Red sandstone cliffs over a forest river, with three castles in one small town.
The Gauja cuts a wide wooded valley through Latvia and exposes red Devonian sandstone in cliffs and caves along it — Gūtmanis cave is the largest in the Baltics and covered in inscriptions going back to the 17th century. Sigulda has the ruins of a crusader castle, a 19th-century manor pretending to be one, and a third across the valley at Turaida, reached by cable car. Cēsis is the quieter medieval town, and the whole valley is Latvia’s oldest national park.
Known for
- Camping
- Paddling (SUP, kayak, canoe)
- Nature
- Budget
Best time to visit
The best months for Gauja Valley are May, June, July and August.
Suggested route
7 nights across 3 stops. Jourimo adjusts it to the length of your trip.
- 1Sigulda · 3 nights
- 2Cēsis · 2 nights
- 3Valmiera · 2 nights