Nice beach. Probably great during the summer. Tons of people wind surfing.

Cool beach to spend your summer holidays! It has a perfect infrastructure, nice sand, warm water. For us, it's the nicest beach in Europe.

Long straight beach with white sand. Easy on the feet. The water is shallow so very suitable for kids. Coffee shops and others along the shore. I traveled there in Autumn.

I love it 🇪🇪💙 so pure and crystal clear water, soft sand and large beach. There is also nice bar and very best big sweet drinks /smoothies and great music and children were dancing also friday night .

It's not quite summer, but -18°c in deep winter! There is a lot to see on Pärnu beach, the bay is frozen, people are walking and enjoying the sunset!

Long, clean beach. Was completely empty in September. The water is very shallow: after 20m, my ankle was not completely under water. Probably a good thing if you want a photo of you walking on the water.

Nice beach, the sand is clean. there are plenty of parking spots available around, There is also a restaurant along the beach, kids activities to play with, beach volleyball or soccer infrastructures are available.

Very nice hotel in an excellent location. The beach is close by. The general appearance of the hotel is modern. We had a room with a balcony with a great sea view. Our beds and air conditioning were ok. The spa with a good selection of different slides was a nice experience. The customer service was good. The breakfast did not fully meet expectations due to the limited selection of warm meat dishes. Usually just small sausages and fried bacon. The shower in our hotel room was a big disappointment because of too weak water pressure. However, the overall rating is very good.

There has definitely been a downgrade with this spa hotel. They don’t clean the rooms during your stay, even if you stay for the whole weekend. Generally the cleanness could be better! Spa area is little bit outdated, I didn’t see anyone cleaning the area during the stay. There is one bar but there is only one worker and often the bar is even empty and you have to wait for a long time for someone to come. Also - our baby got awful rash from the pools. Next day we saw that the pool in sauna area was closed.. maybe there was something in the water then. Breakfast wasn’t very good either. I wouldn’t visit it anymore, I think there are better spas in Pärnu!

Spa Hotel Tervise Paradiis is an excellent destination for both relaxation and family fun. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and offer beautiful views of the sea, making it a truly peaceful place to unwind. The breakfast buffet is good, with a wide variety of options to suit all tastes. The water park is a major highlight, especially for kids and families. It features four exciting slides and several fun activities, making it easy to spend hours there. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the overall atmosphere is welcoming and stress-free. One thing to be aware of: the water park uses a high amount of chlorine. If you have any sensitivities, allergies, or skin issues, it might be something to keep in mind. I experienced a bit of a reaction myself, so just a heads-up for others in a similar situation. Aside from that, everything was fantastic. Would definitely recommend this hotel for a family vacation or a calm seaside escape.

I really enjoyed the hotel. We had a rainy week during our stay at Parnu so the water park was extra useful. The kid really liked it. The small indoor play room was also great for the kid. The room was clean. The food in the hotel isn't very tasty. Not in the buffet or the restaurant.

Nice rooms. Waterpark beside hotel is excellent. Hotel spa treatments were nice and good. Basic breakfeast. Terrible buffet dinner, price was 26e! Neptun grill was also good and fast food.

Visited spa - took sauna package with spa. Uselessly spent extra 15€. Saunas were full, small, impossible to use. Spa/water centre was full as well, with poor hygiene- floors were never mopped, dirty. Do not remove shoes! Be careful in the pools -tiles are extra slippery. For the price that we paid and gas money from LV it was not worth it.

Convenient for families, beach front, fun waterpark, not very clean or fancy, too expensive for what it offers. I liked: 1. Big rooms, family rooms (2 connected rooms) are great for families. Big balconies. Clean, modern rooms. 2. Waterpark is very fun for kids and adults. My 4 yo loved the slides and the baby pool. 3. Location on the beach, near the bog. But a 25 min walk to the old town. 4. Big parking (but not free) 5. Dinner buffet was good quality, although not many options. But it included soft drinks and coffee. Would not get the half board option again, but it's good for families with kids, for convenience. Didn't like: 1. Cleanliness is lacking significantly. Didn't see any staff cleaning anything during our stay. It gets very dirty and messy by the evening. Aquapark is run down, old and rusty. Needs a renovation. 2. Aqua bar - just one person is serving, cashing, preparing the food. Big ques, not efficient. 3. All AquaPark feels understaffed. Nobody supervising slides. Nobody cleaning. It's a no man's world. 4. Hotel communal areas need a serious renovation, it feels like an old communist hotel. 5. Average breakfast. 6. For the huge price paid I expected a sea view room, but got rooms looking over pipes and ventilations. Very disappointing. Also very noisy at night. 7. Weird dinner hours 17-19. Inconvenient for my family. 8. Sauna world is a joke. It's very small and crowded, only has 5 saunas, a small pool and an onsen. Would not pay again, you can use saunas in locker area. Also cleaning lady came to close saunas at 21 00!! 9. Everything opens at 11, very inconvenient, especially on a rainy/cold day and closes at 21 30, although it says everywhere and on their site that closing hour is 22 00.

Nice beach. Probably great during the summer. Tons of people wind surfing.

Cool beach to spend your summer holidays! It has a perfect infrastructure, nice sand, warm water. For us, it's the nicest beach in Europe.

Long straight beach with white sand. Easy on the feet. The water is shallow so very suitable for kids. Coffee shops and others along the shore. I traveled there in Autumn.

I love it 🇪🇪💙 so pure and crystal clear water, soft sand and large beach. There is also nice bar and very best big sweet drinks /smoothies and great music and children were dancing also friday night .

It's not quite summer, but -18°c in deep winter! There is a lot to see on Pärnu beach, the bay is frozen, people are walking and enjoying the sunset!

Long, clean beach. Was completely empty in September. The water is very shallow: after 20m, my ankle was not completely under water. Probably a good thing if you want a photo of you walking on the water.

Nice beach, the sand is clean. there are plenty of parking spots available around, There is also a restaurant along the beach, kids activities to play with, beach volleyball or soccer infrastructures are available.

Since we didn’t have much time, we just checked out the shop at the brewery and took a walk around the area. The shop offers a good selection of beers, but also sells other drinks, including a very tasty rhubarb lemonade. The surroundings are well-kept and welcoming.

We stopped off at the restaurant at the Valmiermuiža Brewery near the Estonian boarder on the return leg of our day trip from Riga, the capital of Latvia, to the seaside town of Pärnu on the South West Coast of Estonia, as it was the first Latvian beer we tried and we really enjoyed it. My wife had the pork chop on the bone with mashed potatoes, salad and vegetables for her main course and I had the grilled chicken skewers with drained yougut sauce, tomato & cucumber salad, pickled vegetables and what appeared to be a Fritatta egg waffle? She had 0.3l of our favourite Valmiermuiža Amber Lager and had 0.5l of the non alcoholic beer, which was virtually no different in taste to her beer, with our meal. I ordered the strawberry cheese cake for my desert and was surprised to see it was a deconstructed cheese cake when the waiter brought it out to our table, as I'm not a big fan of them. However, it had very tasty individual elements, which I did enjoy. When I asked the waitress for a cuppa black tea with some cold milk to go with my dessert, she told me they only served natural herbal, mint or fruit teas. After a short discussion I decided to try the Linden flower tea with a splash of honey, which was surprisingly very nice and refreshing🫨 We enjoyed our meal on one of the outside tables, basking in the hot late evening sun. The food was exceptional and it was great value at 50EUR.

Nice shop and patio. Plenty of seating. Great kids play area across the road.

Beer brewery visit and tasting- excellent! Highly recommend! Knowledgeable beer sommelier who will bring you on a flavor journey and you’ll go home knowing more. Their beer as well is the staple of Latvian culture so make sure to indulge on it.

Love everything about this place! Fantastic beer, delicious food and the setting is just beautiful! We stopped in on our travels from Tartu to Riga, it is quite a distance from Riga, but wonderful spot for a day trip! The shop has some fabulous treats, stock up before you leave!

This is a unique place outside the town, which has it's own cozy atmosphere of the countryside house. There is a brewery building and a spacious Restaurant, as well as a shop, where you can buy some local goods - Bio cosmetics, cheese, sweets, beer and wine, some strong spirits and souvenirs. The prices at the restaurant are worth the quality of the food, because they make everything from the seasonal products, so vegetables definitely dominate in the menu. We tried three different dishes and their beer ice cream - everything was fresh and delicious, and the waiters can also advise you some beers to pair with the food. Don't miss the chance to use such an opportunity! Even though the service is quite slow, it doesn't really matter, because there are many things to do there, walk around, enjoy the sun or a warm summer evening.

