Camping Siguldas Beach

Have a break in the Baltics amid spectacular scenery at Camping Siguldas Beach – this park close to walking and cycling trails is in a section of the nation that’s as stunning as you’d expect given it’s often referred to as ‘Little Switzerland’.

Just on the outer edges of Gauja National Park, the site makes the most of the lush landscape by offering boat, canoe and kayak rental on the river winding through the grounds. Once you’ve mastered kayaking – or just spent a day lolling at the lifeguarded river beach metres from your pitch – sort out any hunger by prepping a meal in the kitchen and taking it out to one of the picnic tables. Once dusk rolls in, you won’t need to seek shelter as the park has a firepit to keep you cosy.

Retire to bed ready for adventures the next day: you could traipse off to Tarzāns Park (10 minutes’ walk) for tree-climbing or have a go on the USSR-era bobsleigh, luge and bob skeleton tracks in Siguldas (five minutes’ drive). Bungee jumping above the river or gliding above it in a cable car are also possible pursuits to try out in the area; the staff at this site speak English, Russian and Latvian, so strike up a conversation with them about how to organise such activities in whichever language you prefer.