What to do in winter in Latvia. Public skating rink in Spikeri. Sit with a book in a cozy cafe
In winter, quite a lot of public, free skating rinks in Riga are flooded. If you come with your own skates, it’s free; if you rent them, you only have to pay for the equipment rental.
You can also skate in Riga, Latvia in professional ice halls and Olympic centers. Also, small skating rinks are opening in entertainment centers (for example,).
Ice palaces, Olympic centers in Latvia
There are ice palaces in almost every major city in Latvia. Local hockey schools usually train here, and in your free time you have the opportunity to use a skating rink and, if necessary, rent skates.
Curling in Latvia
Curling in Latvia was “born” in Jelgava - in. This is where today you can play and learn to play curling.
10 ideas for winter holidays in Riga, Latvia
1. Go to the ski hill
The highest, and therefore popular, slide in Latvia (312 m) - . There are several illuminated trails up to 360 meters long. Among them are two for descending cameras. The route works until the last client. There is equipment rental and a place to stay overnight.
More ski and ski slopes -
2. Go to Mezaparks
3. Go cross-country skiing in Riga parks
With the arrival of real winter, cross-country ski trails open in Riga. For example, there are good trails (Riga, Uzvaras вulv., 15), in Lucavsala, Imanta and Purvciems.
…What can I say: Riga is a very cool city. We stayed here for three and a half days, and during this time the capital of Latvia gave us many unforgettable impressions. Finding yourself in the whirlwind of its narrow streets, you seem to fall into some other reality, where the air is filled with the amber light of forged lanterns, and the songs of street musicians seem to intertwine with the songs of the Baltic wind. I won’t hide: I liked our trip to Riga. Therefore, writing this article, replaying the memories of those days in my head, is somehow especially warm and pleasant.
I hope yours trip to Latvia you will like ours no less than we do. And in order to help you make your trip a little more interesting and brighter, we have prepared this short review for you, collecting in it all the interesting activities and entertainment that you definitely need to devote time to while traveling around the Latvian capital.
16 things to do during trips to Latvia
- Stay in an old mansion.
This option will allow you to feel like a real resident of this city for a short time, will help you better understand it and feel its atmosphere. By choosing an apartment instead of a standard hotel, you get a chance to “peek behind the scenes” and see the city as the locals see it. Moreover, you can live in one of the houses in old Riga for very little money. You can find a good option, as well as save a little, by using the AIRBNB website (which, by the way, offers a small bonus to all new users of the project. To receive it, just register using this link).
From the window of our apartment, for example, there was such a stunning view. It’s always a special pleasure to greet the morning looking at such beauty.
- Wander around the old town.
Well, there’s probably no need to explain anything here. The Old Town is the real heart of Riga, its soul and its main center of attraction. Therefore, you are unlikely to miss these places. In this place, the present and the past intertwine with each other in the most bizarre way. Replicas of ancient buildings stand side by side with original buildings dating back hundreds of years. And cute street cafes, original art installations and modern cars of wealthy Riga residents surprisingly harmoniously complement the image of old squares and alleys.
However, you will probably note all this without me. Therefore, I will not burden you with all this unnecessary information in vain. Instead, I’d better throw in a few photos here, which will probably convey the atmosphere of these places much more eloquently.
- Take photos on the narrow streets of Riga.
Do not know, what to do in Riga? Have a little photo shoot for yourself! The capital of Latvia is a surprisingly photogenic city. Therefore, anyone can find some interesting shots for themselves. In general, all fans of VKontakte and Instagram will definitely like it here.
Dedicated to the upcoming release of the film “Spectre”...
Lady with a handbag
- Feel like a movie character on Jauniela Street.
It just so happened that two cult films were filmed on this picturesque street during Soviet times. At one time, the famous Baker Street from the epic film about the famous detective Sherlock Holmes was located here. And also the Flower Street of “Swiss” Bern, which is familiar to us all from the TV series “17 Moments of Spring”. 
Without visiting this place, trip to Riga will definitely be incomplete.
- Make a wish at the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.
