A Trip to Cēsis Castle, Latvia

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Latvia is a beautiful country, with so much to offer beyond its capital city Riga. We decided to take a trip out for the day to an ancient town, Cēsis, which is famous for its medieval castle. It’s a really great option for a day trip from Riga, and we had a nice day exploring.

Entrance to the castle museum


We chose to drive from Riga to Cēsis , which took us 1hr 15 minutes. Alternatively, you could get the train directly in just over 2 hours.

On our way, we actually witnessed a car crash where a car on the opposite side of the road just veered off and smashed head on in to the car in front of us. Luckily we were able to stop in time, and no-one involved in the crash was seriously hurt. But it meant we arrived at Cēsis a little shaken with our near miss. So maybe get the train!


The main draw of a visit to Cēsis is its castle. The castle is one of the most iconic and best preserved medieval castles in Latvia, being founded over 800 years ago by the German Crusaders, known as the Livonian Order. They spread Christianity across Europe, and had a stronghold in Latvia.  Up until 1577, the castle was prosperous but then came a terrible event in Latvian history.

Cesis Castle

In 1577, 300 people within the castle committed mass suicide by blowing themselves up with gunpowder. They did this to avoid being captured and tortured by Ivan the Terrible (the Russian Tsar who was known for his cruelty).

Inside the walls

Cēsis Castle was still in use during the following century but it fell into disuse after the Great Northern War in the 1700s between Russia and Sweden (you can read my post HERE about the constant invasions and occupations of the Baltic lands).

Today the castle is one of the ‘must see’ destinations in the Baltic States and has been beautifully preserved. We particularly liked that on arrival you’re given a lantern as some of the stairs are so dark you can’t see up them – it made it feel quite authentic and beautiful. English health and safety wouldn’t be happy mind you!

You can also climb up the main tower for some beautiful views out over the castle and wider Cēsis.


Cēsis is a small town, but there are some other interesting things to do besides the castle. Opposite the castle is a nice park, May Park, which is lovely to stroll around. There is also a nice medieval town with a centre around Rozu Square, and a war memorial for those fallen during the battle for independence in 1918-1920.

The war memorial

There is also an interesting museum called Burning Conscience, which is about local resistance to Soviet brutality, occupation and oppression during the years Latvia belonged to the USSR (1940-1991), adding to a full day exploring this wonderful little town.


What do you think of Cēsis? We found it to be a lovely choice of day trip from Riga and would recommend it if you have some extra time to spare in Latvia. Stay safe and happy travelling!

39 responses to “A Trip to Cēsis Castle, Latvia”

  1. Gorgeous photos and such an exciting place! The history is a little dark, but that makes it more interesting 😉
    All the best,
    Stephanie and Jerome
    Strafari

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for reading – I totally agree on the history but it definitely made for an interesting visit 🙂

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  2. Nice post! I’ve always wanted to see a castle in person, and maybe someday I will get to. Meanwhile, thank you for sharing Cesis Castle and it’s home with us!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ahh you definitely need to come to Europe – even just in England I have 18 castles within an hour’s drive of my house 🙂 We are so spoilt with them over here that’s for sure. Thanks so much for reading and have a lovely weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. A handsome castle with a long and somewhat gruesome history. I guess Ivan must have been pretty terrible for them all to have resorted to such drastic measures. I would like me one of those lanterns!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He really must have been – it doesn’t bear (bare?) thinking about does it! I LOVED the lanterns, made it very atmospheric and fun! Thanks for reading as always Leighton 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. That castle would be great to see. The lanterns are a cool touch. The history seems to be repeating itself.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s terrifying that we never learn isn’t it and history repeats over and over. The castle was beautiful though and I loved the lanterns. Thanks for reading John, have a great weekend

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  5. I’ve never heard of Cēsis, nor its eponymous castle, but it looks to be a lovely and convenient day trip from Riga! I actually substituted that visit with the Rundāle Palace, but all the same, you had a wonderful time exploring the castle, and I’m glad it was a day trip well-spent!

