Latvia, one of the less frequently mentioned countries of the Baltic region. Nevertheless, it deserves a visit due to its nature and wonderful cities.
Latvia is the middle country of the Baltic region: located south of Estonia and north of Lithuania on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Besides the diversity of natural values, Latvian culture, the tradition of song festivals, the rich heritage of folk music and folk dance, as well as the distinctive architectural styles attract visitors.
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Best places in Latvia
Riga
Latvia’s capital and largest city is located on the banks of the Daugava River.
As the largest city in the Baltic States, Riga is a cultural, economic, and historical center where medieval atmosphere meets modern metropolitan life. Its most outstanding treasure is the Old Town, part of the UNESCO World Heritage, where colorful, narrow streets, medieval churches, and merchant houses can be found.
The Dome Square and the monumental Riga Cathedral are located in the heart of the city, which is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a famous concert venue with one of its largest organs. Riga’s Art Nouveau district is known worldwide, where more than 700 Art Nouveau buildings can be found, thanks to the work of Albert Janowski and Mikhail Eisenstein.
Rundāle Palace
The magnificent baroque castle referred to as the „Versailles of Latvia” is located in the southern part of the country, near Bauska. The aristocratic residence built in the 18th century is one of Latvia’s most impressive historical buildings.
The castle was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Italian architect of the Russian imperial court, who also created the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The castle’s 138 rooms preserve stunning gilding, painted ceilings, period furniture, and artistic creations that maintain the once luxurious lifestyle of the Baltic nobility. Its most spectacular rooms are the Golden Room and the White Room, whose richly decorated stucco ceilings and walls represent unique artistic value.
The castle is surrounded by a 10-hectare French-style baroque garden, which with its rose garden, fountains, and geometric design forms an integral part of the castle complex. The rose garden is home to more than 2,400 rose varieties, making it one of the largest such collections in Europe. In summer, the park hosts special musical events and costumed performances that bring 18th-century court life to life.
Jūrmala
Latvia’s most popular seaside resort is just 25 kilometers from Riga.
The nearly 33-kilometer-long white sandy beach and special pine forests create a unique microclimate. The beach is wide with shallow water, making it particularly popular with families.
Jūrmala is actually a chain of smaller settlements that have merged over the years. The most famous part of the city is Majori, where the vibrant pedestrian street, Jomas iela, is located with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops.
The city is also famous for its characteristic wooden architecture; the carved wooden villas from the 19th and early 20th centuries preserve the style of the elite vacation homes of Tsarist Russia. It is also known as a historic spa resort due to its local therapeutic mud and mineral water springs, where numerous modern spas and wellness centers await visitors.
Gauja National Park
Latvia’s largest and oldest national park is often referred to as „Latvian Switzerland” due to its picturesque river valleys and hills.
The park’s main natural value is the Gauja Valley, which is Latvia’s deepest and most spectacular river valley. Along the winding path of the river, sandstone rocks, caves, and spectacular gorges have formed over the millennia. The Zvārte Rock is one of the most well-known formations. The park contains more than 500 historical and archaeological monuments, including castles, churches, and ruins of medieval towns.
The national park provides excellent terrain for active recreation: kayaking on the Gauja River, cycling on well-developed routes, or hiking on numerous marked trails. In winter, the park becomes a paradise for winter sports, especially around Sigulda.
Daugavpils
Latvia’s second-largest city has been ruled by various powers throughout history – Poles, Russians, Swedes – so it has an extremely diverse cultural heritage.
Its most significant architectural monument is the monumental Daugavpils Fortress, built in the 19th century and one of the largest military structures in Eastern Europe. The fortress now functions as a cultural center, housing museums, galleries, and workshops. Its special value is the Mark Rothko Art Center, which commemorates the world-famous expressionist painter, a native of the city, with original works and interactive exhibitions.
The downtown of Daugavpils boasts elegant 19th-century buildings where different architectural styles – classicist, eclectic, Art Nouveau – can be seen. The city’s ethnic diversity is reflected in its religious buildings: Orthodox and Catholic churches, synagogues, and Old Believer prayer houses are located near each other.
Turaida Castle
The red-brick castle towering in the Gauja River Valley near Sigulda was built in the 13th century to protect the Riga Bishopric. The name „Turaida” means „God’s Garden” in the Livonian language.
The highest point of the medieval castle is the 38-meter main tower, from the top of which a breathtaking panorama opens up to the Gauja Valley and the surrounding forests. The museum exhibition in the castle presents the life of the Livonian knights, medieval warfare, and the history of the castle over the centuries. The Turaida Museum Reserve is located on the castle hill, covering more than 42 hectares, and includes numerous historical buildings, monuments, and archaeological sites.
