Ogre: Culture, River Route and Nature Park

Ogre combines urban history, river experiences and active nature activities. Those planning a trip with culture, exercise and discoveries for different age groups will find several different ways to structure their days here. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Ogre can be selected to suit your own priorities – for example, for museums and architecture, a route along the Ogre River or family-oriented activities.

Discover culture and urban history

The Ogre History and Art Museum offers guided tours led by museum specialists at two locations: 36 Brīvības Street and 2 Brīvības Street. The museum has the permanent exhibitions “From bank to museum” and “Pietura Ogre”. The tour of “Pietura Ogre” traces the development of the former resort town of Ogre. Its beginnings date back to the opening of the Riga–Dinaburg railway line in 1861; the resort experienced a period of growth in the 1930s. This provides you with an engaging introduction to the history of the town, without limiting the visit to a single period.

The townscape also offers concrete points of interest for days focused on culture. Brīvības Street is known for examples of architecture from the 1920s and 1930s, including buildings by Vladimirs Šervinskis, Indriķis Blakenburgs, Eduards Smurģis and Dāvids Zariņš. Other notable places include Tornis Ogre, with a restored water tower from the 20th century that had not been used since the late 1980s, and the “Mīlestības koks” sculpture near the Loka Bridge, on the side of Ogre’s open-air stage.

River route and nature experiences

A 3.5-kilometre route along the Ogre River runs via the Krasta Promenade and J. Čakstes Boulevard. It crosses the river at two points: via the arch bridge and the new pedestrian bridge. The route is therefore a clear component of your daily planning. The arch pedestrian bridge was built in 1966, is 94 metres long and 4.5 metres wide, and connects the centre of Ogre with Pāroge. The Krasta Promenade also includes a 100-metre-long wooden footbridge over the river. The promenade serves as a recreational and walking area for local residents and visitors and is also a popular venue for concerts and festivals.

For active days, Ogres Zilie kalni Nature Park offers a network of trails for Nordic walking and cycling, which can be used in summer. The nature park covers 312 hectares. A 30-metre-high observation tower provides views of Ogre and the green woodland areas. In the area between Ogre and Ikšķile, the “Zilie kalni – orientējies” orienteering facility has 60 permanent control points with QR codes. Those who enjoy combining exercise with orienteering and independent discovery can take these activities into account when planning their trip.

Ideas for families and sports enthusiasts

Džungļu parks is a 500-square-metre children’s entertainment centre. It includes a huge three-storey obstacle maze and an inflatable obstacle course measuring 12 by 4.5 metres. The Jaunogre Activity and Recreation District has an outdoor sports equipment area as well as activity equipment for children and young people. Ogre Skatepark covers more than 300 square metres and has five different demountable wooden ramp structures.

Arena Ogre also expands the range of possible activities: it is the home venue of the Ogre basketball club, and indoor football matches are also held there. Those looking for quieter cultural insights can visit exhibitions at the Ogre Central Library and book a guided tour by arrangement.

Planning Ogre as a place to stay

When choosing accommodation in Ogre, you can take travel from Riga into account: Ogre can be reached from Riga by intercity bus and train. You can also include other destinations: Madliena, Ogresgals, Suntaži, Ķeipene, Meņģele.

For the overarching travel overview: Ogres Municipality.