Madona

1280px Saieta square - Saieta Plaza in the winter

Madona is based in the center of eastern Latvia, in the eastern part of the Vidzeme region.

Madona Halal Explorer

Madona is home to 9,000 residents, and is a centre of culture, education, trade, sports, and medicine in the Madonas novads region.

The name “Madona”, often confused with “Madonna”, comes possibly from lake Madona or the medieval German name for the palace of Birži - Madohn. Birži was the official name of the inhabited area before. The name of the town has absolutely nothing to do with the famous singer nor the Christian religious figure.

Travel to Madona

provides up-to-date bus and train schedules, route planner and prices.

Travel on a Bus in Madona

Madona is well connected by bus service with Riga and smaller cities in eastern Latvia. Ticket price from Riga to Madona is about €8 and it takes usually 3 - 3½ hours to get there. From Madona you can catch direct buses to Cēsis, Daugavpils, Gulbene, Alūksne, Sigulda, Rēzekne, Aizkraukle, Jēkapils and numerous small villages within Madonas novads.

By Rail

Going by train is a relatively affordable and quick option (€5, <3 hrs). Unfortunately the train runs only once per day (departs from Riga in the evening and returns in the early morning) and are often crowded with students on Fridays. No advance booking of seats is available.

As of summer 2022 and there is also a morning train from Riga on Saturdays, leaving at 08:29.

By car

There are two primary streets from the capital, Riga – one through Sigulda and Bērzakrogs and the other through Plavinas. The road through Plavinas is slower due to traffic and inhabited areas with speed limitations but the road conditions are slightly better.

By thumb

It is pretty popular to hitch-hike in Latvia and if you can get to Madona as well. If you come via Pļaviņas, make sure you get off on the bypass road at roundabout before crossing the railway bridge in direction of Jēkabpils. From there the branch road P37 to Madona starts.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Madona

The is no airport with scheduled flights. The nearest airfield is in Prauliena (7 kilometers on the road from town centre), which is a small non-supervised 400 x 20 m strip but in very good condition, sufficient for small general aviation and ultra light airplanes.

Get Around

By car

The town is small and getting around by vehicle is an easy task, without traffic jams and takes minutes. Beware that due to ongoing pipeline replacement works the surface quality on some of the streets may be really bad. Free public parking places are available in many places in the centre.

By public bus

There are 3 public bus lines in the town. Tickets (€0.70) can be purchased on board.

How to travel around Madona on a bicycle ?

In late spring/summer/early autumn probably the best way to get around is bicycle. Do not leave your bike unlocked on the street as bicycle thefts are not uncommon.

Bicycle rental is available at Smecere's Sport Complex.

Walk in Madona

Getting around the center by walking is an excellent option in any season.

What to See

Madona_city_hall - Madona City Hall and the Saieta laukums ("Gathering Plaza")

• Historic buildings on Poruka and Blaumana street
• Town's fountain and the surrounding park - One of the greenest and most stunning locations in town, and right in the heart of it.

• Madona's Regional Museum - Novadpetniecibas muzejs - With a variety of events and ever-changing exhibitions.

• Saieta laukums - The central square of the town, with a small fountain and lots of flowers in the summer season.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Madona

In the winter

• Cross country skiing and biathlon at Smecere's Sport Complex, just outside the town
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Ice hockey
• Indoor sport activities - volleyball, basketball, floor-ball, climbing on artificial wall, gym etc at newly built Madona Sporta Centrs]

In the summer

Smecere_bmx_track_2 - BMX track

• Beach volleyball - on the beach of Madona lake, two equipped fields are available, often competitions take place there. Madona_lake_and_volleyball - Madona lake and the beach volleyball fields from above
• Rollerskating - on asphalted tracks over small hills and through forests, starts at Smecere's Sport Complex
• BMX track - at Smecere's Sport Complex, one of the most challenging BMX tracks in Latvia
• Off-road driving
• Windsurfing
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Paintball
• Horse riding
• Bird watching
• Nature trails and hillwalking
• Orienteering

Study in Madona

Madona is a home to two high schools and a branch of public university RPIVA. Check the international exchange programs for possibility of studying. Basics of Latvian language are crucial for studying and living there.

How to work legally in Madona

The current economic situation and high unemployment rates in general do not offer many possibilities to find a job, however finding a seasonal job in tourism may still be feasible. For EU/EEA citizens no entry permits and no lengthy paperwork is required.

Shopping

• Four supermarkets are available in the town – one in the centre next to train station, three more on northern side of the town; open every day from 8:00 until 22:00 (including Sundays and public holidays). Smaller shops all around the town but opening times may vary. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
• Petrol stations are open 24/7, most of them located around the roundabout in northern part of the town.

Halal Food & Restaurants

• Pizzeria "Neapole" Saieta laukums 2 Opening from Monday to Saturday A real and the only true Italian pizza in Madona, restaurant run by an Italian, so you can refresh your Italian language skills. Take away and eat on spot Pizzas of different sorts available.

• Restaurant and Cafe "Effeja" Saules iela 30
• Cafeteria "Kore" Saieta laukums 10
• Cafeteria "Parka kefejnīca" Gaujas iela 33
• Self-service restaurant "Rudzons" - Saules iela 15 - Offers authentic Latvian food.

• Smeceres krogs

Buy Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Madona

eHalal Group Madona is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Madona. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Madona.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Madona ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Madona. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Madona, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Madona are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@halal.io

Stay Safe

• Beware of extreme temperature surprises in the winter. Temperatures may drop as low as -35°C occasionally, but are often around -20°C in winter. Inappropriate shoes or clothing together with longer periods of time spent outdoors can easily result in frostbite.
• Driving conditions may sometimes get very bad in the winter. Even though the streets are regularly cleaned and they may be covered by ice after a snowfall or when temperatures climb rapidly over 0°C. Drive and walk with great care. Keep in mind that the braking distance of cars may increase by a factor of four.

Telecommunications in Madona

• Post office Saules iela 21
• Madona public library Skolas iela 12 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00, Saturday 09:00-15:00 Has Internet.

Travel Next

• Cesvaine – A small town just 16 kilometers north of Madona, easily reachable by road. Home to the eclectic 19th century Vidzeme#See|Cesvaine Palace, and ruins of medieval castles. The oldest palace in the nation, its magnificent landscapes of pine forests are cut by Kuja river.
• Gulbene – A small town with the only narrow gauge railway in the Baltics, to/from the recreation centre of Alūksne.
• Vidzeme#Do|Lake Lubānas – In the east. In the far southeastern corner of Vidzeme. The largest lake in Latvia by area, but also one of the shallowest ones with average depth just 3 meters. A great place for windsurfing and under-ice fishing in winter.
• Vidzeme#Do|Teiču Swamp Nature Reserve (Teiču dabas rezervāts) – In the south east. Take some of the wood-board walking paths to observe wild animals and birds. It is necessary to contact the reservoir's guide for entry permission.
• Cēsis – One of the nation's oldest towns. It has an impressive castle complex of Livonian Order origin, a charming downtown with some cobblestoned streets, and historic wooden buildings.
• Smiltene – Features a manor, some castle ruins, and a watch tower over the surrounding area. Not very interesting, but quite cosy and slightly larger than Valka, and not far from the Pskov highway.
• Also, check out the Vidzeme region for close-by destinations and attractions.

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