Cēsis Travel Guide 2026: Medieval Castle, Old Town, Gauja Valley, Costs & Tips

Cēsis is one of Latvia's oldest and most charming towns, located about 90 km northeast of Riga in the heart of Gauja National Park. Founded more than 800 years ago, it was once an important seat of the Livonian Order, whose master lived in the mighty Cēsis Castle. Today, the castle ruins are one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the Baltics, and visitors can explore them by candlelight in lanterns, climbing narrow staircases in the towers. Around the castle, the cobbled old town has wooden and stone houses, small cafés, craft shops, a medieval church and a lively cultural scene, including the Cēsis Art Festival and a modern concert hall. Cēsis is also a great base for exploring the Gauja valley, with sandstone cliffs, hiking trails, canoe trips and the reconstructed 9th-century Āraiši Lake Castle. This Cēsis travel guide covers the best time to visit, top places, where to stay, how to get there and around, costs, entry rules and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Cēsis

Summer (June–August): The best time to visit, with temperatures of about 20–25°C, outdoor events, medieval festivals and canoeing on the Gauja. The Cēsis Art Festival is held in summer, with exhibitions and concerts.

Autumn (September–October): Beautiful autumn colours in the Gauja valley and fewer visitors.

Winter (December–March): Snowy, cold and atmospheric, with Christmas markets and skiing on the Žagarkalns slopes nearby.

Spring (April–May): Fresh greenery and quiet streets.

Events:

• Cēsis Art Festival (summer): Contemporary art and music in historic buildings.
• Medieval Festival: Knights, crafts and markets at the castle (check the dates).
• Midsummer (23–24 June).

Top Places to Visit in Cēsis

1. Cēsis Medieval Castle

Founded in the 13th century, the castle was the residence of the Livonian Order's master. Explore the western tower, where you're given a lantern to climb the dark staircases, the southern tower with its views, and the castle courtyard. In summer, there are medieval crafts and costumed guides.

2. Cēsis New Castle and History and Art Museum

The 18th-century manor next to the ruins houses the Cēsis History and Art Museum, with exhibits on the town's history. Climb the Lademacher Tower for views.

3. Castle Park

A romantic park with a pond, swans and walking paths around the castle.

4. Old Town and Rīgas iela

Stroll along Rīgas iela, the main street of the old town, lined with historic houses, cafés and shops.

5. St John's Church

A 13th-century church, one of the largest medieval churches in Latvia outside Riga. Climb the tower for views over the town.

6. Victory Monument and Unity Square

A monument commemorating the 1919 Battle of Cēsis, an important event in Latvia's War of Independence.

7. Cēsis Concert Hall

A modern concert hall hosting classical, jazz and popular music.

Also worth visiting: Cēsis Exhibition House, the Maija Park, Raunas Street, and the Cēsis Brewery, one of Latvia's oldest breweries.

Beyond Cēsis

• Āraiši Lake Castle: A reconstructed 9th-century fortified settlement on a lake island, plus medieval castle ruins.
• Gauja River: Canoeing and rafting trips.
• Ērgļu Cliffs (Eagle Cliffs): Sandstone cliffs on the Gauja.
• Līgatne: Nature trails and the Soviet secret bunker.
• Sigulda: Castles and adventure, about 40 minutes away.
• Žagarkalns: A ski and adventure park.

Suggested 2-Day Cēsis Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Cēsis Castle, the New Castle museum, Castle Park, St John's Church and the old town.

Day 2: Visit Āraiši Lake Castle and go canoeing on the Gauja, or hike to the Ērgļu Cliffs.

Cēsis Food Scene

Cēsis has excellent restaurants serving modern Latvian cuisine with local ingredients, as well as cosy cafés. Try smoked meats, pork chops, fried fish, potato pancakes, grey peas, cold beet soup in summer, rye bread and local craft beers. The town is also known for its bakeries and confectioneries.