Good place to eat and drink. Expensive, but worth it. Place was full, but still managed to get reserved table, had enough time for lunch and drink. Shop is very good place to get some unusual gifts, beer sets etc.

Marvelous medieval castle. Kind small, but walking inside would be up to aprox 2 km. if try to visit all corners 🤣 They give candle lantern for some authentic feeling while walking through dark places inside, and that's super nice. There is a narrow staircase and with some other narrow aisles, so need to be careful. In one of the tower shows some video about the history of this castle - it is quite short but interesting. Maybe in the summer whey could work a little longer, not till 18 h. The price for adults - 10€. You can pay by cash or card. Worth to visit. Also, don't forget to visit also castle park.

A very interesting medieval castle, it takes easily few hours to explore all the corners and towers because it is so captivating! The show in the west tower about the history was done so well, and the lantern with a real candle contributed a lot to the atmosphere, it was nice to have no electric lights. I recommend this amazing time trip.

Wow, this is really awesome place to visit! it remains the medieval castle in Latvia. You can learn how the castle was built and invaded by foreign countries from the historical museum too. For the castle and its two tower tour, they offer you a medieval lamp to stroke around even in deep dark area(believe me there are certain area really black out and cold). We were kind of worried about a very short candle can last for the enough time we'd visit to the two towers and the jail at the very bottom, but it turned out to be ok. Worth of visit!! - note for those who would not understand Latvia language, there are some sheets of papers for the guidance but we took some photoshots as there were far too many things to feel and learn from the castle. Very beautiful place! We used CATA bus from Riga, it took us about 1hr and 50min and 5.32Eur one way. It was very convenient to use bussystem reservation system even for foreigner(s).

Rugged and intimidating! Cēsis Castle may be "only" a ruin, but it still exudes an intimidating robustness. Schloß Wenden, the original German name of Cēsis Castle, is one of the most iconic and best preserved castles in Latvia. In the autumn of 1206, during the Baltic Crusade, the Wends converted to Christianity and became allies of the crusaders. In 1208, the Livonian Brothers of the Sword moved in with the Wends in their hillfort and fortified it with a stone defensive wall, and although the fortress is described as "the smallest in Livonia", it withstood repeated attacks by the Estonians and Russians. In 123 or 1214, the Brothers of the Sword built a new stone castle next to the hillfort. In 1237, Cēsis Castle passed into the hands of the Livonian Order, a branch of the Teutonic Order, and became the seat of the Master of the Order. Extensive reconstructions and extensions followed, making Cēsis Castle one of the largest and mightiest castles of the Teutonic Order. With the dissolution of the semi-autonomous Livonian Order in 1561 and subsequent sieges, the castle's decline began. The siege of 1577 by Ivan IV the Terrible became famous for the mass suicide of the castle's 300 defenders. After the castle came under direct control of the King of Sweden in 1681, his soldiers wreaked havoc in the castle. It seemed as if they were plundering rather than defending it. In the first years of the Great Northern War the Russian troops demolisd Cēsis Castle further. In the centuries that followed, nature had free rein to bury the castle in its own rubble. In 1760s the former gatehouse was rebuilt as a manor house, the so-called New Castle. In the 1830s the castle park was laid out at the foot of the ruins, and the first safety repair works were carried out. With the reconstruction of the roof of the West Tower the first serious restoration works began in 1903. Major conservation works were undertaken starting from 1930s when Cēsis Castle became popular as a tourist attraction. Today the castle remains a popular and educational destination, which is definitely worth a visit!

The most interesting castle in the Gaujas natural park. Partially reconstructed castle based on the original layout, it host an interesting museum about Livonian and more recent history. Cool the ascension to the main tower wit the aid of a candle lamp !

Beautiful! We loved walking around the area with our dogs! Coming from the United States I don’t think they realize how cool it was to be here!

I was startled when someone greeted me and offered a lantern before entering the castle. Inside was terribly dark, and the spiral staircase was the worst. Well, I experienced how people in the medieval life without electricity. But overall, this castle was amazing. In one underground, there was a visualisation of people who were thrown into the underground prison telling their story. In other rooms, you can discover the audio storytelling of how people 400 years ago lived inside that castle before, and in the end, they abandoned it.

Pretty, very old, church with a terrifying (fun) option to tour the bell tower. The church is pretty, but let's be honest - all churches from that era are. For mere 2€ you can take your life in your hands and climb the stairs of the ~65m bell tower for a view. Most of the thrill comes from navigating the near-black steep staircase on your way up. Still, I enjoyed it.

It's OK at max. Maybe, if you stretch your visit might be able to stay 15 minutes inside. Although, that is not counting climbing the stairs. But in the church itself there is nothing that you would not find in most other churches as well. So, it will be a run trough visit at most. Ah, almost forgot, the glass in lead windows are actually not half bad at all.

Nicely fixed up white church that really stands out in the town. Especially at night, the church shines with the spit lights. The inside still needs to be finished being restored.

I had a view only from the outside. Beautiful place

Very pretty and iconic central church

A pretty Lutheran Church in a very beautiful village.

Nice church, needs a coat of paint. We were here to early to go inside which was a pity.

One of the beautiful place in Latvia. You can walk, you can bike, you can hike, attractions etc, good food.

A very nice place to visit. It has a diverse list if places to visit: castles, valleys, rivers, caves, bridges, etc. I have visited all regions in Lithuania and I didn't expect such nice scenaries anywhere in Baltic countries. From the castle tower you can see only trees around for multiple kilometers. There is an interesting industrial village as well (Ligatne). I recommend to visit this national park.

Calm nature. Deep forest. Some little cabins can be booked though. Cars pass through the park

Nature surrounded by pine trees and with the nice River Gauja running through it. One takes the train from Riga Central Station to Cēsis, which itself is very charming with the old ruins there set in a lovely setting. There are also many buses per day, more than trains. Maybe train up and bus back, or vice versa. I did a quick 3hr walk from the town to the river, but tracks are very poorly marked. I ended up walking along an old overgrown logging or access trail, coming out accidentally onto the back of someone's property. The boundary to this property was, on one side, marked by a fence with evil looking signs saying , 'entry forbidden', in Latvian and Russian. The meaning was rather clear in any event. Was happy to leave that particular spot. I think if one takes a bit more time and finds the best trail, it's nice to do, but nothing special.

A stunning national park. I hope to have a chance to visit it in different seasons.

i visited here on a day-trip from Riga. It's 2.80 by bus and about 90 minute journey. The main highlights are Turaida castle, the hiking trails and I particularly recommend Paradise Hill.

Great place for a day long walk with some lovely bits of nature and history all around. Trail is easy to follow.

LOVE THIS PLACE. Favorite museum i have been. The suveniers are so cute,workers are very respectful.Amazing backstories about the Minhauzen.Wax figures are spot on. Will be visiting again🤍

Museum with interesting exhibition (please be attentive to details :-)) surrounded with nice activities for kids and grownups. You can find several trails around the museum as well. There are 2 options for trails through the magical forest - shorter and longer trail where longer reaches see what is absolutely a must if you like walking. Nice place to spend a day!

Nice place to visit but anyway a little overrated. Price isn't worth it but to visit this place once is ok. Would be somewhat boring for really small kids. Big exhibition of lots of things, even those that are not about Münchhausen but still interesting. Lots of taxidermy animals ))) For kids would be interesting to play outside - there is for additional fee a big wooden ship made as children playground. Haven't been on wooden track - decided not to pay that crazy price just for a walk in the woods ))))

Charming museum, beautiful grounds and playground with huge ship in the middle. My kids 5 and 9 had a blast there! We didn’t have time to go through the forest to the beach but wil come back!

Beatiful small museum , well organised about Munchhausen , second in the world. Everything about Munchhausen on a first floor, wax museum of Latvian celebrities and historic figures on a second. Huge playground for kids to enjoy. Fee applies. 1 km long walk and walk to the Baltic beach with white sand. Beautiful view. Interesting place to visit.

Kids playground is dangerous and run down, no maintenance done in along time, poorly made repairs possessing serious risks of injury. Forest trail has seen better days.