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    1. It was a great day trip option from Riga and interesting to visit. I didn’t make it to Rundale as my husband didn’t want to visit ‘yet another palace’ – how spoiled we are in Europe!!! Thanks so much for reading Rebecca, have a great weekend 🙂

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  6. What a charming looking castle. I love how they even give you a lantern to explore indoors! Sounds like it was worth the day trip to explore, especially since it wasn’t too far from where you were staying in Riga. That must have been unsettling to see a car crash while you were driving though. Glad to hear that no one was hurt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I loved the lantern too, it was lots of fun. And definitely managed to cheer me up after the shock of the crash. Thanks very much for reading and have a great weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. What a fascinating spot loaded with history from every age. I just finished reading a book about the Russian invasion of Estonia. Heart breaking stuff and I can’t believe that Ukraine is still at war with them.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes I think since the 1200s there hasn’t been longer than 50 years without the Baltic regions (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) being invaded by Russia/at war with them/occupied by them. It makes you realise history repeats itself over and over again, and we can only hope that it doesn’t happen again. It’s so sad about the Ukraine isn’t it, so many unnecessary lives lost.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. WOW! Fancy living with that ongoing threat and uncertainty. And Yes, I can’t believe the resilience and determination of the Ukrainians. More power to them.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Despite its somewhat tragic history, what a beautiful castle! Also, that’s super scary about the car crash. I’m glad you were okay.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely a beautiful castle and fun for a day trip. Thanks as always for reading Diana, have a great weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. It’s amazing how beautifully preserved the castle is, and your photos show this spectacurally. The tragedy though, how sad. I’m glad you arrived safely and were not involved in the accident!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am always taken aback by the preservation of so many historical buildings in Europe – we don’t build thing to last these days and it’s crazy these castles and ancient buildings still stand, it shows how amazing the builders in those days were!!! It had a sad history, but it was wonderful to visit. Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. So true! I hope you’re enjoying the weekend as well!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Agreed. I’m amazed that there are so many well preserved structures so close to where we live in Normandie. Just yesterday we visited one dating back to the mid 1400s! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend as well.

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  10. I love that they give you a lantern to climb those beautiful circular stairs- like being in a gothic novel. So glad you are okay and were not involved in the crash.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really was like that, I felt like I was in an ancient book!!! Thanks so much for reading, have a great weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. A marvelous medieval castle in Cēsis, Lativa! It’s amazing to consider all of the history this castle has endured, let alone the fact that its still standing and can be enjoyed ~ to which, I have & thank you for sharing, Hannah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for reading Phil, I totally agree and wonder how on earth these ancient buildings are still standing! Have a wonderful week ahead 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. TY Hannah, you too 🙂

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  12. Now this would be country I would add to my list ..such an amazing Castle. We were in Estonia but we should have visited Latvia.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely one to add to the wish list! 🙂

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  13. Very pretty and what an interesting story about the mass suicide. I guess when I hear about things like that today I assume they’re a modern phenomenon, but no…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know, it’s so sad that things like that have happened far too often in history!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. What a terrifying incident with the car accident! And the tragic mass suicide. I like the idea of carrying a lantern through the dark hallways and stairwells; quite an authentic experience.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know, such a horrifying story!! And yes the lantern definitely made it feel authentic 🙂 Thanks for reading Ruth – hope you’ve had a lovely weekend

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Interesting. And we used to visit castles. We find it fascinating to learn the stories behind their history. A special place is the Bran Castle in Romania, the home of Count Dracula…
    https://travelinyourownway.com/2021/11/17/bran-castle-the-home-of-count-dracula/

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  16. […] A Trip to Cēsis Castle, Latvia — Saasdia Travel Gid […]

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  17. […] A Trip to Cēsis Castle, Latvia — Saasdia Travel Gid […]

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  18. […] from Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn. On the way we visited fairytale castles in Trakai, Kaunas and Cesis, unique spots like the Hill of Crosses, beautiful nature in Lahemaa and explored Soviet history in […]

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  19. […] for a weekend trip, or to incorporate in to a longer trip with other places in Latvia like Cesis or Gauja National Park. 2 days in the city is enough time to see a lot, and here is an itinerary […]

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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