Cēsu novads district, Latvia

Places to visit near Cēsis

Cēsis is a town in Cēsu novads district, Latvia, home to about 18,198 people. Within 50 km by road there are 146 places to visit — 48 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 52 caves, 15 forts & heritage and 8 churches. The must-see places are Church of Saint John (1 km), Cēsis Castle (1 km) and Kazu Iezis (9 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Cēsis on the map

Cēsis, Latvia
Cēsis, Cēsu novads district, Latvia. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Cēsis at a glance

Location
Cēsu novads district, Latvia
Population
about 18,198
Coordinates
57.3119° N, 25.2746° E
Places within 50 km
146 (27 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for caves and churches

Top places to visit near Cēsis

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Cēsis: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Cēsis

Things to see near Cēsis, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Cēsis

73 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Cēsis. The closest is Dubinskas Dīķis (1 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Caves near Cēsis

52 caves within 100 km of Cēsis. The closest is Pirtsupītes Grava (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Forts & heritage near Cēsis

28 forts & heritage within 100 km of Cēsis. The closest is Freedom Monument (1 km); the best-known is Cēsis Castle (0 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Cēsis

21 churches within 100 km of Cēsis. The closest is Church of Saint John (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Waterfalls near Cēsis

11 waterfalls within 100 km of Cēsis. The closest is Septiņavotu Lielais ūdenskritums (5 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Cēsis

9 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Cēsis. The closest is Gauja National Park (15 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Cēsis

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 60 km on the road.

  1. Start in Cēsis
  2. 1 km Church of Saint John · church, Cēsu novads
  3. 1 km Cēsis Castle · heritage site, Cēsu novads
  4. 19 km Līgatnes Pilskalns · viewpoint, Cēsu novads
  5. 8 km Gauja National Park · national park, Cēsu novads
  6. 22 km Kazu Iezis · viewpoint, Cēsu novads
  7. 9 km Back to Cēsis

Plan a longer trip from Cēsis — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Cēsis

No traveller has reported from around Cēsis yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Cēsis

    All places near Cēsis by distance

    Within 15 km of Cēsis

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Cēsis by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs4873Dubinskas Dīķis (1 km)
    Caves5252Pirtsupītes Grava (1 km)
    Forts & heritage1528Freedom Monument (1 km)
    Churches821Church of Saint John (1 km)
    Waterfalls1011Septiņavotu Lielais ūdenskritums (5 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens49Gauja National Park (15 km)
    Museums38Cēsis Castle Museum (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints57Ērģeļu Klintis (7 km)
    Parks03Mežaparks (95 km)
    Treks02E9 Section 31: Ikla-Kabli (65 km)
    Beaches & coast02White Dune (67 km)
    Other attractions11Ungurmuiža Manor (16 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves01Mīlestības Saliņa (99 km)

    Cēsis: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Cēsis?

    Church of Saint John (church, about 1 km), Cēsis Castle (heritage site, about 1 km), Kazu Iezis (viewpoint, about 9 km), Gauja National Park (national park, about 15 km), Līgatnes Pilskalns (viewpoint, about 19 km), Freedom Monument (monument, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Cēsis?

    146 places on Spotwander: 48 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 52 caves, 15 forts & heritage, 8 churches, 10 waterfalls.

    Which is the nearest lake to Cēsis?

    Dubinskas Dīķis, about 1 km by road; Ninieris (4 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest cave to Cēsis?

    Pirtsupītes Grava, about 1 km by road; Vinterala (2 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Cēsis?

    Freedom Monument, about 1 km by road; Cēsis Castle (0 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Cēsis?

    Start in Cēsis, visit Church of Saint John, then Cēsis Castle, then Līgatnes Pilskalns, then Gauja National Park, then Kazu Iezis, and drive back — about 60 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Cēsis?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for caves and churches.

    Towns near Cēsis

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Cēsis’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Cēsis on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.