Sigulda and Jūrmala Daytrip: Two Popular Destinations in One Tour (All Inclusive)
Jurmala
Experience the best of Sigulda and Jūrmala in one day! Explore the top attractions, enjoy a hike, ride the cable car, and indulge in a wine tasting. Fully customizable tour.
Duration:
13 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
-
Jurmala open-air museum - The tour starts with a short visit to the Open-Air museum which tells you the story of Jurmala - just a fishing village on the shore near Riga and how it became one of the greatest resorts of Russian Empire. You’ll learn about traditional way of living of fishermen as well as ways of restind and recreation of Czar and his court.
After the visit you’ll have a chance to do a short hike through Ragakapa Nature Park’s dunes. -
Dzintari Forest Park - The Dzintari Forest Park in Jūrmala is a great place for both lovers of active recreation, and also for those who prefer a leisurely stroll in the crisp pine air. Its most valuable asset is the 200-year-old pine grove and protected habitats, which have remained intact even to this day.
There’s a 36m high watchtower in the middle of the park overlooking all directions - you can see the Baltic Sea, the dunes, the pines, the city of Jūrmala and, weather permitting, even some parts of Riga. -
Jomas Street - Jomas iela (Jomas Street) is the heart of Jūrmala. Holidaymakers fill the city’s main street every summer, and it’s said that this is the place where the Resort of Jūrmala began. Back when Jūrmala was still mostly just large expanses of sand, the wind blew it here and there, naturally forming a series of dunes and valleys. In Latvian, such a valley is called a “joma”, and a main road, now called Jomas iela, was eventually established along one of these valleys. From the very beginning, this street served as the town’s central stage, used almost like a catwalk by summer holidaymakers and spa guests. The more than a kilometre long pedestrian street is where the town’s fanciest boutiques and most popular cafés and restaurants are located.
The most popular beach is right next to it, so if you plan to swim, don’t forget your swimwear.
Jūrmala part of the tour is over after this. You will have a lunch and start driving towards Sigulda. - Keizarkresls un keizarskats - Īeizarkrēsls (literally - the Emperors Chair) will be your first stop in Sigulda. When Emperor Alexander II was visiting Sigulda in the middle of 19th century the locals not only decorated the whole town, but also built a seprentine road down from the town to the river Gauja Valley and a wooden bridge over the river. Several viewpoints were set up as well, and this spot was one of them, equiped with a huge wooden chair - That’s where the name comes from. Since Alexander loved the view here, it’s still considered one of the best views across Gauja Valley.
- Gleznotājkalns - A short and easy hike through some of the most scenic parts of Gauja National Park. Depending on your wishes and abilities, we can make this hike shorter or longer and more difficult.
-
Castle Of The Livonian Order In Sigulda - In the ancient Gauja valley, shaped by the River Gauja and its tributaries, dozens of stone castles were erected and occupied in addition to the many castle mounds that were built by earlier locals. This area has the greatest concentration of castles not only in Latvia but also in Eastern Europe.
One of the most impressive castle ruins in Latvia, Sigulda castle was first built in year 1207 by the crusading knights. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia says that the castle was in use by the Brothers of the Sword as a base while battling revolting Livs that were invading from a nearby castle. Later through the centuries it was damaged and rebuilt several times and there were several different rulers until it was last abandoned during the Great Northern war in early 18th century. -
Cable Car Across Gaya - In a height of 43m above ground the Cable car connects banks of the river Gauja in a width of 1020m and excites with an excellent view over old valley of Gauja, three medieval castles – Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda, the Bobsleigh Track and Gauja bridge. The Aerial Cableway is the oldest such vehicle in the Baltic States.
The story of the cable car is quite a romantic one. During the WW2 the bridge over Gauja was destroyed and there was no real way of getting across the river. A local man named Aivars was sitting on the river bank and dreaming of flying like a bird over the river, so he could meet his beloved Genoveva who was a nurse in infirmary on the other side of the river. A few years later, when they were already married and Aivars had become the head of the District Executive Committee, he put his plan to work and built the cablecar so other lovers just like him could get to their sweethearts!
The ride takes just 5 minutes, but you might have to queue for a bit more than that. -
Krimulda estate - Homemade liquors have strong history in this region. Back in the days almost every manor would have a little production going on, and the income generated by taking the drinks to local markets would help finance the maintenance and expansion of the lavish manorhouses.
There used to be a brewery/winery also in the Krimulda Manor (or Cremon Manor as it was known back then), but the beggining of 20th centurie saw the era of manors and nobles abruptly ended. It took around a hundred years before a local man started brewing fruit wine in the same barn of Krimulda Manor. First a few batches out of local apples, then some berries and now he produces more than 15 wines and 10 liquors from whatever grows in his garden, and in the Gauja National Park - wild fruit, berries and even flowers. Have you heard of the Dandelion wine? Well, here you can also taste it.
You’ll have a tasting of around 5-6 different beverages.
This is the last bit of the tour, and you’ll be heading back to Riga.
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- Expert local guide
- Small group size for a personalized experience
- Scenic stops for photo opportunities
- All entrance fees included
- Historical and cultural insights
- Interactive demonstrations
Additional Information
Sigulda and Jurmala are the preferred locations for short visits from Riga, although most visitors only get to visit one due to time constraints. To assist those struggling to choose, we’ve combined visits to both places into a single day tour. Granted, the tour will take up more of your day and each visit will be shorter, but you’ll be able to experience both locations without occupying two full days. For your convenience, we’ve included lunch and a wine tasting session in both the tour and price, eliminating any additional stress. During this tour, you’ll get a guided exploration of Jurmala’s and Sigulda’s prime attractions, experience a modest hike in a National Park, take a trip on the renowned Gauja Valley Cable Car, and round it all off with a wine tasting at a local vintner’s premises. The detailed itinerary is available upon request.
The tour can be tailored to your preferences. Just let us know your primary interests, and we’ll adjust the plan accordingly.
Location
Jurmala open-air museum
Tiklu iela 1a, Lielupe
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
More activities from this operator