Like in many other cities, there is a place in Riga where flocks of tourists rub/twist something together, hoping that this non-trivial ritual will fulfill some of their deepest desires. To believe in such things or not is everyone’s business. But it’s definitely worth visiting the Riga monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. At least because it is one of the most popular and “photographed” monuments in Latvia.
The monument is located behind St. Peter's Church (in the Sk?r?u iela area). In the photo its location is marked by a group of tourists
His wish fulfillment system is quite simple - make a wish and rub the nose of one of the animals. Well, the higher you reach, the faster your wish will come true. By the way, reaching the rooster is quite difficult (even with my height of 195 cm). But it's definitely worth a try. Even if it takes some time. In general, it will be what to do in Riga.
- See the famous Riga spiers.
In general, there are only four main “high-rise buildings” in the capital of Latvia – St. Jacob’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, Dome Cathedral and Riga Castle. It was these buildings that were the main symbols of old Latvia in Soviet times. Their images were used almost everywhere. And over time, the panorama of the city topped with sharp roofs became so popular that other buildings were often counted among the Riga spiers.
Today, in addition to the four main buildings, the expanded list also includes the spiers of the Riga Academy of Sciences, the Church of St. Magdalene, the Anglican Church of the Holy Redeemer, as well as the thin needle of the Riga TV Tower. Which one should you pay attention to during trips to Latvia– decide for yourself.
Riga Castle
The buildings with the four main spiers of Riga can be found at: Herdera laukums 6 (Dome Cathedral), Skarnu iela 19 (St. Peter's Church), Jakaba iela 9 (St. Jacob's Church), Pils laukums 3 (Riga Castle). The best view of all Riga's spiers opens from the left bank of the Daugava.
- View Riga from above.
By the way, many high-rise buildings in Riga today have observation decks. But most of them have an entrance fee. You can climb the tower of St. Peter’s Cathedral for 7 euros, the observation deck of the “Stalinist high-rise” Academy of Sciences (Academy Square, 1) for 4 euros, and the platform of the Riga TV Tower (Zakusala Island) for 3.70 euros. The last option may seem the most tempting (especially considering the fact that the Riga TV Tower, with a height of 368 meters, is officially considered the tallest building in the Baltics). However, I would strongly advise you not to choose it. If only because the windows in this building are constantly dirty.
Academy of Sciences of Latvia and Riga TV Tower
Instead, it’s better to go to the Panorama cafe, located on the roof of the Galleria Riga shopping center (Dzirnavu iela, 67) or to the pretentious Riga Sky Line bar in the Latvia Hotel (aka Radisson Blu Hotel). You can come here on weekdays completely free of charge. It’s better to spend the remaining money on coffee. All kinds of cocktails there are expensive (9-12 euros).
Hotel Latvia on Brivibas Ave. View from Cafe Panorama
- Listen to the melodies of street musicians.
I don’t know why, but trips to the Old World are always associated in my mind with the music of street musicians. A few months ago we listened to a cool street concert during a trip to Warsaw. This time we came across an equally interesting performance by street musicians in Riga. The guys were playing Pharell Williams' “because i'm happy” on the trumpet. And some little EU citizen was dancing in the background. In general, it was great.
- Wander through Riga's parks.
Autumn in Latvia is very picturesque. We especially liked the park next to the Freedom Monument (on Brivibas Avenue). Ponds, bridges with locks, ducks running underfoot and a huge amount of yellow, red and orange colors around - it looks very beautiful.
- See Riga through the eyes of a local resident. After all, someone like real Riga residents will be able to show you all the most hidden corners of this city, tell you about the legends of old Riga, show the city “from the inside”, the way it appears to ordinary residents of Latvia. In order to move away from the traditional format of excursions, some time ago, on the basis of the Tripster project, a whole series of unusual custom tours from “local residents” were created. Today they enjoy stable popularity in Riga. View the full list of such non-standard excursions. If finances allow, do not miss this opportunity.
- Visit Riga's Art Nouveau neighborhoods(located in the area of Elizabetes, Alberta, Antonias streets and some others adjacent to them).
Latvian Art Nouveau has long been considered one of the symbols of Riga. Pay attention to these areas. There really is something to see there. And in general, trip to Riga– a great opportunity to understand a little the intricacies of architectural styles.
