Latvia is one of the three Baltic States in northeast Europe. So far, most travelers know it for its gorgeous capital city, Riga. The charm of Riga has somehow left some other Latvian gems undiscovered.
Here come some significant discoveries for many looking for new roads less traveled. What if I tell you that the forest covers over half of Latvia? Do 12,000 rivers, 3,000 lakes, plenty of pristine boglands, and more than 500 kilometers of secluded sandy Baltic Sea beaches resonate with you?
Add some impressive, unique Baltic cultural and historical heritage; you’ve probably just found a great new destination for your next trip. Moreover, Latvia is still very much an off-the-beaten-path place to go. I’m a local nature tour guide, and here is my top choice for the best and most beautiful places to visit in Latvia…
Riga
Riga has been, so far, the most popular destination in Latvia. It is not without a reason. Riga is a gorgeous city in the very center of the Baltic States. It has a rich history of over 800 years and a unique cultural legacy.
Riga’s cozy old town (UNESCO heritage site), well-preserved and renowned Art Nouveau architecture, new interesting hipster districts and pubs, and many green parks pull tourists here.
There is something special about Riga, says National Geographic. You will get a great mixture of old and modern Northern Europe here.
Once you visit Riga, I promise you will almost certainly want to return. One-third of the Latvian population lives and works in Riga: we, locals, like to joke that Riga is a country within a country.
The hustle about Riga is so big that not many visitors know that the real Latvia starts outside Riga.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Riga Central Market offers all kinds of local produce
Bastion Hill Park has serene gardens for relaxation
What Is It?
Latvia's capital, founded in 1201, stands as a vibrant metropolis on the Gulf of Riga. Home to 605,802 residents, its UNESCO-listed historic center boasts Art Nouveau architecture.
Why Go?
Step into Riga, Latvia's enchanting capital. Explore an 800-year-old history, savor Art Nouveau charm, and embrace the fusion of old and modern Europe.
Best Months to Visit:
April -September
Sigulda
Sigulda is a small town some 50 kilometers from Riga in the central region of Latvia called Vidzeme. It’s a popular tourist attraction not because of the city itself but because of the stunning views of Gauja National Park.
Gauja National Park is the oldest national park in Latvia. It is also one of the most beautiful places to visit in Latvia, attracting many local and foreign visitors. Sigulda is a popular destination for day trips from Riga.
It is a perfect place for hiking on numerous hiking trails or taking a memorable kayaking or canoeing trip in the beautiful Gauja River.
You may also be lucky to enjoy stunning autumn colors in Sigulda if you come here in mid-October. A must-visit is also the Turaida Museum-Reserve in the nearby Turaida town.
Here, you can have breathtaking postcard views from the top of the tower and plenty of facts about Latvian history and traditions.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Various winter sports and bungee jumping
Cave retreats
What Is It?
Nestled along the Gauja River, Sigulda, dubbed the 'Switzerland of Vidzeme,' boasts reddish Devonian sandstone formations and caves.
Why Go?
Escape to Sigulda's tranquility, just 50 km from Riga. Marvel at Gauja National Park's beauty, offering hikes, kayaking, and vibrant autumn hues.
Best Months to Visit:
June -August
Cēsis
Cesis is a small but charming town less than 100 kilometers from Riga. It is almost as old as Riga. Its medieval castle and rich history are what draw people here, but not only that.
Many exciting cultural events are being held in Cesis during summertime. Besides, guess what? This town is again in the stunning Gauja National Park. Just a short drive outside the city, you will see unique, impressive sandstone cliffs at the banks of the Gauja River.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Guided tours of the historic Cesis Castle
Various hiking trails and iconic table at the Gauja National Park
What Is It?
Cēsis, a historic Latvian town, boasts a meticulously planned medieval center with remnants of the Livonian Order's castle and fortified walls.
Why Go?
Step into the heart of Latvia's history in Cesis Town. Marvel at the medieval castle, immerse in cultural events, and explore the breathtaking Gauja National Park surroundings.
Best Months to Visit:
June -mid-August
Jūrmala
Jurmala is the closest and most convenient place to go from Riga if you are looking to spend some time on a beach and enjoy all the benefits of civilization at the same time. Jurmala is just 25 kilometers from Riga but stretches along the Gulf of Riga for 32 kilometers.
The significant part of spending time on a Latvian beach is that you can be technically in a city and nature simultaneously.
