Latvia holidays: a guide to the country
A capital full of Art Nouveau, white sand beaches on the Baltic, castle ruins in the forest and a baroque palace in the countryside. Latvia is much more than a weekend in Riga.
Latvia
Photo: Gints Gailis / Unsplash
Latvia: the middle Baltic state
Latvia lies between Estonia and Lithuania, with a long coastline on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga. About half the country is covered by forest, and outside Riga it is sparsely populated, with lakes, rivers and small towns. Singing runs deep here, and the great Song and Dance Celebration is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
The currency is the euro, the roads are good and distances are short. That makes Latvia ideal for a road trip, starting and ending in Riga.
Places to visit in Latvia
Riga
The capital has the old town, the Art Nouveau district and the Central Market, and is the natural base. Read our Riga city break guide.
Jūrmala
The seaside resort half an hour from Riga has a long white sand beach, 19th and early 20th-century wooden villas and spa hotels.
Gauja National Park, Sigulda and Cēsis
The river valley east of Riga has sandstone cliffs, forest and castles. Sigulda has castle ruins, a cable car across the valley and a bobsleigh track, while Cēsis has one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country.
Rundāle
A baroque palace south of Riga, designed by the architect of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, with large French gardens.
Kuldīga
A small town in the west with wooden houses, an old brick bridge and Ventas Rumba, a low but very wide waterfall. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jūrmala
Photo: Bruno Jurevics / Unsplash
A one-week road trip in Latvia
Days 1 to 3: Riga.
Day 4: Gauja National Park with Sigulda and Cēsis.
Day 5: Rundāle Palace on the way south, then on to the west.
Day 6: Kuldīga.
Day 7: Jūrmala and the beach before driving back to Riga.
When is the best time to visit Latvia?
June to August is high season, with long, light evenings and beach weather. The midsummer festival of Jāņi around 23 and 24 June is the biggest celebration of the year. May and September are lovely for cities and forests, and autumn brings strong colours to Gauja. Winter is cold, but Riga has a Christmas market in December. Check the current entry requirements before you travel.
Latvia holidays: frequently asked questions
What is Latvia known for?
Riga and its Art Nouveau architecture, long sandy beaches, forests and a strong singing tradition.
Does Latvia use the euro?
Yes, the currency is the euro.
What is there to do in Latvia outside Riga?
Swim at Jūrmala, hike in Gauja National Park, see the castles at Sigulda and Cēsis, Rundāle Palace and the small town of Kuldīga.
Do you need a car in Latvia?
Not for Riga or Jūrmala, which has trains. For Gauja, Rundāle and Kuldīga a hire car is easiest.
When is the best time to visit Latvia?
June to August for summer and beaches, May and September for fewer visitors.