Very cool! The taxidermy was really cool to look at, the staff was very nice and friendly - even had a nice chat. The wax people were a little creepy, but i loved it. Especially Hercogs Jēkabs, felt like he was lookin right back at me, looked into my soul. Overall, great experience.

A truly peaceful and picturesque place. The castle itself is modest, but the surrounding gardens are stunning — beautifully designed with thoughtful planting and a perfect harmony of colors and textures. Walking here feels like stepping into a living painting, a real moment of serenity. Huge compliments to whoever created and maintains this landscape!

We visited in November. Turaida castle is really worth visiting. When you arrive to a parking lot, there are plenty of spots to park. You can pay for it in the museum which is like a minute away and you don't have to go back to put it in your car, just take it with yourself, it costs 2€. The ticket for the castle was just 6€ which is honestly not much, we saw many castles in different countries which where not that worth as this one and were more expensive. Except of the castle you can visit many other places and building here, like the church, the souvenir shop or the jewelry shop which offers plenty of beautiful hand made jewelries. Turaida castle itself is right now in reconstruction but was really beautiful. You can go inside every door which you can find, meaning that you can see plenty of expositions with stuff found during excavations, see some photographies, old armors, go up in the tower to see the whole castle and it's surroundings. The whole place is quite wast so you can spend there hours walking around, enjoying the atmosphere.

Beautiful castle with stunning views from the tower. Plenty areas to explore, many old building with a person in each building to explain more details, great information too. There are parks and pathways to explore. Easy access to toilets. And we were luck as there was live music concert on the stage next to castle.

Our group of 11 travelers from 5 countries journeyed to the castle complex Today. The guided tour from the entrance through the church as the guide told the story of Rosa de Turaida fave full delta to the castle. The small museum shows the reconstruction of the castle that allows visitors to climb 139 steps to the top for a va race point of the complex and the greenery

One of the most beautiful castle in Europe. If you want to see nice castle with beautiful park, i recommended Turaida. Look at my photos of environs. Very nice :)

Nice castle to visit plenty of info and amazing view. The exhibition carries on in all the other buildings around the park (church, little houses…) - make sure to save enough time to visit the whole park and all these different exhibitions, it’s a lot to take in but it’s worth it.

In case you're planning to visit Turaidas Castle for the first time DO NOT follow your google maps. Instead take the parking spot on the 'mountain' (if you're driving a car) and cross the street to get tickets in the Museum entrance. You can pay by parking at the Museum register (same place where you can get tickets). Also the cost for tickets change twice a year — once in Autumn and once in a Spring.

Large, old and sad. Gutman Cave is the largest cave in the Baltic States, not quite in depth (18.8 metres), but in entrance (12 metres wide and 10 metres high). The cave was formed at the end of the last ice age, when meltwater eroded its way through the sandstone some 10,000 years ago. Gutman Cave is one of Latvia's oldest tourist attractions, with inscriptions dating back to the 17th century. It is still a popular tourist destination, so it can get busy at times. It is also the location of the sad end of the Rose of Turaida. For hikers, the cave (and the entire area) is a great destination or stopover.

We visited Gutman’s Cave in the evening, and it turned out to be a great decision. There were no other tourists around, which made the experience feel calm and almost magical. We had read that the place can get very crowded during the day, so going later allowed us to enjoy it at our own pace without the usual hustle. The cave itself is interesting to see — not particularly large, but it's steeped in history and legend, which adds a special charm. The walls are covered in old inscriptions and carvings, some of which date back centuries. It’s worth spending a little time reading about the stories and myths associated with the cave before you visit. The area around the cave is part of a beautiful park with many well-marked walking trails. It's a great place for a peaceful walk in nature, and there's plenty to explore. The surrounding forest and riverside paths make it ideal for a longer hike or just a relaxed stroll. Parking near the cave (200 meter) costs €2.50, but when we went, the office was closed and the barriers were open, so we didn't have to pay. This might not always be the case. All in all, Gutman’s Cave is definitely worth a visit, especially in the evening if you want to avoid the crowds.

Took the cable car and walked down. Wish we'd taken full day to walk and discover all the wood area before reaching the cave. It was a really sad story about the cave but what a magnificent place

It who was an interesting place, it's only a small cave with a lot of inscriptions, Dennis was a walk around the park it was not worth the one hour drive.

We hiked to the largest cave in Latvia to enjoy the natural formation. Sadly, several people have chosen to carve their initials or names in the stone to detract from the natural beauty. These engravings become part of the cave’s history now Worth the stop on a hike.

Cool cave and very accessible from road without any ascent or climbing. I walked here from train station, takes about 20-25 minutes with the highest staircase I've ever seen. Not far from the castle.

Large cave with lots of myth and history. Well kept park and many walking trails around.

A great medieval castle. We bought a family ticket for only 5€ and it was definitely worth it! The castle is a nice showcase of medieval gothic architecture. You can access two towers and one of the walls, from which there is a nice view of the town and surrounding nature. Around the castles you can find information checkpoints, which offer insight into the castles history from its founding by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in 1207 to the most recent renovation. There is a lot of places where you can just sit and soak up the atmosphere. Staff is friendly.

This place is a must visit when in Latvia/ Riga! Easy to visit with a 1hr train ride. The walk from the train station is beautiful and much scenery to see along the way. The castles themselves are legit. Kid and family friendly. Feels as if you traveled back in time 🙏🏽

We had a day trip and were presently surprised at how near the castles were to the train station, 10 minutes walk. You get value for money here as there are 2 castles on the same site ,the old and the new. They have some lovely independent shops on site selling local ,and handmade products, do try the Hot Raw Cacao .

North of Sigulda, on a small rocky plateau that rises some 70 metres above the Gauja River valley, stands the impressive ruins of the Livonian Order Castle. The castle was built in 1207 by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, the knightly order that was founded to bring about the conversion of the Latvians, Livonians and Estonians (by means of a crusade). These Brothers of the Sword were not the most obedient knights, as they regularly clashed with Bishop Albert of Riga (whose castle -Turaida Castle- can be seen on the other side of the Gauja River). The order was dissolved by the Pope in 1237, after only 35 years, and was incorporated into the Teutonic Order in the form of a separate branch, the Livonian Order. Since 1432 Sigulda Castle was the residence of the Land Marshal of the Livonian Order, the second highest officer of the order. In the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries, war and destruction alternate with peace and reconstruction, until the castle is finally no longer restored and from the early 19th century it is cherished as a romantic ruin (albeit with some reinforcements and adjustments). The 20th and 21st centuries are mainly characterized by historical and archaeological research, and renovations to protect the ruin from decay. The Sigulda Medieval Castle is therefore an interesting and beautiful ruin that you should definitely visit!

Worthy a stop if you are in the neighborhood, otherwise not worthy the trip. The new castle is a modern residence, the old one partially scenic ruins used (as it was the case today) for event and cocnerts

Great place to visit, also had cafe and ice-cream shop. Multiple little units for clothing, jewellery, leather, woodwork and pottery. Was great to look at options and at a wide range of prices.

Lovely quiet new and old castles in beautiful grounds. Lots of shops and handicrafts, some that people can try.

The Freedom Monument in Riga stands proudly at the heart of the city, symbolizing Latvia’s independence and the spirit of its people. Just steps away, you’ll find the charming Bastejkalns Park, the elegant Opera House, and the bustling Old Town, each offering its own unique charm. A visit to Riga would not be complete without pausing at this monument and exploring the vibrant landmarks that surround it.

Freedom Monument – Riga We visited the Freedom Monument last Sunday on a cold, drizzling day, which somehow made the atmosphere even more powerful. Standing tall in the heart of Riga, the monument is a striking symbol of Latvia’s independence and resilience. Built in 1935, it honours those who gave their lives during the Latvian War of Independence, and remarkably, it survived both Soviet and Nazi occupations as a quiet but steadfast reminder of national pride. Even in the grey weather, the monument and the surrounding area felt peaceful and dignified. The eternal flame and the changing of the guards add a special sense of respect and history. Definitely worth stopping by—whether for the history, the symbolism, or just to take in one of Riga’s most meaningful landmarks.

