Tourist Attractions in Daugavpils

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Daugavpils

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Daugavpils

The founding date of Daugavpils, located in the Latgale region of Latvia, is considered to be 1275. It originated from the Dinaburg fortress, erected by the Livonian Order. Subsequently, the city belonged to Poles, Russians and Lithuanians. This intertwining of cultures has added a peculiar charm to Daugavpils. It managed to preserve a number of cultural and historical monuments. The most significant ones are Daugavpils Fortress and the only place in Europe – Church Hill, where ancient churches of 4 confessions are neighbouring.

The pride of Daugavpils is the shot foundry with the oldest in Europe and still operating shot tower. Many historical buildings and monuments are located along the 200-year-old pedestrian street Rigas. Interesting archaeological sites are preserved in the territory of the natural park on the banks of the River Daugava.

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and brief description.

Top-15 Tourist Attractions in Daugavpils

Daugavpils Fortress

 4.5/5

2785 reviews

The only defence complex in Northern Europe that was built in the early 19th century and has survived to this day almost unchanged. The construction began in 1810, the project was developed by the best Russian architects. It occupies the territory of 150 hectares, consists of 8 bastions, 6 counter-guard and ravelins, fortress moat, ramparts, residential buildings and parade square. The walls of the fortress are home to the largest colony of bats in the country, and a specially created centre is dedicated to them.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Rotko muzejs

 4.5/5

2636 reviews

Located on the territory of Daugavpils Fortress, in the premises of the Arsenal. It presents original paintings by M. Rothko, the founder of the pioneering trend of abstract expressionism. He is considered one of the most expensive and sought-after contemporary artists. A separate exposition tells about the life and creative path of the master. Periodically, the art centre displays works by other artists in different techniques, as well as exhibitions of cultural and historical content.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Daugavpils Unity House

 4.6/5

228 reviews

The grandiose multifunctional building on one of the central streets was erected in 1936-37. At that time, it was the largest building in the Baltics. Its exterior appearance is characterised by austerity and simplicity, while the interior is full of variety. It houses a number of city institutions – theatre, library, bank, tourist information centre, bookshop, restaurant, Latvian Culture Centre. Previously it housed a swimming pool, a printing house, a hotel and a department store.

Open time

Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Boris and Gleb

 4.8/5

462 reviews

The city’s main Orthodox church is the largest and most beautiful in Latvia. It was built at the beginning of the last century on the site of the old garrison church. It was built at the beginning of the last century on the site of an old garrison church. It can accommodate up to 5 thousand parishioners. The height is 56 metres. There is a bell tower with 4 bells. The temple is crowned with 10 gilded domes. The interior space is decorated with a three-tier iconostasis made of polished oak. Its icons are copies of V. Vasnetsov’s works, kept in Kiev Vladimirskiy Cathedral.

Open time

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Martin-Luther’s Church in Daugavpils

 4.8/5

77 reviews

It is a red-brick building in the Neo-Gothic style. It has an asymmetrical layout, the height of the only side tower is 52 metres. An active Evangelical-Lutheran church. It was erected in 1893. During its more than century-long history it was repeatedly subjected to significant destruction, robberies and fires. During Soviet times it was used as a granary, warehouse, boxing school. Only in the 90s it was finally restored and handed over to the Lutheran community of Daugavpils.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

 4.8/5

121 reviews

The snow-white temple was laid in 1902, 3 years later it was consecrated. It is made in the style of Latgalian Baroque. The facade is decorated with two high towers with crosses and a sculpture of Our Lady. In the 80s one of the towers was damaged by strong winds, later it was restored. The church is famous for its ancient organ, which was created by the Polish master A. Choman and installed in 1908. In 1984 the instrument was restored. It is listed as a monument of national importance.

Open time

Monday: 6:30 – 8:00 AM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:30 – 8:00 AM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 – 8:00 AM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 6:30 – 8:00 AM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

St. Peter in Chains Church, Daugavpils

 4.8/5

64 reviews

The oldest Catholic church in the city, which is still active today. It is located in the central part of the city. It was built in 1845-48. Initially it had a square tower. In the 20-30s of the last century the building was rebuilt, the facade was equipped with a colonnade and a large dome was built. The church began to resemble partly the cathedral of the same name in Vatican. In the 70s the building was threatened with demolition. The Pope himself helped to defend it, to whom the Daugavpils believers sent a letter.

