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A place to belong

Visit Latvia

One visit, lifelong memories

An authentic slice of life

Latvia’s rich heritage and history are on full display everywhere you turn. Not as relics, but as a core element of our cultural identity, which continue to permeate our everyday life. From the medieval Old Town of Riga with its iconic Gothic spires of half-a-millenia-old churches to charming seaside fishing towns with babbling local markets and fairs, in Latvia, life runs at a different pace. Whether you’re seeking to experience the culture-rich buzz of a thriving European metropolis or find peace and quiet in a secluded cottage in one of the world’s greenest countries – everything’s possible and accessible in Latvia.

  • With well over a third of Latvia’s population living in the capital, it’s the beating heart of Latvian culture in all its forms. The city’s many museums, galleries and theaters showcase the work of both local and international artists – the Latvian National Museum of Art boasts more than 52,000 works. Highlights on the Riga culture calendar include the Riga International Film Festival, Riga Fashion week, and Riga Opera Festival, as well as a never-ending stream of classical, pop, and alternative music concerts.

  • That’s according to star chef Jamie Oliver’s blog. Locally sourced, seasonal, and flavorful, Latvian cuisine is the product of an agrarian lifestyle paired with the country’s long history as a trade crossroads. Latvians are also masters of pickling, smoking, and fermenting – there are unique discoveries to be made by even the most tenured gastronomes.

  • Latvians like to stay connected. 99% of the country is covered in a speedy and stable 4G internet connection and there are thousands of public wireless internet points available, with more than 2,200 free WiFi points in Riga alone. Stream your adventures from the middle of nowhere or plan a corporate workation getaway to a secluded oasis without having to worry about connectivity.

Here is how you can experience Latvian history

History is always at arm’s length, whether you’re wandering the medieval streets of Old Town or exploring unique cuisine in a charming village.

  • Get an unfiltered experience, as you wander through Riga’s historic cobblestone streets lined with quaint wooden houses and stunning Art Nouveau architecture.
  • Touch tradition at local fairs, where artisans showcase the fruits of their craft and generational heritage.
  • Rejuvenate in a mineral-rich therapeutic mud bath or let the stress melt away in a traditional Latvian sauna, just like our ancestors used to.
  • Trek through the wild Latvian woodlands and you’re likely to bump into abandoned WWII bunkers and trenches.
  • Or go for a swim in the ruins of a derelict naval base at Liepāja.

Experience the great outdoors like never before

Half the country is covered in forest. More than a quarter of the border is made up of public white-sand beaches. Add to that 2,000 lakes, 12,000 rivers, four national parks, 42 nature parks, and 260 nature reserves, and you’ll understand why outdoors enthusiasts love getting lost in these unspoiled green & blue landscapes.

Whether it’s for a day or a week, solo or with family, to unwind or to discover new horizons, Latvian nature is the answer to all your wants and needs. Latvia’s sizzling summers and freezing winters allows for a diverse line-up of activities year-round. Go ice skating on the same lake you swam in to cool off during summer. As the days get longer, trade cozy pubs for garden parties and solstice festivities. Or find warmth in the Latvian National Opera when the snow arrives.

Something for every season

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Unmissable events

If you find yourself in Latvia in late June and early July, then you’re in for a treat. In Latvian culture, there are two events that are nothing short of sacred and are celebrated accordingly.

 

Jāņi – a Latvian Midsummer’s night celebration

Perhaps the most important and popular celebration in Latvia, Jāņi is a festival marking the summer solstice and a unique opportunity to step right into the heart of Latvian culture. It’s a national holiday, with roots dating back to ancient pagan times, held annually on June 23-24.

Join locals in toasting the new season with song, dance, bonfires, and an abundance of seasonal food and drink, while observing ancient folk traditions relating to renewal and fertility.

Did you know, that...

It’s customary to spend Jāņi awake.

Those who sleep through the night will sleep all summer, or so the ancient beliefs say.

Latvian Song and Dance festival

The Latvian Song and Dance Festival

Recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is one of the world’s largest amateur choral and dancing events, with more than 40,000 performers.

The Festival dates back to 1873 and is held once every five years. The most recent Song and Dance Festival took place in 2018, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Latvian independence, and featured 65 events and attracted an estimated 500,000 visitors.

