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Cēsis
Eastern Europe and the Balkans · Latvia
Did you know?
- Wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries survive beside cobbled Old Town streets.
- The castle complex combines a Medieval Castle, a New Castle and a History and Art Museum.
- St. John's Church has a tower viewpoint over town.
See also
Sigulda
Latvia57.15°N 24.87°E
Overview
Cēsis brings together medieval castle ruins, cobbled streets and old wooden buildings. Its setting in Gauja National Park makes it a quiet base for town walks and nearby nature.
Languages: Latvian
Why Go
Cēsis is a quiet historic town of roughly 18,000 inhabitants in Gauja National Park, offering medieval castle ruins, cobbled Old Town streets, and wooden 18th-19th century buildings. Located about 100 km east of Riga, it provides a slower-paced counterweight to the capital with access to Latvia's largest national park. The town is known for its two beautiful castles, parks, and small-town charm.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get In
Cēsis has a railway station at Stacijas laukums 1 with train connections to Riga and other destinations. Bus services are available through 1188.lv, which provides up-to-date schedules, route planners, and prices for both bus and train travel.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get Around
The town is compact enough to explore on foot, with the Old Town, castle complex, and main squares within walking distance. The mapframe coordinates are centered at 57.31238, 25.26787 for navigation.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to Go
The Medieval Day at Cēsis Castle takes place annually on the first Saturday of August, featuring free medieval-themed activities. The Cēsis Art Festival runs annually from July to August. Winter visitors can enjoy skiing at Žagarkalns Ski Centre during the season.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to Stay
Budget accommodation includes Hotel Buts at Bērzaines iela 15, while Hotel Cēsis at Vienības laukums 1 offers rooms from €35, located next to the Victory Monument. Both options provide basic stays in the town center.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and Drink
Kafetērija Cēsis offers authentic local-style inexpensive food with salads from €0.25 per 100g and coffee at €0.90, open M-Sa 07:30-19:00, Su 09:00-17:00. Cafe Popular on Vienības laukums 1 serves pizzas and bistro fare with a summer terrace, open daily with varying hours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
The Cēsis Castle Complex at Pils laukums 9-11 (€10 entry) includes the Medieval Castle, New Castle, and History and Art Museum. St. John's Church at Lielā Skolas iela 8 offers tower views for €3 on weekends. The oldest brewery in Latvia, Cēsu alus darītava at Aldaru laukums 1, was erected in 1878. Nature lovers can hike through Gauja National Park or the Ieriķu nature trail (€3 adults). Winter activities include skiing at Žagarkalns Ski Centre (€15-18 per day).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Cēsis is generally a safe, quiet town. Standard urban precautions apply regarding personal belongings in crowded areas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Mobile coverage is available through Latvian carriers. WiFi is typically available at hotels and cafes.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
Budget travelers can expect to spend €25-40 per day covering accommodation (dorms or budget hotels), meals at local eateries like Kafetērija Cēsis, and local transport. Attractions like the castle complex (€10) and church tower (€3) are relatively affordable.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day Trips
Ligatne offers nature trails with wildlife animals and a Soviet bunker complex. Sigulda, the most popular destination outside Riga for foreign tourists, features castles and historic sites. Valmiera has castle ruins, a medieval church, and a famous brewery, marking the start of Gauja National Park.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go Next
From Cēsis, travelers can continue to Ligatne (nature trails and Soviet bunker), Sigulda (castles and historic sites), Valmiera (theatre and brewery), Smiltene (manor and castle ruins), or explore other towns in the Vidzeme region.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Hotel Buts
Budget.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Cēsis
Recorded price: From €35
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Cafe Popular
Pizzas. Daily bistro. Summer terrace.
Recorded price: $$
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Kafetērija Cēsis
Authentic local style inexpensive bite. Salads, meat, fish, cake – all self made.
Recorded price: Salads from €0.25/100g, coffee €0.90
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Cēsis Castle Complex
Complex with the Medieval Castle, the New Castle and the Cēsis History and Art Museum. The most famous building of Cēsis is the castle, for which construction began in 1209. Before, there was a wooden castle of the Venden people here. The castle became the residence of the Order of the Sword Brothers. It was destroyed in 1577, rebuilt, and destroyed again in 1703. At the end of the 18th century, part of the ruins where used as country house of Count Sievers, the then owner of the castle site. One of the towers was included in his country house. Nowadays, the included city museum is located in that building. The rest of the castle is still mostly in ruins.
Recorded price: €10
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Līvu Square
Has a fountain that is illuminated at night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
May Park
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Old Town
Various wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries still standing.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget options include Hotel Buts; mid-range Hotel Cēsis starts from €35.
Food
Kafetērija Cēsis offers affordable local food from €0.25 per 100g for salads.
Money
Euro (€) is the local currency. ATMs available in town center.
Transport
Cēsis railway station provides train connections to Riga. Bus schedules available at 1188.lv.
Weather
Winter offers skiing at Žagarkalns; summer brings festivals and hiking in Gauja National Park.