In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Latvia
Straupe
Spend a half‑day in Straupe to see Lielstraupe Castle and the nearby underground lakes; stay one night if you want a relaxed evening.
Straupe is a small historic village in Vidzeme, best known for two medieval castles and easy access via the A3 highway. A few hours cover the main sights; a night adds a quiet local stay.
- Country
- Latvia
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (cold, limited daylight)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards and contactless work almost everywhere in Riga.
- Daily spend
- Budget €20–30 excl. bed · Mid €30–45 excl. bed · High €45+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- LMT, Tele2 and Bite sell prepaid SIMs in Narvesen kiosks and supermarkets.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 113 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · EU two-pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% in Riga if no service charge.; Café or bar: Round up.; Taxi / Bolt: Round up or tip in app.; Guide: €5–10 per person.
- Water
- Tap water is safe.
- Toilets
- Paid public toilets €0.50–1; free in malls and museums.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at local café | €1–2 |
| Meal at Kafejnīca "Zem Ozola" | €5–10 |
| Bus ride (local) | €2–3 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- RIX · Riga International Airport
- ≈100 km (62 mi) by road, bus or car≈62 mi (100 km) by road, bus or car
Typical fares
- Riga → Straupe bus
- about €12 each way (check schedule)
- Underground lakes guide
- €1.5–3 per person (check availability)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Local bus on the A3 (E264) connects Riga and Valmiera; car or taxi is fastest for castle visits.
See and do
Known for
- Lielstraupe Castle
- Mazstraupe Castle
- Underground lakes (Vējiņu alas)
- Ungurmuiža Manor (nearby)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cēsis | Bus from Straupe to Cēsis, about 45 min | ≈1 h total |
| Sigulda | Bus to Sigulda via Valmiera, about 1 h 20 min | ≈2 h total |
Sleep
- Daina Mezanci Brivdienu Maja
- Guesthouse in Straupe, rooms from €10
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Atvainojietatvaˈnojiet |
| Thank you | Paldiesˈpaldʲies |
| How much is it? | Cik tas maksā?tsik tas ˈmaksɑː |
| Where is the bus stop? | Kur ir autobusa pietura?kur ir ˈautobusɐ ˈpietura |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, 'labdien'; avoid: Hugging strangers
- Flowers: Odd numbers; avoid: Even numbers (funerals)
- Homes: Shoes off; avoid: Arriving empty-handed
- Language: Start in Latvian or English; avoid: Assuming everyone speaks Russian
- History: Listen; avoid: Joking about the Soviet period
Scams and watch-outs
- Castle opening hours vary; check ahead (official sites).
- Underground lakes require a guide; book in advance.
Straupe is safe for tourists; main risks are typical rural traffic and cold weather in winter.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Straupe yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lielstraupe Castle
- Mazstraupe Castle
- Underground lakes (Vējiņu alas)
- Ungurmuiža Manor (nearby)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Straupe: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Straupe, revision 4854677 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4854677
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/straupe). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.