A stretch of coastal pine forest separates the beach from housing and anything else in Jurmala. Isn’t this great? Jurmala is also one of the few places in Latvia where you can have long walks on the beach and even take long bike rides. The sand is flat and stiff enough for riding a bike here during the summer.
Jurmala is a resort. It shines with historical wooden summer houses, modern, expensive private homes, and lux apartment buildings.
You can also stop at restaurants or cafes on the famous Jomas walking street or have a beer in any summer tents on the beach.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Wellness retreats that offer various treatments
Various cultural sites
What Is It?
Jūrmala, a Latvian coastal gem, comprises a string of resorts boasting sandy beaches and a rich spa tradition dating back to the 18th century.
Why Go?
Escape to Jurmala, just 25 km from Riga. A beach haven blending city comforts with nature's serenity. Pines, a cycling-friendly shore, historic charm, and seaside indulgence await.
Best Months to Visit:
June -August
Ķemeri National Park
Kemeri National Park is another national park that is close to Riga. Some 40 minutes of driving by car to the West (or an hour by train if you wish) will bring you to a stunning bogland area. The famous Great Bog and its boardwalk attract many visitors.
You won’t see such well-preserved raised bog habitats anywhere else in Europe except for other places in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.
There is more than that. You can also have a boat, a Standup Paddle Board (SUP), or a fishing trip in Lake Kaieris.
Or you may end up walking in the wooded dunes, breathing the fresh air of the coastal pine forest, and soaking in the sun on the beautiful, uncrowded white sand beach of the Gulf of Riga.
Just don’t forget to buy a traditional Latvian smoked fish in any fishing village on your way. These are all excellent places with strange names for foreigners, like Bigauciems, Lapmežciems, Ragaciems, and Klapkalnciems.
These places have complex names but tasty fish snacks if you love them.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Ragaciems Market offers the famous smoked fish
Multiple guide services are available
What Is It?
Ķemeri National Park, Latvia's third-largest, spans 381.65 km² west of Jūrmala. Established in 1997, it boasts dense forests, the iconic Great Ķemeri Bog, former Littorina Sea lagoons, and therapeutic mineral springs.
Why Go?
Escape to Latvia's Kemeri National Park, a hidden gem near Riga. Wander the Great Bog's unique boardwalk, explore tranquil Lake Kaieris, and savor smoked fish in charming fishing villages.
Best Months to Visit:
August -October
Liepāja
Liepaja is the third biggest city in Latvia worth special attention. It is on the far south-west coast of Latvia, and it takes some three hours to get there from Riga by car (alternatively, you can take an inland flight or train).
Liepaja is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Latvia if you have more time than just a few days in or near Riga. We call it the city where “the wind is born,” and not without a reason.
It is primarily windy, but it has one of Latvia’s most comprehensive and most beautiful beaches, with white sand that feels like silk on your skin. If the weather becomes too windy, you can hide in the dunes.
This is a luxury you will not find everywhere. Liepaja is a cozy city with predominantly wooden houses in its historical center. The town and the beach are rarely too crowded.
Just 10 – 20 minutes to the city’s South, you will find pure wilderness: Nature Reserve “Bernati.” It has a gorgeous beach and many cozy places to stay. Just be sure to book in advance.
Go more to the South, and it gets even wilder. There is a fantastic nature park of Lake Pape – an excellent place for birdwatchers and all kinds of nature lovers.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Multiple historical sites showing Art Nouveau architecture
Visit Karosta Prison built by the Russians
What Is It?
Liepāja, a key Latvian city on the Baltic Sea, is renowned as the 'City where the wind is born.' Its historical significance includes a 19th-century seaside retreat, a wind farm, and the Karosta complex.
Why Go?
Liepaja, Latvia's vibrant coastal gem, beckons with its wide, silky beach. Embrace the wind, explore the historic city, and discover tranquil spots like Bernati Nature Reserve and wild Lake Pape.
Best Months to Visit:
July -August
Cape Kolka
Kolka Cape is a peak attraction for visitors in the remote Slitere National Park – the wildest national park in Latvia. Kolka Cape is where the Gulf of Riga (which we call the “Small Sea” here) meets the open Baltic Sea (the “Big Sea”). It’s in the north-west part of Latvia, and it takes about two hours to get there from Riga.
The wind, water, and streams may play tricks here, and the shape of the Kolka Cape is ever-changing. The waves from the Small Sea overlap with the ones from the Big Sea.
