Things to do in Zemgale

Waterskiing, wakeboarding and SUP on Lake Ozolnieki, plus an inflatable water park with obstacle courses, slides and a trampoline.

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 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.

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.

Latvia’s State Forests nature park in the Tērvete pinewood, about 1,200 hectares: the Fairy Tale Forest, the Gnome Farmstead, wooden sculptures, trails and boardwalks over the Tērvete river valley, and three ancient hill forts. A new visitor centre and a 25 m observation tower opened in 2026; the park drew a record 166,700 visitors in 2025.

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.

Official bathing site on the Lielupe in Jelgava. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

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

A pirts in the pine woods near Vecumnieki whose owners have written two books on the Latvian sauna and run a pirts school. Rituals led by a bath attendant use whisks chosen for each guest, natural scrubs and masks, and foam, honey or chocolate massages; the Māra and Laima saunas can be hired, and there is accommodation and a seminar room.

Helicopter flights and photo sessions, popular with newlyweds: room for a couple and a photographer (up to 3 people) on a route of your choice. Gift cards available; book at least 5 working days ahead.

Official bathing site on Lake Gaurata. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A karting track at the Rullītis sports and leisure complex in southern Jelgava. It is shorter and less technical than the professional circuits, so it suits children and beginners. Children’s karts and coaching available. Open daily 12–20.

Five outdoor padel courts in Jēkabpils, open every day and until late on weekdays. Booking through Playtomic.

Helicopter sightseeing in a Robinson R44 (3 passengers) or an Airbus H125 (up to 5), from a base near Jelgava. Routes over Riga, Jūrmala, the Gauja valley and Rundāle Palace, or a route of your own.

An LVM boat base: boat rental and fishing on Lake Lielauce.

Official bathing site on the Lielupe in Jelgava. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Latvia’s State Forests glamping in a pine forest by the Tērvete reservoir: 7 treehouses and 6 underground lodges (two adapted for guests with reduced mobility), each for up to 4 with a kitchen and bathroom. From €150 a night, including entry to the LVM Tērvete Nature Park and 2 hours of boat, pedalo or SUP; floating anglers’ cabins, tent pitches and camper spots too.

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.

A mini zoo in Dzimtmisa, about 34 km from Riga: dwarf pigs, rabbits, goats, sheep, ponies and exotic animals, plenty of birds — pedigree chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, quail, pigeons, pheasants and peacocks — and a pond with exotic waterfowl. Open May to November, 10:00–17:00.

A European-championship autocross track near Bauska. Visitors can drive 250 cc automatic buggies on the main track, ride in Jeep Wranglers and on quads over a 9-hectare off-road course with deep puddles and mud hills, try folk racing, join a rally school or book team-building. Buggy rides from €15.

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.

Boat hire from the Ozolnieki canoe club for trips on the Lielupe, Driksa, Misa, Iecava and Svēte rivers; boats take 2–3 people and one paddler must be over 18. For groups of up to 40 the club runs adventure events and boat races. Prices by arrangement.

Paintball fields for up to 20 players at the Rullītis sports and leisure complex in southern Jelgava, which also has a karting track.

Official bathing site on the Radži reservoir in Jēkabpils. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Outdoor padel courts in central Jēkabpils, near the Daugava. Open in the warm season; rackets for rent on site.

A 25-hectare park with a motocross track that hosts Latvian motocross cup and championship rounds; you can hire the track to train on your own bike. There are 12 four-person camping cabins, tent and caravan pitches, and boat and SUP rental. Visits by prior arrangement.

An LVM boat base: boat rental and fishing on the Tērvete reservoir.

A countryside guest house with paintball and airsoft, good for groups who want to combine a game with an overnight stay.

An LVM boat base: boat rental and fishing on Lake Zebrus.