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LATVIA DESTINATION GUIDE

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Latvia in a way like no other. Tucked between the Baltic States in northern Europe, Latvia is a small yet exquisite land of vibrant architecture, untouched countryside and wild sandy beaches. With more than half the country covered by forests and hundreds of kilometres of powdery white coastline, this is a place to connect with the earth. The laidback Latvians will show you how to Live the Good Life in nature, with Midsummer festivals, freshly foraged foods, and the famous Black Balsam, a strong herbal liqueur. When you visit Latvia, we'll show you a country steeped in tradition, where the fields, farmsteads and villages have changed little over the decades, and even the capital city is a historical legacy. Trafalgar’s Latvia travel experiences will take you touring through the maze of medieval streets in Riga’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, with one of the world’s largest collections of art nouveau buildings, a hub of superb museums, and a swathe of spires rising over the skyline. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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Travel worry free with a dedicated Wellbeing Director on your tour >>
15 Day Trip

9 Cities in

6 Countries

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Best of Finland, Russia and The Baltic States

4.5 381 reviews

From £3,225

4.5 381 reviews

From £3,225

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Visiting

  1. Belarus

    Minsk

  2. Estonia

    Tallinn

  3. Finland

    Helsinki

  4. Latvia

    Riga

  5. Lithuania

    Siauliai Vilnius

  6. Russia

    Moscow Smolensk St Petersburg

5 million happy guests and counting

Overall Rating

4.6

Out of 5

Based on 92,324 independent reviews

"Apart from the Medieval old town, Riga can be called one of the world’s greatest Art Nouveau galleries consisting of 800 buildings. Alberta street is almost entirely created by Art Nouveau genius Mikhail Eisenstein. I am always excited to share this architectural kaleidoscope with our guests"

Silvija, Travel Director
Latvia at a glance
An unspoilt coastline, medieval façades and even a secret military town, Latvia is an understated gem on the Balkan Sea which has largely escaped travellers’ attention, but promises a memorable encounter with centuries-old trading history and cosmopolitan experiences.
Currency
The euro
Winter avg temp
-3°C
Summer avg temp
17°C
Time Zone
GMT+3
Capital City
Riga
Language
Latvian
Good Morning
Labrīt
Good Evening
Labvakar
Latvian Borscht
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Our top 5 things to do in Latvia

From discovering Riga from a canal boat, to admiring the panoramic views from St Peter’s church, we show you the endless ways to enjoy Latvia’s treasures.

Stroll through medieval streets of Riga's Old Town

Exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the best things to do in Riga, and our Local Specialists will bring it to life with first-hand knowledge and personal anecdotes. See one of the world’s finest collections of Art Nouveau buildings, a Hanseatic trade history, and Gothic and Baroque churches like Riga Cathedral.
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Chill on the banks of the Jugla Lake

The beautiful Jugla Lake is wonderful in any season, with beaches in summer and ice fishing in winter. We’ll also take you to the Bergi Open Air Museum, an ethnographic museum in a pine forest on the banks of Jugla Lake. You’ll explore traditional buildings rebuilt here, including windmills, farmhouses and fishermen’s houses.
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Enjoy Riga from the comfort of a canal boat

We’ll take your Riga sightseeing to the water, with a wonderful cruise in a canal boat. You’ll glide along the River Daugava and Riga Canal, which encircle the city’s Old Town and pass many famous landmarks including Riga Castle, Kronvalda Park, the Freedom Monument, and the Latvian National Opera.
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Indulge in the herbal flavours of Riga's famous Black Balsam

Our Local Specialists will show you the best traditional taverns in Riga, where you can taste Black Balsam, the traditional herbal liqueur of Latvia. A tar-black alcoholic beverage flavored with herbs like pepper, ginger, linden flower and valerian, this strong, bitter-sweet drink is one of the most unusual in Europe.
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Admire the view from St Peter’s church

As the tallest church in Riga, the viewing platform of St Peter’s church offers one of the best views over the city. It’s also a church with a tumultuous history, destroyed several times over the centuries from lightning strikes to war, and stands today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Best museums in Latvia

A tour of Riga’s museums will take you from a vast collection of Latvian and international art, to a moving commemoration of the former occupations of Latvia. Our Travel Directors can tell you where to find the museum that suits your interests.
RIGA

Latvian National Museum of Art

With 52,000 pieces spread across four museums, the Latvian National Museum of Art is the largest collection of art in Latvia. Located in a historic building constructed in 1905, you’ll discover both Latvian and international paintings, sculpture and decorative design.
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RIGA

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia was established to commemorate Latvia’s turbulent past, with occupations by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany lasting from 1940 until 1991. We’ll show you around more than 60,000 items from documentary films to video testimonials of the victims of the occupations.
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RIGA

Latvian Museum of Foreign Art

From the only Egyptian wood mummy sarcophagus in Latvia, to a wide collection of paintings from the likes of Claude Monet, the Latvian Museum of Foreign Art is home to the largest collection of foreign art in the Baltic States.
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Best food in Latvia

We know that sampling the local cuisine is an integral part of understanding the local culture. Influenced by neighboring Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, Latvian food is a delicious blend of dumplings, potatoes, rye bread, sauerkraut, hearty soups and smoked fish. Here are some of the tastes you'll enjoy on our trips to Latvia.

Dry-curd cottage cheese

One of Latvia’s most versatile ingredients, dry-curd cottage cheese is a traditional staple. Our Local Specialists will show you every way to enjoy it - mix it with jam and sour cream, eat it with herring and potatoes, or use it to make pancakes, dumplings and biezpienmaize, a classic Latvian cheesecake.
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Rye bread pudding

Be sure to make room for rye bread pudding (maizes zupa), a traditional Latvian dessert made from apples, raisins, cinnamon, cranberries, plums and sweetened rye bread. Top with whipped cream, and enjoy this creamy treat.
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Stewed sauerkraut

A classic Latvian staple, stewed sauerkraut is a popular ingredient in soups and dumplings and also as a side dish. We’ll take you to different traditional restaurants where you can try recipes with various additions like bacon, garlic, carrots, honey, apples and barley.
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What to pack for Latvia

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Warm clothes

With sub-zero temperatures in winter and a typical maximum of 20°C in summer, warm layers are essential for a trip to Latvia.

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Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the sun in summer and the gleaming white snow in winter with a pair of UV protected sunglasses.

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Waterproof coat

Latvia experiences rain for almost half of the year, so pack a reliable raincoat or small umbrella to keep you dry.

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A good book

With plenty of peaceful lakes and hidden courtyards, there will be ample opportunity to immerse yourself in a good book and watch the world go by.

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An adaptor plug

Voltage in Latvia is 230V and the sockets are of Type F, with standard European 2-pin plugs.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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Our Europe & Britain destinations

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