Practical Planning Notes

Cēsis is particularly atmospheric in the evening, when the castle walls are lit up and the old town's cafés fill with locals. The town has a lively creative community, with artists, designers and musicians, and many events take place in restored historic buildings. If you have a car, the nearby countryside is dotted with manor houses, farm stays and small breweries, making Cēsis an excellent base for a slow, rural escape. In autumn, the Gauja valley between Cēsis and Sigulda is one of the best places in the Baltics to see fall foliage.

Cēsis is compact and easy to explore on foot, with the castle and old town close together. It works well as an overnight stay, giving time to enjoy the castle and the evening atmosphere, plus a day in the Gauja valley. Many attractions have reduced hours outside summer, so check opening times. Combine Cēsis with Sigulda on the same railway line for a two- or three-day trip from Riga. For canoeing on the Gauja, book a trip with transport and equipment through local rental companies.

The Battle of Cēsis

In June 1919, Estonian and Latvian forces defeated the German Landeswehr and Baltic German troops near Cēsis, an important victory in both countries' wars of independence. The battle is commemorated on 23 June as Victory Day (Võidupüha) in Estonia, and the monument in Cēsis honours those who fought. It's a reminder of the town's role in Latvia's history.

Latvian Culture in Brief

Latvia regained its independence in 1991 and joined the EU and NATO in 2004, adopting the euro in 2014. Latvian culture is deeply rooted in nature and folk traditions. The country has more than a million dainas, short folk songs, and the Song and Dance Festival, held every five years in Riga, is listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Latvians love their forests, mushroom and berry picking, saunas and the summer solstice, when people stay up all night around bonfires. Latvian is the official language, while Russian is widely understood, and younger people usually speak good English.

Where to Stay in Cēsis

• Old town: Boutique hotels and guesthouses near the castle.
• Around Castle Park: Quiet hotels.
• Gauja valley: Countryside guesthouses, cabins and campsites.
• Āraiši area: Lakeside guesthouses.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Cēsis here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Cēsis

The nearest airport is Riga International Airport (RIX), about 1.5 hours by car. Search and compare cheap flights to Riga for Cēsis to find the best fares.

By Train

Trains run from Riga to Cēsis in about 1.5–2 hours, via Sigulda.

By Bus

Buses from Riga take about 1.5–2 hours.

Getting Around

• Walking: The town is compact.
• Bikes: Available for rent.
• Taxis and car hire: For Gauja valley sights.

Travel Costs in Cēsis

Latvia uses the euro (€).

Visa & Entry Rules

• Schengen Area: Latvia is part of the EU and Schengen. Many visitors can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• EES: Non-EU travellers have their fingerprints and facial images registered at the external Schengen border.
• ETIAS: Expected in the last quarter of 2026 at €20 for visa-exempt travellers, though the date could change. Check the official EU website.
• Documents: Passport valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure.

Local Tips for Cēsis

• Take a lantern tour in the castle tower.
• Check festival dates: Book accommodation early for events.
• Bring comfortable shoes: The old town has cobbled streets.
• Combine with Sigulda.
• Staying connected: EU roaming applies for EU SIM cards; others can buy a local SIM or use a travel eSIM. Get your Latvia eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Cēsis and Sigulda day trips from Riga.
• Gauja canoeing trips.
• Medieval castle tours.
• Āraiši Lake Castle visits.
• Hiking in Gauja National Park.

Browse and book the best tours in Cēsis here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cēsis

How do I get from Riga to Cēsis?
By train or bus in about 1.5–2 hours.

What is Cēsis known for?
Its medieval castle, charming old town and location in Gauja National Park.

Can I combine Cēsis and Sigulda?
Yes. Both are on the same railway line and easy to visit together.

What is Āraiši Lake Castle?
A reconstruction of a 9th-century fortified settlement on a lake island near Cēsis.

Is Cēsis worth an overnight stay?
Yes. It allows you to enjoy the castle, old town and nearby nature at a relaxed pace.

Cēsis combines a lantern-lit medieval castle, a cobbled old town and the forests of the Gauja valley — stay overnight to catch the castle walls lit up, and build in time for a canoe trip or the Āraiši Lake Castle.