Latvia Route: Riga Cathedral to Ventspils and Kuldīga
Explore Latvia's rich cultural and architectural heritage, from the medieval Old Town of Riga with its Hanseatic landmarks to the baroque palaces of Rundāle and Bauska. The route showcases the country's diverse regions, including the seaside resort of Jūrmala and historic coastal towns like Ventspils and Kuldīga.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Riga Cathedral
- End
- Cēsis Castle
- Stops
- 11
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Riga Cathedral — The most important religious building in the Baltic States, modeled on Lübeck Cathedral with contrasting architectural styles reflecting its long history.
- Freedom Monument — Important national monument symbolizing the unity of Latvia and independence, with changing of the guard ceremony as a time-honored ritual.
- Brothers Cemetery — Historic cemetery of great importance to Latvia's history, connected to the nation's cultural and national identity.
- Bauska Castle — Magnificent baroque castle built in 1737 on ramparts of an ancient Livonian order fortress, featuring a crypt with 30 decorated sarcophagi.
- Rundāle Palace — The largest palace in Latvia constructed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, resembling French Versailles with magnificent gardens and baroque and Rococo interiors.
- Trinity Church, Liepāja — Three-nave hall church founded in 1758, the largest church in Latvia built according to Protestant rules and magnificently furnished by the German community.
- Ventspils Castle — Medieval castle on the Venta River built by the Livonian order at the end of the 13th century, with well-furnished rooms open to the public.
- Sāgala Castle — Medieval hilltop fortress ruins offering panoramic views of surrounding landscapes and insight into Latvia's defensive heritage.
- Turaida Castle — Historic castle built by the Archbishop of Riga with massive walls and towers, destroyed by Swedish forces in 1601 and now a museum complex.
- Gauja River Gorge — Dramatic river valley carved through sandstone cliffs, featuring scenic hiking trails and historic castles nestled among forested slopes.
- Cēsis Castle — Medieval castle dominating the old town, first mentioned in 1224 and conquered by German Crusaders, with impressive ruins reflecting centuries of conflict.
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Visit Jūrmala, a popular health resort on the Latvian Riviera with 30 kilometres of beaches featuring bright quartz sand and a mild climate that created a holiday paradise in the 19th century.
- Tip
- Explore Gauja River Gorge, known as Livonian Switzerland, with primordial river valley scenery and Middle Ages ambience. The gorge is 85 meters deep with the river collecting water from 13 tributaries.
- Tip
- Tour Rundāle Palace, the summer residence of Ernst Johan Baron with a huge palace garden containing 328,000 lime, oak and chestnut trees, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
- Tip
- Visit Jelgava Castle, the largest castle in Latvia. Built in 1737 on the ramparts of an ancient Livonian Order castle, it features the Crypt of the Dukes with 30 decorated sarcophagi of tin and wood.
- Tip
- See St. Petri Church in Riga's centre, one of the oldest churches and main landmark, closely linked with the city's development during the Middle Ages.
- Tip
- Experience a cable car adventure spanning 1,600 meters across forest treetops and Gauja River, rising to a height of 40 meters.
- Tip
- Visit Trinity Church in Liepāja, founded in 1758 by the German community. It is the largest three-nave hall church in Latvia built according to Protestant rules.
- Tip
- Tour the Ventspils Castle, built by the Livonian Order at the end of the 13th century on the Ventura River. Rooms are well furnished and open to the public.
- Tip
- Visit Turaida Castle in Sigulda, featuring an old bishop castle with massive walls and huge watchtowers. Museum depicts daily medieval castle life from a 30-meter height viewpoint.
- Tip
- Explore Cēsis Castle, dominated by medieval ruins. The old town features St. John's Church (the largest Gothic church outside Riga), founded in 1282 as the main church of the Brothers of the Sword.
- Avoid
- The port of Liepāja served as a strictly controlled military area for 50 years. A building that was a hospital around 1900 later served as a military prison until 1997.
Video on this route
Latvia Vacation Travel Video Guide