- Take a walk along the banks of the Daugava.
Just dress warmly first. Autumn weather in Riga is some kind of hellish swing! Now it’s rain, now it’s sunny, now it’s fog, now it’s wind... First you leave the house and think: “Why am I dressed like a cabbage.” But after an hour you realize that you did the right thing. 
National Library of Latvia. Architecture in the late “anyhow” style. There is also some kind of crown on top.
- Take a photo of the ugliest library in the world .
Do you think we have one in Minsk? I hasten to assure you: not at all. In comparison with the unsightly and somewhat awkward building of the National Library of Latvia, our “Diamond of Knowledge” is simply an architectural masterpiece. In general, you don’t know what to do in Riga– go to the Daugava. There is always a lot of interesting things here.
- Compare Minsk and Riga Lido.
Another object for comparison is two Lido restaurants located in two capitals. As for me, our Lido is even a little better than the Latvian one. At least in Riga, Tanya constantly grumbled that there was some tension with desserts in this place.
But I liked the local dishes of national cuisine. But this should probably be written as a separate paragraph. Soooo....
- Try Latvian national cuisine.
There are actually a lot of strange things here, but at the same time very interesting. Milk soup with fish, semolina porridge with beaten egg, pumpkin compote and many other strange oddities. Although in reality everything turns out to be very, very tasty. For example, I especially liked the gray peas with bacon. It looks unpretentious, but is actually delicious. You eat and immediately imagine yourself as some kind of Latvian farmer from the Middle Ages. In Lido this dish cost 1.65 euros. Oh, yes... This restaurant also brews very tasty beer (1.95 euros per mug). In short, you won't know what to do in Riga– go on a tour of local gastronomic establishments. This is quite an adventure.
- Treat yourself to Latvian pastries.
The people of Riga simply adore her. And Tanya (our main sweets specialist) really liked it too. At the same time, good pastries can be found both in cafes and in regular stores. For example, we liked the shop at the intersection of Tallinas and Krisjana Barona streets. And also cafe “Martina”. Both places made very cool buns (0.3-0.45 euros).
- Bonus. If you suddenly start to get bored in the Latvian capital itself, go on a tour of its nearest suburbs.
Turaida Castle in autumn
In summer, the numerous beach villages in Jurmala can be a good solution. In autumn (as in our case), a much better option would be Sigulda and the Gauja National Park located in its vicinity.
Filled with myriads of yellow, red and burgundy colors at this time of year, these places become especially beautiful and picturesque. However, see for yourself... 
That's all. I hope our article is about what to do in Riga was useful to you. Write comments and share your impressions of your own trips. We will be glad to see you again. Bye!
Some useful information for organizing your trip:
- The average cost of hostels in Riga ranges from 6-12 dollars (for a bed in a shared room). You can view inexpensive housing options on this website. Our personal selection of the best hostels in the Latvian capital is presented.
- Renting a Riga apartment for a day (for two people) costs from 29 to 45 dollars. You can view current options and get a discount on your first booking on this website.
- Approximate cost of hotel rooms (2-3*): 25-50 dollars. You can check prices for several booking systems at once and save a little by using this site.
Photo article about what to see in Riga in summer and winter over a weekend (one, two or three days).
My personal TOP 15 attractions of Riga (the capital of Latvia): center, streets, architecture.
Now I am on the verge of global changes for the better. I can feel it. I know this, as well as the fact that in order for dreams to come true, it is not at all necessary to rub the nose of the rooster on the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians in the center of Riga, but we will return to this later.
And now about what to see in Riga in one or two days. Let me clarify right away that Riga, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is not for nothing that it is listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site as a city with one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world.
The photos below mostly show Riga in summer, but there are also a few from a trip to Riga in winter.
My TOP 15 attractions in Riga
In Riga we lived in these apartments, rented at a discount for 50 € per day.
1. Architecture of Riga
You can spend hours looking at the buildings of one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltics. 40% of houses in Riga are built in Art Nouveau style
Riga houses of the 17th century (mainly warehouses and residential buildings of wealthy merchants):
The cat's house is one of the most legendary buildings of old Riga.
