Sigulda
Castles on both sides of a wooded river valley, a cable car between them, and Latvia's best autumn colour
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Sigulda sits in the Gauja National Park about 50 km from Riga, in a wooded river valley deep enough that Latvians call the area the Switzerland of Vidzeme. Turaida’s red-brick castle tower stands on one side, the Livonian Order ruins and the New Castle on the other, and a cable car strung 43 metres above the river connects the two. Gūtmaņa Cave, the largest grotto in the Baltics, is a short walk below. Add an Olympic bobsleigh track and two centuries of walking-stick making, and it makes a very easy day or two out of the capital. Filter by category and budget below.
Sigulda at a glance
- Ideal stay: 1 to 2 days, or a day trip from Riga
- Best time to visit: May to October, with late September for the autumn colour
- Highlights: Turaida Castle, Gūtmaņa Cave and the Gauja valley cable car
- Where to stay: the town centre near Pils iela, or Krimulda across the valley
- Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
- Getting around: trains from Riga run often; the valley itself is walked or ridden
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Can you visit Sigulda as a day trip from Riga?
Easily. Trains run frequently from Riga and take about an hour and a quarter, and the main sights sit within a few kilometres of the station. Staying a night lets you walk the valley trails without watching the clock.
How many castles are there?
Three around the valley: Turaida Castle with its red-brick tower, the Livonian Order's medieval ruins in Sigulda, and Krimulda across the river. The 19th-century Sigulda New Castle stands beside the ruins.
Is the cable car worth it?
Yes, particularly one way. It hangs 43 metres above the Gauja between Sigulda and Krimulda, and riding across then walking back past Gūtmaņa Cave saves the climb and takes in most of the valley.
What is the best time to visit Sigulda?
Late September and early October, when the valley turns gold and the town fills for the autumn colour, though it is also the busiest. Summer is greener and quieter on the trails.
Why is Sigulda known for walking sticks?
Carved walking sticks have been made and sold here for over two centuries and remain the town's traditional souvenir. The workshop in the Castle Quarter still shapes them by hand and runs sessions where you can make your own.