Last updated: April 2026
In short: Cēsis is one of the most versatile adventure destinations in Latvia — in a single day you can explore an 800-year-old castle by candlelight, hike to the Ērgļu Cliffs above the Gauja River, and ride a slope at Ozolkalns or Žagarkalns. The town works in all four seasons: skiing and tubing in winter, mountain biking, river swims and nature trails in summer. Skydive Latvia's drop zone is just an hour's drive away at Limbaži airfield — when ground-level adventures aren't enough, the sky is right next door.
Cēsis surprises even people who think they know what to expect. This Vidzeme town is far more than medieval towers and old-town cafés — it is a layered adventure destination where culture, nature and active sport meet on one compact map. This guide is for travellers who want more than the standard tourist checklist: families with kids, couples looking for something new, and adrenaline seekers who want a serious challenge in the surrounding region.
Contents
- What is there to see at Cēsis Medieval Castle?
- Which are the best nature trails near Cēsis?
- Where can you ski and stay active in Cēsis year-round?
- How can you make a Cēsis visit more interactive?
- How much do the main activities in Cēsis cost?
- How do you spend one full day in Cēsis?
- When Cēsis adventures aren't enough — what next?
- Frequently asked questions
What is there to see at Cēsis Medieval Castle?
Cēsis Medieval Castle was the strongest fortress of medieval Livonia, with 800 years of history and now considered the best-preserved castle ruins in Latvia. At the visitor centre you receive a small lantern to explore the dim tower floors on your own — an engaging experience for both children and adults. The complex combines the medieval ruins with the 18th-century New Castle housing the Cēsis History and Art Museum.
Cēsis Medieval Castle — the best-preserved castle ruins in Latvia. Photo: latvia.travel
Self-guided lantern tour or guided tour?
Most visitors choose the self-guided route with a lantern — exploring the Western Tower, the Long Hermann (south tower) and the chapel at their own pace. Adult tickets start from around 7 EUR, with discounts for children and seniors. Guided tours suit those who want a deeper view of the Livonian Order's history — book ahead at +371 26576111 or pils@cesis.lv.
What else is inside the castle complex?
The same area contains craft workshops where in summer a blacksmith and a potter work in front of visitors, a medieval kitchen garden with authentic herbs, and the romantic Castle Park with its adjoining May Park — both lovely for a stroll after the tour. St. John's Church and Rose Square (with cafés for lunch) are just minutes away on foot. For the best experience, plan the castle for the morning, when crowds are smaller and the light is better for photos.
If you want a wider view of adventure activities across Latvia, Cēsis is an excellent starting point — medieval history in the morning, nature trails in the afternoon, and the sky isn't even far away.
Which are the best nature trails near Cēsis?
Ērgļu Cliffs are the most striking natural feature near Cēsis — a 700-metre-long, up to 22-metre-high sandstone wall on the left bank of the Gauja River, about 6.5 km north of Cēsis town centre. From the viewing platform a wide panorama opens over the Gauja Valley. Cīrulīši Nature Trails are the easier option: a 4 km loop on the edge of Cēsis, suitable for families with children. Both are part of Gauja National Park — one of the most biodiverse regions in the Baltics.
Ērgļu Cliffs — one of the longest sandstone walls in the Baltics. Photo: latvia.travel
Ērgļu Cliffs: what to expect
From the parking area to the viewing platform it is about 460 metres along a maintained trail with wooden stairs. Below the cliffs there is a white-sand beach where you can see the wall from below — and swim in summer. Note that the cliffs have natural fractures and individual blocks can shift, so standing right at the base of the wall is not safe. The best photographs come at early morning or just before sunset.
Cīrulīši Nature Trails: families and beginners
The trails start right next to Žagarkalns campsite at the edge of Cēsis and follow a picturesque section of the Gauja Valley with smaller sandstone outcrops and caves. The route is well marked and has picnic spots and benches. Length — around 4 km, time — roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace. This is one of the most popular hiking spots in Vidzeme.
Other natural sites worth visiting nearby
- Zvārtas Cliff — a dramatic rock formation on the Amata River, around 25 minutes by car from Cēsis
- Cecīļi Nature Trails at Ieriķi — one of Latvia's tallest waterfalls, scenic walk along the Amata River
- Riekstukalns in Castle Park — an ancient Wend hillfort with a view over Cēsis town
Where can you ski and stay active in Cēsis year-round?
Cēsis hosts the two biggest winter sports centres in Vidzeme — Ozolkalns and Žagarkalns, both 5–7 km from the town centre. Ozolkalns has the longest ski slopes in Latvia — up to 500 m long with 80 m elevation drop. Žagarkalns offers 12 connected slopes of varying difficulty and Latvia's largest professional ski school. In summer both centres continue as mountain biking and camping hubs.