A Powerful Symbol of Latvia’s Spirit The Freedom Monument is one of the most important and iconic landmarks in Riga. Standing tall and proud in the heart of the city, it’s a powerful tribute to Latvia’s independence and resilience. The sculpture is striking, and the surrounding area — especially with the canal and Bastejkalna Park nearby — makes it a beautiful spot to visit, reflect, and take photos. I’ve passed by many times but haven’t yet had the chance to attend one of the ceremonial guard changes or national events here — hoping to catch one in the future. Even without stepping closer, the atmosphere around the monument feels respectful and meaningful. It’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand Latvia’s history and national pride.

The Freedom Monument (Brīvības piemineklis) is a must-see in Riga, symbolizing Latvia’s independence and national pride. It's beautifully located in the city center and perfect for photos, especially at sunrise or sunset. Changing of the guard happens hourly—don’t miss it! Tip: Combine your visit with a walk through Bastejkalna Park or stop by the nearby Old Town. Benches nearby offer a great rest spot. Ideal for history lovers and first-time visitors!

Spectacular monument in the heart of Riga. The Riga sign and Laima clock is also located here. Large space to wander around.

Visiting the Freedom Monument in Rīga was a truly moving experience. Standing tall in the heart of the city, it’s more than just a striking piece of architecture—it radiates the spirit of Latvia’s independence and resilience. The figure of Liberty holding three gilded stars is a powerful symbol of unity and hope. A must-see when in Rīga

The Freedom Monument in Riga is a must-visit! A beautiful and meaningful landmark that represents Latvian independence and pride. The area around it is also lovely, with a peaceful park nearby that's perfect for a stroll or just relaxing. A great spot to take in some history and enjoy the city’s charm.

Beautiful church right in the heart of Riga’s Old Town. St. Peter’s Church is an impressively restored building, with restoration work still ongoing. A highlight is the elevator ride up the tower – the elevator may feel a little shaky, but it takes you safely to the top. From there you get a fantastic view over Riga and the Old Town. Definitely a worthwhile stop on a city walk.

Really beautiful church, well worth stopping by even if not religious. The building is stunning & the architecture is immense. You can pay extra to go up in the tower, which is an incredible experience. You get panoramic views of the whole city, including the river. It's a bit scary at first as the lift opens directly out onto the tower, but definitely power through!

St. Peter’s Church in Tallinn is one of those places where history, architecture, and atmosphere all come together beautifully ⛪✨. The church itself has a calm, almost timeless feel to it—like it’s been quietly watching the city change for centuries. The high ceilings and intricate details make you feel both small and amazed, the kind of place where you whisper automatically even if no one tells you to. What I loved most was how it blends solemnity with charm. It’s not just about bricks and stained glass; it’s about stories, traditions, and that sense of being part of something much larger than yourself. And of course, like every good historic church in Europe, it also gives you that gentle reminder that your photography skills will never do it justice. 📸😂 Whether you’re into history, architecture, or just need a quiet escape from the bustle of Tallinn, St. Peter’s Church is worth stepping inside. It’s a place that makes you pause, reflect, and maybe even wish your own ceiling at home was a little more “cathedral-like.”

St. Peter’s Church in the heart of Riga’s Old Town offers an unforgettable experience, the soaring 13th-century tower provides panoramic views over the red-rooftops, the Daugava River and the modern city skyline. Inside, the blend of Gothic and Baroque architecture is impressive, and the history that echoes in the walls makes it more than just a photo-stop. A must-see when in Riga.

An absolute must-visit in Riga! ⛪✨ The towering architecture of St. Peter’s Church is breathtaking up close — truly one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The interiors are peaceful and filled with history, and for a small fee you can take the elevator up to the observation deck 🌆⬆️ which surprised me with stunning panoramic views of the whole city — rooftops, river, bridges, everything! 😍 The atmosphere around the church is vibrant, full of cafés and street life, making it the perfect stop during a walk through Old Town 🚶‍♂️💛. Definitely worth the visit if you want to experience Riga from its most beautiful angle! 📸✨

9EUR to visit the church and do up to the tower via 3 flights of stairs and an elevator. As soon as you step out of the elevator you are on the viewing platform which can be very windy but views are beautiful especially with nice weather. Church itself is nice and peaceful.

St. Peter’s Church is one of Riga’s must-see landmarks, especially because of its stunning viewing tower. After taking the lift up, you’re rewarded with a panoramic view over the entire city.

If you like great food at a reasonable price, the central market is waiting for you. SO MUCH FOOD! Everything was fresh and was as alluring to the nose as it was to the palate. So much variety, you will hardly know where to start. It's even fun if you're not hungry... just walk around and take it all in. Definitely recommend!

The best open market I’ve ever visited. Traditional meeting the modern in a wonderful mix. Vegetables, fruits, nuts fish, poultry, beef, clothes and lot of other things. I will be back.

I visited Riga Central Market, and it was such a vibrant experience. The market is huge and full of life you can find just about everything here, from fresh flowers and local foods to meats, cheeses, spices, and handmade goods. It’s a great place to discover authentic Latvian flavors and everyday life. The market is set inside historic old Zeppelin hangars, which gives it a unique and impressive atmosphere. Each pavilion specializes in different products, making it easy to explore and sample a wide variety of items. I especially enjoyed seeing the fresh produce stands and traditional Latvian treats. It’s not just a place to shop—it’s also a cultural experience, perfect for walking around, tasting, and soaking in the local vibe. Prices are fair, and you’ll find both locals and tourists enjoying the market. If you’re visiting Riga, this is definitely a must-see. 📍 Location: Nēģu iela 7, Riga, Latvia

Nice and quick lunch spot in the gastronomy market they have different restaurants where you can have local food and buy local cheeses and souvenirs. A nice quick stop in the city. Haven’t take any picture of the dumplings but they were very good.

Great place to sample the local food. There are plenty of fruit and veg stalls, flower stalls and clothing stalls as well as a food market inside. They sell all the traditional dishes for extremely reasonable prices so a great way to eat like the locals. It’s a vibrant, buzzing area that’s definitely worth a visit.

Really big market with so much variety. There are different halls dedicated to different types of goods (the meat hall, the fish hall, etc). There's a hall that has eateries, and there are other retain shops throughout. Outside there are fresh fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. Definitely a must visit location for anyone visiting Riga.

A very unique market where each of the four large hangars offers something different, with wonderful caviar, meat, and fish products for sale, and outside, a marketplace and florists. I really liked it.

Plac Ratuszowy, also known as Town Hall Square, is a historic cobbled market square in Riga, Latvia, dating back to the 13th century. Although it was destroyed during World War II, the square has been meticulously reconstructed, showcasing beautiful Hanseatic architecture and monuments.  The square is home to notable landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads, a stunning building that dates back to the 14th century, and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, which offers insights into Latvia’s 20th-century history under Soviet and Nazi occupations.

The heart of Riga and a must-see stop. Home of the amazing House of the Black Heads and also outdoor cafes to enjoy the view and people watching. Seek out a small sculpture that commemorates the world's first decorated Christmas tree in 1510. Men from the House of the Black Heads decorated one with roses, danced around it, then set it on fire!

Just great we really loved Rigas and would have to be the cleanest city we have visited. Just wandering around the old town and parks is really worth the journey there and don't forget the market it was fantastic.

Parking in the center costs 5€ per hour, the next hour costs 8€. Throughout the city, 1 hour of parking is 1€. The food is delicious, prices are like in most European cities ( pasta 10,90€, Hamburger 12€). We are lunching on the main square. Big city, beautiful and interesting.

So many beautiful buildings around to see! Lovely Church! Love to walk around and explore! Such a beautiful city!

Nice place for a photo opportunity, house of the black heads is a one of the iconic architecture in Riga

Beautiful square with nice dutch renaissance style buildings.

Good exhibition if you want to learn about the history of latvia during the 2nd world war and the period after until the 1990s. Would recommend the audio guide and if you are interested in reading more about the exhibits to plan in around two hours.

Be sure to allow time in your visit to Riga to tour this museum. Ideally visit when you can take the guided tour with a staff member. we did and it added so much more context to the visit. I would allow two hours if possible. Great bathrooms and lockers to make your visit even easier. no café but nearby there are many places to grab a cup of coffee afterwards and process what you’ve learned.

Dramatic museum about Latvia's traumatic recent history under the Soviet and Nazi occupations during the second world war and up to 1991. Lots to read and there are some dramatic films and exhibits. Makes you want to celebrate Latvia's independence with them by the end and wave a Latvian flag! There are lockers for bags but no cafe (there are restaurants nearby).