2. Observation deck of St. Peter's Church
Address: Old Riga, st. Skarnu, 19
The height of the observation deck is 72 meters.
Paid entrance. For adults - 9 euros
From the height there is a view of the Daugava River and the city center
3. Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.
Excursions in Riga
Riga guides tell such intricate stories related to this monument that every tourist considers it his duty to rub the nose of one of the animals.
It’s funny to watch how, through subtle verbal manipulations, guides force plump guys to jump half a meter above the ground in an attempt to reach the rooster’s nose, because tactile contact with the bronze bird will give a 200% guarantee that your most cherished desire will be fulfilled.
You can order a tour of Riga on the Internet, so as not to wander aimlessly around the city, but to learn a lot of facts in a relatively short period of time and see all the most interesting things
4. Center of Riga
My Riga is cozy cafes with open terraces, where you can drink beer from large glasses and coffee from tiny cups, wrapped in a warm blanket.
These are the streets of Riga, where you can easily see a beautiful car
So does a wooden cow
These are cobbled streets where you can wander endlessly, every now and then bumping into shops with antique trinkets, designer jewelry, strange clothes and ridiculous toys.
My memory still retains fragments of memories of walking in a man’s jacket along the lantern-lit pavement, tightly squeezing a rooster between my fingers, smelling of childhood. I really wanted to believe that it would always be like this.
5.Riga Castle
Majestic building on the banks of the Daugava River:
6. Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ
Another name is the Nativity of Christ Cathedral - one of the most impressive Orthodox churches in Riga
7. Cathedral of St. James
The main Catholic church of the country, built in the Gothic style back in 1225.
8. House of the Blackheads
It was completely razed to the ground during World War II and restored quite recently.
Riga is even more beautiful at night
9. Red Barns
An area of barns near the Riga Central Market. This is a typical warehouse trading district for merchants. The architects of most of the buildings in the Red Barns area were Baltic Germans.
10. Stalinka, Academy of Sciences
There is an observation deck on the 17th floor, from where from 8 am to 10 pm you can admire the panorama of Riga from a height of 65 meters for just 2Ls
11. Three brothers.
Three brothers - this is the loving name given to three cute houses nestled in the very heart of old Riga. The development is so dense that each house is an extension of the one next to it.
12. Bridges and beaches of Riga
Bridges over the Daugava River and city beaches, where here and there you can stumble upon idle townspeople sunbathing behind bushes.
If you want a change of scenery for a couple of days and are thinking of flying to Riga, winter should not scare you. We’ve compiled a damn dozen life hacks that will help you spend your time comfortably and interestingly. Go!
House of the Blackheads
One of the most famous and “postcard” buildings in Riga is the unique and elegant House of the Blackheads on Town Hall Square. Since October 2017, it is finally open to tourists. Now you can not only take a selfie against the background of the facade and look at its textured details, but also go inside. Beautiful halls await there, in which the current leadership of Latvia still holds diplomatic receptions. You can explore the interiors on your own or with a guide. The new museum is open daily except Mondays, but may be closed for private events.
The history of the House of Blackheads is long and interesting. It was built in the 14th century and almost immediately passed into the use of the Blackhead Brotherhood - an association of merchants and shipowners. For hundreds of years, the building hosted musical concerts, dance balls and special events. It was heavily damaged during World War II and was almost rebuilt in the 2000s. And almost immediately it was occupied by the President of Latvia, whose palace was under restoration until 2016. Now the presidential offices have been vacated and are available to visitors. The entrance ticket costs six euros.
Christmas markets
In Riga, Christmas is celebrated for real - just like in Germany or Switzerland. In the central squares of the Old Town there are stalls with New Year's souvenirs and decorations, Christmas music is playing, and there is a delicious smell of sweets and mulled wine.
Riga History and Navigation Museum
The streets of old Riga are too nice to spend time indoors. But when it’s cold or wet, museums become a good alternative to walking.
