Latvia is a country on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia. Its landscape is marked by wide beaches as well as dense, sprawling forests. Latvia’s capital is Riga, home to notable wooden and art nouveau architecture, a vast Central Market and a medieval Old Town with St. Peter's Church. Riga's museums include the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, showcasing local crafts, food and music.
From big city sophistication to heartfelt country hospitality, Latvia has a warm welcome for every visitor. Discover ancient castles, wander through stunning valleys or laze on miles of beaches in this Baltic gem. Here are some things to do in Latvia and places to see!
Riga
The largest and most exciting metropolis in the Baltics, Riga will inspire you. Architecture from Gothic cathedrals to world-class Art Nouveau, buzzing cafes and bars and delicious dining from haute cuisine to local market products are all yours for a price tag that will add to the pleasure.
Rundale Palace and Museum
Nicknamed the Baltic Versailles, Rundale Palace (Rundāles pils) will transport you to an age of splendor. Designed by Francesco Rastrelli, the architect who also created St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Rundale is a superbly restored Baroque and Rococo masterpiece packed with art treasures and surrounded by a delightful rose garden.
Gauja National Park
The Gauja National Park is the perfect place to destress. Wander miles of stunning hiking trails, explore fascinating medieval castles or thrill to bungee jumping, bobsleighing and other adventurous activities.
Kuldiga
Drift back to a gentler age in Kuldiga, an ideal destination for a romantic weekend or family vacation. This beautiful town offers a mixture of Baroque splendor and soulful timber houses, Europe’s widest waterfall, exquisite restaurants, and guesthouses to ensure a magical stay.
Jūrmala
Just 20 minutes’ drive from Riga, Jurmala is a seaside resort like no other. If you’re looking for fun, there’s vibrant life on the beach and in the unique spas, offering a tempting menu of mud packs and massages. But Jurmala is also a great place to return to nature, strolling the miles of pine-fringed shore or admiring beautiful summer timber cottages.
Ventspils
Ventspils is a town with the sea in its veins and a delightful destination for the whole family. Enjoy street sculptures, let the kids run wild in the city’s fun parks, discover the interactive medieval castle or relax on the Blue Flag beach.
Beer Scene
Although the Soviets did their damnedest to stamp out centuries of local brewing traditions with cheap vodka, it seems that Latvians are finally returning to their first love beer. Craft beer and history blends perfectly together in Latvia. Every country has it’s own unique beer culture and Latvias craft beer scene distinct itself from others with it’s connection to history. Both breweries and beers have Latvian names with historic references which make the pronounciation complicated but after a few beers it’s maybe easier to pronounce them right. Latvians love their history and they tell it through their beer. Riga is the perfect weekend getaway, not too big but it has lots of things to see and taste. The craft beer scene is in full swing and beers are perfectly priced. The Riga Beer District is a terrific initiative that showcases the craft beer scene in Riga. The district is just over 1,5 km from the old town so it is also a great way to explore more of lovely Riga. Small-scale brewing has been part of the Latvian nation since the middle ages. This was also the real beginning of craft brewing as at this time the brewing tended to be done by Latvian farmers using their own ingredients. The industrial revolution brought large-scale breweries to Latvia. However, the First World War and the Soviet Regime restricted the brewing and sale of beer. This resulted in a return to small-scale brewing, meaning Latvia has been far ahead of most of the world in the more recent growth of craft breweries. It should then come as no surprise that Riga has a wonderfully developed craft brewing scene. The creation of the Riga Beer District is now naming and framing this scene and providing tourists with the opportunity to go to local bars generally only visited by locals.The old town in Riga is small and cosy with many beautiful buildings to watch and its just by the river.