A super interesting collection detailing the Soviet Occupation of Latvia and the struggle of the people to reestablish their sovereign state. We did an English tour that was pretty rushed. We went back through the entire museum. It is laid out in chronological order and there is a "path" to follow. There's a cute teddy bear character that might keep kids interested with a few interactive displays. There are adult interactives also. The museum tells the tale of brave resistance fighters and you leave with a sense of the great national pride that Latvians have today, as they should !

An incredibly powerful museum with a very important story to tell. A good mix of modern interactive displays and more traditional museology exhibits that will help you understand the struggle of Latvia against several neighbours and the horrible impact of recent history, yet, their ability to persevere. A very enlightening experience for anyone.

I started learning about the history of Latvia on a free walking tour so decided to go into this museum. This was the best museum I’ve ever been to in my life, it has so much history and knowledge and I loved learning so much new things, it’s made me fall in love with Riga and Latvia even more, I recommend this amazing museum to anyone and everyone

I very much enjoyed the tour of the museum of occupation. I took a guided tour that was excellent as it manage to convey feeling and perspectives related to this difficult time of history. I also visited the KGB museum but f2la the occupation museum provided me with more fact and information. I highly, highly recommend taking a guided tour as it really help with the understanding.

Amazing place! Beautiful wooden boardwalks through the bog, a scenic tower with stunning views, fresh air and peaceful silence. Especially magical at sunrise. Easy to reach from Riga. In summer, bring mosquito spray. A perfect spot to experience Latvia’s nature. Highly recommend!

This is for us the most beautiful place in all Latvia. Such a peaceful walk full of birds singing and spectacular nature. I could walk here for hours and not get tired of it.

Beautiful and peaceful. An hour long walk through beautiful forest and bog. To parents with small kids - the path is too narrow to walk with a stroller, leave it in the car.

A great place for a day trip from Riga or a peaceful stop along the way, offering a pleasant walk in beautiful nature. The paths are well-kept, with benches available here and there to rest, and a viewing tower to take in the surroundings.

Excellent walking trails. €3/hr parking is very expensive thou. Make sure you bring some insect repellents ☝️

This is one of those places that i was told is “all over instagram and you have to go”. Its quite a nice walk through the forest and then along the planks of wood that just keep you above the boggy water. Eventually you will reach a viewing platform where the view was amazing. Why i have rated this 4 stars is due to the public toilets. There are 4 portable style toilets at the parking and one not too much further into the forest. These toilets were a disgrace. The smell and cleanliness of these were disgusting and ruined the overall experience. Pointer….. go to the toilet before going

Amazing nature. A wide, peaceful area with unorthodox vegetation, worth visiting.

Little museum consentrated on different aspects of history- history of St.Trinity church, History of Jelgava and more. Museum exhibits are interactive and they have thought about children aswell accessability. Tower has elevator to move up and down. You still have to open the door to get into exhibition room and use glass staircase to get to city viewing area just under the glass roof. This may be an issue for some people. On top floor you can enjoy Jelgava city views through glass roof. Interesting place to visit. Not too time consuming unless you go through absolutely everything. Then it can take hours. Lady in the ticket office while I visited was really friendly and helpful.

The crown jewel of the city. The tower has the best city views, the story of this important Latvian city, an excellent example of a romantic cafe (the best cafe ever for my very well travelled friend) with outstanding food and service, fun interactive galleries (try wedding clothes or period jewellery!), and paintings by Latvian artists.

Not much to see there! The digital expositions are just ok. The view of the city at the top is not any great as the metal structure and the glasses disturb the view. Pictures are not worth up there, as you can see in one of my pics. Just the outside view of the tower is interesting.

The Jelgava St. Trinity Church Tower is a charming historical site with a lot of character. Climbing to the top rewards you with fantastic panoramic views of Jelgava and the surrounding area. The tower is well-maintained, and the staff are friendly and helpful, sharing interesting details about the church’s history. It can be a bit crowded during peak hours, but the experience is worth it for both the views and the insight into local history. A lovely spot for visitors exploring Jelgava!

I didn't expect this place to be so interesting! There are only 4 floors of thd tower open but each floor has a room with something interesting to find out. There is a floor dedicated to the city history, the church and Jelgava fashion. The 9th floor is a cosy place made of glass where you can seat and enjoy the view of the city. The 8th floor is the restaurant. The entrance fee for adults is 2.50€. There is WC and the elevator. Do spend some time in each room: it's worth it, especially the fashion room. They show a short video about fashion changing through the years. Recommended for visiting 💯%

Beautifully renovated tower. On the top you can oversee the whole city through the glass roof. On some levels exhibitions. While on the level with clocks you will find great restaurant. During lunch hours you can try simple, but very interesting lunch offers. In the evenings you can have nice dinner. Tasty choices for vegetarians. Interior fabulous.

Nice view on the observation deck of the tower on the 9th floor. Only $1 euro per person to take elevator up. We took the stairs down to visit the gallery and had lunch on the 8th floor. Beautiful decor and relaxing atmosphere. The frog legs, snails & mussels were all yummy.

This really old castle is located by the former main road and river. It's a very well restored location. There is still work to do but they are very far. It's more that worth to visit it. To the top of the tower is 85 steps one way. We enjoyed it very much.

Far from where tourists go but the place has a big history that's well explained. Most signs are strictly in Latvian though, some are translated into English. Be prepared to go up and down some steep stairs.

An interesting and heavily restored castle. History of the owners of the castle and their furniture, dress and military. Nice climb up the tower which gives great views of the town €4.50 for seniors

Passed Bauska for so many years 😬 and only now visited the castle - it was definitely worth it 🤩. A relatively small but beautiful castle, which was built in the middle of the 15th century by the Livonian Order in this place to strengthen its influence in Zemgale. Currently, the castle has been partially restored, other surviving parts have been preserved, and a museum is open. To get around the nearby territory and inside - it was about 3.7 km.

Must to visit place, a beautiful castle located in memorising landscape. Perfect place for Instagram photos, don't miss the largde bauska photo frame in the river side. Highly recommended place to spend time.

Another beautifully restored castle with well though out presentations offering glimpse into the life of germanborn in Baltics during the fellowship centuries.

We chose not to go inside and wanted to see the castle from the outside; we were on a tour and had 45 min at this stop. It is peaceful and quite beautiful. May 2025

Perhaps the jewel of Latvia. The palace is in really good condition, thanks to everyone's hard work. The gardens are certainly kept in immaculate condition. Most of the rooms are open to visitors, including the bedrooms and bathrooms of the Duke and Duchess — definitely worth a visit. It's usually not very crowded on weekdays. You can use an audio guide.

Beautiful, rich collection, friendly staff, almost no tourists in November yet highly operational. Interesting to see powder rooms and toilet closets. Impressive collection of “ household” peaces. Wonderful cafe switch beautiful service. Food served in aristocratic dish-ware. The clock outside is restarted with beautiful music playing at each hour with the sound stretching through whole yard yard. Very happy with our visit.

The Baltic Versailles! Amidst the vast fields and meadows of Zemgale (Semgallen) stands the most beautiful baroque palace in the Baltic States: the Rundāles Pils (Rundāle Palace). The palace was commissioned by Ernst Johann Biron, the lover of Tsarina Anna Ivanova who bestowed him the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The famous Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed and built a palace inspired by Versailles. Since the Duke was exiled to Siberia by his political enemies in 1740, the construction of the palace took place in two phases. During the first phase (1736-40) the palace itself was built, and during the second phase (1765-68) the furnishing of 138 rooms and halls was completed. During the Latvian War of Independence in 1919, the palace was badly damaged. In 1933, the palace was restored/rebuilt when a school was established. After the Rundāle Palace Museum was founded in 1972, a thorough and long-term restoration was immediately started, which was only completed in 2015. Thanks to this restoration, the palace once again radiates its 18th century grandeur, which visitors can admire in 40 rooms and halls. In addition to the magnificent interior, the French gardens are certainly worth a visit. So all in all, Rundāle Palace is a destination that should not be missed on your itinerary!

Amazing place! Worth the drive from Riga. We enjoyed it very much! Unfortunately rainy weather stopped us from going to their beautiful gardens. A lot of visitors even on weekday.

Really glad we decided to drive and visit Rundāle Palace. If you had a car - don't skip this easy day trip from Riga. The gardens are beautiful - and it's aways interesting to see intricate buildings preserved. Impressive! We spent about 2.5 hours here in total. We visited on a Wednesday and bought tickets when we got there.