Where to ski, skate and sled
Mezaparks is the closest place to Old Riga for real winter fun. This is a forest walking area in the north of the city, on the shore of Kišozero (in Latvian - Kišezers). There are paths and picnic areas here. In winter, a skating rink is poured here and slides are built, a cross-country ski track is laid out, and equipment rentals are organized. The entrance ticket will cost two euros. Equipment rental - from two euros per half hour. Detailed price list is available on the website sniegaparks.lv; The Russian and English versions are quite abandoned, but the Latvian one works.
Another interesting place for cross-country skiing enthusiasts is the track in Bikernieki Forest. In winter, it runs along the Bikernieki Ring automobile racing track, so the environment is quite unusual. In the evenings, the lights above the ski complex are turned on. Equipment rental operates in the building of the Riga Motor Museum. The ski center welcomes visitors until 21:00 on weekdays and until 22:00 on weekends.
Winter life of animals
The zoo in Riga is not bad, and it is especially interesting there in winter. There are usually few people, and you can calmly walk around the pleasant, clean area. It is curious that in cool weather they are especially active. Enclosures with wild cats and forest birds are very interesting. And you will also see that llamas, alpacas and even zebras and peacocks are not afraid of snow. If you want to warm up, go to the “Tropical House” - to see exotic animals. The zoo is open every day. Admission for adults is six euros, for children four euros.
Ice Sculpture Festival
45 kilometers southwest of Riga is the city of Jelgava, which annually hosts the only ice sculpture festival in Latvia. Not only amazingly beautiful sculptures are built here from ice, but also a bar for adults and slides for children. In the coming season, the ice show will take place from February 4 to 11, 2018, for the 11th time.
Sabji and Dal
You can dilute the laconic Baltic atmosphere with something exotic in the Indian restaurant Indian Raja (Skarnu street 7). It is located in the heart of the Old Town, right at the entrance to St. Peter's Cathedral, next to the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. Book a table by the window to admire the cold Riga from a warm restaurant, while the enticing aromas of paneer, dal, malai kofta and hot flatbreads are lavished on your table. Hot and spicy dishes provide great warmth in cold weather. At the Indian Raja restaurant they speak Russian. Opening hours: daily from 12:00 to 23:00.
Baltic weather
In winter in Riga, the air temperature can be anything from -20°C to +10°C. Remember: there is a sea nearby, from which there can be good wind. Therefore, you should dress as closed, warm and comfortable as possible. And choose waterproof shoes. Even if the forecast looks good to you, it will most likely feel colder, since the humidity in the city is high.
However, in nature in winter it is usually white and very beautiful. Therefore, many people prefer to quickly do what they need or want in central Riga and go out of town.
Meditative Jurmala
Jurmala is a resort area of several villages on the shores of the Baltic Sea, about 20 kilometers from Riga. Easy to get to by minibus, train or taxi. The most popular place is the village of Dzintari, where the famous Jurmala concert hall is located. There are no special attractions in Jurmala, but if you are attracted by cute resort houses, tall pine trees, an endless sandy beach and the absolutely incredible Baltic Sea, which is even more impressive in winter than in summer, be sure to come. And before your trip, have a snack in Riga; Jurmala is quite deserted in winter and you may not find a pleasant cafe or a suitable restaurant right away.
From winter to summer
The Livu water park in Jurmala is open all year round. Inside there are swimming pools with fresh and sea water, fun slides, a water bar, saunas, a jacuzzi, and also a warm outdoor pool. Spend your time here actively and happily. The water park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. In winter, tickets for adults cost 18.5 euros for two hours, 22 euros for four hours and 25.5 euros for the whole day. Discounts for children, pensioners and families.
A complete spa holiday
Riga residents know a lot about spa holidays. You will be offered to warm up in saunas, relax in a jacuzzi or enjoy a massage in several spa hotels, the best of which are located in the already mentioned Jurmala. If we exclude the New Year holidays, prices in spa hotels are lower than in summer, and the atmosphere is much calmer and conducive to complete relaxation.
Shopping: profitable and practical
Riga is a great place for shopping at any time of the year. The city has many shops - both familiar international chains and unique ones - with designer clothes and jewelry, cosmetics and accessories. Prices are usually more reasonable than in Russia or Western Europe. Sales usually take place before Christmas and New Year's holidays, as well as towards the end of February.
