Limbaži is a small town in Latvia's Vidzeme region, north of Riga and west of Cesis. It is not as immediately dramatic as the Gauja Valley towns, but it has enough history and local character to reward a slow half-day or day if you are travelling through northern Latvia.
The old centre grew around a medieval castle of the Archbishops of Riga. Today the Limbaži Castle Ruins and Observation Tower are the main reason to stop, with the Limbaži Museum next door adding context on local history and Baumaņu Kārlis, who wrote the Latvian national anthem.
The surprise is the Live Silver Museum, a small specialist collection built around large silver artworks. Add a walk to Lielezers, the lake just south of town, and Limbaži becomes more than a quick castle stop.
It is a modest place, and that should be part of the plan. Come for ruins, a museum or two, and a Latvian small-town rhythm rather than nightlife or grand architecture.