Your favorite musician’s favorite destination

In Latvia, music is appreciated in all its forms. And music, in all its forms, appreciates Latvia – for its scenic venues, passionate music lovers, and cozy vibes. From massive pop festivals to underground metal concerts, there’s something for every taste.

Latvia’s premier festival event – Positivus – is the crown jewel and has earned the title of Best Festival in Europe by The Festival Guide. Every year around mid-July, Positivus surprises its audiences with a diverse star-studded lineup and has featured the likes of Muse, Nick Cave, Sigur Rós, Sinéad O’Connor, A$AP Rocky, and Megan Thee Stallion, among many others.

Other notable festivals include Skaņu Mežs (The Sound Forest) and Rīgas Ritmi (The Rhytms of Riga) – the latter a must-attend for jazz lovers.

If weekend-long festivals aren’t your scene, you can still find your favorite musicians in Latvia’s unique venues throughout the year. Mellow out to Placebo in the castle ruins of Sigulda, roar with Imagine Dragons in the historic Mežaparks, or sing along with Ed Sheeran on an island right in the heart of Riga.

A backpacker’s dream – and what cities to visit

Traveling within Latvia is safe and affordable. Cheap public transport alongside punctual and frequent intercity trains and buses will get you wherever you need to go comfortably and safely. You can reach most destinations for just a couple of Euro, and even the longest cross-country trips come in at under €10.

If you prefer a personal vehicle for traveling, you’ll find ample mobility options – from traditional rentals to short-term app-based ones – for everything including cars, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, and more.

But where should you go?

© gadag, Shutterstock

Sigulda

1h 15min from Riga by train or bus

Bus ticket price: €2.90

Train ticket price: €2.10

Sigulda’s endless natural attractions have made it a hot favorite destination for local and visiting families, sports enthusiasts, and even artists. Cycle, hike, climb, paddle, bungee jump, paint, and relax – and do it all among castles and castle ruins, spectacular nature, and mesmerizing views.

Visit Sigulda
© Sproģis

Liepāja

3h 30min from Riga by bus

Bus ticket price: €8.65

Known as the city where the wind is born, Liepāja is the third largest city in Latvia and has much to offer in terms of culture, attractions, and nature. Karosta, Dzintara concert hall, and Liepāja’s wide beaches all deserve a visit.

Liepāja has been selected to be the European Capital of Culture in 2027.

Visit Liepāja
Ventas Rumba, Jānis Šmits © stock.adobe.com

Kuldīga

3h from Riga by bus

Bus ticket price: €6.55

Kuldīga is a small, charming town that finds itself next to the widest waterfall in Europe. It’s one of the most popular destinations among locals for the quaint atmosphere, local cuisine, and beautiful sights that never get old.

Visit Kuldīga

Cēsis

1h 50min from Riga by train or bus

Bus ticket price: €4.25

Train ticket price: €3.70

Cēsis is among the oldest cities in Latvia. Dive into its rich history, swing a sword at a medieval festival, attend contemporary art exhibitions in its Castle park, or get lost in nearby gorgeous nature with luscious forests and rolling hills.

Visit Cēsis
© Alvits Grīvnieks

Alūksne

4h 30min from Riga by bus

Bus ticket price: €9

The soul of Vidzeme, Alūksne’s beautiful lakes, museums, historic manors, and nature trails with tall observation towers will leave travelers spellbound.

Visit Alūksne

How to get to Latvia

  • The Riga International Airport (RIX) – the largest in the Baltics – servicing more than 8 million travelers annually, with direct connections between more than 35 countries.

    Latvia’s national airline airBaltic boasts one of the most modern and greenest fleets in Europe and will ensure a safe, comfortable, and affordable journey.

  • For those who prefer the scenic route, Riga can be reached comfortably by bus from all over Europe – as from the nearby Vilnius and Tallinn, so from the distant Rotterdam and Odessa.

    Up for a less conventional mode of travel? A ferry to Latvia is also an option from Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Estonia.

  • A high-speed railway connecting the Baltics with continental Europe is under construction and is set to be launched by 2026.

    Named “the largest Baltic-region infrastructure project in the last 100 years”, Rail Baltica will make it possible to travel at speeds of 249 km/hr, offering one of the fastest and most environmentally friendly ways to reach Riga from Europe’s heartland.

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