Alūksne

• 🌍 Tourism information centre (Alūksnes Tūrisma informācijas centrs), Pils iela 25a, Alūksne, LV-4301, ☏ +371 643 22804, +371 29130280, fax: +371 643 22804, tic@aluksne.lv. (updated Jun 2016)

1188.lv provides up-to-date bus and train schedules, route planner and prices.

• 🌍 Lake Alūksne (Alūksnes ezers). (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Temple Hill (Tempļa kalns). An ancient Latgalian castle mound and bridge. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Alūksne Palace Park, Fountains and Museum (Alūksnes pils parks un strūklakas), Pils 74, Alūksne, ☏ +371 25665538, +371 64381321, muzejs.info@aluksne.lv. Different to what tourists may be used to seeing, due to its color. Very picturesque. (updated Oct 2017)

• 🌍 Pajumte, 68 Pils Street, Alūksne, ☏ +37127811511, kafepajumte@inbox.lv. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Kafejnīca "Altiņš", Pils iela 29, Alūksne, ☏ +371 64322784. Low ratings due to the interior, but sufficient for a solid meal. €. (updated Oct 2017)

• Also, check out the local accommodation website: http://visitaluksne.lv/eng/?page_id=2276
• 🌍 Jaunsētas Recreational Centre (3.2 km north of the centre), ☏ +371 64322043, +371 29144781, +371 28650600 (reservation), jaunsetas@inbox.lv. Hotel, camp-site, and cabin accommodation. On-site sauna, restaurant, boat and bicycle rent, sports and recreational events. Dorm €10, single €23, double €39-65. (updated Oct 2017)

• Gulbene – The destination of the narrow gauge railway.
• Cesvaine – This nearby village is home to the Cesvaine Palace and ruins of medieval castles.
• Lake Lubānas – In the far southeastern corner of Vidzeme. The largest lake in Latvia by area, but also one of the shallowest ones with average depth just 3 m. A great place for windsurfing and under-ice fishing in winter.
• Smiltene – Features a manor, some castle ruins, and a watch tower over the surrounding area. Not very interesting, but quite cosy and slightly larger than Valka, and not far from the Pskov highway.
• Seda – Founded in 1953 in an uninhabited area, it still embodies the pomp of Communist and Stalinist shock-work aka architecture. Nearby a vast man-made peat bogs nature area can be found, and is not to be missed. Both occurrences are historically tied to each other.