Krustpils City
City in Jēkabpils Municipality, Latvia
Across the Daugava from Jēkabpils, Krustpils draws visitors to its medieval castle, timber houses and riverfront walks. Expect low-key Latvian cafés, cycling routes along the floodplain and a slow archive of Soviet-era architecture.
Krustpils at a Glance#
Costs: $50-80 typical per day - affordable by Western standards; cheaper than Riga.
Safety: Very safe - low crime - very safe with low violent crime; usual urban caution applies.
Best Time: May-September (best weather) - late spring through early autumn offers best weather for river and castle visits.
Why Visit Krustpils?#
Krustpils, part of Jēkabpils on the Daugava, appeals to people interested in history and river landscapes. Visit Krustpils Castle and its park, explore riverside walks along the Daugava, and admire wooden timber architecture in nearby neighborhoods. Local festivals and folk music events highlight Latgalian and Latvian traditions, while quiet cafés and riverfront paths make it an unhurried stop for those combining cultural sites with outdoor scenery.
Best Things to Do in Krustpils#
Krustpils Bucket List#
Krustpils Castle (Krustpils pils) - Medieval castle housing local history exhibits and cultural events in restored rooms.
Krustpils Old Town area - Historic streets near the castle with traditional wooden and brick architecture to explore.
Krustpils Railway Station area - Historic railway junction offering views into the town’s transport heritage and warehouses.
Castle park walks - Shaded parkland around the castle ideal for quiet strolls and picnics.
Local bakery on Rīgas iela - Family-run bakery known for rye breads and regional pastries popular with residents.
Small folk art stalls - Weekend stalls selling Latvian textiles, ceramics, and handcrafted souvenirs.
Jēkabpils city centre - Museum, Daugava riverside, and cafes located a short drive across the river.
Daugava River boat trips - Seasonal river excursions showcasing local waterways and historic riverfront buildings.
Best Time to Visit Krustpils#
Late spring to early autumn (May-September) brings the most pleasant weather in Krustpils for outdoor activities and long daylight. Winters are cold, snowy and darker, restricting outdoor plans.
December - February
-10-2°C (14-36°F)
Cold, often snowy and icy; short daylight hours but good for photographing frosty rivers and quiet towns-dress warmly and expect delays.
June - August
12-25°C (54-77°F)
Mild to warm, long daylight hours perfect for cycling and river walks; mosquitoes appear near wetlands but overall very pleasant weather.
March - May & September - November
0-15°C (32-59°F)
Unpredictable transitional weather - brisk mornings, sudden showers, falling leaves or early blooms; layers and waterproofs make these months comfortable for travel.
Krustpils's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (673 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 80 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Krustpils#
Krustpils is centered on Krustpils Station, a real regional rail junction in Jēkabpils. The nearest international gateway is Riga International Airport (RIX); from there you can continue by rail or intercity bus to reach Krustpils.
Riga International Airport (RIX): From Riga Airport take a taxi or the Airport Bus to Rīga Central Station (autoosta / Rīga centrālā stacija), then regional trains operated by Pasažieru vilciens run to Krustpils Station (Krustpils stacija). Expect the transfer from RIX to Rīga Central by bus or taxi to take 20-40 minutes (bus ~€2-€3; taxi €20-€30). The train Riga-Krustpils takes roughly 2-3 hours depending on service; regional fares are modest (typically a few euros, commonly €3-€8 depending on class and discount).
Train: Krustpils has a real railway hub - Krustpils Station (Krustpils stacija) on the Rīga-Daugavpils line. Regional trains from Rīga Central to Krustpils are the most convenient option for rail passengers; journey time ~2-3 hours and fares are generally in the low-euro range (check Pasažieru vilciens for exact times and fares).
Bus: Jēkabpils and Krustpils are served by regional bus companies from Rīga and neighbouring towns; buses depart from Rīga’s autoosta (central bus terminal) and arrive at Jēkabpils/Krustpils bus stops. Bus journeys take approximately 2-3 hours depending on route and stop pattern; fares are typically a few euros for intercity services.
How to Get Around Krustpils#
The train is the most reliable way to access Krustpils from Riga and other Latvian cities - Krustpils Station is the local transport hub. Regional buses fill gaps where rail doesn’t stop; taxis and hire cars are handy for flexible, off-schedule travel.
- Regional train (Pasažieru vilciens) (€3-€8) - Main way to reach Krustpils from Riga and other Latvian cities. Trains run to Krustpils Station on the Rīga-Daugavpils corridor; travel times from Riga are about 2-3 hours. Buy tickets at stations or online with Pasažieru vilciens; expect modest fares (a few euros).
- Intercity bus (€3-€8) - Buses connect Rīga, Jēkabpils and surrounding towns with Krustpils; services depart from Rīga’s central bus terminal. Buses can be slower than the direct train but may serve more villages; fares are similar to rail for comparable distances.
- Local bus / minibus (€0.50-€2) - Local buses and minibuses serve short hops around Jēkabpils/Krustpils for reaching nearby villages and the town centre. These are cheap and useful for last-mile travel; check local timetables at the station.
- Taxi / private transfer (€10-€30 (short local trips)) - Taxis are widely available at stations and in Jēkabpils; useful if you have luggage or need an off-schedule transfer. Expect higher cost than public transport but convenient door-to-door service.
- Car hire (€30-€70/day) - Renting a car from Riga or Jēkabpils gives maximum flexibility for exploring the area and surrounding countryside. Roads are generally in good condition on main routes; parking in town is straightforward.
- Walking - The immediate Krustpils station area and parts of Jēkabpils are walkable; central streets and sights are best explored on foot.
Where to Stay in Krustpils#
Krustpils / Jēkabpils area - €20-50/night
Krustpils itself has very few formal budget options; most visitors stay in nearby Jēkabpils or travel from larger towns. Expect guesthouses or private rooms only.
Jēkabpils centre (nearby) - €40-80/night
Mid-range choices inside Krustpils are scarce. Look to Jēkabpils or Daugavpils for comfortable hotels with basic services and easier transport links.
Riga (regional hub) - €80+/night
No true luxury hotels in Krustpils. For high-end amenities, base yourself in Riga or Daugavpils and make day trips to the castle and river.
Where to Eat in Krustpils#
Krustpils dining leans on simple Latvian cooking - hearty soups, rye breads and local dairy. Small cafés and castle-adjacent eateries highlight seasonal produce.
- Krustpils cafés and diners - Comfortable Latvian home-cooked dishes
- Restaurants near Krustpils Castle - Seasonal local ingredients and breads
- Local Pubs in Krustpils area - Light meals and regional beers
Small-town Krustpils relies on nearby Jēkabpils for wider choices - farmers’ markets, cafés and a few international takeaways for visitors.
- Jēkabpils Farmers’ Market - Nearby market for fresh produce
- International spots in Jēkabpils - Pizza, kebab and pan-European choices
- Krustpils Cafés - Coffee, cakes and light lunches
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Krustpils’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Krustpils#
Shopping in Krustpils is largely practical: small shops, supermarkets and market stalls in nearby Jēkabpils supply daily needs. For more choice-specialty stores, larger retail-you’ll find it in the town centre of Jēkabpils. There aren’t many tourist‑oriented shops in Krustpils itself.
Nightlife in Krustpils#
Nightlife around Krustpils is low‑profile. You’ll find a handful of local pubs and cafés that host evening gatherings, but no major club scene in the neighbourhood. For bars and occasional live music look to central Jēkabpils, a short trip away.