Skiing near Cēsis — the season usually runs from December to mid-March. Photo: latvia.travel
Ozolkalns: the longest slopes in Latvia
The Ozolkalns complex sits in Drabeši parish, 5 km from Cēsis centre (Saulkrasti, Drabešu pag.). Four runs are open — green, red, a children's slope and a seasonal Free Ride track. A double chairlift is a rare luxury at Latvian ski resorts. In summer the area transforms into a mountain biking centre with forest tracks plus the Supervāvere rope-and-obstacle adventure park (60+ obstacles). More info at ozolkalns.lv.
Žagarkalns: 12 slopes and a ski school
The Žagarkalns base is at Cīrulīšu iela 70 — directly next to Cīrulīši Nature Trails, so you can combine skiing and a quiet walk in one day. The slopes are interconnected, so you can switch from one run to another without going back to the lift. Beginner programmes are particularly strong — the children's school suits all age groups. Website: zagarkalns.lv.
Summer activities
From May to October Ozolkalns and Žagarkalns become MTB and water sports hubs. The Žagarkalns campsite rents rafts, canoes and SUP boards for Gauja River trips — the popular route is Cēsis–Sigulda (1–2 days). The Supervāvere adventure park at Ozolkalns runs from early May to October and works for families with kids age 4+ as well as adults.
How can you make a Cēsis visit more interactive?
Explore Cēsis is an orienteering game with QR codes and a printed map that guides you through the historic Old Town. The game lasts roughly 1.5–2 hours, is available in several languages and works for both families and adult groups. It is an excellent way to discover hidden corners and small historical details that the standard tourist route overlooks.
Cēsis Old Town — cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Photo: latvia.travel
How Explore Cēsis works
You can buy the kit at the Cēsis Tourist Information Centre at Pils laukums 9, or online at visit.cesis.lv. The kit contains a map with the route and tasks to complete at various points around town. As you find checkpoints and scan QR codes, stories, questions and small challenges unlock. Price — around 8 EUR per team.
Other family activities in Cēsis
- ZINOO Cēsis — interactive science centre with experiment zones, perfect for a rainy day
- Lemour Park (Rakši) — farm with llamas, alpacas and a camel right next to Cēsis
- Cycling routes around Cēsis district — several well-marked trails, bike rental in town
- May Park skatepark and children's zone — free outdoor recreation
If you are looking for additional gift ideas for adventure lovers, a Cēsis castle visit combined with an active experience is a strong basic concept.
How much do the main activities in Cēsis cost?
The table below summarises typical prices and seasonality for the main activities in Cēsis and its immediate surroundings. Prices are indicative — check current rates on the venue websites before your visit.
| Activity | Price from | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cēsis Medieval Castle (self-guided) | ~7 € | Year-round | Families, history buffs |
| Castle guided tour | from 35 €/group | Year-round | Adults, groups |
| Ērgļu Cliffs | Free | Year-round | Everyone |
| Skiing at Ozolkalns/Žagarkalns | from 15 €/day | Dec–Mar | All levels |
| Equipment rental | from 15 € | Winter | Beginners |
| Explore Cēsis game | ~8 €/team | Year-round | Families |
| Supervāvere adventure park | from 12 € | May–Oct | Kids and adults |
| Tandem skydive (Skydive Latvia) | 249 € | Apr–Oct | Age 16+, max 105 kg |
How do you spend one full day in Cēsis?
The optimal one-day plan in Cēsis combines history, nature and rest: morning at the Medieval Castle, midday walk through the Old Town and Rose Square, afternoon at Ērgļu Cliffs or Cīrulīši trails, dinner at a downtown restaurant. The route covers the town's main highlights without rushing and works for families and couples alike.
Step by step — summer version
- 09:00 — Cēsis Medieval Castle with a lantern (1.5 hours)
- 10:30 — St. John's Church and Rose Square (30-min walk)
- 12:00 — Lunch in the Old Town — restaurants "1873", "H.E. Vanadziņš" or a simpler meal at Rose Square
- 13:30 — Drive to Ērgļu Cliffs (15 min)
- 14:00 — Cliffs viewing and walk (1.5 hours)
- 16:00 — Return and head to Ozolkalns campsite or Cīrulīši trails
- 18:30 — Dinner in town — bistro near Castle Park or Cēsu Brewery's traditional menu
Winter version
- 09:00 — Cēsis Medieval Castle (warm jacket essential)
- 11:00 — Breakfast or snack in the Old Town
- 12:30 — Drive to Ozolkalns or Žagarkalns
- 13:00–17:00 — Skiing or snowboarding
- 18:00 — Sauna in the Cēsis area or dinner downtown
Pro tip — if you have two days, add a cycling route through Pārgauja forests, a visit to Āraiši Lake Castle (8 km from Cēsis — a reconstructed Iron Age dwelling on a lake), or a traditional Latvian sauna ritual at one of the rural farms in the surrounding area.
