Recreation opportunities for families in Cēsis
Free downloadable map for visiting the historical center of Cēsis for families with children and Cēsis historical center for families with children , published by SIA Design Elevator with the financial support of the Cēsis Municipality Agency “Cēsis Culture and Tourism Centre”.
The map includes two routes – for walking and for driving with a stroller, so that exploring Cēsis is convenient for as wide a range of families as possible. Children can also add to the printed map with what is important to them and color it. The map is supplemented with tasks and recommendations to be completed at each sightseeing point.
Concept author: Elīna Bušmane
Illustrator: Linda Losina
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We would like to thank the Cēsis Tourism and Information Centre for their cooperation. We have compiled educational routes to go with children:
Recreation opportunities for families in Cēsis and the surrounding area
May Park
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/vesture/maija-parks/
Maija Park, Cēsis, Cēsis County, Latvia
Maija Park surprises city guests and residents with colorful light fountains and a "family" of black swans, which are rare in Latvia. A large area in Maija Park is dedicated to a children's zone. There are attractions suitable for children of different ages, outdoor tennis tables, a bike park and a skate park.
With stroller: Available.
Picnic areas: None. Benches are available in the park.
WC: None. The nearest public toilet (0.30EUR) is located on Torņa Street.
Palace Park
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/vesture/cesu-pils-parks/
Cēsis Castle Park, Cēsis city, Cēsis county, Latvia
The Castle Park is the most beautiful park in Cēsis and a favorite place to relax both in summer and winter. Both locals and city guests have the opportunity to watch white swans and feed ducks. The dominant feature of the park is a pond, which was created in the lowest point of the surrounding terrain. In the center of the pond, where there was already a fountain, in 1961 a sculpture by sculptor Andrejs Jansons - the fountain "Fisherman with Catfish" was installed. From the park side, the ruins of the Medieval Castle are visible.
By stroller: Available. You can get to the Castle Park from Pils Square 9 by stairs, so with a stroller you can get to the Castle Park via Lenču Street (more convenient - when going to the park) and from the Palasta Street side (more convenient - when going back to the old town).
Picnic areas: None. Rest benches are available in the park.
WC: None. The nearest public toilet (0.30EUR) is located on Torņa Street.
Walking routes:
- In the footsteps of the Hanseatic merchants
https://turisms.cesis.lv/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1_makets_LAT.pdf
Enjoy the peace of a small town as you stroll through the streets of Cēsis Old Town, the layout of which has been preserved since the Hanseatic times, when people from near and far, from other cities of the merchant union, gathered in the ancient market squares. Taking a walk along this route, you can enjoy the aura and charm of the more than 800-year-old city, get to know its architecture and history.
Route length 2.6km. ~1.5h walk, ~4h with sightseeing. The route is not marked. The route map can be viewed HERE
By stroller: Accessible. There are stairs leading to the Castle Park with strollers – you can get to the Castle Park from Lenču Street (more convenient - towards the park) and from Palasta Street (more convenient - going back towards the old town).
Picnic areas: None. Rest benches are available in the park.
WC: Yes. Public paid (0.30EUR) toilet on Torņa Street.
- Tastes and craft skills in Cēsis
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-darit/aktiva-atputa/pargajieni/garsas-un-amatu-prasmes-cesis/
Cēsis knows its craft and makes delicacies! These traditions have traveled through the centuries from the Hanseatic times to the present day, developing new methods, and from an everyday necessity have become a new way of gaining knowledge and emotions. They can be experienced not only in various workshops, but also tasted and touched in small, stylish shops located throughout the old town.
Route length 2.0 km. ~1.5 h walk, longer with tastings and activities. The route is not marked.
The route map can be viewed HERE
! Before visiting the companies of interest, it is necessary to clarify their opening hours.
WC: Yes. Public paid (0.30EUR) toilet on Torņa Street.
Routes in the footsteps of Hanseatic merchants and Tastes and craft skills in Cēsis
can be combined with each other.