Shops are also a great place to temporarily shelter from bad weather or warm up if you've been walking a lot and are cold. In shopping centers - for example in Stockmann next to the train station or in Galerija in the very center of the Old Town, you can not only shop, but also have a tasty snack. In Galerija, check out the Vina Studija wine bar on the ground floor.
And the resort Jurmala, in Latvia, there are a lot of places for both the inexperienced and the seasoned tourist. On the territory of Latvia there are more than a hundred medieval castles of the Livonian period, as well as many new palaces and estates of various architectural styles. Lakes and rivers, authentic quiet towns with their own stories and legends. Latvia is a small country, transport communications here are quite well developed, so the road to the province from Riga will not take much time. We have collected reasons why it is worth leaving Riga for a while and exploring the surrounding area.
SIGULDA
Why Sigulda?
Sigulda has color and entertainment for every taste. These are ancient castles, picturesque national parks, extreme bungee jumping from an aerial tram, ancient caves and ski slopes, rope parks for children and adults, and much more. Local residents and foreign tourists simply adore Sigulda, in summer and winter for active and extreme recreation, skiing, slalom and bobsleigh tracks, in autumn - for its red and gold colors and relief landscapes. It’s not for nothing that this beautiful corner was dubbed Latvian Switzerland.
How to get there?
Sigulda is located 50 km from Riga.
In winter, Sigulda turns into a paradise for lovers of snowboarding, alpine and cross-country skiing: various trails, equipment rental, cafes with hot drinks and food. In summer, the Tarzan amusement park operates on this site.
CESIS
.jpg)
Why Cesis?
If Sigulda is Latvian Switzerland, then Cesis is the Latvian Alps. So this area was dubbed the center of skiing in Latvia. In addition, there is the Cesis medieval castle, the Cesis New Castle, a rabbit farm and a zoo with camels, and an art festival is held.
How to get to Cesis?
Cesis is located 90 km from Riga.
30 km from Cesis, near the town of Valmiera, there is the Valmiermuiza estate, where the beer of the same name is brewed. The owners cordially invite you to take a tour of the estate and taste the freshest foamy drink. You must register one day in advance. How to get to the estate and other information can be found here.
VENTSPILS
Why Ventspils?
Ventspils is a truly maritime city, located on the shore not of the Gulf of Riga, like Jurmala, but of the Baltic Sea. Ventspils has its own currency - venti, which can be used to pay in tourist places in the city. You can earn vents by participating in quizzes, taking augmented reality photos, putting together puzzles and other ways listed on the mega-cool and interactive website of the city of Ventspils. Ventspils is home to museums, cows, water parks, beaches and the castle of the Livonian Order.
How to get to Ventspils?
Ventspils is located 186 km from Riga.
Here is the best beach in Latvia, awarded the Blue Flag, meeting all international standards. Playgrounds, cafes, equipped paths for people with special needs, areas for nudists and surfers.
BAUSKA
Why Bauska?
Bauska is the most cozy town in the south of Latvia, Bauska Castle, palaces, museums, a brewery, parks. Driving 12 km from Bauska, you will come to the town of Rundāle, where the Latvian architectural pearl in the Baroque style is located - Rundāle Palace.
How to get to Bauska?
The Riga-Bauska bus leaves every hour and takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
Rundāle Palace is not located in Bauska itself, and you will have to get there another 12 km by public transport, which runs every one and a half hours.
What to do in Bauska?
First of all, you should visit the Bauska Castle - a fortification of the Livonian Order, built in the 15th century. The ruins of a medieval fortress with an observation tower have survived to this day. Take a walk through the old town, to the Town Hall Square - with the majestic Town Hall, and admire the oldest building in the city - the Church of the Holy Spirit. Walk along the nature trail of the Bauska Park, along the picturesque bank of the Memele River, leading to the Bauska Castle.
Having walked around nature enough, head to the famous brewery of the most popular beer in Latvia, “Bauska”. Here you can watch the process of making beer and an ancient mill grinding grain for wort, taste different types of beer and even take a beer bath. You must register for the tour in advance.
