Discover Latvia on private day trips from Riga
Bearded Guide Baltics provides private and small-group tours focused on authentic experiences, local stories, and personal connection. Discover castles, nature, and hidden places with a knowledgeable local guide.
About The Bearded Guide
Hi, I’m Jānis, a local guide based in Latvia and the person behind The Bearded Guide. I create private and small-group day trips from Riga for travelers who want more than the usual sightseeing route.My tours are for people who enjoy history, legends, castles, nature, and places with a real story behind them. I’m especially passionate about medieval heritage, local folklore, and showing guests a more personal side of Latvia beyond the usual tourist path.I believe the best trips are not rushed. That’s why I focus on a relaxed pace, local insight, flexibility, and genuine conversation along the way. Whether you’re interested in historic sites, scenic landscapes, or hidden places with character, I want you to leave with a deeper feel for Latvia - not just photos.If you’re looking for an authentic day trip from Riga with a knowledgeable local guide, I’d be glad to show you around.
Our Tours
Turaida & Sigulda Day Trip from Riga
Explore castles, the cable car, Gutman's Cave, Bobsleigh & Luge track and enjoy local legends.
Duration: 6 hours | Price: From 95 € | Max 8 people
Bauska & Rundāle Day Trip from Riga
Explore Bauska Castle and its Museum followed by Baroque pearl in the Latvian countryside - Rundāle.
Duration: 5 hours | Price: From 95 € | Max 8 people
Lielvārde & Koknese Day Trip from Riga
Explore along Daugava river - the Medieval highway, and enjoy local legends with a touch of humor.
Duration: 5 hours | Price: From 85 € | Max 8 people
Individual Requests
Do you have something in mind that you would like to explore in Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia?
Let us know and we can make it happen!
Book your tour
Choose your tour and get in touch with us.
What other Travelers say about us
Gallery
My Story, Beyond the Guide
This isn’t just a story about doing what I love; it is a story about a quiet, durable dream. It is about sharing a place where the journey itself is the magic - where you reach that feeling of 'destination' even while the road is still ahead. I want to connect you with our forest trails, hidden 12th-century castle ruins, and secret roads. Behind the wheel, I will share the personal stories of our small victories, failures, and unique superstitions, proving that some things in Latvia simply must be felt to be understood.
The Bigger Dream: A Campsite Built on Feeling
Eventually, this journey leads to a cozy, warm campsite. My vision is not a sterile place defined by rules and signs, but a home built on shared moments. It will be a place where conversations flow, where silence feels comfortable, and where everything becomes simple by itself. I dream of a haven where, in the evenings, people naturally gather once the day is finally 'put down' - a respectful, warm, and authentic campsite open to everyone, from families and solo explorers to vanlifers and campers passing through.
How to Support the Vision
My private driving tours are the first step, and the funds generated will go directly toward securing the land for this future dream campsite. This business is the essential first push - the start of turning a long-held dream into reality. I invite you to join the journey:COME FOR THE NATURE, STAY FOR THE STORIES.
About Turaida & Sigulda Tour
Discover the legendary treasures of Latvia - Turaida and Sigulda - with me, your local Bearded Guide.
Your journey starts in the Turaida Museum Reserve, which offers exhibitions on archaeology, culture, and art, narrating events dating back as far as the 11th century. Enjoy panoramic views from the iconic red-brick castle tower and stroll around the scenic open-air heritage site. Here, I’ll share tales of knights, legends, and local heroes - including Kaupo, a man both celebrated and controversial in Latvian history.
Next, you’ll have the chance to take a cable car ride over the Gauja Valley (Please note: optional, ticket not included). See one of Latvia’s most stunning landscapes from 43 meters above. The 1,020-meter journey offers breathtaking panoramas and perfect photo opportunities.
After the ride, we’ll explore Gutman's Cave - Latvia’s first tourist attraction - where legends like the Rose of Turaida come alive, mystical, photogenic, and full of stories.
Then we stop for lunch at a local eatery, enjoying traditional Latvian flavors and a short break before the afternoon adventures (Please note: meal not included).Our tour continues to Sigulda’s New Castle, built in the 19th century, where you’ll also visit the ruins of the Livonian Order Sigulda Castle, dating back to 1207.
Finally, we’ll visit the Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, one of only 18 of its kind in the world - perfect for photos and soaking up the Olympic spirit.This tour is for anyone who enjoys history, nature, and compelling legends, and wants to explore more of what Latvia has to offer.
About Bauska & Rundāle Tour
Discover the legendary treasures of Latvia - Bauska and Rundāle - with me, your local Bearded Guide in this half day tour.
Your journey starts in Bauska Castle and Museum, which offers exhibits that are both directly related to the castle and introduce an idea of the 15th - 17th century castle life and its arrangement. There you will also visit recently renovated castle tower which offers pictureque views on two rivers - Mūsa and Mēmele becoming one - Lielupe river.
Your second and final stop will be at Latvian little Versailles - Rundāle Palace and Gardens. This is a must see Baroque pearl in the Latvian countryside. You will have enough free time to wander around this beautiful palace and grand gardens which includes stables, French baroque garden, former hunting park, orchands and more. You will also be able to have lunch here, if you wish.This tour is for anyone who enjoys history, nature, and compelling legends, and wants to explore more of what Latvia has to offer.
About Lielvarde & Koknese Tour
Discover the legendary Medieval treasures of Latvia - Ikšķile, Lielvārde and Koknese - with me, your local Bearded Guide.
Your journey starts in Ikšķile, which became the center of Livonia Bishopric in 1185. Today you can marvel from a distance the ruins of Ikšķile Church on St. Meinard's Island - the oldest masonry ruins in Baltics, now located in the middle of the Daugava River. Here, I’ll share tales of when first Christian missionary arrived in Baltics and what the banks of the Daugava River looked like at that time.
Next, you’ll go to Lielvārde, where you can see ruins of Lielvārde Bishop's Castle, which was built at the steep bank of the Daugava River before 1248, overlooking this important medieval waterway. In the surrounding park, among the wooden sculptures and scenic views of the Daugava River, I will tell you the story of our local superhero Lāčplēsis (Bear slayer), who fought the Dark Knight.
Your final stop will be the Koknese Medieval Castle ruins - one of the largest and most significant medieval castles in the territory of Latvia. Koknese Medieval Castle remains one of the most picturesque places between the two rivers — Pērse and Daugava. In medieval Latvia, whoever controlled the Daugava River held all the power.This tour is for anyone who enjoys history, nature, and compelling legends, and wants to explore more of what Latvia has to offer.