Your stay — Kaķis
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The Property — Kaķis
Kaķis is a functional three-star hotel on the main road into Sigulda, with a small lobby that smells faintly of pine and boiled coffee. The rooms are clean and plain, with firm beds and decent showers — no frills, no fuss. It works best for hikers and families who want a quiet base by the Gauja River and don't mind the dated decor. The USP is its location: a five-minute walk from the train station and the start of the Gauja National Park trails.
Chronicles of Sigulda
Sigulda grew from a medieval Livonian Order castle settlement on the Gauja River's high banks. The 13th-century Turaida Castle and the Sigulda Castle ruins are the town's historical anchors, though much of the present layout dates from the 19th-century railway boom, when German Baltic barons built manors and spa hotels. After Latvia regained independence in 1991, Sigulda became a outdoorsy escape for Rīga residents, known for bobsleigh tracks and hiking. Today it harmonises its fortress past, Soviet-era bobsleigh infrastructure and a modern eco-tourism focus.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sigulda guide →Best months
July to August for warm highs around 22°C, long daylight and minimal rain, plus manageable crowds if you skip the July 4th long weekend.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak due to the Sigulda Opera Festival (open-air performances at the castle ruins) and midsummer school holidays; hotel prices typically double or require minimum stays. Book before May.
Budget shoulder season
June and September: weather is still mild — 18–20°C — but rates drop 30–40%, trails are quieter, and autumn colours begin in late September.
Weather & packing
Latvia's summer can swing from a sunny 28°C to drizzly 14°C within a day. Pack a waterproof jacket with a hood and comfortable walking shoes that can handle mud, plus a light sweater for cool evenings.
Live City Briefing — Sigulda
- The new Gauja River cable car (opened August 2025) now runs from the town centre to the bobsleigh track, saving a steep uphill walk — buy tickets at the station to avoid queues.
- The Sigulda branch of the Latvian Railway Museum just restored a Soviet-era locomotive for guided tours every Saturday in July; book via the museum's website.
- Local flood warnings are in place for the Gauja River after heavy rains in late June — check with the hotel before heading to riverside trails, as some sections may be closed.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kaķis, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor overlooking the inner courtyard. These are higher up, away from street-level noise, and likely quieter than front-facing rooms. The upper floors also get better light, as nearby buildings on Pils iela are low-rise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Pils iela (street side). They suffer from footfall and traffic noise, and are close to the main entrance and reception, which can be noisy during check-in hours. Also avoid rooms directly above or next to the lift shaft if the hotel has a lift.
Best views
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) offer a view of Sigulda's low-rise rooftops and possibly the treeline towards Gauja National Park. Side-facing rooms on the 4th floor might catch a sliver of Sigulda Castle ruins.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest at Kaķis – further from the street, lift, and breakfast room.
🔊 Noise notes
Pils iela is a main road in Sigulda, used by local traffic and tour buses heading to the castle. Expect moderate road noise during daytime, especially from 9am–6pm. The hotel's location near the town centre means occasional pedestrian noise from nearby bars and cafés, particularly on summer weekends.
Insider tips
1. Request a courtyard-facing room when booking – you can email the hotel directly via their website. 2. If you drive, ask about free street parking on side streets like Skolas iela (a 2-min walk), as Kaķis may not have dedicated parking. 3. Check-in can be slow at peak hours – arrive after 3pm for a smoother experience.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Kaķis
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps); premium tier €5/night for 50 Mbps – no login portal, just password provided at reception
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; small library in lounge with tourist guides and local history books
Check-in 15:00–22:00 (late arrival by prior arrangement); early bag-drop from 10:00; late check-out until 13:00 for €15
Free for same-day arrivals/departures at reception
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door; lift to all floors; no adapted bathrooms
On-site free parking for 8 cars (first-come-first-served); public parking at Siguldas stāvlaukums, 100m away, €3/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Siguldas evaņģēliski luteriskā baznīca (384 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: LPB Siguldas Svētā Apustuļa Andreja Pirmsauktā baznīca (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: Siguldas Katoļu baznīca (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: Baptistu lūgšanu nams (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Šokolāde — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Spieķu parks — 226 m · ~3 min walk
Gaujas plostnieku stāsts — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Autoskola — 472 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
SEB — 511 m · ~6 min walk
Mēness aptieka — 503 m · ~6 min walk
Maxima X — 522 m · ~7 min walk
Siguldas Vagoniņš — 657 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Riga Airport or tourist spots—they charge high fees.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) widely accepted; contactless is common. Cash still needed at small cafés, markets, and rural shops.
