Valmiera tours

Valmiera is a city in the north of Latvia, located 100 km from Riga and 50 km from the Estonian border. The city name literally could be translated as “a city where peace reigns”, which is absolute truth, you hardly find more calm and tranquil city in Europe than Latvian Valmiera. Today, here live about 28 thousand people and here you will find a very quiet atmosphere of provincial Europe in the best sense of the word. The legend states that during construction of the city walls, as main building materials the headMaster of Crusaders commanded to use the Cult stones of the local forest keeper Beverin, and many believe that that was the main reason why Valmiera had been destroyed, burned and restored again 11 times.

The best way to get to Valmiera from Riga is by bus, which runs every 30-60 minutes from the central bus station. Sometimes there might be a break in 1.5 hours between the buses, so keep it in mind. The trip takes 2 hours overall. If you prefer the train over the bus, you can get to Valmiera by this transport as well. The train leaves 4 times a day from Rig central railway station. The road will take 2 hours.  

Walking barefoot in the “Park of sensations” is one of the must do things while visiting in Valmiera. If you ever come to Valmiera and ask locals what to do first, he will definitely point you to this place. Park of sensations”, situated on the bank of the Gauja river, is a walking path created for local residents and tourists to enjoy nature without leaving the city. The path is covered with stones, glass balls, fir and pine cones, sand and chestnut trees and allows you to feel the nature of all the senses. In the warm season, you can walk barefoot on fir- needles and moss.

One of the interesting things to do if you come to Valmiera is visiting the famous brewery “Valmiermužas alus”, which is known among local residents and casual visitors for its qualitative beer. There you will find a brasserie and see the whole process of creating beer from beginning to end.

Another good and pretty free thing to do in Valmiera is active tourism In the summer, trekking routes, hiking and cycling trips are popular here, and in winter there are many cross-country trails. Another popular entertainment – rafting on the river Gauja.

When you come to Valmiera, try to do one of the unusual things, touch the trunk of an Oak Tree With Nine Branches. One of the strangest trees and most ancient one in Latvia and world. According to legend, it is believed that if you touch it, you can absorb the power of the heavens, giving energy and returning youth.

In summer, the city hosts a rock music festival, and in October – the Symiood fair, which attracts merchants from all over Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Here you can buy locally produced goods: knitwear, coats, folk clothes and accessories, decorations, kitchen utensils, seedlings, autumn fruits, berries and vegetables and honey, dried fish, bread, ceramic and leather products, wicker items and much more. Visiting Symiood fair and rock music festival is another amazing thing to do while visiting Valmiera.

In Valmiera, you will find many amazing places, which are worth seeing.

From the very beginning, Valmiera was regularly attacked: in the Middle Ages – the Order of the Sword and Livonia’s, and during the Second World War, the city was destroyed almost to the ground. Despite this, many monuments of architecture have been preserved on its territory since the 13th century

One of the historical places, Valmiera worth visiting is a St. Simeon which was built at the end of the 13th century, located in the heart of the city. The former greatness of Valmiera is witnessed by the ruins of the castle of the Livonia knight  Order. Near it grows a huge oak Nine Branches, which is considered sacred, and on the territory of the former castle, today is the Valmiera Museum – where you can learn about the history of the city.

If you want to learn more about the history of the city of Valmiera the recommended place worth visiting is the famous Valmiera museum of Local History, founded in 1959. It houses about 60,000 objects of history, art, archaeology, photographs and documents collected in the entire area. The largest collections of works of art are the works of Theodor Uders, Janis Calmites, Rudolf Valdemžrs Vitols and Peteris Postažs. Valmiera Museum of Local History is located near the mountain Valterkalninsh.

It is worth to visit the theatre of drama, reminiscent of the reigning here since ancient times. It is an unusual place with the atmosphere of respect and love for the theatre.

The ruins of the castle of the Livonia Order is one of those unique places every tourist should see to understand the former glory of Valmiera.

In Valmiera, there are many good places where to eat, most of which you will find in the tourist guide recommendations. In Valmiera there are several good restaurants and cafes of traditional Latvian cuisine, especially the Rates Varti, Vecpuisis, Cafe Bastions, Restaurant Valmiermuiza Beer kitchen and Terbata – there it will almost be tasty and well served. In addition, the city has a good sushi bar Panda Sushi and several good pizzerias: La Pizza Veloce, Krizdolis and Čili Pica. Prices are not very high and you can have a pretty luxury meal even if you are the budget tourist.

In local restaurants it is necessary to try such things as manna porridge with whipped cream, “Alexander” cake with raspberries or cranberries, as well as a real peasant breakfast with potatoes, sausage and bacon in milk-egg mixture. The easiest way to find this breakfast is on the weekend menu, but in some cafes and restaurants, it is served every day.

Life hacks from locals

Most locals claim that the best months to visit Valmiera are: July, August, June, September, May. Locals understand Russian sometimes better than English so in case if you try to ask a road somewhere. Valmiera is for walking mostly, so comfortable shoes and light clothes come in handy.