Discover Pļaviņas: the Daugava, history and walking routes

Pļaviņas combines the history of the Daugava with peaceful paths, impressive landscape features and fascinating insights into Latvia’s past. Those who plan a trip around not only their accommodation but also the experiences awaiting them at their destination will find a range of possibilities here: leisurely walks along the Pļaviņu Daugavas promenāde, sporting activities, historical exhibitions and a route that combines train travel and walking.

Walks along the Daugava

The Pļaviņu Daugavas promenāde is an almost 2 km-long flood-protection embankment. It protects the town from spring flooding and is also used for leisurely walks and sporting activities. This allows you to shape your stay in different ways: you can explore the route at a relaxed pace or include the promenade as part of a more active day. Its well-known length helps with orientation without specifying how much time you should allow.

Another option is the “Shores of the Daugava by train and on foot” route. The section in Pļaviņas is approximately 6 km long. This is an interesting choice for trip planning if you would like to combine different forms of transport. The route represents a different type of excursion from a short walk along the promenade and offers its own perspective on the surrounding area.

History and culture in Pļaviņas

The exhibition “Latvijas armija Pļaviņās 20. gadsimtā” covers events from the period of Latvia’s struggles for independence. It is currently housed in the premises of the Pļaviņu muzejs. The historical theme is complemented by the exhibit “Daugavas plosta modelis”, which includes stories about raftsmen and historical photographs. This makes the importance of the Daugava visible from another perspective: not only as a landscape, but also as a setting for work, transport and memories.

The Aiviekstes zviedru skansts also provides historical orientation. It was built in the early 17th century as a Swedish fortification against the Poles, is characterised by four distinctive bastions and is relatively well preserved. For visitors interested in culture, this site offers a tangible connection to the political and military traces of past centuries.

Distinctive landscapes and historic river routes

Nature around the Daugava also offers unusual details. The Skanstupītes ūdenskritums waterfall is a three-tiered waterfall made of dolomite from the Daugava Suite. It is approximately 1.5 m high and 4 to 6 m wide. It is also one of the few waterfalls on the Daugava’s tributaries that has not been flooded. Travellers who enjoy looking out for distinctive details will find here a natural attraction with a clear geological and landscape connection.

The section of the Daugava between Pļaviņas and Koknese had rapids and rocky riverbanks up to 20 m high. Historically, this section was also the greatest obstacle to rafting. The combination of river landscape and rafting history makes the area particularly interesting for visitors who do not wish to view the landscape separately from the ways it was used.

Which accommodation location suits your trip?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Pļaviņas, you can first consider which themes should shape your stay. The Daugavas promenāde is well suited to a trip focused on walks and activity, while the museum, exhibition and fortification appeal to historical interests. Those who would like to combine different ideas for their days can take into account the approximately 6 km-long section of the train-and-walking route.

A trip to the surrounding area can also be complemented thematically: Discover Odziena can be noted as another travel focus. This leaves room for a trip that combines the Daugava landscape, history and different ways of getting around.

For the overarching travel overview: Pļaviņu Novads.