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The best part of going to Latvia? You'll be able to say you went before any of your friends discovered this enigmatic little country in the Baltics. From the busy, beautiful capital of Riga, with its mix of cobbled Old Town and Art Nouveau quarter, to rural paradise Sigulda or the grand palace at Rundale, there's something for every taste in this tiny country of just two million. Head further afield to the small town of Cesis, whose famous castle ruins are a reminder of the town's strategic importance, from the Northern Crusades to Russian invasions to the Latvian War of Independence. The town has reinvented itself as a hotbed of sustainable, hip living, and is a popular spot for exploring the neighboring Gauja National Park. "Where the winds come from," the windy resort town of Liepaja is most famous for its sandy pine-lined beaches, but the historic port district of Karosta is more unique, with its czarist and Soviet military ruins and darker past.
If you're keen to see all three of the Baltic capitals you'll likely reach Riga second, so you might have some preconceptions. How different can these cities be, so close together? In a word: very. Each of them has a very different energy. Riga is the most populous of the three and has more of a big city feel to it. Those who visit Riga are always pleasantly surprised.
Good road connections from Riga to Tallinn and Vilnius make it easy to combine all three in a Baltic travel package. Riga's International airport is the largest of the three. Since a number of low-cost airlines operate from there we can even incorporate some time in Latvia with a larger itinerary that includes many of our other destinations in Central and Eastern Europe. Latvia joined the EU in 2004. The country is in the Schengen Area, meaning practically borderless travel. In 2014, the country adopted the Euro. The Latvians are making it as easy as possible for you to visit. Now it's up to you. Adventure in the Baltics awaits!
Accommodation in Latvia is comfortable and affordable. Our local guides will be on-hand to assist all vacationers. Wherever you want to travel in Latvia, we can make it happen. Contact us for a free travel consultation and we'll start planning the perfect Latvia vacation, just for you.
Visit Latvia in the summer, preferably between early May and mid-September. The country never gets very hot, even at the height of summer, while winters are cold, with long nights. Summers are mild, with long days and highs in the 60s and 70s.
Latvian cuisine is a hodgepodge of the last millennia of ruling neighbors, combined with a peasant heritage, so don't be surprised to come across German-style sauerkraut, Swedish-style yellow pea soup and Russian-style rye bread. Pork and fish are the center of most dishes, while potatoes, peas, onions, cabbage, buckwheat, and barley help make up the rest. The food is seasonal, often heavy and fatty, and uses spices sparingly. For a more exotic, traditional dish, seek out Maizes Zupa ("bread soup"), a sweet soup made from rye bread and fruit.
Latvians generally drink beer, but for something unique, seek try one of Riga's trademarks: Black Balsams. An herbal liqueur made from natural ingredients mixed with strong vodka, producing a pungent smell. See if you can identify all 24 ingredients! Tap water is generally safe, but many locals still tend to buy bottled water, especially in the cities.
Latvian cities and towns are sufficiently compact that tourists generally have little reason to take public transport. Latvian trains are based on a hub-and-spoke model, so that all lines run to the capital. These trains date back to the Soviet-era, and lines further from Riga are poorly served (Liepaja, for example, receives two trains a week!) Although there is a daily train between Riga and Tallinn, it is slow, expensive, and uncomfortable on the Latvian side, and requires waiting and changing trains at the border. However, trains can be a decent way to visit places close enough to Riga for commuters, such as the beach resort of Jurmala.
Although bumpy rural Latvian roads are the laughing stock of the Baltic States, roads are still by far the best way to get around. Latvia’s intercity buses are modern, with attendants, refreshments, high-speed wifi, and more movies than on your flight to Europe. We recommend traveling via private transfers, which let you make stops between destinations, such as at the Rundale Palace, or at Sigulda’s castles.
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