Road Trip Kaunas to Curonian Spit 1-Day
In June 2022 we made a 2-week road trip in the Baltic States. We started in Vilnius (Lithuania), rented a car, and explored as much as we could on the way to Tallinn (Estonia) while stopping by Latvia.
On our 8th day we went from Riga to Gauja National Park. On our way, we made a first stop to visit the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia located next to Riga and also on our way to Gauja national park. We then drove to Sigulda where we visited the town and hiked a bit before going to Līgatne where you stayed.
As always, the roads where pretty easy to drive on. Even going out of Riga was easy. It isn’t that crowded at all.
If you too are planning a trip to the Baltic states, you will most probably do such a road trip on your way north. Let ‘s dive in this Road Trip Riga to Gauja National Park 1-Day
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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The road trip
It is super easy to drive in Latvia, most of the road regulation are the same as the rest of EU. Plus, there isn’t a lot of traffic making it really enjoyable. And you get an amazing countryside with beautiful nature. The plan for today is as follow:
- Riga to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum: 23min, 12.1km
- Museum to Sigulda: 32min, 41.3km
- Sigulda to Līgatne: 18min, 19.4km
Where to Stay in Līgatne
We personally stayed 2 nights there which gave us plenty of time to explore the Gauja national park and get most of it:
- (€): Green bear
- (€€): Karlamuiza Country Hotel
- (€€€): Ezerkalni
What to Eat
When we arrived in Sigulda, we first stopped at the train station where the tourist office is located. We asked about trail in the area, but it wasn’t that clear. Though it seems we could do a small one in the afternoon.
We then went across the road and into a modern industrial building with a few shops and restaurant in it.
We ate Italian that lunch 😊
Road Trip Kaunas to Curonian Spit
Riga to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
We left around 9h30 for the open-Air Museum of Riga. We arrived at the opening time (10h) and paid 4€ each. Parking was free. it an amazing museum where you can visit real houses and buildings from the past. Actually, every building in the park has been moved from somewhere else and rebuilt here in the same way. Also, there are a couple of guides waiting in the building to answer questions.
In the end, there is a more modern cabin where you can see the difference from long ago to not to far ago 😊
Museum to Sigulda: 32min, 41.3km
We then headed to Sigulda, which isn’t that far away. After we had lunch, we parked in the Sigulda Castle. We visited the castle (2€ each) but it wasn’t that much to be honest.
From there, we headed toward the Krimulda Castle, an old mansion located on the opposite hill. If you wish you can take a cable car to get there. But you can also hike, it isn’t too hard. The mansion is nice and is actually a hotel, though quite old.
From there, we kept on to the Gulman’s cave and the Turaida castle (6€ entrance fee per person). This castle was much bigger with small museums, and some open-air field with statue.
The trail to get there is actually made of stairs and goes a bit up and down. On the way back we took the bus as it has been raining all day. But if you want you can walk back and also consider adding Paradise Hill at the end. We will explain it more in our Gauja national park guide.
Sigulda to Līgatne: 18min, 19.4km
Once back at the car, we drove to Līgatne where we stayed. As it was already later in the afternoon and raining, we just checked it, took a shower and chilled the rest of the evening.
Nekļūsti no manis atkarīgs -don’t get addicted to me
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