Cēsis Medieval Castle
Cēsis Medieval Castle
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
483 reviews
Excellent
280
Very good
150
Average
44
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada9,226 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The entrance fee of 6 euros per adult includes a lantern rental which is probably the best thing to be included while visiting a castle. The lantern was perfect during our visit to the very dark tower and was fun to use. The castle itself is undergoing restoration but the main parts were very nice to see. There is plenty of signage explaining the history of the castle as well as items around the property. Ticket includes entry to the Cesis Manor that has artifacts from the castle including an exhibit to the people that chose death over surrender to Ivan the Terrible!
During our weekday visit there were a few school field trips going through but we timed it perfectly and got the tower pretty much to ourselves. The courtyard has an interactive area where you can do some medieval forms of entertainment and there are some native plant species being grown here as well. It took us a couple of hours to visit the castle and go through the manor and then we had a picnic in the nearby park by the pond. The Cesis Manor has a tower which you can go to the top of and provides very good views of the city and the castle.
We really enjoyed our visit to Cesis and the Gauja National Park. There are a few hotel options in the area and we felt it was perfect for an overnight trip outside of Riga.
During our weekday visit there were a few school field trips going through but we timed it perfectly and got the tower pretty much to ourselves. The courtyard has an interactive area where you can do some medieval forms of entertainment and there are some native plant species being grown here as well. It took us a couple of hours to visit the castle and go through the manor and then we had a picnic in the nearby park by the pond. The Cesis Manor has a tower which you can go to the top of and provides very good views of the city and the castle.
We really enjoyed our visit to Cesis and the Gauja National Park. There are a few hotel options in the area and we felt it was perfect for an overnight trip outside of Riga.
Written April 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike J
Chepstow, UK875 contributions
Nov 2022
If you are visiting Cesis as a tourist you must see the remarkable medieval castle that dominates the town. We purchased tickets which include admission to the castle, grounds and museum and for the castle were given a lantern with a candle to light our way around the towers and other dark areas. Being the largest medieval castle remaining in Latvia it is well worth a visit but do be aware that the steps in the towers are steep and unlit. The attached museum is well laid out and it is worth spending an hour or so wandering around.
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
averyglenthorne
London, UK87 contributions
Sep 2022
I visited in September 2022. Cesis is an elegant town but the main attraction is the castle. I caught the train from Riga, at an incredibly cheap fare, and was able to arrive in the morning, view the castle and then catch the train back towards Riga by mid-afternoon. Be aware that train information at the station is very limited and the on-train announcements give the next station and the one after so don't be caught out by that. However, the trains do run on time. Cesis train station is large and elegant so does stand out from the norm. The castle is reasonably well sign posted from the station. The best view is from the grounds through and at the back of the castle. Also it is worth walking down the hill to the lake - and of course back up the hill!
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Middle_Aged_Guy
Fremont, CA359 contributions
Sep 2022
This castle is worth the 1.5 hour drive from Riga. It is quite large and well maintained. It has several very interesting 3-D graphic video clips in the towers. Besides the towers, be sure you also go to the museum next to the castle and included as part of the same admissions price.
It is a steep climb up and down the towers, the museum provides you a candle to light the way since the towers are dark even during the day. I think this adds to the authenticity of the castle.
It is a steep climb up and down the towers, the museum provides you a candle to light the way since the towers are dark even during the day. I think this adds to the authenticity of the castle.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie B
Perranporth69 contributions
Oct 2022
What a stunning place. I like the fact efforts have been made to make the site informative and easily navigable but I think some more work needs to be done on this as some of the notice boards and sign posting was a little limited. The 'historic staff' giving candles to hold for the darker areas could have been a bit more welcoming. However these small niggles don't detract from a truly marvellous site which really will leave a good impression on you. Additionally, it has some weaponry in the gardens to look at (a trebuchet and a mangonel I think) along with workshops for another view into medieval life. Very much worth your while for a day trip if visiting Latvia.