It’s beautiful. Just don’t swim here! It’s dangerous because of the loose sand and underwater streams.
On a sunny and warm day, you can walk a couple of kilometers away from the cape to the open Baltic Sea or the Gulf of Riga. Here, you can safely enjoy a refreshing dip in neither salty nor warm water.
Yet it is okay to swim on hot summer days (well, “ok” from a nordic person’s perspective). Did you know that the Baltic Sea is one of the least salty seas in the World? The Gulf of Riga is almost like a big lake.
While Kolka Cape is pretty famous in the summer, all the other places in Slitere National Park are wild and secluded. You will find ancient, pristine forests, superb, secluded beaches, and tranquillity here.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Nearby parks for exploration and relaxation
What Is It?
Cape Kolka, nestled on Latvia's Courland Peninsula, marks the north-western edge of the Gulf of Riga.
Why Go?
At Latvia's Kolka Cape, witness nature's drama as the Gulf of Riga meets the vast Baltic Sea—Marvel at ever-changing landscapes and secluded beaches in the untamed Slitere National Park.
Best Months to Visit:
June -September
Jūrkalne
Jurkalne’s Steep Coast is spectacular. Jurkalne is at least two and a half hours’ drive from Riga. Yet, it is worth going there or stopping by if you are traveling along the western coast of Latvia.
Jurkalne itself is a tiny village. There are only some guesthouses to stay there. However, you can easily find accommodation and great places to eat in Ventspils port city to the North or the fantastic Pavilosta fishing village to the South of Jurkalne.
These both are just about half an hour’s drive from Jurkalne, very different and great places to stay with splendid sandy beaches at the Baltic Sea.
Like the whole Latvian coastline, Jurkalne is a part of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route. There are at least five reasons why hiking in Latvia is the ultimate experience for nature lovers.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Nearby hotels and cottages for tourists Various restaurants serving local and fresh seafood
What Is It?
Jūrkalne is a picturesque village on Latvia's Baltic coast. Known for the stunning Jūrkalne Steep Coast, it offers a tranquil escape with guesthouses.
Why Go?
Jūrkalne's Steep Coast, a Baltic gem, captivates with its rugged beauty. A scenic drive from Riga leads to this tranquil village, offering unique stays and coastal hikes.
Best Months to Visit:
June - August
Kuldiga, Kandava, and Sabile
It is easy to fall in love with the charming and cozy Kuldīga town in the western part of Latvia – Kurzeme. It has a stunning, well-preserved medieval town center, delicious places to eat, a historic stone bridge on the Venta River, and the wides waterfall in Europe – Ventas Rumba (Venta Rapid).
While being the widest, Ventas Rumba is not the highest waterfall. It is just about 2 meters high. There are also great swimming spots in the Venta River if you happen to be here on a sunny and warm summer day.
Visit Kuldīga in spring, and you may be lucky to witness local fish called vimba jumping in Venta rapid on its way to spawning places. Kuldīga is not the only beautiful medieval town to visit in Kurzeme.
Kandava and Sabile are smaller but no less charming places in the beautiful Abava River Valley.
Kandava is a tranquil town with a history that dates back to 1230. It has a cozy old town center and great views from the castle hill. Kandava is also a great place to start a kayaking or canoeing trip on the beautiful Abava River.
Sabile is another small town mentioned in the Guinness Records Book as the northernmost vineyard in the World. While you can get traditional wine from grapes in Sabile, a local wine made of fruits or cider is probably better.
Sabile Wine Hill ascends above the town with a gorgeous view of the Abava River Valley and I would definitely recommend climbing it!
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Kuldiga Castle and other historical sites
Famous vineyard with fruit wines
What Is It?
Kuldiga, Kandava, and Sabile are small but charming towns in Latvia. Boasting a rich history, these towns have been standing since medieval times.
Why Go?
Discover medieval Latvia in Kuldīga with Europe's widest waterfall, Ventas Rumba. Kayak in Kandava's historic charm or savor fruit wines overlooking the Abava River in Sabile. Uncover Latvia's medieval allure.
Best Months to Visit:
May -July
Rundāle Palace Museum
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Latvia is Rundale Palace. It is a Baroque-style palace some 80 kilometers south of Riga and worth mentioning on its own.
The Italian architect Franchesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed this wonder and was built at the beginning of the 18th century. He was also the author of the famous Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg.