The Rundale Palace in Latvia was built in the 18th century. Though originally built as a palace it was used for various purposes including a school. In 1972 the palace and the surrounding gardens was established as a museum. It has 40 rooms exhibiting furniture, decorative pieces, paintings including painted ceilings. Very impressive from outside and inside, one of the most well preserved palaces in the world. The French garden adds to the charm of the palace. Ticket can be purchased together for the palace and the garden. We visited it on a "Tour and Transfer" from Riga To Vilnius. Highly recommend it.

The Palace of amazing beauty 🤩🥰 with a large French park nearby. The beginning of the palace dates back to the 16th century, although Rundale Manor is mentioned from the 15th century. To walk the main paths in the garden, inside the palace - will be about 6.2 km, and if you explore all the passages of the garden it will be more of km. 🙃 and you should dedicate at least 3.5 hours (you can run around faster, but it is better to walk slower 🙃). The price for an adult to visit all the places is 23 €, but you can also visit the garden and palace for 17 €, but then you will not enter one of the palace "wing" with another exposition. If you have already arrived at the place and have an opportunity - it is definitely worth visiting all possible places.

Perhaps the jewel of Latvia. The palace is in really good condition, thanks to everyone's hard work. The gardens are certainly kept in immaculate condition. Most of the rooms are open to visitors, including the bedrooms and bathrooms of the Duke and Duchess — definitely worth a visit. It's usually not very crowded on weekdays. You can use an audio guide.

Beautiful, rich collection, friendly staff, almost no tourists in November yet highly operational. Interesting to see powder rooms and toilet closets. Impressive collection of “ household” peaces. Wonderful cafe switch beautiful service. Food served in aristocratic dish-ware. The clock outside is restarted with beautiful music playing at each hour with the sound stretching through whole yard yard. Very happy with our visit.

The Baltic Versailles! Amidst the vast fields and meadows of Zemgale (Semgallen) stands the most beautiful baroque palace in the Baltic States: the Rundāles Pils (Rundāle Palace). The palace was commissioned by Ernst Johann Biron, the lover of Tsarina Anna Ivanova who bestowed him the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The famous Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed and built a palace inspired by Versailles. Since the Duke was exiled to Siberia by his political enemies in 1740, the construction of the palace took place in two phases. During the first phase (1736-40) the palace itself was built, and during the second phase (1765-68) the furnishing of 138 rooms and halls was completed. During the Latvian War of Independence in 1919, the palace was badly damaged. In 1933, the palace was restored/rebuilt when a school was established. After the Rundāle Palace Museum was founded in 1972, a thorough and long-term restoration was immediately started, which was only completed in 2015. Thanks to this restoration, the palace once again radiates its 18th century grandeur, which visitors can admire in 40 rooms and halls. In addition to the magnificent interior, the French gardens are certainly worth a visit. So all in all, Rundāle Palace is a destination that should not be missed on your itinerary!

Amazing place! Worth the drive from Riga. We enjoyed it very much! Unfortunately rainy weather stopped us from going to their beautiful gardens. A lot of visitors even on weekday.

Really glad we decided to drive and visit Rundāle Palace. If you had a car - don't skip this easy day trip from Riga. The gardens are beautiful - and it's aways interesting to see intricate buildings preserved. Impressive! We spent about 2.5 hours here in total. We visited on a Wednesday and bought tickets when we got there.

The Rundale Palace in Latvia was built in the 18th century. Though originally built as a palace it was used for various purposes including a school. In 1972 the palace and the surrounding gardens was established as a museum. It has 40 rooms exhibiting furniture, decorative pieces, paintings including painted ceilings. Very impressive from outside and inside, one of the most well preserved palaces in the world. The French garden adds to the charm of the palace. Ticket can be purchased together for the palace and the garden. We visited it on a "Tour and Transfer" from Riga To Vilnius. Highly recommend it.

The Palace of amazing beauty 🤩🥰 with a large French park nearby. The beginning of the palace dates back to the 16th century, although Rundale Manor is mentioned from the 15th century. To walk the main paths in the garden, inside the palace - will be about 6.2 km, and if you explore all the passages of the garden it will be more of km. 🙃 and you should dedicate at least 3.5 hours (you can run around faster, but it is better to walk slower 🙃). The price for an adult to visit all the places is 23 €, but you can also visit the garden and palace for 17 €, but then you will not enter one of the palace "wing" with another exposition. If you have already arrived at the place and have an opportunity - it is definitely worth visiting all possible places.

A very cool place for a walk with the kids. Lots of interesting and cute things to see, including a village built for dwarves and an observation tower. Walk the park or catch a handy train that regularly drives between five stops. The park is clean, well laid out and looks amazing. If you want children to have fun exploring outdoors, I can think of few better places in Latvia.

Huge park with scenic views, castles and hiking trails. Check that the wooden castle is open before arrival if you're planning on going there. Even if not going there are many reasons to visit and enjoy the beautiful nature surrounds the trails. Don't miss climbing the hill, unforgettable view! E.G. the way to arrive the park recommended as well 👌

Amazing!!! Especially if you know the story on which the park is based ( you can buy book in centre in 3 languages). Great for family's with kids, but there's a lot of walking. You need 1 whole day or even 2 if wanting to explore everything.

What a brilliant place to visit. It’s massive - we rented bikes from just outside the entrance, which were 15 Euro for a full day. We wouldn’t have been able to see nearly as much of the park without it. Dwarf village then dwarf city a good order to start. Fantastic playground, and in between we stopped at the lake for a swim as a hot August day. A full day type of place, and was a day well spent and would highly recommend!

Loved it!!! One of the best nature parks in Latvia for sure. It's big too, so easily few hours go by trying to explore it. I recommend walking it and then taking the little train around. They also rent bikes and little trailers you can use to pull the little ones on that might not be able to walk the distance.

This is a great place for younger children. My teenager and pre-teen also had lots of fun. A great walk in nature with lots of little guys and dwarf homes to play in. A nice park in one of the sections. Lots of different activities to do. We spent the whole day there. I would take a small backpack so you can carry your lunch with you but the cafes inside were reasonably priced. Our kids asked to return next summer to see what has been added. I didn’t find the petting zoo worth the cost. Most of the animals we sick and ill looking.

Amazing park , lots of walking but it's worth it ,amazing nature, visit first time but definitely will be back , parks offer lots of fun and adventure specially for kids. So if you visiting Latvia definitely must add it to you list ;)

I’ve visited this place a few times now, the tree top walk and viewing platform are great fun. The view from the viewing platform is great, but a word of warning the floor is constructed from metal grates so you can see though it - you’ll need a head for heights. During the summer there can be lots of mosquitoes as I found out, I’d recommend wearing trousers! Well worth a visit.

It's a great family activity. Walking above the trees is a very interesting experience. After the trail, there are two cafes with a fairly wide selection of food, which is also nice.

The Tree Top Walking Path offers a unique and refreshing experience walking among the treetops with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding forest. The path is mostly flat and accessible, making it suitable for all ages. The highlight is the observation tower with breathtaking vistas and a fun 55-meter tunnel slide for some added adventure. The adjacent Adventure Forest playground is perfect for families, with plenty of activities for kids. The staff are friendly, and the facilities, including clean toilets, are well maintained. It's a peaceful nature escape with interesting birdwatching opportunities and beautiful seasonal colors, especially in autumn. A small entry fee applies, but the experience is well worth it. Highly recommended for nature lovers and families alike!

Very nice and relaxing place to be. Cost is loe, but for me the track was just too short. Nonetheless - still something different and enjoyed it. :)

A short quality experience in Anykščiai, in our case there was no wait for the tickets, cards are accepted. Lots of parking on the road to the path.

Nice surroundings in the middle of the national park but I expected longer treetrop walking path. We were in and out in about 10-15minutes (including going to the top of the lookout tower). The information center is quite nice and the people who work there are even nicer!

Unique treetop walking path near Anykščiai. Ticket price for adults 5€, entrance for children is free.

