Gauja National Park (Sigulda), Latvia

Gauja National Park Sigulda

A forested river valley with sandstone cliffs and medieval castles.

  • All year
  • 1 night
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Things to do

2 days in Gauja National Park

Day 1

  1. MorningRide the cable car across the Gauja valley in Sigulda, then visit the brick Turaida Castle.
  2. AfternoonWalk to Gūtmaņa Cave, covered in centuries of carved names, and the sandstone cliffs along the river.
  3. EveningHave dinner in Sigulda.

Day 2

Canoe a stretch of the Gauja river, or visit the castle town of Cēsis.

What to eat

Smoked fish and dark Latvian rye bread.

Local tips

Make the most of Gauja National Park

Beat the crowds

Calm most of the year. Autumn colours bring weekend visitors.

Best photo spot

Turaida Castle's red-brick tower above the forest, especially in autumn.

Getting there

Trains from Riga to Sigulda take about an hour.

Don't miss nearby

Cēsis and its medieval castle.

Good to know

A cable car crosses the Gauja valley. The Gūtmaņa Cave is a short walk from Turaida.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Gauja National Park

Our most hidden places around Gauja National Park: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Gauja National Park to take with you.

31 km away
85 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Gauja National Park

Getting there

  • Riga Airport (RIX)60 km away
  • Riga50 km away
  • Tartu175 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Old towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryLatvia

Questions

Gauja National Park: good to know

Is Gauja National Park worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and historic old towns. A forested river valley with sandstone cliffs and medieval castles.

How many days do you need in Gauja National Park?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Gauja National Park?

You can visit all year. Calm most of the year. Autumn colours bring weekend visitors.

How do you get to Gauja National Park?

The nearest airport is Riga Airport (RIX), about 60 km away. Trains from Riga to Sigulda take about an hour.

What is there to see near Gauja National Park?

Nearby hidden places include Riga (51 km), Pärnu (139 km) and Tartu (176 km).

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