Things to do in Zemgale

A manor in Zaļenieki parish that presents itself as a retreat for the creative industries and team building. Its celebration barn holds up to 150 guests, with halls of 70 m² and 35 m², a 400 m² granary, a restaurant, ponds and a park, plus accommodation for more than 70.

A castle where the Mēmele and Mūsa rivers meet: its oldest part, from the mid-15th century, is the only Livonian Order fortress built specifically for artillery, and the newest is a late-17th-century fortified residence with bastions. It is the only partly preserved residence of the Kettler dukes of Courland and Semigallia. Adults €9; November–April 10–16, closed Mondays.

A spa in the basement of a restored 19th-century manor in Zemgale, about an hour’s drive from Riga, with a sauna and a steam bath. Visits are by individual booking only.

A national cultural monument on the Zemgale plain, with hotel rooms in the renovated stable building and breakfast included. The restored manor park has a children’s playground.

A house of Latvian traditions and crafts in Jelgava’s old town with weaving and ceramics workshops and a kiln: watch the craftspeople, shape clay yourself, try weaving, join a bread-baking masterclass and learn about the Zemgale folk costume. Tours in Latvian and English.

The largest Baroque palace in the Baltics, built in the 18th century to Bartolomeo Rastrelli’s design as the residence of the Dukes of Courland in their capital, Jelgava. Today it houses the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, and its basement holds the family vault of the Dukes of Courland with their sarcophagi.

A restored manor in the Lielupe valley, Bauska municipality, with a four-star hotel of 26 rooms. The restored barn and stables serve as event spaces for up to 80 guests, and Rundāle and Mežotne palaces are nearby.

A Neoclassical palace on the Lielupe, one of the finest examples of the style in Latvia, linked to the Lieven family and set beside an English-style park. Since June 2025 it has been open to visitors under the Rundāle Palace Museum; adults €5. May–September 10–18, October–April 10–17, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Baroque palace of the Dukes of Courland, built to Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli’s design in two stages, 1736–1740 and 1764–1768. Lavish state rooms and a large French garden; main exhibition €12 for adults, garden €6, combined ticket €17.

A hotel in central Jelgava on Lielā iela, near the palace. Its 41 rooms sleep 94, meeting rooms take 30, 50 and 75 people, and there is a sauna and Turkish bath.

A six-hectare sports complex with a football and athletics stadium, a multi-purpose sports hall and a European-level BMX track.

Gym in Jelgava for strength and cardio training.

Badminton training and games in Jelgava, at the Jelgava sports hall, where the Jelgava badminton club trains.

A motor museum in Bauska with four collections of historic vehicles. Upstairs there is a carpenter’s workshop and a 1930s landlord’s rooms interior, plus temporary exhibitions and events. Open Tue–Sun 10–18.

Bowling across the Lielupe for groups and families, suitable for beginners and regular players alike.

Swimming pool and spa in Jēkabpils. Pool and sauna complex. Open daily 07:00–23:00.

The Dobele Crafts House, just east of Market Square, runs workshops five days a week — weaving, knitting, crochet, braiding, wool spinning, jewellery making, embroidery and clay work.

Combat sports club in Jelgava.

Gym in Jelgava for strength and cardio training, with a squash court too. Monday to Thursday hours: 07:30–22:00.

Part of the FitSpot chain: a gym in Jelgava for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

An escape room near Cukurfabrika station: you have 60 minutes to find clues and solve puzzles to get out of the secret bunker. Up to 5 players; recommended from age 10. Call ahead for opening times.

Badminton training and games in Spuņģēni, at the Krustpils sports hall in Spuņģēni.

Gym in Jēkabpils for strength and cardio training. Open daily 09:00–21:00.

Gym in Jelgava for strength and cardio training.

Badminton training and games in Jelgava, at the LBTU sports house.

Yoga studio in Jelgava.

Indoor laser tag in a 1,200 m² former farm-machinery building. After a briefing, teams play missions such as capture the flag or escort the hostage, and everyone gets a printed results sheet. Groups of 6–30, ages 9 and up; there is a party room. By reservation only.

Sports centre in Jelgava with a gym and a swimming pool.

Yoga studio in Jelgava. Weekday hours: 08:00–20:30.

A family farm on the Zemgale plain making around 30 kinds of handmade cheese, many of them also smoked. Visits include a look around the farm, the story of how the cheese is made and a tasting with home-baked bread and salads from their own vegetables; you can also learn to make Latvian caraway cheese. Their marinated cheese won the visitors’ vote at Riga Food 2014. By phone booking only.

Ināra and Guntis Ozoliņš’s family workshop in Daudzese, making black smoke-fired clay ware: they tell the story behind the vessels and show how they are made, and run clay workshops during the tourist season. Book your visit.

An alternative music club and bar with live gigs, comedy and improv nights and themed parties.

A music club in central Jelgava on the site of the former Jelgavas Krekli, a venue known for its parties in the 2000s.

A modern nightclub in central Jelgava working with DJs and bands and staging big concerts and events.

The “Brieži” farm in Apgulde, home to one of Latvia’s largest orchid collections — more than 200 species, at their best in autumn — plus exotic animals such as royal pythons, iguanas and geckos, and friendly Shetland ponies. Visits by prior arrangement.

A grill bar and restaurant in central Jelgava near Duke Jacob’s Square. Classic flavours alongside more unusual dishes inspired by trends from abroad.

Yoga and Pilates studio in Jelgava.

An interactive game room with more than 400 touch-sensitive floor and wall panels: movement, reaction and team games for children and adults.

A salt room in Jelgava where the walls, ceiling and floor are covered in salt and a generator releases fine salt particles. In a 40-minute session you can rest, listen to music, read or build salt castles with the kids; there are also guided breathing sessions, yoga nidra and sound therapy. €10 for adults, €5 for children aged 3–6; gift cards available; book by phone.

A bowling centre in central Jelgava with six lanes, set up for celebrations and events.

An indoor motocross track: track hire for training, rental of various motorbikes and kit, a VIP room and private events. November to March, open Tue–Fri 15–20 and weekends 10–18; other months on request. Entry €25–35, card payment only.

Badminton training and games in Jēkabpils, in the sports hall of the Jēkabpils Agribusiness College.

Gym in Jelgava for strength and cardio training. Yoga classes too.

A video-gaming bar in Jelgava where players meet up to play together.

A virtual reality venue in the Pilsētas pasāža mall: VR games and escape rooms, roller-coaster and racing simulators, and a free-roam VR arena. Open daily 10–22; private events for up to 21 people.

Seven indoor padel courts in Jelgava, so you can play all year whatever the weather.

A pottery in Nereta where everything is built by hand without technical tools, using patchwork techniques and plant imprints. The tour is free and making your own piece costs €10 per person; summer season, by appointment.

A restaurant, hotel and brewery near Tērvete Nature Park that makes its own beers and spirits. Northern European flavour combinations from fresh seasonal produce; listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Wed–Sun 11–21.