Krimulda Manor and Cable Car

Krimuldas muiža

A neoclassical manor perched on the Gauja valley slope, reached by an aerial cable car linking it to Sigulda. The grounds offer scenic viewpoints and forested walking paths over the river valley.

Things to do

• Ride the Sigulda cable car — Cross the Gauja valley in the only aerial cable car in the Baltics, gliding 43 metres above the river between Sigulda and Krimulda.
• Explore Krimulda Manor — Wander the white neoclassical manor built in 1848, now a rehabilitation centre and guesthouse, and admire its columned facade and parkland.
• Visit Krimulda Medieval Castle ruins — See the crumbling stone walls of the 13th-century Livonian Order castle perched above the Gauja ravine near the manor.
• Walk to Gutmanis Cave — Follow the valley paths to Latvia's largest and most famous cave, covered in centuries-old carved inscriptions and linked to the Turaida Rose legend.
• Cross the Gauja on the Little Devil's Cave trail — Take forested walking paths down the valley slope past sandstone outcrops and springs toward the river.
• Enjoy the valley viewpoints — Pause at the manor terrace and cable car platform for sweeping panoramas over the Gauja National Park forests.
• Bungee jump from the cable car — Thrill-seekers can leap from a specially rigged cable car car high over the Gauja valley in warmer months.

Food to try

• Grey peas with bacon — Latvia's national dish of grey peas simmered and served with fried onion and speck, hearty fare found in nearby Sigulda taverns.
• Sigulda walking stick — A carved wooden souvenir stick sold locally, traditionally paired with a warming hike snack in the region.
• Rye bread with caraway — Dense dark Latvian rupjmaize, often served alongside soups at manor and valley cafes.
• Wild mushroom and forest berry dishes — Seasonal Gauja valley foraged mushrooms, bilberries and cranberries appear in stews, pies and desserts.
• Black Balsam — Sip Rīgas melnais balzams, the herbal Latvian liqueur, often added to coffee or hot berry drinks in the cool valley air.

Local customs & good to know

• Check cable car timetable and season — The cable car runs on fixed departures and reduced hours in winter, so confirm times before crossing to avoid a long detour by road.
• Know the Turaida Rose legend — The nearby Gutmanis Cave and Turaida are tied to the tragic tale of Maija, a beloved Latvian love story worth reading before you visit.
• Buy a Gauja National Park pass — Many sights sit within Latvia's oldest national park, so respect marked trails and consider a combined ticket for castles and the cable car.
• Dress for the valley climate — The forested slopes are cooler and muddier than town, so wear sturdy shoes and a layer even in summer.

Nearby

• Gutmanis Cave — 1 km
• Sigulda — 2 km
• Turaida Castle — 2 km
• Gauja National Park — 13 km