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The origins of the city of Cēsis goes back to 800 years. They are connected with the medieval castle of Cēsis, around which the city was formed already in the 13th century.

Visit museum to find out more about natural wonders around us through exciting interactive exposition.
For the ones who already know plants it gives chance to test their knowledge, but for those who are new to the world of plants, the exhibition will give an insight into how rich it is.

During a guided excursion in Āraiši windmill one will learn the history of the windmill, understand how it operates and how grains become flour, with a chance to grind grains using a hand mill and enjoy the panoramic views to the surrounding countryside. Special meals available.

Araiši Archaeological Park consists of reconstructed dwelling houses of the 9th-10th centuries and ruins of the medieval castle, the exposition of dwellings of the Stone Age and the Bronze Age on the so-called Daughters` Island. Āraiši Archaeological Park offers the insight into the daily life of ancient people, what they ate and what they wore, as well as helps to find out why the Lake Fortress sank and how it revived. Tours and excursions provided by the Archaeological Park offer a look into everyday life and celebrations of people of different centuries.

Soviet Secret Bunker in Līgatne is Soviet time secret facility, which is located 9 meters underground, with a total area of 2,000 square meters. Its secrecy grading was removed only in 2003. Bunker was built for the needs of political and state authority elite of the 1980's in case of nuclear war.

Take a chance of exploring this extrodinary castle with very vivid history.
The rebirth of Lielstraupe Castle through the centuries has been ensured by an ancient Baltic-German family von Rosens, who managed the castle, with small breaks, until 1939. For the last 50 years there was Straupe Narcological Hospital in this building, but from the beginning of 2018 the castle is managed by Pārgauja County Municipality, which has found a way to open the castle for tourists. Lielstraupe Castle is the only castle in Latvia, which includes a church in the construction volume. The journey through both buildings is an exciting story about the time periods – from ancient times to this day.

It is a group of farmer-craftsmen homesteads characteristic to Piebalga region, history of which can be dated back to the 16th century. In the exhibition not only the traditional farms of Piebalga can be seen, but also different tools of farmers and craftsmen, household items, that are extraordinary to a modern person.

Maizes māja (Bakery) is the place to participate in real procedures of baking the farmhouse bread, to make dough and bake pies, to study the grain, grain products, Latvian strength marks and explore the bread-related traditions.
The hosts also offer extended life skills program with the soup made in the fire, adventurous tour in the Gauja National Park, campfire bread, sleeping in their own tents and enjoy the heart shaped pancakes made by the hostesses.  During the events for adults, there is an opportunity to taste the owner's home-made wine in the ancient barn. For nearly 100 years the bread with the taste of freedom is baked in the oven of the farmhouse – the cheerful hosts of the farmhouse will tell you all that best of all.

Maija (May) Park is especially suited for relaxing together with children. During the summer time, lit up fountains and couple of black swans delight every visitor of the park.
Children playground, trampolines, go-kart rental, skate park and bicycle park for active recreation for children.

NB! NOT AVAILABLE SEASON 2023 DUE TO RECONSTRUCTION.

“Supervāvere” is a park with three obstacle courses in three different levels. It is located in Ozolkalns – in the trees with a wonderful view to the Gauja valley. There are more than 60 obstacles in the park.
Tracks are suitable for anyone who has reached 110 cm in height – from children to seniors. Two of the tracks end by a “free fall”, but the longest – Adventure track stand out with an extra-long cable-descent, which reaches 250 meters. The park opens in late March and runs until the end of October. To start the route, everyone has to accomplish the training with an instructor.

Parallel to the visit of the Supervāvere you can have a picnic by the bon-fire.

Active recreation park "Karjers” invites to enjoy riding with wakeboard or water skis behind the linear WakeStation system that speaks for itself. The height of the system towers is 10 meters and the length of the track exceeds 258 meters. There are Whiteline Wake Features S-size kicker, M- size kicker and 21-meter-long flat box in the water. For those who prefer something quieter, there are also offered rides with SUP boards, which are both great relaxation and sporty relaxation.

