Latvia – Travel Guide
Latvia is a dynamic and evolving tourist destination, offering a fascinating combination of natural beauty, diverse culture, and intriguing heritage. Explore its majestic rivers, rolling hills, and lush forests. Sink into the crystal-clear waters of the Baltic Sea, and explore the stunning beaches and quaint seaside towns. Taste the delicious locally-sourced cuisine, featuring fresh ingredients and traditional flavors. Let your curiosity and imagination take you deep into the wonders of Latvia.
All about Latvia
Latvia FAQ
What is Latvia known for?
Latvia is famous for its culture and traditions. The country has a culture that is unique but that also has been influenced by its neighboring countries and in particular Russia. There is also a Germanic influence that began with the Teutonic Knights and continued with German invasions in both WWI and WWII. The Russians controlled Latvia and the Baltic States during both world wars and the period beginning in 1944 to 1991.
Latvia and the Baltic States have a love for singing and dancing. Latvia is famous for choir singing competitions that bring people to Latvia every year.
The forest and folklore play an important part in village life throughout Latvia. The celebration of Janis, the first day of summer solstice is a tradition that is a must to visit.
Family traditions are very important. Anyone who has taken part in a Latvian wedding for example would tell you that it is an experience that you will not likely forget.
There are castles and palaces but Sigulda Forest and Jurmala on the Baltic Sea are famous places that most people travel to. And Riga, the capital, is a famous medieval city with a lot of city.
What are the best places to visit in Latvia?
Your adventures will likely start in Latvia`s capital, Riga. The city is by no means big, but it is incredibly beautiful with impressive art nouveau architecture, winding, medieval streets, and a ton of history to discover.
Aside from the historical wonders of the capital city Riga, Latvia boasts ancient castles, stunning valleys and miles of beaches. Just 20 minutes outside of Riga is the seaside resort of Jurmala offers a vibrant life of beaching and unique spas. Also within easy reach of the capital is the palace of Rundale, while those wanting to get some beach time in should head to the port city of Ventspils. In the scenic Gauja Valley, the attraction small towns of Sigulda and Cesis can both be used as a great base for hiking, biking, canoeing and all your outdoor pursuits.
How many days should I spend in Latvia?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Latvia?
Riga has plentiful and cheap public transport. Buy train tickets in advance: stations have separate windows for long-distance (starpilsetu) and suburban (pirpilsetu) trains. Long-distance services are divided into `passenger` (pasazieru vilciens) and `fast` (atrs) – both are quite slow but the latter, usually requiring a reservation, stops at fewer places. On timetable boards, look for atiet (departure) or pienak (arrival). Check train timetables online at ldz.lv.
Buses are slightly quicker than trains, though slightly more expensive. Buy long-distance tickets in advance from the ticket counter and opt for an express (ekspresis) bus if possible.
A new BalticBike borrowing system (www.balticbike.lv) allows you to pick up and drop off bicycles from various points around Riga and Jurmala for about €1.50 per hour. Cycling is a particularly good way of getting around the resort areas and small towns.
What is the currency of Latvia?
The currency of Latvia is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport.
Do people speak English in Latvia?
Latvian Is the national language. About 50% of people speak Russian, and the other half, for the most part, speak Latvian. English is widely spoken by younger people and by people in the tourism industry. German is also commonly spoken by tour guides. We suggest you get a good English-Latvian guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit Latvia
Latvia has cold winters, and mild summers with 16 to 17 hours of daylight. July – August is the best time to visit if you plan to enjoy the sea. Spring and autumn bring bird migrations with geese, ducks, and divers overtaking much of the western shoreline as well as the wetlands and forests inland.
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The country can be cool and wet, and somewhat susceptible to weather fluctuations, and sometimes experiencing extreme cold snaps. Read on to find out more about the season in Latvia.
Winter (December – March)
The winter months (mid-December – March) brings wet, mild weather and lots of snow. The country has flat terrain, making it a great place for cross-country skiing. Although there are no high mountains in Latvia, the country has multiple ski slopes. And in particularly cold winter, the sea freezes over resulting in incredible ice sculptures and pressure ridges. Ice fishing is a popular pastime in Latvia during the winter.