The Dainu Hill, a sculpture park that represents the world of Latvian folk songs and legends, stretches near the castle. In the center of the park stands the statue of the Rose of Turaida, one of the most well-known figures in Latvian folklore, who has become a symbol of fidelity due to her tragic love story. The medieval wooden church, which is one of Latvia’s oldest wooden architectural monuments and is still a popular wedding venue today, is located on the castle grounds.
Kuldīga
The small town on the banks of the Venta River is one of Latvia’s most charming settlements, where time seems to have stopped in the 17th-18th centuries.
Its main attraction is one of Europe’s widest waterfalls, the Ventas Rumba, which is 249 meters wide, although only 1.8-2 meters high. In summer, it is a special sight when salmon try to jump up the waterfall.
The historical center of the town, with its brick and wooden churches, narrow cobblestone streets, and red-roofed houses, has been preserved as it was built hundreds of years ago. It’s no coincidence that it has served as a filming location for numerous movies.
Slītere National Park
The national park located in the northwestern part of Latvia, on the Kurzeme Peninsula, is one of the most pristine areas of the Baltic Sea coastline.
Its uniqueness is that land, sea, and the Kurzeme Lagoon meet here, encompassing extremely diverse habitats. One of the park’s most unusual natural formations is the „Blue Mountains”, a 20-30 meter high, steep cliff of the former coastline that formed 10,000 years ago.
One of its symbols is the Slītere Lighthouse, built in 1849, which now serves as a lookout tower and museum. It offers a wonderful view of the surrounding forests and the sea.
The Liv Coast, a narrow strip of coast in the northern part of the park, represents a special cultural value: this was the last dwelling place of the ancient Liv people, whose language and culture are an important part of Latvia’s heritage.
Cape Kolka
The northernmost point of Latvia, where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga.
The specialty of Cape Kolka is that under certain weather conditions, the meeting of the waters of the two seas is clearly visible, where waters of different colors and temperatures form a boundary line.
Cēsis Castle
One of Latvia’s oldest and best-preserved medieval castles is located in the picturesque town of Cēsis. The fortress built in the 13th century was the headquarters of the Livonian Order and played an important role in the history of the region.
The castle complex consists of two main parts: the ruins of the medieval knights’ house and the newer, 18th-century mansion. Among the ruins of the old castle, the well-preserved castle chapel, the knights’ hall, and the massive defensive tower are particularly interesting. The Cēsis Historical and Art Museum is located in the newer mansion, presenting comprehensive exhibitions on the history of the castle and the region.
Visiting the castle is a special experience, as visitors can explore the dark castle corridors and cellars with traditional candle lamps, as they did in the Middle Ages.
The town of Cēsis itself is a historical gem, with a medieval street structure, St. John’s Church, and a charming marketplace. The city boasts a rich cultural life, especially in summer, when numerous festivals and cultural events attract visitors.
Liepāja
Latvia’s third-largest city is often called „the city of wind”.
One of its most important attractions is the „Karostas” military prison and fortress, which was built during Tsarist Russia and later functioned as a Soviet military base. Today, this „prison museum” offers a special experience for visitors, who can even spend a night in the austere cells.
The pride of the city is the Holy Trinity Cathedral. With its baroque style and monumental organ – which was the largest organ in the world at its time – it offers an impressive sight. In the „Karosta” district, you can find the former Russian-Orthodox St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, whose golden domes are visible from afar.
The 8-kilometer-long white sandy beach surrounding the city is particularly popular during the summer months, but kiteboard and windsurf enthusiasts visit the windy beach during other times of the year as well.
Rēzekne
The city referred to as the „Heart of Latgale” is an important cultural center of the Latgale region, which is historically, linguistically, and culturally distinct from the rest of Latvia.
The most important symbol of the city is the statue of „Latgale Mary,” also known as „United Latgale” which symbolizes the liberation and reunification of the region. The cityscape is defined by the monumental, red-brick Sacred Heart Cathedral, which is one of the largest Catholic churches in the Baltic States. The Rēzekne Green Synagogue preserves the city’s Jewish heritage, being one of the few synagogues in Latvia that survived World War II.
The Latgale Cultural and Historical Museum provides a comprehensive picture of the region’s rich folk art traditions, ceramics, and folk culture.
Ventspils
One of Latvia’s most important port cities.
One of the pride of the city is Ventspils Castle, which was built in the 13th century for the Livonian Order and now houses the Ventspils Museum. The museum’s interactive exhibitions present the history of the city, maritime trade, and the Baltic-German cultural heritage.
Ventspils pays special attention to the design of public spaces: the city is famous for its flower clock, fountains, and more than 70 unique street cow sculptures that can be found at various points throughout the city.
