Latgolys šmakovkys dadzynuotova
The world’s oldest and biggest šmakovka distillery!
​book a tour​

🏰 Guided Tour and Tasting in the Spirit of Latgale

    🔍 Discover:

    • The history of Malnava Manor and its mysterious bunkers

    • The production process of traditional spirits Šmakovka

    • Thrilling stories of local moonshiners and their secret equipment

    🍹 Taste:

    • The unique flavors and aromas of Latgale šmakovka

    • Enjoy:

      • A non-alcoholic šmakovka cocktail

      • Up to 5 different alcoholic drinks (optional)

      • A local delicacy – fermented cucumbers (skuobeitī)

    👣 Guided Tour Duration: up to 1 hour

    💶 Price:

    • €10.00 per person

    • Minimum fee – €30.00 (if visiting alone)

    • Children under 18 – FREE when accompanied by parents


🍸 Create Your Own ŠMOHITO or Infused Spirit – Tasting & Workshop

    🎨 Experience hands-on:

    • Make your own ŠMOHITO or another refreshing (non-)alcoholic cocktail

    • Or craft a personalized infused spirit (0.35L bottle included) to take home as a unique souvenir

    🍹 Taste the Spirit of Latgale:

    • A non-alcoholic šmakovka cocktail

    • Up to 5 different alcoholic drinks (optional)

    • Plus a local favorite – fermented cucumbers (skuobeitī)

    🧑‍🍳 Workshop Duration: up to 1 hour

    💶 Price:

    • €25.00 per person

    • Minimum fee – €30.00 (if visiting alone)

    • Children under 18 – FREE with parents
      (€3 extra per non-alcoholic cocktail)

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🌄 Places to Explore Nearby

Where we've been — and where we can't wait to return

✨ Recommended nearby attractions:

  • Hidden gems and scenic spots just around the corner

  • Historical landmarks, nature trails, and cultural experiences

  • Our personal favorites – tried, loved, and worth revisiting

Home

🍽️ A Meal with a Story – at “Dzīlēs”

Distance: 1 min. 

📍 Contact

Address: Zaļā iela 9, Malnava, Latvia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +371 26538016
Note: Advance booking required

Enjoy a homemade-style meal (approx. 1–3 hours) that offers more than just taste — it’s a journey through Latgale, its people, stories, and values.

✨ The experience includes:

  • Cooking together or watching the preparation

  • A warm and authentic Latgalian atmosphere

  • A storytelling meal filled with meaning

  • And finally, a delightful dessert enjoyed in our beautiful garden, while conversations flow

🏛️ Malnava Manor & Bunkers

Distance: Just 1 minute from Latgolys šmakovka

📞 Contact: +371 28321856
📍 Location: Malnava Manor, Malnava
🕒 Open: 24/7
🔔 Guided tours available with prior booking

Tour Options:

  • 🧭 Guided tour (~45 min): €1.00 per person (min. €30.00)

  • 🚶‍♂️ Self-guided visit: Free of charge

🏰 About Malnava Manor:

Step into history at Malnava Manor, where the past meets the present.
One of the few surviving buildings is a granary from the early 19th century, designed in classical style with two elegant porticos featuring four columns each.

Nearby, discover the Wine House and pass through the iconic White Gates – four white-painted masonry pillars with tiled roofs.
In the manor’s heyday, nobles used the middle gates, while servants entered through the smaller ones.

A partially preserved stone wall still encircles the manor park, whispering stories of bygone times.

🌾 ZS Kotiņi – A True Latgalian Countryside Experience

Distance: ~30 minutes from Latgolys šmakovka
🔗 Website: www.kotini.lv

🎉 Planning a group outing, class trip, family reunion or gathering with friends — but not sure what to do?
We’ve got the answer – visit Kotiņi!

Enjoy authentic Latgalian rural hospitality with engaging activities, warm hosts, and unforgettable memories in the making.

Whether you’re looking for fun, tradition, or a new experience – Kotiņi is the place to be!


🌲 "ZĪDŪŅS" Active Leisure Park

Distance: Just 1 minute from Dzīlēs
📞 Contact: +371 28 343 926
📍 Location: Zīdūņs, Malnava Parish
🕒 Open: 24/7

🌿 Discover "Zīdūņs" (1–2h visit)

A truly special place in Malnava, originally created as a manor park during noble times. Today, it's a naturally aged forest, rich in rare biotopes and deep historical roots — a silent witness to wars and national awakenings.

Through the centuries, locals have cherished and protected this sacred land.

In September 2020, Zīdūņs experienced another kind of revival — a deeply personal one.