The branch of the Riga Motor Museum offers its visitors an exhibition of exclusive cars. Large vehicles, tractors, firefighters, motorcycles, as well as cars of famous people and units popular in the last century are presented here.
To appreciate the scale and beauty of the most prominent representative of the Baroque and Rococo style in Latvia, go to Rundāle. Rundale Palace was built as the summer residence of Ernst Johann, Duke of Courland. The palace was designed by the famous Italian architect Francesco Bartelomeo Rastrelli. 43 premises are open for inspection. Tickets to visit the palace in the summer season start from € 4 for the short route (excluding access to the personal apartments of the Duke and Duchess) to € 9 for the long route and park.
3 km from Rundāle Palace, behind a narrow pedestrian bridge over the Lielupe River in the town of Mežotne, there is another majestic palace. Mezhotne Palace is one of the most outstanding examples of classicism. It was built as a gift from Catherine II to Princess Charlotte von Lieven, and was designed by the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi. The English landscape park at the palace is divided into three parts: the front courtyard, summer and winter gardens.
TUKUMS
Why Tukums?
Tukums is located very close to Riga and Jurmala, so if you have limited time and want to see something other than the most popular places, go there. Not far from Tukums there is the steep Kemeri National Park or the Kemerovo swamp. Locals love to get out there in the fall and wander along the forest paths. There are also castles, medieval entertainment, a film museum and more.
How to get to Tukums?
It would be better to go to this direction by car, since many objects are located outside the city in different directions. However, if this is not possible, hitchhiking is well developed in Latvia and you can hitch a ride to the nearest places.
What to do in Tukums?
Arriving in Tukums, first take a walk around the city center - Brivibas Square, the historical center and Harmoniyas, Darza, Zirgu, Jauna, Talsu and Liela streets. Find the Palace Tower - the only element of the Livonian Order castle that survived the Northern War. In recent centuries, the tower has served as a granary and a prison, and now there is a city museum telling about the history of Tukums from the 12th century. On the museum's windows are knights and elegant ladies, as well as photographs of local fashionistas from parties and balls. It will be interesting for both adults and children. Find the ancient Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity by climbing its 20-meter observation tower for a bird's-eye view.
10 km from Tukums along the Ventspils highway is Jaunmoku Castle. The castle is relatively new - built at the beginning of the 20th century as a summer residence and hunting ground for the head of Riga, George Armistead. An adult ticket to visit the castle costs € 2.5. There is an opportunity to climb the observation tower and learn the legend of the castle about the ghost of the White Lady.
30 km south of Tukums along the P104 highway there is another beautiful castle - Jaunpils Castle. It was built in 1301 as a fortress of the Livonian Order by Master Gottfried von Roga and has been perfectly preserved to this day. The castle is surrounded on three sides by water. Legend has it that in its place there used to be an old castle, which fell into the ground, and since then, every New Year's Eve, a voice in the New Castle asks “Is Jaunpils ready?”, and the owner answers “No, not ready,” and arranges some kind of detail in the castle so that it also does not fall underground. The castle staff will offer themed excursions, including a night tour of the castle dungeons. In the most ancient part of the castle, where there was once a knight's dining room, there is a medieval tavern where you can, dressed in medieval attire, enjoy an atmospheric dinner to the sounds of ancient music. For such an exquisite menu, the prices are very reasonable.
The film town Cinevilla is located 15 km from Tukums along the P98 highway. In 2004, during the filming of the film “Guardians of Riga,” film pavilions were erected in this place, where the streets of Riga’s Tornakalns district were recreated in life-size. After filming was completed, they decided not to demolish the pavilions, since tourists and locals had already chosen the place. Nowadays the cinema town Cinevilla is one of the most popular places in Latvia. There you can arrange a photo shoot or make your own movie, or try on military overcoats.
Between Jurmala and Tukums there is one of the most important national parks in Latvia - Kemeri Park. Ķemeri has swamps, trails, lakes, museums, springs, observation towers, boat stations, pottery workshops, bicycle routes and much more. Study the park map and choose where to go.
Photo - baltic-course.com