Jēkabpils

A riverside city straddling the Daugava, with the open-air Sēlija Farmstead museum and the historic Krustpils Castle on the opposite bank. It makes a useful cultural stop in eastern Zemgale.

Things to do

• Krustpils Castle — Explore the medieval castle founded by the Archbishop of Riga in 1237, now housing the Jēkabpils History Museum on the right bank of the Daugava.
• Sēlija Farmstead Open-Air Museum — Wander through a reconstructed 19th-century Selonian farmstead with traditional wooden buildings, tools, and a working windmill.
• Jēkabpils Botanical Garden — Stroll among hundreds of tree and plant species in this leafy garden run by the local secondary school.
• Holy Spirit Orthodox Church — Visit the historic Orthodox church tied to the town's old monastery, reflecting the region's mixed religious heritage.
• Daugava riverside walk — Follow the promenade along the great river that splits the historic towns of Jēkabpils and Krustpils.
• Strūves Geodetic Arc point — Seek out the local marker of the UNESCO-listed Struve Geodetic Arc used for measuring the Earth in the 19th century.
• Mežapark and Radžu Reservoir — Relax by the reservoir and forest park, popular for walking, fishing, and summer swimming just outside the center.

Food to try

• Sklandrausis — A traditional Latvian rye-crust tart filled with carrot and potato, sweetened lightly and popular across the region.
• Rupjmaize (dark rye bread) — Dense sour rye bread is a staple here, often served with butter, cheese, or smoked fish.
• Freshwater fish dishes — Being on the Daugava, look for smoked or fried river fish like pike and perch at local eateries.
• Grey peas with bacon — Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi is a hearty national dish of stewed grey peas fried with onion and pork fat.
• Aukstā zupa (cold beet soup) — A refreshing summer soup of kefir, beets, cucumber, and dill, served chilled with boiled potatoes.

Local customs & good to know

• Two towns, one city — Jēkabpils and Krustpils were separate towns on opposite banks until merged in 1962, so historic sights span both sides of the Daugava.
• Selonian heritage — This is the heart of the Sēlija (Selonia) cultural region, with its own dialect and traditions distinct from the rest of Zemgale.
• Cash and small change — Smaller museums, markets, and rural spots may prefer cash, so carry euros in small denominations.
• Quiet Sundays — Shops and services often close early or stay shut on Sundays, so plan meals and visits for earlier in the day.

Nearby

• Daugavpils (Latgale) — 81 km
• Aglona Basilica (Latgale) — 82 km
• Aglona (Latgale) — 82 km
• Rāzna Lake (Latgale) — 82 km