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TravelTips24 : Europe : Baltic states : Latvia : Sigulda

Sigulda

Sigulda [1] is in the Vidzeme Region of Latvia, some 100 kilometers to the east of Riga. Located in the picturesque Gauja valley, with its steep banks and cliffs, Sigulda has become known as the 'Switzerland of Latvia'.

Travel to Sigulda & Visa Requirements

Sigulda can be reached from Riga by bus or by train. The trip takes about 90 minutes. If going there by own transport, watch out for some traffic jams during nice summer weekends - lots of people go there during season, sometimes it's better to take the train.

Tours & Getting around Sigulda

Sigulda is a small town, and every major sight is easily accessible on foot. In winter, some hiking paths are even cleared of snow.

Sigulda attractions and sightseeing

  • Turaida castle is about 4km outside of Sigulda and a major sight. It's been rebuilt in the Soviet area and now houses exhibition space and a small café. It also has fabulous views over the valley and the river.
  • Gutmanis cave lies half-way between Sigulda and Turaida castle and has a little creek flowing from it. A legend states that the water in the creek emenates from Gutmanis' tears, and drinking it is supposed to be healthy and boosting one's lifespan. Try it at your own risk, or just watch people stopping by to fill entire bottles.

Sigulda city tours

  • Do a canoe tour in the national park. Take care of your arms. :-)
  • Ride Latvia's only cable car across the Gauja valley and enjoy the view.
  • In winter, slide down the artificial bobsled track or ski in the mini ski resort. During summer weekends, the bobsled run is also converted for use by 'wheel-bobs'.

Sigulda souvenirs & shopping

Sigulda Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Sigulda nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Sigulda cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • Siguldas Pludmale, Peldu iela 2, Ph: (+371) 29244948, fax:(+371) 67970164. e-mail: karina@makars.lv Nice camping place for a canoe tour.
  • Lacu miga (The bears' den) - Hotel and Restaurant, Gauja iela 22, Ligatne, a modern log cabin construction hotel overlooking the aforested river Līgatne valley. tel: (+371) 64153481 info@lacumiga.lv [2] - could be at the start of your canoe tour, upstream of Sigulda.

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This page was last edited at 11:11, on 31 October 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Andrew Haggard, Colin Jensen and Stuart Edwards, Wikitravel user(s) Pauluswiki, Stratozaurus and Nzpcmad and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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