Visiting Trakai Island Castle was like stepping into a living piece of Lithuanian history. The moment you cross the wooden bridge over Lake Galvė, the red-brick towers appear in full majesty — calm, proud, and full of stories. Inside, each hall has its own character: the Grand Duke’s chamber feels royal and atmospheric, the armory impresses with real swords and armor, and the exhibition about Vytautas the Great brings the medieval world to life. I loved how well-preserved everything is — you can almost imagine knights, musicians, and nobles walking through these halls centuries ago. Helpful Tips for Visitors: Arrive early, especially on weekends — it gets crowded quickly. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queue. Take a guided tour or audio guide — it adds so much depth to the visit. Bring cash for local shops or snacks — not all vendors accept cards. Don’t miss the inner courtyard and lake views — perfect for photos. Families with kids should visit the dungeon and towers — they’re always a hit! After the castle, try the legendary kibinai at “Senoji Kibininė” nearby — the perfect finish to your day. Trakai Castle isn’t just a tourist attraction — it’s a real time machine that lets you feel the spirit of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. A must-see for anyone who loves history, architecture, or simply beautiful places that make you pause and breathe in the past.

Stunning castle in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. We were lucky with the weather as it had been raining all day the previous day. The restauration of the castle is amazing and still ongoing. Certain areas were closed because of that and because we visited out of season. But still lots to see with a huge number of period artefacts. Gives you an idea of how important trade was. Tranquil setting with nice walks in the area. Not many visitors but I can imagine it gets very busy in Summer. Good restaurants around on the lake side leading to the castle. It's a good walk from the station, about 3km, but beautiful along the lakes. The whole experience was magnificent and the on site toilets were immaculate. Access for wheelchair users a bit tricky and you need to be fairly sure footed due to the old cobbled roads and paths. But what a place. Return rail ticket from Vilnius was about €6.

A very cool medieval castle and a museum! Despite some rain and October gloomy weather, we had a great time exploring the castle. The grey skies gave the whole location a nice vibe, and the forest and lake surrounding the castle looked stunning.

Had an lovely experience visiting Trakai. Nestled in nature, the entire environment is incredibly calming and beautiful. The colorful houses and the vibrant surroundings make it a truly picturesque destination. The peaceful ambiance, especially with water all around, adds to the tranquility. And of course, if you visit, you absolutely must try the kibinai, a delicious local treat that adds an authentic touch. Absolutely worth the trip!

I visited Trakai Castle in October, and it was absolutely stunning. The autumn colors made the entire island look like something out of a fairy tale — golden leaves reflecting on the calm lake, with the red brick walls of the castle standing proudly in the middle. The weather was cool but pleasant, perfect for exploring without crowds. The walk across the wooden bridge to the castle is beautiful and gives you plenty of photo opportunities. Inside, the museum is well-organized, with interesting exhibits about Lithuanian history, the Grand Dukes, and medieval life. There’s also a sense of calm and history that you can really feel as you wander through the courtyards and towers. Even though some areas felt a bit touristy (like the souvenir stalls near the entrance), it didn’t take away from the experience. I’d recommend stopping at one of the nearby cafés to try kibinai, the local pastry — warm and delicious on a chilly autumn day. Overall: A must-visit if you’re in Lithuania. Trakai Castle in autumn is simply magical — peaceful, picturesque, and full of history.

We visited a beautiful, photogenic castle situated on an island surrounded by water. During our visit, a portion of the castle was closed for renovation, which unfortunately affected the quality of our photographs. The interior of the castle is rich in history, and the local guide was very knowledgeable in sharing its stories.

The Trakai Island Castle (Trakų salos pilis) is a stunning medieval fortress set on an island in Lake Galvė, Lithuania. Reached by wooden bridges, it feels like stepping into a fairytale. The red-brick towers, calm waters, and scenic surroundings make it one of the country’s most photogenic spots. The museum inside is informative, and boat views are magical at sunset. A must-visit day trip from Vilnius for history and nature lovers alike.

We visited this place on 26th January, on the last Sunday of the month so we did not pay the entrance ticket. The area is very big and they also turn on the lights of attractions when the sun sets. You can easily spend the entire day here. My suggestion is to come here when winter ends since all the houses were closed and there were no animals. Also, there was only one cafe open, Arbatine. We had a very nice day in the nature, and we will surely come back on summer, when the place can offer the most. PS: The right address is L. Lekavičiaus gatvė 2 Rumšiškės and not 2 J. Aisčio gatvė, where there is only the administration office.

A great place to visit! Very well organized, with a large area perfect for walking – you can easily spend the whole day here. In the town section some points are open where you can buy things, so it’s good to bring some cash. There’s a post office, a craftsman demonstrating traditional work, a restaurant (cards accepted), and a shop with local products like honey. Highly recommended!

What a wonderful place! Don’t think of it as a museum, but as a beautiful, enormous, gorgeous natural park. It’s wonderful! So much nature, it’s breathtaking. It was free today (Sunday) and we only payed 2 euros for parking (license plate scanning). There are toilets at the entrance. The souvenir shop was closed as it was Sunday, I suppose, and I couldn’t see anywhere to eat, so maybe bring some snacks and water. You can also get to the observation tower. We wished we had more time here, you can spend hours exploring and enjoying nature!

We visit d after the close for the season day, so were not able to enter any of the houses. Still beautiful walk, and we spent almost 2 hours just walking around and enjoying beautiful landscape.

During dar season there are beutiful light instalations. This year it was called "Užburtasis slėnis". Really beautifull atmosphere

We are here last day of our Lietuva trip. This was our best place to visit. Forgot Trakai go here price is the same you see more! You can spend whole day here. Walking see and RELAX. Every house is polished with fine garden. You can rest and get a cafe too. We start at 14 and leave at 19 and see less than half. I suggest get a picnic set and go there from morning.

This is super interesting to check out. Bring a lot of time and pick a dry day. There is a lot of walking required for this, but it is worth it. There are buildings from all over Lithuania, most of them can be walked though fully equipped with furniture and all in very good shape. I liked the town center the most, there were some things to do. The viewing tower might need an update some time soon.

We took a bus from Kaunas Centre here it was €1 and took about 30 minutes. As you arive there is a coffee machine at the carpark (there is no cafe or shop to get food here) it is a short pavedcwalk up to the main museum €8 Euros to go in to the Museum was well work it. There is so much to see inside. Well thought out displays and installations. Was history and so.e very thought provoking displays. Everything is displayed in Lithuanian and English. You can walk around the outside area for free. 100% recommended this for a visit 2-3 hrs would do it justice to see Everything!

Beautiful place marked by history. The fort has a very interesting museum and the exterior, including the monument, is a sacred place. I recommend going in the spring season to see all the vegetation in bloom, seemingly in contrast with the history written here.

If you want to understand something of the history of the region in the 20th century, this fortress gives a good overview. I had no idea that the Lithuanians continued to resist the Soviet occupation well into the 1950s. If you go by bus, remember to press the stop button before you reach the stop. I didn't and ended up a mile or two in the wrong direction.

Beautiful place with a sad history. Good for a visit if you love history and its a nice walk. There is stuff in England for does who dont speak lithuanian. Staff a very friendly and helpful. Would visit again.

This is a fascinating and haunting place. Its history is so deep and complex. Everyone should visit and understand the difficult time in Lithuania’s history.

One of the most unique, special and educational experiences ever. Definitely consider visiting if you ever visit Lithuania, especially if you like history and new adventures!

Interesting history but very morbid and really hits home the true costs of war. Beautiful country ❤️

Kaunas Castle is a wonderful place for a walk. In the evening it’s beautifully lit, which makes the atmosphere really charming. The whole area felt very safe, and I also noticed there are surveillance cameras nearby, which adds to the feeling of security. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Kaunas!

A historic castle very nicely preserved, clean and surrounded by green areas and walking trails around it. Minutes away from the old town of Kaunas. Worth visiting!

Kaunas Castle is a beautiful and historic spot right in the heart of the city. The red-brick fortress looks amazing, and the museum inside gives a nice glimpse into Kaunas’ past. The area around it is great for a walk, with lovely river views and a calm atmosphere. Staff are friendly, and there are often cool events or festivals happening nearby. Definitely worth a visit!

A very nice castle, but quite small once you get inside and with status you need to be careful as they are quite steep and you will need to wait for people or to go upstairs or downstairs as you can do both at the same time as it’s quite narrow. Worth a visit tho. The prices for tickets is ok too £4 for adult, but for students, kids, retired and disabled people gets it’s cheaper or does not pay at all which is nice.

Nice little exposition,well restored old castle,loved the dungeon prison part,great view from top level of the tower.Small but interesting museum,stairs at the tower are steep and narrow but there is another wider exilt on level two.Would recommend to spend couple hours exploring castle and surrounding old wall grounds.

