly recommend walking around the lake to the other side of the castle, as the view of the castle reflected across the water is pretty magnificent!
3. Visit Sigulda Castle
Sigulda is one of the main gateways to Gauja National Park, and one of the most popular places to stay in the area. So, naturally, Sigulda Castle is a must-visit!
There are actually two castles within the complex: the ruins of the medieval castle and the much newer Sigulda New Castle. The medieval castle was originally built in the 13th century.
You can wander amongst the ruins and climb the towers for views across the surrounding valley. In autumn, when the forests turn orange, yellow and red, the views from here are spectacular!
Right next to it, you can also explore the considerably grander New Castle, built during the 19th century. This has a totally different vibe from the ruins.
There are also workshops and local crafts around the grounds, so allow a little extra time rather than simply stopping for a photograph of the ruins.
4. Ride the “Zērglis” Zipline
This zipline is one of the most enjoyable things we did in Gauja National Park. We’ve done quite a few ziplines when we’ve travelled in the past, but this one was a little different from those!
Firstly, it’s a tandem zipline, so you can go on it with two people.
Secondly, and what makes this experience particularly unusual, is that the zipline runs along the same cable as the Sigulda cable car. Then, once you’ve come to a stop in the middle of the valley, the cable car collides with the zipline and drags you back to where you started!
The ride takes you high above the Gauja River and surrounding forest, so the views are incredible. It’s a brilliant way to experience the landscape from a different perspective and easily one of the most memorable activities you can do around Sigulda.
However, you’ll need to book this one in advance as spaces fill up in summer!
5. Visit Turaida Museum Reserve
Another place you shouldn’t miss in Gauja National Park is Turaida Museum Reserve, a huge historical and cultural site just outside Sigulda. This is right around the corner from Gutman’s Cave, so you can easily combine the two.
The beautiful red-brick castle dates back to the 13th century and is pretty impressive. You can wander around the castle buildings and exhibitions before climbing the main tower for one of the best views in Gauja National Park.
From the top, you can see across the Gauja River and miles of forest.
However, in addition to the castle, the reserve itself is huge and includes historical buildings, gardens, exhibitions and monuments connected to the history and culture of the region. You’ll also find the memorial to the Rose of Turaida here.
Give yourself at least a couple of hours to explore properly, especially if you want to climb the tower and wander through the wider grounds.
6. Ride the Exhilarating Bobsleigh Track
Before travelling to Latvia, I didn’t even know this was possible to do this, but it’s one of the most incredible things we did during our time in Gauja National Park! If you’ve got a taste for adrenaline and adventure, I highly recommend this!
The Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track is one of only a handful of tracks like this in the world and is used by professional athletes for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton training. But you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to experience it for yourself.
Depending on what time of year you visit, there are different experiences available that allow you to ride down the track yourself – with a professional driver, of course! You’ll reach some seriously impressive speeds and whizz around 13 hairpin bends. It’s fast, slightly terrifying, and an enormous amount of fun!
Even if you don’t fancy the ride itself, the track is worth visiting for something a little different from Gauja National Park’s castles and hiking trails.
You can also get some fantastic views across the surrounding landscape from the top of the complex and watch people hurtling around the track.
TOP TIP: If you suffer from travel sickness, I recommend taking a tablet before doing this. I wasn’t aware of just how quickly these things go before hopping on board!
7. Visit Cēsis Castle
If you have a little more time in Gauja National Park, it’s well worth heading further north to Cēsis Castle. Located in the town of the same name, this is one of the best-preserved medieval castle complexes in Latvia. It also feels really different from the castles around Sigulda.
Cēsis Castle dates back more than 800 years and was once one of the most important strongholds of the Livonian Order. Today, you can explore the atmospheric ruins, climb the castle towers and learn more about its history.
The castle complex also includes the neighbouring Cēsis New Castle and beautiful castle park.
While you’re here, I’d recommend spending some time exploring Cēsis itself too. The cobbled streets and colourful buildings are some of the prettiest in Latvia.
Where to Stay in Gauja
We stayed at a fairly new cabin complex in Sigulda called Siguldas Skati, and it was perfect. There are several cabins on the complex; all have individual themes, and all are self-catering.
Our cabin had a small kitchenette, an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, a cosy bedroom with a double bed, and a living area with a sofa and a dining room table.
It had everything we needed and felt more private and peaceful than a traditional hotel.
There’s also a spa area on site with a sauna and hot tub, which you can book in advance. This would be particularly lovely after spending the day hiking and exploring the national park!
One of the biggest advantages, however, is the location. Sigulda is one of the best places to stay in all of Gauja, and Siguldas Skati is right in the centre of town, next to Celebration Square. This means you’re within easy reach of lots of the park’s most popular sights, either within the town or just a short drive away.
If you want somewhere convenient, comfortable, and a little different from a standard hotel, I’d definitely recommend Siguldas Skati as a base for exploring Gauja National Park.
FAQs
How many days do you need in Gauja National Park?
I’d recommend spending at least two days in Gauja National Park. This will give you enough time to visit a mixture of its castles, outdoor activities and natural attractions without rushing.
Can you visit Gauja National Park as a day trip from Riga?
Yes! Sigulda is around an hour from Riga, making Gauja National Park one of the easiest day trips from the capital. If you only have one day, I’d visit places like Gutman’s Cave, Turaida Museum Reserve and Sigulda Castle.
Do you need a car to visit Gauja National Park?
No, you don’t necessarily need a car to visit Gauja National Park, particularly if you’re planning to explore Sigulda. You can travel from Riga to Sigulda by public transport and visit several attractions from the town.
However, having a car gives you much more flexibility. It’s particularly useful if you want to combine Sigulda with places such as Cēsis and Birini Castle.
What is the best time to visit Gauja National Park?
You can visit Gauja National Park throughout the year, but the experience varies a lot between seasons.
Summer is fantastic for hiking and outdoor activities (it’s actually one of the most underrated places to visit in Europe in summer), while autumn is particularly beautiful as the forests turn shades of red, orange and gold.
Spring is another lovely time for walking and exploring, while winter often brings snow and lots of opportunities for winter activities around Sigulda.
Is Gauja National Park free to visit?
Yes, there is no general entrance fee to explore Gauja National Park itself, so you can visit many of its natural areas and walking trails for free. However, individual attractions, such as castles, museums, the Zērglis Zipline and Bobsleigh, have their own admission fees.
Is Gauja National Park worth visiting?
In my opinion, yes, it’s well worth visiting! We had a wonderful time and experienced a fab mixture of adventure, history, and stunning landscapes.
It’s also an ideal addition to a trip to Riga. Despite being only around an hour from the capital, Gauja National Park feels completely different, with vast forests, medieval castles, caves, and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors.
Some of our favourite experiences were Turaida Castle and riding the Zērglis Zipline. There was also much more variety than I expected, and I could easily have spent longer exploring different parts of the park.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Latvia, I’d definitely recommend Gauja. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to experience Latvia’s beautiful countryside.
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