Latvia
Riga combines a UNESCO-listed medieval core with some of Europe's richest Art Nouveau streets, while the rest of Latvia is forest, lakes and long, empty Baltic beaches. Add the castles and sandstone cliffs of the Gauja valley, Rundāle's baroque palace and Kuldīga's riverside old town, and it makes an easy, good-value summer trip.
Overview
Latvia sits between Estonia and Lithuania, with nearly 500 km of Baltic coast and more than half its land under forest. Riga, home to roughly a third of the population, is the natural base and the largest city in the Baltic states. A first trip often pairs three days there with day trips to the resort of Jūrmala and Rundāle Palace, then heads north-east into the Gauja valley for Sigulda and medieval Cēsis, or west into Kurzeme for Kuldīga, windswept Cape Kolka and Liepāja. Latgale in the east, with Daugavpils, Catholic Aglona and a scattering of lakes, feels distinct again.
Summer is short but glorious, with sunsets after 10pm in June and towns emptying for the Midsummer holiday. Prices are well below Scandinavia's, and buses reach most places cheaply. Riga draws weekend groups, but walk ten minutes from the old town and the city calms quickly. Outside the capital, guesthouses, saunas and lakeside campsites set a slow pace. It suits city-breakers, cyclists and nature lovers. Visitors are often surprised by Riga's Central Market, housed in former Zeppelin hangars, and by how much Russian is still heard in the capital.
Map of Latvia
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Riga Old Town
Ride the lift up St Peter's Church tower for views over the steep roofs of Vecrīga, then walk past the rebuilt House of the Blackheads, the Three Brothers' medieval houses and the Swedish Gate.
- 2Architecture
Riga's Art Nouveau district
Around a third of central Riga's buildings are Art Nouveau; on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela, Mikhail Eisenstein's façades bristle with screaming masks, sphinxes and peacocks, and a museum shows a restored apartment.
- 3Nature
Gauja National Park
Latvia's oldest national park follows the Gauja river past sandstone cliffs and pine forest; base yourself in Sigulda for Turaida's red-brick castle and the bobsleigh track, or medieval Cēsis for castle ruins and canoeing.
- 4Architecture
Rundāle Palace
Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, architect of St Petersburg's Winter Palace, for Duke Ernst Johann von Biron, this baroque and rococo palace has restored state rooms and formal French-style gardens with a large rose garden.
- 5History
Kuldīga
A UNESCO-listed town of wooden houses and red-tiled roofs on the Venta river, where the Ventas rumba, often called Europe's widest waterfall, spans roughly 250 m; in spring, fish leap the rapid.
Biggest cities
Riga
The Baltic's biggest city: medieval spires, a Central Market in former Zeppelin hangars and street after street of Art Nouveau façades. Allow three days.
Daugavpils
Latvia's second city, near the Lithuanian and Belarusian borders, is largely Russian-speaking; its 19th-century fortress houses the Mark Rothko Art Centre, honouring the painter born here.
Liepāja
A breezy Baltic port with a long white-sand beach, a strong music scene and Karosta, the former naval quarter whose military prison now runs tours.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Latvia
Best time: May–Sep.
Average climate in Riga
Festivals & events
- JunJāņi (Midsummer)
On 23–24 June Latvians head to the countryside to wear oak-leaf and flower crowns, light bonfires, sing folk songs and stay up through the shortest night.
- Jun–JulSong and Dance Festival
Held every five years, next due in 2028: tens of thousands of singers and dancers in folk costume perform in Riga, a tradition recognised by UNESCO.
- DecRiga Christmas Market
Dome Square and Esplanāde fill with stalls of mulled wine, gingerbread and crafts; Riga claims the first decorated Christmas tree, in 1510.
How much does Latvia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Grey peas with bacon
Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi: hearty grey peas fried with smoked bacon and onion, often served with a glass of kefir; a Christmas tradition and canteen staple.
Sklandrausis
Sweet Livonian pie of rye pastry filled with mashed potato and carrot, spiced with cinnamon and protected as a traditional EU speciality.
Rupjmaize
Dense, dark rye bread, slightly sweet and sour, served with almost every meal and turned into a dessert layered with cream and berries.
Getting around
Riga has trams, trolleybuses and buses, and Bolt is the go-to ride-hailing app. Intercity buses from Riga's coach station reach almost everywhere, while trains run to Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis and Daugavpils. In the countryside a hire car makes the Kurzeme coast far easier. Bus 22 runs from the airport to the centre, and Stena Line ferries cross from Ventspils to Nynäshamn, near Stockholm.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 113
- Fire: 112
- Police: 110
- Riga Tourist Police: +371 6718 1818
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +371
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Around 10% is normal in restaurants with table service if not already on the bill; round up taxi fares and leave small change in cafés.
- Etiquette
- Latvians can seem reserved at first but are warm hosts. Bring an odd number of flowers, as even numbers are for funerals, and take your shoes off in people's homes.
- Main airports
- Riga International Airport (RIX), Riga
Visas & entry for Latvia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Latvia, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Latvia are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- RabiesTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Latvia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Wed 18 Nov 2026 | Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day |
| Thu 24 Dec 2026 | Christmas Eve |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Second Day of Christmas |
| Thu 31 Dec 2026 | New Year's Eve |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Constitutional Assembly Convocation Day · Labour Day |
| Tue 4 May 2027 | Restoration of Independence Day |
| Sun 9 May 2027 | Mother's Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Pentecost |
| Wed 23 Jun 2027 | Midsummer Eve |
| Thu 24 Jun 2027 | Midsummer Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Latvian
| English | Latvian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Labdien | LAHB-dee-en |
| Thank you | Paldies | PAHL-dee-es |
| Please | Lūdzu | LOOD-zoo |
| Excuse me | Atvainojiet | AHT-vai-noh-yee-et |
| How much is this? | Cik tas maksā? | tsik tahs MAHK-sah |
Know before you go
- Start conversations in Latvian or English rather than Russian: although Russian is widely understood, especially in Riga and Latgale, language remains a sensitive subject.
- Riga's Old Town fills with stag parties on summer weekends; for quieter evenings stay in the Art Nouveau quarter or the Quiet Centre (Klusais centrs).
- Book early for Midsummer (23–24 June): many shops, restaurants and museums close for the holiday while much of the country heads to the countryside.
Latvia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Latvia?
The best time to visit Latvia is generally May–Sep. Peak months are June, July and August. Average highs in Riga range from -1°C to 23°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Latvia cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £100 mid-range and £200+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Latvia?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Latvia use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Latvia?
Traffic drives on the right in Latvia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Latvia?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Latvia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Latvia, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Latvia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/latvia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Latvia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Rabies and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
