Ludza combines a protected historic centre with two lakes and plenty of ways to discover the town’s history, crafts and activities on the water. Guided tours and exhibitions offer a different focus from the circular trail, pontoon bridge or beach. Some experiences have requirements such as registration or advance booking—keep these in mind when choosing your activities.
Old Town, guided tours and synagogue
The historic centre of Ludza is a state-protected urban heritage site. Narrow streets, 19th-century wooden and brick houses, and enclosed courtyards are part of its distinctive character. The Ludza Local History Museum runs general and themed guided tours in the museum and around the town. After registering, guides introduce visitors to the history and present-day development of the historic centre. If you would like to explore Ludza and its history independently, you can use an audio guide.
The Great Synagogue of Ludza is considered the oldest wooden synagogue in the Baltics. It was built as a wooden structure in 1800, during the time of Rabbi V. Altšuler, destroyed during the war years, and restored in 2016 to its original appearance as a branch of the Local History Museum. It includes a prayer room and modern exhibitions about documentary filmmaker Herz Frank, his father, Ludza photographer Vulf Frank, and the stories of Jewish families from Ludza. Check the synagogue’s current visiting arrangements before you go.
Castle ruins, lakes and trails
Ludza Castle was built in 1399 by German crusaders on a castle hill between the Great and Small Ludza Lakes to secure the eastern border of the Livonian Order. The medieval castle ruins remain today. There is an observation platform and an improved pedestrian bridge, and the castle walls are illuminated at night. The circular trail around Small Ludza Lake offers a different view of the ruins; you can also see Ludza’s church towers from the trail. It is 5.14 kilometres long and can also be explored by bicycle.
The nearly 300-metre-long pontoon bridge crosses Small Ludza Lake. It connects the Old Town area near Mazā Ezerkrasta Street with the activity area and Radziņš Beach. If you would rather experience the castle ruins through a story, you can book the theatrical guided tour “Lūcijas nakts pasakas” in advance. It brings the castle to life through legends and audience participation, with stylised medieval costumes.
On the shore of Great Ludza Lake, at the foot of the castle hill on L Ezerkrasta Street, there is an equipped recreational area with a beach. The lake is also used for boating and fishing. Ludza offers water scooters, boats, water skis, SUP boards, windsurfing equipment, fishing gear and a recreational raft for hire; advance booking is required. On Small Ludza Lake, in the town centre, a ride on a wooden raft offers views of the Old Town panorama. This ride also needs to be booked in advance; musical accompaniment or a Latgalian meal can be arranged as an addition.
Another activity that must be booked in advance is the “Ežuļa sajūtu taka” sensory trail. It includes a barefoot path and sensory experiences with natural materials and floral scents. The options on the water and around the castle therefore range from walking or cycling the circular trail to taking a raft ride or joining a guided, staged visit.
Crafts, markets and Latgalian cuisine
The Ludza Crafts Centre offers hands-on activities in traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving and tailoring in its Suprātku Room and workshops. It also holds annual markets featuring rural produce: Christmas, Martinmas and Easter markets, as well as the Great Latgalian Market. The shop at the Ludza Crafts Courtyard sells around 70 craft items, including ceramics, textiles, blacksmith work, handicrafts and wooden products.
You can also discover regional cuisine as part of a group experience booked in advance: at Latgaļu kukņa in Ludza, pre-registered tour groups can sample Latgalian dishes. Alongside the hands-on craft activities, this offers a distinctive way to connect with local traditions, while guided tours, lakeside trails and water activities provide other options for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Kušneri, Isnauda, Nirza, Tutāni
Go to the broader travel guide: Ludzas Novads.