The palace has a spectacular interior and a beautiful park. Classic day tours are organized to Rundale, but you can also go there by car.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Guided Tours that give extensive history lessons
Multiple restored gardens
What Is It?
Rundāle Palace, a Latvian baroque masterpiece, was constructed in two phases. Under the supervision of Bartolomeo Rastrelli, it embodies opulent stucco decorations and a rich history.
Why Go?
Step into grandeur at Latvia's Rundale Palace, a Baroque masterpiece by architect Rastrelli. Admire its opulent 18th-century design, and exquisite interiors, and stroll through the enchanting surrounding park.
Best Months to Visit:
May -September
Aglona
Let’s move to Eastern Latvia or Latgale now. Latgale is a region with a unique culture and even language. Aglona is a local and even regional place of pilgrimage.
Two visits of different popes alone say a lot about the importance of this place for Catholics. Basilica of the Assumption is the main highlight there.
Yet Aglona is not only about the church. Its natural surroundings are nothing less than spectacular. Eastern Latvia is rich with beautiful lakes, so we also call it the “land of blue lakes.” Therefore, Latgale is also a place for fantastic kayaking and canoeing trips.
You may cruise several lakes in a row here, and each one is different. The open waters and the wild islands make the landscapes, boating trips, and camping experiences unforgettable here.
Finally, the Museum of Bread in Aglona and Latgalian cuisine are worth some attention, too. Your taste buds will thank you for that.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Nature parks
Spa hotels offering a relaxing retreat
What Is It?
Aglona, Latvia, nestled between lakes Cirišs and Egles, is famed for its picturesque scenery and the Basilica of the Assumption, Latvia's foremost Catholic church.
Why Go?
Embark on a Latvian journey to Aglona, a picturesque pilgrimage adorned with the grand Basilica of the Assumption.
Best Months to Visit:
September -November
Daugava River
Daugava is the biggest river in Latvia. It starts in Russia, crosses Belarus, and its last 365 kilometers are in Latvia. Latvians also call Daugava the river of destiny.
It is essential in Latvian traditions, literature, culture, and the economy. River’s beautiful meanders remind us about many changes in Latvia’s history and our lives. Yet Daugava is also an attractive travel destination.
The river looks very different in Riga city compared to its surroundings near the Latvian border with Belarus and the second biggest Latvian city, Daugavpils.
Nature park “Daugavas Loki” (Meanders of Daugava River) is a gorgeous place in the southeast region of Latvia. It attracts travelers looking for magnificent natural scenery.
Visiting the fantastic viewpoints on the river banks is a perfect way to enjoy nature and the Latvian countryside. Also, kayaking, canoeing, or driving along the Daugava’s riverbank is a memorable experience.
By Rolands Ratfelders. He crafts travel plans, and you can hire him as the local nature tour guide in Latvia at his own small ecotourism company, “i-D?” Adventures.
Pros
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Cons
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Facilities
Various water sports like kayaking and canoeing
Multiple historical sites and walking trails along the river
What Is It?
The Daugava River, spanning 1,020 km through Russia, Belarus, and Latvia, winds westward, shaping Latvia's capital, Riga.
Why Go?
Embark on Daugava's journey through Latvia, a river steeped in destiny. Witness its diverse landscapes, from Riga's urban allure to the scenic meanders in the southeast.
Best Months to Visit:
May -August
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Becky Moore – Owner, writer and photographer
My first true adventure began as a six-month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh-faced backpacker and ever since I’ve lived a semi-nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. I’m a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in the warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds, and all things Scandinavian – from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, you’ll find me walking my ex-Athens street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Borneo, Finland, Greece, Berlin, Laos, California and the surreal and beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland.
Hotel Reviewing Experience – published hotel review in the 52 Sleeps Book organised by Laterooms.com and Lonely Planet. Asked by over 12 tourist boards and many high-profile travel brands to formally review hotels including Germany Tourist Board, Canada Tourist Board, Eviivo, France.fr, Visitoostende.be, Live Riga and Queensland Tourist Board. Also travelled around the world scouting out and reviewing all the most unique hotels in the world, check out our Instagram page for photos.
I’ve also been quoted in Forbes, National Geographic, The Times, LA Weekly, Yahoo Travel, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Thrillist, British Airways Magazine, Entrepreneur, Daily Express, Wanderlust, Telegraph Travel, Daily Mail and Metro. Winner of Travel Blog of the Year. Find me on Linkedin or Facebook.
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