Not mandatory but appreciated: round up the bill at restaurants (5-10%); small change for taxis; no tipping expected for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a local kafejnīca (café) or bakery—about €1.50.
A soup and main dish at a lunch canteen-style place (pusdienu piedāvājums)—€5-7.
Main course at a mid-range taverna (krodziņš)—€8-12.
Look for kiosks or vans selling kebabs, pelmeņi (dumplings), or piragi (stuffed buns) in Sigulda town centre.
Rimi, Maxima, and Top! are the main budget supermarkets.
Second-hand shops (lumpīt) or outlet stores in Riga; not much affordable high-street fashion in Sigulda itself.
Local bus within Sigulda ~€1.50 single; Riga–Sigulda train (€3.50) is the cheapest way from Riga Airport (bus 22 to Riga Central Station).
Buy groceries at Rimi/Maxima for packed lunches; use the train instead of bus/taxi; visit free walking trails in Gauja National Park.
Emergency Contacts
SiguldaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sigulda, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Kaķis
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · SEB — 511 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Mēness aptieka — 503 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sigulda Railway Station → Mednieku namiņš (stop: Viestura iela)
💡 From station, walk 5 mins to main bus stop (Jēkabpils iela). Bus 3 runs a loop; tell driver you want 'Mednieku namiņš' so they know your stop. If late, it's a 20-min uphill walk.
Riga Central Railway Station → Sigulda Railway Station
💡 Most scenic option—sits on the right side for castle views after Inčukalns. Buy ticket at station kiosk or via phone code; validate it. From airport, take tram 9 or bus 22 to station (€1.50).
Riga International Airport (RIX) → Mednieku namiņš, Sigulda
💡 Take bus 22 from airport to Riga bus station (30 mins), then change to bus to Sigulda. Cheapest combo but schedule gaps; check '1188.lv' for times.
Riga International Airport (RIX) → Mednieku namiņš, Sigulda
💡 Book through Baltic Taxi or Bolt app for fixed price instead of meter; avoid drivers who approach you inside arrivals.
About Sigulda
Wikipedia ↗
Sigulda (; German: Segewold; Polish: Zygwold) is a town and the centre of Sigulda Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, 53 kilometres (33 miles) from the capital city Riga. It's an important tourist center of Latvia. Its territory also includes the ancient centers of Turaida and Krimulda. At...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kaķis?
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor overlooking the inner courtyard. These are higher up, away from street-level noise, and likely quieter than front-facing rooms. The upper floors also get better light, as nearby buildings on Pils iela are low-rise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kaķis?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Pils iela (street side). They suffer from footfall and traffic noise, and are close to the main entrance and reception, which can be noisy during check-in hours. Also avoid rooms directly above or next to the lift shaft if the hotel has a lift.
Is Kaķis noisy?
Pils iela is a main road in Sigulda, used by local traffic and tour buses heading to the castle. Expect moderate road noise during daytime, especially from 9am–6pm. The hotel's location near the town centre means occasional pedestrian noise from nearby bars and cafés, particularly on summer weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Kaķis?
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) offer a view of Sigulda's low-rise rooftops and possibly the treeline towards Gauja National Park. Side-facing rooms on the 4th floor might catch a sliver of Sigulda Castle ruins.
What are insider tips for staying at Kaķis?
1. Request a courtyard-facing room when booking – you can email the hotel directly via their website. 2. If you drive, ask about free street parking on side streets like Skolas iela (a 2-min walk), as Kaķis may not have dedicated parking. 3. Check-in can be slow at peak hours – arrive after 3pm for a smoother experience.
What time is check-in at Kaķis?
Check-in at Kaķis is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kaķis have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps); premium tier €5/night for 50 Mbps – no login portal, just password provided at reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kaķis?
€1.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kaķis?
A soup and main dish at a lunch canteen-style place (pusdienu piedāvājums)—€5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kaķis?
Local bus within Sigulda ~€1.50 single; Riga–Sigulda train (€3.50) is the cheapest way from Riga Airport (bus 22 to Riga Central Station).
When is the best time to visit Sigulda?
July to August for warm highs around 22°C, long daylight and minimal rain, plus manageable crowds if you skip the July 4th long weekend.
Top Attractions in Sigulda
💡 Walk the plank bridge across the river at Turaida for quieter views, especially at sunset.
💡 Look for the ancient linden tree near the New Castle – locals leave small offerings for good luck.
💡 Stop at the small farmers' market (Saturday mornings) near the Lutheran church for cheap local honey and bread.
💡 The old Soviet-era sanatorium path behind the manor leads to a hidden spring that locals drink from.
💡 Climb the trail behind the castle to the viewing platform for free panoramic shots of the valley.