Latvia travel guide

Latvia may be the lesser known of the Baltic states, but with 500km of sandy coastline, treats to be foraged in the pine and spruce forests and the cosmopolitan culture of the capital, Riga, it's surely not going to remain that way for long. Sitting in the middle of the Baltic sandwich, as this Latvia travel guide reveals, it's superbly placed for tours which combine all three countries - click on our interactive Latvia map below to see our top highlights.

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Latvia travel guide

The collapse of Communism and being lumped in with neighbouring Baltic States, Lithuania and Estonia, kick started Latvia’s search for a national identity with several cultural differences still evident from one region to the next. Whether one sole identity is to be found foraging for mushrooms and berries amongst pine and spruce forests or perhaps along the wild sandy coastline that stretches for some 500km, who knows, but one thing is for sure: Latvia certainly needs to be investigated further.

Latvia is far from squashed as the middle sibling of the Baltics but more than holds its own in terms of wildlife filled forests and 500km of naturally wild, soft sand beaches.

Riga, the capital, is a good place to start and you’ll discover a cosmopolitan and contemporary city that is often considered culturally and architecturally wealthier than Vilnius and Tallinn. Outside of the capital, Rundāle Palace and Jurmala promise a couple of great day trip options with the town of Cēsis or the trails around Sigulda, in Gauja National Park, unlocking a little part of Latvia to call your very own.

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Latvia is...

perfectly positioned to accept travelers from either side of Baltic borders.

Latvia isn’t…

hilly but does boast an inordinate amount of forests and soft sand coastline; perfect for walking and cycling without the gradient.

Latvia map & itineraries

The Daugava River splits Latvia from the Belarus border to the Gulf of Riga via one of the country’s most decorated cultural and historic regions, Vidzeme. The town of Cēsis, which overlooks the Gauja River, is one such Vidzeme location that’s brimming over with churches, castles and Livonian heritage and if you’re looking for a few more, head eastwards to Sigulda and onto the capital city of Riga, and you won’t be disappointed. As much of Latvia was under lockdown during the Soviet era, rural landscapes remained relatively untouched with Gauja National Park exemplifying Latvia’s pine and spruce forests which thrive alongside sandstone river valleys all the way to the hard sand beaches along the shoreline.

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1. Cesis
2. Gauja National Park
3. Jurmala
4. Kuldiga
5. Rundale Palace
6. Slitere National Park

Cesis

1. Cesis

Built overlooking the wooded banks of the Gauja River, the walled town of Cēsis is best known for one of the Baltics’ most impressive ruined castles which features not only a lake adorned park and great views from the Western Tower, but also Latvia’s oldest brewery. A tour unravels further Livonian threads with St John’s Church and the Square of Roses adding to the natural beauty of the Vidzeme region.

Cesis

Gauja National Park

2. Gauja National Park

Nowhere exemplifies the Gauja River’s historic valley setting better than Gauja National Park which is decorated in sandstone cliffs and outcrops as well as over 500 historic and cultural monuments, including castles, churches and ancient windmills encircled by fields of flowers. This is hiking heaven with river boating and several cycle tracks, particularly near Sigulda, offering a great excuse to get out and explore.

Jurmala

3. Jurmala

On the north coast, there’s around 30km of crystal white sand that has long been the preserve of politicians, poets and pretty much anyone else looking to make the most of sunshine and shallows. The spa town of Jurmala is the largest of several Latvian seaside resorts with cafes, mud baths, wooden summer cottages and cycle paths adding to the attraction of kite surfing and blue eco-flag beaches.

Jurmala

Kuldiga

4. Kuldiga

Come for the waterfall, the widest in Europe, and stay for the riverside ambience of an old fashioned Latvian town steeped in 17th and 18th century heritage and pedestrianised streets aligned with well preserved wooden buildings. Kuldiga is also famed for a late 19th century bridge, the longest of its kind in Europe, and an ornate former synagogue, but it’s the riverside in springtime that steals the show.

Rundale Palace

5. Rundale Palace

Set within an expansive, French style garden, the gold and white rococo façade of Rundale captures the imagination and is especially worthwhile when accompanied by a local historian or tour guide. The museum and exhibition hall are packed full of fine art and Latvian heritage with opulent interiors and stunning Italian frescoes decorating rooms and ceilings that once served both Russian nobility and Soviet soldiers.

Rundale Palace

Slitere National Park

6. Slitere National Park

This is the site of one of the Baltics’ oldest nature reserves where thousands of birds cross forest covered hillsides, sand dunes and Baltic coastline on their annual autumn or spring migration. Aside from the birdwatching, Slitere boasts an untouched shoreline where grey seals, light houses, lookout towers and fishing villages can all be found via cycle routes and nature trails leading to smoked fish on Cape Kolka.