Worth a Journey

Read by 254k monthly readers

The World’s 100 Best Castles & Fortresses

Cēsis Castle

Cēsis, Latvia

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST CASTLES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 70 2026
Cēsis Castle

Medieval castle ruins on a hill in Cēsis, Latvia, with a park and moat bridge. Visitors carry candle lanterns through dark spiral staircases, towers, and dungeons, then cross into the adjacent 18th-century New Castle museum.

Highlights

  • West Tower spiral staircases
  • Dungeon with prisoners
  • Castle courtyard and moat bridge

Good to know

  • Adult ticket €6, combined ticket with museum €12
  • Steep uneven stairs, not suited to small children
  • Parking limited to one hour, pay at booking

Also in Europe

  1. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin N° 66 Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin Nizhny Novgorod, Russia Fortress
  2. Castel Beseno N° 67 Castel Beseno Besenello, Italy Fortress
  3. Pembroke Castle N° 68 Pembroke Castle Pembroke, United Kingdom Castle
  4. Château de Castelnaud N° 69 Château de Castelnaud Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, France Castle
  5. Castel Thun N° 71 Castel Thun Vigo di Ton, Italy Castle
  6. Eger Castle N° 73 Eger Castle Eger, Hungary Fortress