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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tennis centre on the south side of Jelgava, home of Tenisa Klubs Jelgava.

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

Yoga studio in Jelgava.

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.

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.

Motorhome hire in Jelgava: two premium-spec 2022 Bürstner motorhomes, each with 5 seats and 7 berths. Both can be driven on a category B licence; for the summer season, book early.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

Sports complex in Pārlielupe with a tennis court, ice hall, sports grounds, bike rental and a hotel.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.