Cēsis Medieval Castle
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/vesture/cesu-viduslaiku-pils/
Castle Square 9, Cesis, Cesis municipality
The origins of the city of Cēsis can be traced back 800 years. They are associated with the medieval Cēsis castle, around which the city developed in the 13th century. Climb the castle tower by flashlight, take a look at the prison - it will be fascinating!
Having received flashlights at the castle visitor center, you will be able to see the western tower of the castle and the master's living room in it - a unique 16th-century interior with a luxurious star vault, artificial stone mass vault consoles and fragments of wall paintings, as well as the multimedia "Cēsis Castle Story". From the attic of the tower, an impressive view opens up to the other parts of the castle ruins, the outer castles, the Castle Park, and the city. In the southern tower of the castle, which is the most luxurious castle tower from the outside, a multimedia exhibition "Life on a Powder Keg" can be viewed from May to the end of September, which tells of the 500-year-old past. Going down to the basement of the tower, you will be able to see one of the former castle prison rooms.
Medieval activity area
During the summer season, visit the activity area set up in the castle garden to learn various agility, strength and mind games, as well as games, popular with medieval children, under the guidance of a knowledgeable game master. The masters have taken care of activities suitable for both children and adults in the activity area.
Activity backpack
Every family with children aged 5 to 10 is invited to Cēsis Medieval Castle to discover the secrets of the mighty castle together with the help of a special activity backpack. Bat Walter's Backpack will contain richly illustrated activity and task sheets, a collection of medieval building materials gathered by the bat, as well as games, clues, riddles and puzzles that will allow participants to become true detectives of the castle's history.
Ask for a free bag when purchasing your ticket!
Nature Park “Svetavots”
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/dabas-objekti/dabas-parks-svetavots/
Atpūtas Street 12-4, Cēsis, Latvia, LV-4101
svetavots@svetavots.lv
+371 29460660
Descending the steep slope into the ravine valley, you feel like you have entered a fairy-tale kingdom. A stream of clear water flows from the layers of a mighty sandstone cliff. The windless silence is filled with the babbling of running water. The park is well-maintained with benches, a picnic area, and an open-air hot tub filled with the water of the Holy Spring.
Visits to the nature park must be booked in advance.
With strollers: Not available. There are stairs leading up a steep slope to the nature park.
Picnic areas: Yes.
WC: Yes.
Recreation Park “Rakši”
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/apskates-saimniecibas/kamielu-parks-raksi/
“Rakši”, Amata district, Drabeši parish (6km from Cēsis)
Phone: +371 20009097
Email: info@kamieli.lv
At the camel park "Rakši" you can experience the feeling of riding a camel, feel the fur of an alpaca and take a relaxing walk through the forest with your faithful companion, a llama. "Rakši" has more than 100 lively and friendly animals that you can feed from your hand and take a selfie with. In a century where we learn a lot of information from Google, this is a great way to disconnect from technology and indulge in the natural joy that comes from the presence of animals and the spirit of new adventures. On the territory of the camel park "Rakši" there is a cafe "Camel cafe", where you can taste healthy camel milk pancakes.
With stroller: Available.
Picnic areas: Yes.
WC: Yes.
Red Cliffs and Rúcamavots
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/dabas-objekti/sarkanas-klintis/
Red Cliffs, Pārgaujas Street, Cēsis
The Red Cliffs or Raiskums Rocks are located in the massif of the right bank of the Gauja River, approximately 0.5 km from the old Raiskums or Lieplejas pub building up the Gauja River.
The trail leads along the cliffs and through the forest. In total, you can walk a circular route of about 2 km. In the forest, near the parking lot, you can see large-format paintings. Local residents fill up water at the Rūcamavota spring.
By stroller: With a stroller, you can go through the sections from the parking lot to Rūcamavots and from the parking lot to the forest section where the paintings can be viewed.
Picnic areas: None.
The nearest picnic spot: At the bridge over the Gauja River (when driving from Cēsis on Gaujas Street, after crossing the bridge, turn left.) It will be more convenient to get to the picnic spot after visiting the Red Cliffs, driving towards Cēsis and turning right before the bridge.
