In the heart of the Baltic region, Latvia enchants with its elegant capital, blonde-sand beaches and a forested hinterland dotted with castles, wooden villages and shimmering lakes. UNESCO-listed Riga blends a medieval core with one of Europe’s finest collections of art nouveau façades, plus an inventive culinary scene. Just outside the city, Jūrmala stretches a ribbon of soft sand lined with graceful timber villas, while the national parks — Gauja, Ķemeri and Slītere — offer forest hikes, bog-boardwalks, sandstone cliffs and sweeping viewpoints over the Gauja Valley.
Latvia is ideal for an easy, nature-forward trip: canoeing and cycling in the parks; the castles of Sigulda and Cēsis; Rundāle’s baroque palace; the quiet lanes of Kuldīga (and Ventas Rumba waterfall); wild capes like Kolka; maritime ports with Baltic character (Liepāja, Ventspils); and Latgale’s lake country. Distances are short, welcomes are warm, and it’s simple to combine a Riga city break with seaside escapes and forest immersion in just a few days.
🗺️ Practical information about Latvia
📍 Capital: Riga
👥 Population: Around 1.9 million inhabitants
💶 Currency: Euro (€)
🗣️ Official language: Latvian (English widely spoken in cities; Russian present)
⏰ Time zone: UTC +2 (winter) / UTC +3 (summer)
🌡️ Climate: Cool Baltic/continental — cold winters; mild, bright summers
🛬 Getting there & around: Flights to Riga (RIX); bus/rail links with Tallinn & Vilnius; seasonal ferries on some routes
🏛️ Highlights: Riga (UNESCO old town & art nouveau district), Jūrmala, Gauja National Park (Sigulda, Cēsis, Turaida), Ķemeri (bog boardwalks), Kuldīga & Ventas Rumba, Rundāle Palace, Cape Kolka, Slītere, Latgale (lakes), Liepāja & Ventspils
🏨 Find a good hotel in Latvia
Whether your itinerary focuses on Riga, the Baltic coast, national parks or the lake district, you’ll find boutique hotels, wooden guesthouses and nature retreats with great value. 🌟 See the best hotels in Latvia to compare offers, reviews and prices for your travel dates.
🗺️ Articles about Latvia
Below, you’ll find our selection of articles about Latvia, followed by the latest posts, to help you plan your trip and explore the country’s most beautiful places.