Cities and resorts of Latvia

Charm of Latvian towns

Latvia is not only Riga - a modern, architecturally diverse metropolis with a rich history. Latvia is not only a green nature and beautiful landscapes. Latvia is also a small towns, each is very interesting and funny.

Unique historical buildings, medieval castles, charming small hotels and restaurants - this and much more gives the towns a special charm for which they are visited by tourists from around the world.

Pearl of Kurzeme - Kuldiga

The most beautiful Latvian town of all time has always been considered the pearl of Kurzeme - Kuldiga. It is one of the oldest cities, a member of the Hanseatic League, the capital of the Duchy of Courland, a thriving medieval town whose power ended in the early 18th century due to the Great Northern War and the ensuing plague. Then the city was again rebuilt. Since Kuldiga did not suffer either in the First or Second World War, the town preserved ancient buildings, its historic center is a great place for walks - leisurely observers drew attention to the decoration of windows and doors of houses, and other places with wood carvings. Kuldiga is also called the Venice of Latvia, because Aleksupite flows directly along the walls of the buildings across the city.

Special romantic for town also creates an old brick bridge across the Venta River, which is one of the longest brick bridges in Europe (164 m) and claim a place in the monuments list of UNESCO World Heritage, and just before the bridge is the widest waterfall in Europe - a waterfall on Venta rapids (about 250 m wide and 1.75 m high), where in the spring can be seen as fish going on spawning are jumping.

Picturesque towns Kandava and Sabile

Not as large, but not least picturesque and beautiful towns Kandava and Sabile located on the banks of the Abava River, on the way from Riga to Kuldiga. Ancient Abava Valley with its beaches, numerous natural monuments, mounds, and spectacular scenery deserves special attention, as well as situated on its banks Kandava. On the streets of Talsu and Sabiles, as well as on the street Loca has remained a characteristic only of Kandava buildings - houses with closed courtyards, passages, noteworthy Kandava knight's castle, a mighty Powder Tower, and the Curonian fort offers spectacular views of the ancient valley of the Abava and the oldest stone bridge in Latvia, connecting the banks of the river.

In a small area in Sabile are concentrated many cultural and historical monuments, the historical center of Sabile - town-planning monument of 15-19 centuries. Sabile boasts the most remote in the north vineyard inscribed in the Guinness Book of Records, and Pedvalsk open-air art museum.

City on nine hills

The picturesque surroundings of other town in Kurzeme - Talsi attracts each guest and residents of the town. It is situated on nine hills, surrounded by two lakes. The historical center of Talsi has changed a little since the 19th century, in the city is still possible to find a narrow cobbled streets, buildings are allocated by characteristic only for Talsi buildings with gabled roofs. A landscape located in the vicinity of Talsi the North Kurzeme hill with wild forests, steep mountains and deep valleys declared a natural park. In many places, at the foot of the hills are equipped with ski trails, and a folklore trail is equipped near the house Yankalnu. Not far from Sabile you can see the impressive, by the Latvian measures, waterfall on the thresholds of the Abava, which always attracts water tourists.

City on the peninsula

In Zemgale you should visit Bauska - an ancient city, formed on a peninsula at the confluence of the rivers Musa and Memel. There lies the Livonian Order Castle - the thickness of the walls of the castle Bauska reached 3 meters, had five towers, some of which have survived. The old town of Bauska is a fascinating subject to explore, and not far from the city extends the majestic Mezotne Palace - the brightest architectural monument of classicism in Latvia, as well as Rundale Palace - the pearl of the Rococo and Baroque at all the Baltic States.

The north-eastern part of Zemgale, towns Subate and Ilukste have a completely different aura. Subate stands on the banks of two lakes, the historic center of the city is a monument of town-planning of national importance. Ilukste is particularly interesting for its surroundings, where it is founded a fascinating nature reserve Pilskalnes Siguldiņa with lots of hiking trails.

Bright Sigulda

Of course, the most visited tourist town - Sigulda. Its beauty is known for several centuries, when travelers from around the world began to flock to so called “Switzerland of Vidzeme” Sigulda. The main value of the city is Gauja with its ancient valley and lots of natural, historical and cultural monuments. The picturesque river valley is beautiful in all seasons, sandstone outcrops and caves in them, ancient settlements and stone knight's castles, among which should be highlighted Turaida Castle, the center of winter sports with the Sigulda bobsleigh and luge track and a variety of slopes - it is only a part of the scenic Sigulda, located in the national park "Gauja".

Ancient Cesis

On the banks of the Gauja there is another worth seeing place - Cesis. This is one of the oldest towns in Latvia, a former member of the Hanseatic League, the powerful castle of the Livonian Order, with numerous unique objects to see. Cesis Castle is once the strongest fortress in the Baltic, and a walk through the old town Cesis and a castle park - a real treat for romantics and lovers of antiquity. Zagarkalns is waiting for winter sports enthusiasts. Interestingly that in a nearby village Cirulisi saint spring flows from one rock, whose water has healing properties.

Luxury Rezekne

Cultural and historical coloring of Latgale can be enjoyed in so called her heart - the city of Rezekne and its beautiful surroundings, stand out beautiful Catholic churches; the oldest city in Latvia - Ludza, which stands on several hills on the shores of three lakes, and there are still the ruins of the magnificent castle of the Order, and in the historic center of the city after several devastating fires survived the 19th century wooden buildings with closed courtyards; as well as in Kraslav - one of the most beautiful places on the steep banks of the Daugava.