Toilet: None
Cīrulīši nature trails
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/dabas-objekti/cirulisu-dabas-takas/
Trail start - Žagarkalns Camping, Mūrlejas Street 12, Cēsis
Cīrulīši Nature Trails provide an inspiring walk to explore the development of the beautiful Gauja Valley from the Ice Age to the present day! They reveal the history of the development of the Gauja River and the surrounding nature. How did the river come into being? What were the ancient plants here? Who were the first inhabitants? You will find the answers on a leisurely walk through this fabulous place, which people from all over the world come to admire.
The area has three well-maintained, easily accessible routes – 2.7km, 3.5km, and 6.2km long.
Families with children are invited to walk the “Venden” health trail, located in the linden alley, next to the Žagarkalns ski complex.
By stroller: It is possible to walk the section from Žagarkalns camping to Spoguļklinti. Due to the steep terrain and the surface of the forest paths, it is difficult to reach the health trail with a stroller when driving from the Cīrulīšu trails. The “Venden” health trail is easier to reach with a stroller when driving by car from the “Žagarkalns” ski base (Cīrulīšu street 70, Cēsis). With a stroller, it is easy to access along the boardwalk to Zvanu klinti (located 800m from the Žagarkalns camping parking lot (gravel road)).
Picnic areas: None
Nearest picnic spots: Free - at the bridge over the Gauja (when driving from Cēsis along Gaujas Street, after crossing the bridge, turn left.) Paid picnic spots - at the Žagarkalns campsites (tel. +371 26266266 ) https://zagarkalns.lv/kempings/ and Ozolkalns http://www.ozolkalns.lv/vasara/cenas-2 (tel. +371 26400200 )
WC: None. The nearest place is a dry toilet at Ozolkalns Camping near the Gauja River, where there is a picnic area with a table. In the summer, facilities are available at Žagarkalns Camping.
Priekuli “Sun Park”
Cēsu Avenue 7, Priekuli
The Sun Park is located in the very center of Priekuļi, next to the municipal building. It has become not only a favorite walking spot for Priekuļi residents, but also a popular sightseeing attraction for visitors to the region. The park is home to Latvia's largest analemmatic Sundial and a Health Trail, along which you can get to know Latvian medicinal plants, massage your feet, and at the same time draw on the energy of the earth.
A rhododendron garden with more than 120 rhododendrons blooming magnificently in spring has been created in Priekuļi Sun Park. Next to the rhododendron garden there is also a lovely wooden sculpture park, where you will meet a fox, hedgehog, owl, squirrel and other animals.
With stroller: Available.
Picnic areas: None. Rest benches available.
WC: Yes.
Eagle Cliffs
https://turisms.cesis.lv/ko-redzet/dabas-objekti/erglu-klintis/
Eagle Cliffs, Priekuli Parish, Priekuli County, Latvia
A mighty, majestic wall rising directly from the Gauja River. The most impressive cliffs in the Gauja Valley are characterized by a continuous monolithic sandstone surface. Legend has it that the echo against this cliff sounded like an organ, which is why they were called the Organ Rocks. The cliff wall is 700 m long, and 300 m is washed by the Gauja River. The first 130 m consists of a vertical sandstone wall up to 22 m high, further on several ridges slightly directed into the river appear. The cliffs have many fractures, and signs of individual blocks sliding and landslide formation can also be observed.
By stroller: Partially accessible by stroller. Families with strollers can reach the viewing platform. Wooden stairs lead down to the banks of the Gauja River, where the cliffs themselves can be seen - strollers are not allowed.
Nearest picnic spot: West of the Eagle Cliffs by the Gauja River, free recreation area “Lenči” GPS coordinates: Lat: 57.357262, Lon: 25.237939
WC: Yes. Dry toilet available
To ensure that your stomach doesn't remain empty during your visit to Cēsis, the Cēsis Tourist Information Centre has prepared information about the opening hours of cafes and restaurants, which you can find HERE . Various delicious souvenirs can also be purchased in one of the shops and delicatessens in Cēsis and the surrounding area .
Information prepared by:
Cēsis Tourist Information Center, Church Square 1, Cēsis
Phone: +371 28318318
Email: info@cesis.lv
More information about recreational opportunities in Cēsis and the surrounding area: www.visit.cesis.lv