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobbillbourne
Crewe, UK90 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Caught the train from Riga about €4 each way a little less
It’s about 5 minutes walk . But we popped for a coffee first .
It’s €5 entrance for adults
It’s not the easiest of places to walk round ( a lot of steps )
But found it quite interesting worth a visit in our view if you run out of things to do in Riga
It’s about 5 minutes walk . But we popped for a coffee first .
It’s €5 entrance for adults
It’s not the easiest of places to walk round ( a lot of steps )
But found it quite interesting worth a visit in our view if you run out of things to do in Riga
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shahab H
Helsinki, Finland9 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
It was really nice place. I’m not fan of castles but I had nice time there. We spend over 2 hours. Make sure that you climb to the top of towers and also watch the “history of the castle” in a show room in in the middle level of the tower.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gauja National park
Sigulda, Latvia26 contributions
Jun 2022
The guided excursion with a castle servant will take you around the castle with bright lanterns in your hands. You will be also shown the Western Tower and the living room of the master, proud of unique interior from the 16th century with a luxurious star vault. The attic reveals a breath-taking view over the rest of castle ruins, castle-front, park, and the town.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krisjanis Baltins
Ogre, Latvia1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Family
Did not let us in the exposition even through we arrived exactly on time for the last admision 45 minutes before closing time.
We traveled 2.5 hours with our family to get There and even after explaining the situation the cashier refused to let us in. Even sarcastically replying to Come back next time.
Disapointing expierence.
We traveled 2.5 hours with our family to get There and even after explaining the situation the cashier refused to let us in. Even sarcastically replying to Come back next time.
Disapointing expierence.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanni
Tartu, Estonia164 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
We really enjoyed our visit. The castle itself is quite spectacular, guests are given lanterns and let loose to explore the castle.
The unexpected highlight was the amazing staff demonstrating medival crafts and passtimes in the castle yard. I never thought I’d be interested in medival dice making, but the passion and knowledge of the person demonstrating this was incredibly infectious. The same was true for most of the other people making these demonstrations.
The newer part has an extensive museum that we did not really have time to go through, but it seemed well designed.
The unexpected highlight was the amazing staff demonstrating medival crafts and passtimes in the castle yard. I never thought I’d be interested in medival dice making, but the passion and knowledge of the person demonstrating this was incredibly infectious. The same was true for most of the other people making these demonstrations.
The newer part has an extensive museum that we did not really have time to go through, but it seemed well designed.
Written June 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hallo. We come to visit your country i april thi s year. And we coud like to visit the castle in Cesis or in Sigulda and be at a hotel around from 10. to 11. of april. I ask. Is the castle open at that time. Do we need to buy ticket before, or on the castle. We come four persons, and I look forward to your answer. We come from Norway.
Written March 12, 2024
Hello. We are looking to visit the castle on May 3rd. We found out that the closing time is 6 pm from May. We would like to know if we enter the castle 45 minutes before closing time, will be able to stay after 6 pm or does the castle close and everyone has to leave by 6 pm? Thanks in advance.
Written April 26, 2019
Hi Ganesh, a visit 45 minutes should be possible, but your second question is difficult to answer and you should address to the castle itself, sorry for that!
Written April 28, 2019
Hello! Could you say me please, if it possible to visit the Cēsis castle at 07.01.2019? What are opening hours? Thank you in advance for the information!
Written January 6, 2019
Hello Sherpa! Yes, you can. It will work from 10:00 to 17:00. Have a good time
Written January 6, 2019
Здравствуйте! Подскажите, пожалуйста, работает ли замок 07.01.2019. На сайте противоречивая информация.
Written January 6, 2019
Hello!
I would like to hear from anyone who visited both Cesis Medieval Castle and Turaidas Castle in Sigulda.
If you had to choose only one of them, which one would that be?
Thank you!
Written August 2, 2018
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