LV
Cesis
One of Latvia’s oldest towns: a medieval castle explored by lantern light, in Gauja National Park
One of Latvia’s oldest towns: a medieval castle explored by lantern light, in Gauja National Park
The ruined castle, once one of the strongest of the Livonian Order, was devastated in 1577 during the siege by Ivan the Terrible. Visitors explore the Western Tower with a candle lantern.
Bring a jacket; the tower is cool.
Photo: Voll, CC BY-SA 4.0
The 18th-century manor beside the ruins houses the Cēsis History and Art Museum; its tower has views over town.
Photo: AgrisR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Built in the 1280s, this is one of the largest medieval churches in Latvia; its tower can be climbed.
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cobbled streets around Rīgas iela are lined with 18th- and 19th-century houses, cafés and craft shops. Vienības Square holds the Victory Monument.
Photo: AgrisR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature trails lead to the river, sandstone cliffs and caves just outside town; canoe trips on the Gauja are popular in summer.
Photo: AgrisR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Look for Latvian dishes such as grey peas with bacon, rye bread, smoked fish and sklandrausis (carrot and potato tart). Cēsis has a long brewing tradition, and cafés in the old town serve local beer and cakes.
In summer, terraces fill around the main squares.
Trains and buses run from Riga, taking under two hours. Cēsis is easy to combine with Sigulda, also in Gauja National Park.
The old town is compact and walkable; a bike or car helps for the park.
Latvia uses the euro (EUR). Cēsis is affordable.
Two days for the town and the park.
Explore the castle by lantern, the museum and St John’s Church, then the old town.
Walk the nature trails to the river, or canoe on the Gauja.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Latvia is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
The castle tower is lit by lanterns.
Summer trips on the Gauja.
Easy by train.
Cold and snowy.
Quick answers for planning time in Cēsis.
About 90km, under two hours by train or bus.
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword, in the early 13th century.
It was badly damaged in 1577 during the siege by Ivan the Terrible.
Yes, it lies within the park.
May to September.
Planning a wider trip? Our Latvia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.