The winter is considered the off-season, but there is one small peak in tourism on Christmas and New Year. If you want to feel the real Christmas spirit, enjoy amazing decorations and visit Christmas markets, then the best time to visit Latvia, especially Riga, is definitely in the winter during the holiday season. Another remarkable experience in the winter months is taking a sauna after spending some time in the cold. During the winter when the weather is cold, sauna going is very popular in Latvia.
Events and Festivals
– December Solstice (Season) – Dec 21
– December 25 – Christmas
– Second Day of Christmas (National Holiday) – Dec 26
– January 1 – New Year’s Day
– Valentine’s Day – Feb 14.
Spring (April – June)
The weather in early spring is damp, with temperatures only reaching highs in the low 40’s F. This is a slow season, which means it is a great time to save money and avoid huge tourist crowds. Later in spring (late April and beginning of June), the air temperatures increase to high 60’s F.
The spring is often accompanied by significant flooding as Latvian rivers overflow. The high water level in the rivers, however, is the best time for boating. The Amata is one of the fastest rivers great for boating, while Gauja River is the most popular with boaters. Spring is also a great time for bird watchers as flocks of migrating birds fly over Latvia. The spring is the time when lilacs bloom beautifully all over the country.
Events and Festivals
– Easter Sunday – April 1
– Easter Monday – April 2
– Labor Day/May Day (National Holiday) – May 1
– Independence Restoration Day – May 4
– Mother’s Day (Observance) – May 13.
Summer (July – September)
The summer in Latvia starts in late-June and continues until September. The average temperature is around mid to high 60’s F, but on some days it may rise to the mid 80’s F in the latter half of the summer. Cloudy skies are still here in the summer, however, due to the wet air and cloudy sky, it is generally warm and nights are comfortably cool.
The summer is a perfect time to go on a tour of the Baltic Sea shoreline and enjoy the sandy beaches. This is also a great time for cycling and all outdoor activities and adventures. The summer brings many lively festivals and various other events.
Events and Festivals
– June Solstice (Season) – June 21
– Midsummer Eve (National holiday) – June 23
– Midsummer Day (National holiday) – June 24.
Autumn (October – November)
The transition from warm weather to cold is a very long-time transition in Latvia, which takes place from the middle of September until the beginning of December. Temperature decreases from 50° F to low 30’s °F day by day during all this period. The weather transitions from sunny days to rainy days in late fall. November generally is when you’ll see the first snowfall here. During the golden autumn period, the foliage turns colorful red, orange, and golden across Latvia.
Autumn is considered a shoulder season in Latvia, when many visitors come, even in the late November season. This is a great time to visit the National parks that offer particularly stunning views of the colorful treetops. Autumn is also the hunting season, when a great variety of game can be hunted throughout the country. This is also a great time to visit the old castles. In the capital city of Riga, the Latvian National Opera and Ballet opens its new season in autumn. There are numerous cozy cafes where you can enjoy seeking refuge from the cold, and great restaurants offering up hearty meals.
Events and Festivals
– Father’s Day (Observance) – Sept 9
– Halloween – Oct 31
– Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day (National Holiday) – Nov 18
– Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day observed – Nov 19.
Tipping in Latvia
The questions “when?” and “how much?” can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these “tips” will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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Tipping in Latvia
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use the Euro?
The official currency in Latvia is the Euro. The symbol used for this currency is €, and it is abbreviated as EUR. Check OANDA for latest exchange rates (https://www1.oanda.com/currency/converter/).
US Dollars and other major currencies can be easily exchanged locally in banks or bureaux de change or prior to departure. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops. Use of American Express is not as common.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
You should check to see if service is included on the bill. If it isn’t then you should tip 10% for good service.
Tipping bartenders isn’t expected, you may see a tip jar on the counter to throw change in though. If the service was really good, you can leave up to 10%.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping hotel staff isn’t common or expected.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Tipping a taxi driver isn’t common or expected. You can round up to the nearest Euro to make things easier and it is generally appreciated.
Final Thoughts:
Tipping isn’t very common in Latvia, so don’t feel the need to tip while you travel around the country. As a rule of thumb, you can leave 10% if you received good service and it is always appreciated.
Top cities in Latvia
What to expect while traveling