Nice park to walk around. You can walk up to have a view. Castle itself has few remains, so not that much to visit. Has a museum indoor in the tower (paid entrance)

Nice castle immersed in a well tended park. We were there on Monday hence the castle was closed therefore we could only admire the outside of it

Kaunas Town Hall is a must-visit if you’re exploring Lithuania’s second-largest city! Known as the “White Swan” for its elegant architecture, this historic building sits in the heart of Kaunas Old Town. It has served many purposes over the centuries—city hall, prison, and even a wedding venue! Today, it houses the Kaunas City Museum, where you can learn about the city’s rich history. Take a stroll around the charming square, grab a coffee at a nearby café, and soak in the atmosphere of this beautiful and lively spot!

Close on Monday and overseeing a torn-up square (large renovation works ongoing August 2025). Not worth the effort

Most visited places in Kaunas , old town bars , cafes and restaurants, you can also find here museums art shops and other interesting sites

The Kaunas Town Hall is a beautiful and impressive building – a real highlight in the heart of the Old Town. The architecture is elegant, and the surrounding square is full of charm and history. It’s a great spot for photos and a nice place to sit and take in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, during our visit, the building was under renovation, so we couldn’t fully enjoy or explore it. It’s understandable that maintenance is necessary, but it was a bit disappointing not to see it in its full glory. Still, it’s a lovely landmark and definitely worth stopping by if you’re in Kaunas – hopefully next time without scaffolding!

10 euros, theres an app and i just cant make it work, not a whole lot, you can climb up the tower and take picture through windows ... Ac was nice.

I didn't visit the museum, but the town hall itself is a very beautiful building. The centerpiece of Kaunas Old Town

A 16th century Town hall situated on a nice square, surrounded by historic buildings. Really nice, if just to stroll around and look at the buildings and the people passing by.

saddest zoo ever! been there in 2019

(Translated by Google) My family and I went to Grodno and visited different places; there were a lot of snakes, lizards, lions, tigers, monkeys, crocodiles, emus, peacocks, flamingos, foxes, bison, deer, llamas, goats, lemurs, parrots, geese, black grouse and many others. In short, cool. (Original) Поехали с семьёй в Гродно побывали в разных местах там очень много всего змеи ,ящерицы, львы, тигры ,обезьяны ,крокодилы ,эму, павлины ,фламинго, лисы, зубры, олени ,ламы, козы, лемуры, попугаи,гуси ,тетерева и многие другие.Короче классно.

(Translated by Google) the zoo is just awful, all the animals sit in their little cubicles, don't come out into the light. no one to look at!!!!!! in all the cages there are only pigeons and sparrows, and who needs these roosters that everyone has at their dacha!! those on the outside look sickly bad 😬😬😬 the terrarium is only open until 15:00!!!!!!!! and the bridge.. my favorite ... they broke it and closed it 😔 very dirty, unsanitary conditions everywhere........ I won't even mention the price!!!! 13 rubles, well, that's incomprehensible!!!!!1!!........ the woman at the checkout was completely impudent, tried to rip me off for 10 rubles in change..... and didn't even apologize... I don't recommend it to anyone, it's better to just look at pictures on Google... definitely won't set foot here again....😣 (Original) зоопарк просто ужасный ,все животные сидят в своих коморках ,не вылазят на свет. не на кого посмотреть!!!!!!во всех клетках одни голуби и воробьи ,и кому нужны вообще эти петухи, которые есть у всех на даче!! те кто снаружи выглядят болезннено плохо 😬😬😬 террариум вообще работает только до 15:00!!!!!!!! а мост..мой любимый ... вообще сломали и закрыли 😔 очень грязно ,везде антисанитария........про цену вообще молчу!!!! 13 рублей,ну это уму не постижимо!!!!!1!!......... женщина на кассе совсем обнаглела ,пыталась надурить на целых 10 рублей сдачи.....и даже не извинилась.... никому не рекомендую,лушче просто посмотреть картинки в Гугле...однозначно больше сюда не ногой....😣

(Translated by Google) Such a wonderful, beautiful city, but the Zoo did not live up to our expectations. Terrible conditions for animals. Small cages, only a floor and a couple of branches. No trees inside, no normal locations. The fence and everything else is from the Soviet Union, they could have redone it. We were in the animal park in Baranovichi, Minsk, everything is very beautiful there, at a height, and here we wasted our money. It was a pity for the animals, it's hot, and they have nowhere to hide from the sun, they lie on the sand and die ((( (Original) Такой прекрасный ,красивый город, но Зоопарк не оправдал наших ожиданий. Ужасные условия для животных. Маленькие клетки, в них только пол и пару веток. Ни деревьев внутри , ни локаций нормальных. Забор и всё остальное с советского союза, можно было и переделать. Были в парке животных в Барановичах, Минске там всё очень красиво, на высоте, а тут зря отдали деньги. Жалко было животных, жара, а им бедным негде спрятаться от солнца, лежат на песке и умирают(((

(Translated by Google) The bird exhibit was decent, since most bird species are usually kept as pets. The mammal exhibit, especially the large predators, was extremely depressing. The bears and monkeys were pacing back and forth in a state of zoochosis. The bear enclosures were all concrete and stone, no greenery, just a dirty pond where they could cool off. The ungulates were also kept in small enclosures, with virtually no greenery. The toucan was either sick or very stressed, and was going bald. This zoo was the first place where I felt sorry for the hyena. I am not a fan of zoos in general, but the enclosures could have been made bigger, so that they would have been more interesting and natural for their inhabitants. (Original) Экспозиция птиц была приличной, поскольку большинство видов птиц обычно содержатся в домашних условиях. Экспозиция млекопитающих, особенно крупных хищников, крайне удручающа. Медведи и обезьяны расхаживают взад-вперед в состоянии зоохозиса. Вольеры для медведей полностью бетонные и каменные, никакой зелени, только грязный пруд, где они могут охладиться. Копытные тоже содержатся в небольших вольерах, где зелени практически нет. Тукан либо болен, либо испытывает сильный стресс, он лысеет. Этот зоопарк — первое место, где мне стало жаль гиену. Я вообще не сторонник зоопарков, однако вольеры можно было бы сделать побольше, чтобы они были более интересными и естественными для своих обитателей.

(Translated by Google) We were on holiday in Grodno and decided to visit the zoo. Unfortunately, we were very upset and saddened that such prisons for poor animals still exist. Nowadays, zoos should meet modern standards. Animals and birds should be kept as in nature, where there is enough space for their normal existence, lifestyle, needs. And not in cages, where, one might say, there is no room to turn around. A real nightmare. I am sure that the government of Belarus has enough resources to build a normal wildlife park! I wish you to do this. Also think about equipping the park with sufficient stations where you can buy water, food, where children can play, a room for mothers and children to change diapers, etc. In general, this is unacceptable in our time. It is a pity to see this. (Original) Отдыхали в Гродно и решили посетить зоопарк. К большому сожалению, были очень расстроены и огорчены, что до сих пор существуют такие тюрьмы для бедных животных. В наше время зоопарки должны соответствовать современным стандартам. Звери и птицы должны находиться, как в природе, где достаточно места для их нормального существования, образа жизни, потребностей. А не в клетках, где , можно сказать, развернуться негде. Сущий кошмар. Уверен, что у правительства Беларуси достаточно возможностей, чтобы построить нормальный парк дикой природы! Желаю вам это осуществить. Также подумайте о достаточном оснащении парка станциями , где модно купить воды, еды, где можно поиграть детям , комнаты мамы и ребенка, чтобы поменять подгузники и пр. В общем, это недопустимо в наше время. Видеть это жалко.

(Translated by Google) The Grodno Zoo caters exclusively to those without empathy for animals. The infrastructure is outdated, and the park staff lack knowledge of animal care. A visit to the zoo will expose you to animal suffering if you possess a shred of sensitivity. The zoo doesn't even meet minimum standards. (Original) Grodzieńskie zoo jest przeznaczone wyłącznie dla osób bez empatii dla zwierząt. Infrastruktura jest przestarzała, pracownicy parku nie mają wiedzy jak się zwierzętami zajmować. Wizyta w zoo ukaże ci cierpienie zwierząt jeśli masz w sobie odrobinę wrażliwości. Zoo nie spełnia nawet minimalnych standardów.