It is recreation complex by the pictures lake Alauksts in Vecpiebalga. It’s a great place where you can enjoy summer. Here you can rent SUP boards, wakeboards, paddle boats, catamaran, kayak, bicycles, as well as fishing, hot tub and enjoy water attractions. Additionally offers commercial and private event hosting, trailer rental, swimming pool, picnic area and beach volleyball court.

Opportunity to spend a time playing disk golf in a park with 18 nets.
First 8 nets are in open area for beginners, but others are in a forest for a bigger challenge.

Net park is a great place to relax with the family! Go on an adventure in the tree kingdom! Enjoy a unique feeling of freedom and fun activities for young and old. In the 4-7 m high labyrinths of nets, you can break out, as well as let go and relax. In the net park, all passages, bridges and squares are surrounded by 2.5 m high net walls.

On Cīruļkalns, the highest place on this side of the Gauja, is 22 m hight tower what rewards climbers with great view to Gauja valley and Cēsis city. During the dark hours it lights up.
It is free to visit all year around.

Nature trail of Ieriķi mill has plank-ways, small bridges, and a viewing platform on the banks of the river. The total length of the trail is roughly 500 m, which suits families with children. End of October/ early November is the time to watch migrating salmons jumping over obstacles. In winter evenings and autumn trail is illuminated with lights.

The Saule Park in Priekuļi features a health trail and the unique Sun clock, which shall only reveal the time if you will be part of it. Locals have planted 150 trees in the Saule Park, and it features the largest analemmatic sundial in Latvia.

The Vienkoči park in Līgatne parish is a landscape park of walking and recreation at the Līgatne river. Different trails with many thematic objects of interest and research have been arranged there. Models of historic manors and other buildings as well as wooden sculptures, ethnographic buildings, log-boats, tar kiln are to be found in the park. It is possible to visit the first sand-house in Latvia, to find out interesting facts about its building process and to get inspiration for the "green" life-style.

"Vējiņi" underground lakes in Straupe parish are the only underground lakes in Latvia — underground springs on the banks of the beautiful Brasla river have carved large cavities and caves. There you can see Ezerala (Lake) Cave with two underground lakes and the mysterious Upes (River) Cave. Vējiņi underground lakes will give you a pleasant sense of thrill. This underground realm, so reminiscent of the might and power of nature, is truly unusual!

If you like walks, we suggest to visit Cīrulīši nature trails - although it is not long, there are cliffs, several caves, river Gauja and miscellaneous birds live there. You can go there both with a stroller and a bike.

Camel Park "Rakši" is located 7 km from Cēsis and is home to more than 150 animals. Camel rides, llama walks, donkey cart rides, face-to-face lemur feeding and many other activities are available at "Rakši".
In the Camel cafe, visitors can enjoy healthy pancakes and delicious ice cream with camel milk, as well as spend the night in a concept hotel decorated in Moroccan style.

Līgatne Nature Trails of Gauja National Park were established in 1975 to acquaint the visitors with nature, wild mammal species living in Latvia, nature variety and necessity for protection.
Visitors can observe elk, foxes, bears, roes, racoon dogs, lynxes, boars, squirrels, hedgehogs, as well as birds – eagle-owls and owls.

Sled dog sports club "Dodkepu.lv" provides an opportunity to run with huskies in Cēsis surroundings during summer. In winter you can try dogsledding. The length of sledding routes can change depending on your priorities or weather.

It's a great place to have a ride with a friendly pony.

Park of bunnies and other domestical animals. This park is available all year round. Here you can relax among free-living domesticated rabbits and various birds like ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys and more. Country farm area gives a chance to see in life horses, cows with calves, sheep and lambs, pigs, goats and goat-kids. Children will enjoy playground with swing, trampoline and play-house.

This place offers guided tour in the deer garden with an opportunity to feed deer and take a photo with them, also you can see collection of horns.

Winter recreation centre “Žagarkalns” offers ten tracks of different difficulty connected to each other - you will find not only long and smooth slopes ideal for the beginners, but also dynamic tracks with steeper sections and sharp turns. For experienced enthusiasts there is a snowboarding and freestyling park.

During winter in ski resort “Ozolkalns” you can enjoy the longest slopes in Latvia, which stretch for half a kilometer. The ski hill is visited both by professional skiers and snowboarders and by beginners and children, since the ski resort has five trails of different complexity.