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Latvia Cēsis travel guide
14 things to do in Cēsis, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
All Cēsis guide sections (9)
Top things to do in Cēsis
- Cēsis Castle: Begun eight centuries ago by the Sword Brothers and enlarged by the Teutonic Order, it is among Latvia's best-kept medieval castles. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis: The medieval church near the castle, the town's main church. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Āraiši lake dwelling site: An open-air archaeology museum showing original and rebuilt remains of a 9th-10th century Latgalian lake fortress. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Church of the transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis: The Orthodox church in Cēsis, dedicated to the Transfiguration. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Āraiši Castle: Ruins of a medieval castle on the shore of Lake Āraiši, near the lake dwelling. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Church of Saint Anne in Cēsis: One of the town's smaller churches, dedicated to St Anne. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lutheran church in Āraiši: A Lutheran church in Āraiši village, listed as a Latvian cultural monument. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Vienības laukums: The town's main square, where buses and cafés gather. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Sārumkalns: A historic hill near Āraiši, an old Latgalian settlement site. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Rucka park: A former manor park, listed as a Latvian cultural monument. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Spulgsūnas cave: Cave in Latvia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Kvēpene cave (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Bruņa cave: Only tectonic cave in Latvia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Vinterala: a collapsed cave in Cēsis (visit ≈ 45 min)
1-day Cēsis walking itinerary
Starting point: Old town (Vienības Square). The top 7 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.0 km · 6,690 steps · 1 h 6 min on the way): Vienības laukums → Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis → Cēsis Castle → Church of the transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis → Church of Saint Anne in Cēsis → Vinterala → Rucka park
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Cēsis
- Turaida Castle: A red-brick castle near Sigulda above the Gauja valley, visited together with the museum reserve around it. (visit ≈ 150 min)
Where to stay in Cēsis
- Old town (Vienības Square): On foot to the castle, church and park.
Getting from the airport to Cēsis
- Riga (RIX): Bus 22 from the airport to central Riga ≈ 30 min, then train ≈ 1 h 20 min
Getting around
The trails and sandstone caves of Gauja National Park start just outside town. You need a car or bike for the Āraiši lake dwelling.
Classic places to eat
- Kest: A Michelin-recommended tasting menu, best booked weeks ahead.
- H.E. Vanadziņš: Traditional Latvian food, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026.
Good to know before visiting Cēsis
- Fine: Drinking alcohol in streets and public places is banned.
- Fine: Urinating in public and noise in Riga's old town bring heavy fines.
- Fine: In Riga validate your e-ticket on boarding. Inspectors fine riders without one.
- Fine: Headlights must be on during the day.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Warning: Pedestrians are expected to wear reflectors in the dark.
- Emergency: 112 (police 110, ambulance 113)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is generally safe, though many prefer bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Latvia, Wikivoyage: Latvia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Cēsis travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Cēsis?
- The top 7 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Cēsis?
- Highlights: Cēsis Castle, Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis, Āraiši lake dwelling site, Church of the transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis and Āraiši Castle. The map has 14 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Cēsis?
- Old town (Vienības Square): On foot to the castle, church and park.
- How do you get from the airport to Cēsis city centre?
- Riga (RIX): Bus 22 from the airport to central Riga ≈ 30 min, then train ≈ 1 h 20 min
- How do you get around Cēsis?
- The trails and sandstone caves of Gauja National Park start just outside town. You need a car or bike for the Āraiši lake dwelling.
- What is the emergency number in Cēsis?
- Emergency: 112 (police 110, ambulance 113).
- Do you tip in Cēsis?
- About 10% is customary.
Nearby cities
Riga · Jūrmala · Pärnu · Tartu · Tallinn · Kaunas · Vilnius · Trakai
Latvia travel guide: all cities · All cities