Here people run and ski, kiss and sing, learn and wonder, meditate and heal, draw strength and celebrate life!

Come feel the soul of Latgale, where nature speaks and memories breathe.


🌿 Garden SPA – Your Private Wellness Escape

📍 Just 3 km from Malnava

Relax in a luxurious furnished tent with a terrace, cozy bed, and sun loungers. Enjoy a unique igloo sauna with a window to the stars and sunset views 🌅, plus a hot massage bubble tub 🤩.

Included:

  • Private house with kitchen, shower, and toilet

  • 4 hectares of peaceful nature – no other guests

  • A gentle stream (Ķīseļupīte) flowing through the property

  • A fruit-filled garden – pick and eat as much as you like! 🍒🍐🍎
    Perfect for vitamin boosts, fresh snacks, or making natural beauty masks

✨ Ideal for couples, wellness seekers, or anyone needing a break from the world.

📞 Book now: +371 28321856
🌐 Or via Airbnb: airbnb.com/h/darzaspa


🏍️ Rūsa Vējā – Rust in the Wind

Distance: ~30 minutes from Dzīlēs
🔗 Website: www.rusaveja.lv

Step into a world where vintage motorcycles, rusty charm, and freedom come together.

At Rūsa Vējā, you can:

  • Admire a collection of old motorcycles

  • Go for a ride and feel the wind of the past

  • Explore an open-air art and mechanical wonderland

This is more than a museum – it’s an experience full of stories, nostalgia, and adrenaline, set in the heart of Latgale.

Perfect for:

  • Classic vehicle enthusiasts

  • Adventurous visitors

  • Anyone looking for something truly original

🌿 Obelisk Farm – The Hemp Experience

Distance: ~50 minutes from Dzīlēs
🔗 Website: www.obeliskfarm.lv

Discover the power of hemp at this inspiring family-run farm in the heart of Latgale!

At Obelisk Farm, you can:

  • Visit the Hemp Museum

  • Join hands-on workshops

  • Learn about hemp's history, uses and benefits

  • Taste and buy natural hemp-based products

  • Enjoy a peaceful, sustainable rural lifestyle

This is a green getaway that combines education, health, and tradition – perfect for curious minds, eco-lovers, and families.

🐾 Rancho Ozolmājas – Exotic Animal Ranch

Meet fascinating exotic animals up close in the heart of Latgale!

From curious camels to playful alpacas, Rancho Ozolmājas is a fun and educational destination for all ages. Perfect for families, animal lovers, and adventure seekers.

📸 Don’t forget your camera – surprises await around every corner!

Viļaka church

⛪ Climb the Tower – and Meet the Modern Priest Guntars!

Whether he’s at the top of the tower or in the underground crypt, Father Guntars is always ready to surprise you with his wisdom, humor, and stories that bridge the sacred and the modern.

🪵 Stompaki Bog Trail

A well-maintained walking trail through the bog, leading to islands with reconstructed partisan bunkers!

Follow the footsteps of history and nature as you explore this unique path through the wild — where Latvian partisans once hid and lived during World War II.

Perfect for those who enjoy:

  • Nature walks

  • History and heritage

  • Quiet, untouched landscapes

🕒 Suggested duration: ~1–2 hours
🎒 Bring comfortable shoes and a sense of adventure!

🏰 Ludza Castle Ruins

The most impressive and beautiful castle ruins in Latvia, dramatically set between two lakes!

Wander through the remains of ancient stone walls, enjoy panoramic views over Ludza and the surrounding waters, and feel the spirit of centuries past.

📍 A perfect spot for:

  • History lovers

  • Romantic walks

  • Stunning photos

The Soul of Latgale

Looking for untouched nature, authentic countryside experiences and deep cultural roots in Eastern Europe? Welcome to Malnava, a peaceful village in Latgale, Latvia, where time stands still and stories are passed down through generations.

Nestled between fields, forests and manor ruins, Malnava offers a rare chance to explore Eastern Europe's hidden rural life. Here, you can taste handmade šmakovka in the oldest traditional distillery in the world, walk through historical WWII bunkers, and share a meal in a quiet garden under the stars.

Our region is perfect for travelers seeking:

  • Untouched landscapes

  • Secret places off the beaten path

  • Latvian and Latgalian culture

  • Local food and drink experiences

  • Spiritual connection with nature

  • Real stories from real people

Latgale is still one of the least commercialized regions in Europe. And that’s its magic.
We don’t just offer tours – we offer a moment to breathe, to feel, and to remember what matters.

If you’re dreaming of slow travel, local heritage, and natural beauty, we invite you to discover Malnava.
Come as a guest – leave as part of the story.