Open time

Monday: 8:15 AM – 6:15 PM
Tuesday: 8:15 AM – 6:15 PM
Wednesday: 8:15 AM – 6:15 PM
Thursday: 8:15 AM – 6:15 PM
Friday: 8:15 AM – 6:15 PM
Saturday: 8:15 AM – 2:45 PM
Sunday: 8:15 AM – 1:15 PM

Daugavpils Sveta Aleksandra Ņevska pareizticīgo kapela

 4.9/5

26 reviews

It is a small memorial building in the A. Pumpur square. It was erected on the site of the main Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky, founded in 1864. In the 60s of the last century it was closed and subsequently blown up. The chapel has a symbolic purpose – to remind of the destroyed temple. It was consecrated in 2003. It has a belfry with a bell weighing 325kg. Inside the chapel there is a small altar with a throne. Divine services are often held here.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM

Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum

 4.7/5

189 reviews

One of the largest and oldest institutions dedicated to the history of the Latgale region. The museum was founded in 1938. Its funds include about 90 thousand exhibits dedicated to the nature of the region, ethnography, archaeology, archival documents, bonistics, culture and art. There is an art room of the famous local painter L. Baulin. The building of the museum, made in Art Nouveau style, was erected in 1883 and was declared an architectural monument.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Shmakovka Museum

 4.5/5

792 reviews

Shmakovka is the name of an ancient Latgalian strong drink or simply moonshine. The original modern museum was opened in 2016 in one of the premises of the Unity House. Its expositions, including virtual ones, introduce the rich history and traditions of moonshining in Latgale, types of raw materials, production process and health effects of the drink. The museum offers masterclasses on making shmakovka and tasting several varieties of it.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Museum of the World War I “Pie Komendanta”

 5/5

23 reviews

It is the only large collection of armoured vehicles in the Baltic States. The museum is located in the village of Svente, in a hangar on the territory of the private Jaunsventes estate. It houses self-propelled artillery units, the famous T-34, IS-2 and IS-3 tanks, German APCs and self-propelled guns, Gaz and Willys off-road vehicles, Polish and Soviet-made howitzers and cannons, and modern APCs. All vehicles have been restored and are in excellent condition, most of them are on the move.

Open time

Daugavpils Skrošu rūpnīca

 4.7/5

668 reviews

One of the oldest ammunition factories in Europe. It was founded in 1884 and is still in operation today. Produces cartridges, shot, buckshot, various types of bullets, lead seals, fishing hooks, etc. The factory has a museum. There is a museum at the factory. During the excursion you can see the equipment of the XIX century and modern constructions, shot foundry, unique 37 m high tower for lead casting. The plant’s products can be tested in a shooting range.

Open time

Latgale Zoo

 4.7/5

2034 reviews

It started with a small zoological circle, created in 1987 in the basement of the Pedagogical Institute. Today it is a small island of a real jungle near the city centre, home to exotic animals and fish. Among them are crocodiles, snakes, turtles, piranhas, iguanas, surricats, possums, guinea pigs, monkeys. The zoo plans to create a walking trail with observation towers around a nearby swamp where a colony of seagulls nests.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Dubrovin Park

 4.7/5

2398 reviews

It was founded at the end of the 19th century by the mayor Pavel Dubrovin. He bought the swampy area in the centre of Daugavpils, drained it, planted it with trees and presented it to the citizens. As a sign of respect, a monument to the great figure was erected in the park. Other notable objects of the green oasis include a fountain with colour illumination, a pond and a war memorial. The park is quiet, well-maintained, with many benches for rest, lanterns, and flower arrangements.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Daugava

 4.8/5

4 reviews

Was organised in 1990 on both sides of the River Daugava. In connection with this event the construction of the hydroelectric power plant was stopped. The area is 120 km2. It is famous for the largest cliff in Latvia – the Verversky cliff, which is 42 metres high and 400 metres wide. There are many streams on the territory of the park. The local flora is represented by 700 species of vegetation. One third of the area is covered with forests. Among the valuable archaeological sites are Rozališkis Castle, Sikelski and Jusefov parishes, Vecračinski and Markovo settlements and others.