With a name that sounds like a mythical ogress, it's fitting that the gateway to Gauja National Park is an enchanted little spot. Locals proudly call their pine-peppered town the 'Switzerland of Latvia', but if you're expecting a mountainous snowcapped realm, you'll be rather disappointed. Instead, Sigulda is a magical mix of scenic walking and cycling trails, extreme sports and 800-year-old castles steeped in colourful legends.
Turaida Museum ReserveCASTLE, MUSEUM
Turaida means ‘God’s Garden’ in ancient Livonian, and this green knoll capped with a fairy-tale castle is certainly a heavenly place. The red-brick castle with its tall cylindrical tower was built in 1214 on the site of a Liv stronghold. A museum inside the castle’s 15th-century granary offers an interesting account of the Livonian state from 1319 to 1561, and additional exhibitions can be viewed in the 42m-high Donjon Tower, and the castle’s western and southern towers.
Sigulda Medieval CastleCASTLE
Constructed between 1207 and 1209 by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, this castle lies mainly in picturesque ruins after being severely damaged during the Great Northern War (1700–21). Some sections have been restored and you can now walk along the front ramparts and ascend a tower at the rear where there are wonderful views over the forested Gauja Valley. See if you can spy Krimulda Manor and Turaida Castle poking through the trees.
Cable CarCABLE CAR
Save yourself some hiking time and enjoy terrific views by catching a ride on the cable car over the Gauja River. From the Sigulga side, it departs from a rocky precipice south of the bridge and heads towards Krimulda Manor.
Bobsled TrackADVENTURE SPORTS
Sigulda’s 1200m bobsled track was built for the Soviet team. In winter you can fly down the 16-bend track at 80km/h in a five-person Vučko soft bob (per person €10, from October to mid-March), or book in for the real Olympian experience on the hair-raising taxi bob (per person €15, from November to mid-March). Summer speed fiends can ride a wheeledsummer bob (per person €15, from May to September).
Cable Car Bungee JumpADVENTURE SPORTS
Take your daredevil shenanigans to the next level with a 43m bungee jump from the bright-orange cable car that glides over the Gauja River. For an added thrill, jump naked.
AerodiumADVENTURE SPORTS
The one-of-a-kind aerodium is a giant wind tunnel that propels participants up into the sky as though they were flying. Instructors can get about 15m high, while first-timers usually rock out at about 3m. To find the site, look for the sign along the A2 highway, 4km west of Sigulda.
Tarzāns Adventure ParkADVENTURE SPORTS
Head here to swish down a toboggan track or monkey around on the ‘Tarzan’ ropes course. There's also a chairlift (€1), tube-sliding (€1), reverse bungy (€6), giant swing (€6), climbing wall (€1.50) and archery (€2).
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