Road Trip to Cēsis, Līgatne, Āraiši and Sigulda - All Inclusive
Explore More in This Location
About This Experience in Latvia
Why Visit Latvia?
Latvia offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Latvia provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
Getting to Latvia
You can reach Latvia by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. The city offers various transportation options including taxis, public transit, and private transfers to help you reach your destination. Many hotels can arrange airport transfers, and local transportation options vary by location.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- All Tickets and Entrance Fees
- Lunch
What's Not Included
- Coffee and/or Tea
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photo Gallery
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup Information
Pickup Option: Pickup available for all travelers
Pickup Time: 15 minutes before departure
Custom pickup locations may be available. Please contact the supplier for details.
Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
The Araisi Lake Castle is the only authentic... 1 hour
The Araisi Lake Castle is the only authentic reconstruction of a prehistoric fortified settlement in Northeastern Europe. The wooden village, built on a small, flooding island for protection, had been a permanent settlement of ancient Latgalians who arrived in the territory in the 9th-10th century. The lake settlement is a result of experimental archaeology and during its reconstruction copies of ancient tools and methods were used to give it maximum authenticity. We'll wander around the dwelling, have a peek in some houses, learn about the lifestyle of people who could be considered ancestors of modern day Latvians. Besides the Lake Castle, there's more to Āraiši Archaeological Park - there's a reconstruction of some Stone and Bronze Age dwellings, as well as ruins of medieval castle of Livonian Order. So a quick glance on those two, and then we can move on to Cēsis.
Cēsis castle was one of the most important... 1 hour
Cēsis castle was one of the most important footholds for the Teutonic Order in the Baltics during medieval times and now, 800 years later, it's the most impressive and well preserved castle ruins in Latvia. We'll start the visit with Riekstu Hill, an ancient hillfort once inhabited by the Vendi tribe, who invited the German crusaders to join them, before they finished their own castle. Then through the Castle park we'll go and explore the actual medieval castle, it's tower, inner yard and manor house which was added later. The castle suffered greatly in 1577, when, during the siege set by the army of Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible, 300 people sought refuge in the castle and eventually committed suicide by blowing themselves up with gunpowder. With the rapid development of military equipment, the ancient fortress lost its military importance, but it was still inhabited until the end of the 17th century. And that's around the time when the first researchers started to look into it's history.
Cēsis is not only one of the oldest but also one of the most Latvian towns 1 hour
Cēsis is not only one of the oldest but also one of the most Latvian towns. What started as a settlement of service people for the inhabitants of the castle of the Order of Livonian knights, very soon grew into a large town encompassing the castle, and later even joined Hanseatic League. Besides the rich history, Cēsis is also known as a regional centre of art, culture and recreation for more than 100 years. And the scenic landscapes! That alone would be a reason well enough to visit! We'll stroll through the streets of the Old Town, which has had - and still does - the same street network for hundreds of years, we'll see some parks and monuments, and have a little coffee and snack break before moving on to Līgatne.
Līgatne Paper Mill started producing in 1815 and... 1 hour
Līgatne Paper Mill started producing in 1815 and very quickly became not only the biggest paper factory in Latvian territory, but also the whole Russian Empire. Besides regular writing paper, it produced paper for military maps, watermarked paper, etc. During the interwar period, Līgatne Paper Mill was exporting it's produce to all 5 continents. Unfortunately after almost 200 years of operation, it was closed in 2014, but we can still visit the "Historical center of Ligatne Paper Mill village" and see how the people used to live there. During a picturesque walk through the village and a little trail, we'll see not only the remains of factory buildings, but also "the barracks" - still populated living quarters of former employees - and maybe get a chance to look inside in one of the apartments.
Līgante is probably one of the most secluded... 1 hour
Līgante is probably one of the most secluded Latvian towns, it's right in the heart of the Gauja National Park, rich in sandstone cliff outrcrops, some of which are used by inhabitants of the town as cellars. For hundreds of years people have been manually digging caves to use them as storage rooms for vegetables, wine, etc. There's even a legend of a guy who had dug a garage for his car in soviet years. Now some of the cave-cellars are open to public, so we can have a sneak-peek of what those cellars used to be, and what they are now. You have to be warned though - there are 8 species of bats who also use the caves for their winter dwelling. Līgatne is were we'll have lunch - Latvian traditional meal in a restaurant right on the riverbank.
A PRIVATE visit to the Secret Soviet Bunker... 1 hour 30 minutes
A PRIVATE visit to the Secret Soviet Bunker - you'll be only joined by your tour guide and the bunker's local guide who will be happy to show you everything to see there and answer all of your questions. Built 9 meters under the ground, the bunker was intended to serve as a shelter for Latvia’s communist elite in case of a hypothetical nuclear war. Displayed at the shelter are authentic exhibits which have survived there from Soviet times. The secrecy of the huge bunker (2000 square meters; 21 500 square feet) was so great that even people who were working in the rehab centre right above didn't know about it's existence for 30 years. The bunker was supplied with things necessary to survive several months during a fallout including autonomous power plant with fuel reserves, air purifciation system with extra oxygen stock, water supply and sewage facilities, communication system complete with a direct hotline to Kremlin in Moscow and autonomous lines with all the key services in Latvia, strategic maps, a canteen, library with a collection of books by Marx, Lenin and the like, and obviously a whole bunch of contemporary household items, memorabilia, etc. The secrecy of the bunker was removed comparatively recently (2003) and all the authentic underground furnishings have been retained.
Sigulda is considered the most scenic town of... 30 minutes
Sigulda is considered the most scenic town of Latvia, but it's also a center of winter sports and great history. On this tour, since you will have already seen greatest examples of medieval castles of Latvia, we'll focus on the nature, stop at a few viewpoints, cross the bridge over river Gauja, stop for a cave, have a little hike if you're willing and so on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