When Cēsis adventures aren't enough — what next?
If the castle, the slopes and the trails are only the start, the next logical step is a tandem skydive. Skydive Latvia's drop zone is at Limbaži airfield — about an hour's drive from Cēsis. A skier on the Ozolkalns slopes reaches roughly 60–70 km/h. In freefall the speed reaches around 200 km/h. The Cēsis Castle tower is about 30 metres high. A tandem skydive starts from 4,000 metres. This is a category of adventure that nature trails and ski slopes simply cannot deliver.
A tandem skydive is designed for first-timers — no prior experience is needed. You are harnessed to a certified instructor, the jump is from approximately 4,000 m altitude, freefall lasts about 60 seconds, then the canopy opens for a calm 5-minute glide back down. Minimum age — 16 (with parental consent), maximum weight — 105 kg.
Oxygen Jump — the highest civilian tandem in Eastern Europe
For those who want to go further, Skydive Latvia offers the Oxygen Jump from 5,500 metres — the highest civilian tandem skydive in Eastern Europe. The aircraft is a Pilatus Porter PC-6, with supplemental oxygen used during the climb. Freefall lasts around 90 seconds, with speeds reaching up to 220 km/h. Price — €490.
Below is what it looks like from a customer's perspective — a video clip from a Skydive Latvia tandem jump at Limbaži airfield:
If you are planning a gift, both tandem and Oxygen Jump tickets are available as gift cards with no expiration date — the recipient picks the date when they want to come. That is a major advantage over most adventure gifts in Latvia, which typically expire within 6–12 months.
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I plan for a Cēsis visit?
One day is enough to see the castle, have lunch in the Old Town and head to Ērgļu Cliffs or Cīrulīši Nature Trails. If you want to add skiing or a longer hike, plan two days. Many visitors finish a one-day trip with the feeling of "we didn't quite get to everything" — two days is a comfortable minimum.
Which season is best to visit Cēsis?
Cēsis works year-round. Summer (June–August) — hiking, swimming in the Gauja, mountain biking, festivals. Autumn (September–October) — colourful forests around Ērgļu Cliffs. Winter (December–March) — skiing at Ozolkalns and Žagarkalns. Spring — first warm sun, the Castle Park in bloom.
Is Cēsis suitable for families with small children?
Yes. The lantern tour at Cēsis Castle is a hit with kids, Cīrulīši trails are easy and safe, the Explore Cēsis game suits ages 8+, ZINOO Cēsis is an interactive science centre, and Lemour Park at Rakši lets kids see llamas and alpacas. Most venues are stroller-friendly.
How do I get to Cēsis from Riga?
By car — A2 highway, about 90 km / 1 hour 15 minutes. By train — Pasažieru vilciens (vivi.lv) from Riga Central Station, around 1 hour 25 minutes. By bus — regular service from Riga bus station, about 1 hour 30 minutes. The main sights inside town are walkable; for Ērgļu Cliffs and the ski centres a car is recommended.
Are Ozolkalns and Žagarkalns actually in Cēsis?
Both are in Cēsis district, on the immediate edge of town. Žagarkalns is at Cīrulīšu iela 70, right at the city limit. Ozolkalns sits in Drabeši parish, "Saulkrasti", about 5 km from Cēsis centre. Both are 10–15 minutes by car.
Can you do a tandem skydive in Cēsis itself?
Not in Cēsis itself. The closest professional drop zone is Skydive Latvia at Limbaži airfield, about an hour's drive north. That works well for a planned route — Cēsis on day one, skydive on day two.
How early should I book a Cēsis Castle ticket?
For self-guided lantern visits, advance booking is usually not required — tickets are available at the visitor centre. For guided tours, especially groups, book at least 2 days ahead at +371 26576111. Themed programmes (medieval meals, night tours) should be booked 1–2 weeks ahead.
Is Ērgļu Cliffs accessible with kids?
Yes. The trail from the parking area to the viewing platform is 460 metres, with wooden stairs. Smaller kids may find the final climb tiring, but the route is otherwise safe. The white-sand beach at the base of the cliffs is popular for swimming in summer. Standing right at the base of the wall is not advised — there is a risk of falling rocks.
What is the best adventure gift related to Cēsis?
It depends on the recipient. If they value history — a themed Cēsis Castle programme with a medieval meal. If they like skiing — an Ozolkalns or Žagarkalns season pass. If you want a truly unforgettable experience — a Skydive Latvia tandem jump or Oxygen Jump gift card. The latter has one big advantage: no expiration date, the recipient picks the date themselves.
