last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Latvia
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Location Map of Latvia
Latvia
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
In addition to the Struve Geodetic Arc, Latvia has another site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Historic Centre of Riga (1997)
Riga boasts the finest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, which is why its historic centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Riga boasts the finest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, which is why its historic centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Coast
Jurmala
A popular seaside resort near Riga. It boasts one of the longest beaches in Northern Europe and beautiful wooden architecture from the late 19th century. Kemeri Park, with its small lakes and fumaroles, lies on its outskirts.
A popular seaside resort near Riga. It boasts one of the longest beaches in Northern Europe and beautiful wooden architecture from the late 19th century. Kemeri Park, with its small lakes and fumaroles, lies on its outskirts.
Karosta
It’s a former secret Soviet military base near Liepāja, now turned into an open-air "museum" you can visit.
It’s a former secret Soviet military base near Liepāja, now turned into an open-air "museum" you can visit.
Liepāja
A seaside town on Latvia’s western coast, featuring numerous religious buildings and some Art Nouveau architecture. The former Soviet secret base of Karosta lies on its outskirts.
A seaside town on Latvia’s western coast, featuring numerous religious buildings and some Art Nouveau architecture. The former Soviet secret base of Karosta lies on its outskirts.
Riga
A stunning capital city that is also young and lively, with an old town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A stunning capital city that is also young and lively, with an old town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ventspils
This major Baltic port is also a ferry terminal serving Germany, Sweden, or St. Petersburg.
This major Baltic port is also a ferry terminal serving Germany, Sweden, or St. Petersburg.
Natural Heritage
Cape Kolka
Beautiful dune landscapes, beaches, birds (in the small Slītere National Park), and wooden houses in the villages of this part of Courland.
Beautiful dune landscapes, beaches, birds (in the small Slītere National Park), and wooden houses in the villages of this part of Courland.
Venta Waterfall
This waterfall near the city of Kuldīga is one of the widest in Europe at 250 m... yet only 2 m tall.
This waterfall near the city of Kuldīga is one of the widest in Europe at 250 m... yet only 2 m tall.
The Interior
Rundale Palace
This is a stunning 18th-century Baroque palace that once served as the residence of the Dukes of Courland. It is one of the country’s main attractions.
This is a stunning 18th-century Baroque palace that once served as the residence of the Dukes of Courland. It is one of the country’s main attractions.
Cesis
In the heart of Gauja National Park, where you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities, Cesis is a small town with two castles, an old centre, and cobbled streets.
In the heart of Gauja National Park, where you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities, Cesis is a small town with two castles, an old centre, and cobbled streets.
Jekabpils
A mid-sized town with old quarters halfway between the country's two largest cities, Riga and Daugavpils.
A mid-sized town with old quarters halfway between the country's two largest cities, Riga and Daugavpils.
Jelgava
The city is known for its beautiful Baroque Jelgava Palace, which, like the one in Rundāle, once served as a residence for the Dukes of Courland.
The city is known for its beautiful Baroque Jelgava Palace, which, like the one in Rundāle, once served as a residence for the Dukes of Courland.
Ligatne
This village with wooden houses in Gauja National Park is home to a wildlife reserve featuring bears, lynx, bison, and birds...
This village with wooden houses in Gauja National Park is home to a wildlife reserve featuring bears, lynx, bison, and birds...
Madona
This large town surrounded by hills, lakes, rivers, and forests is considered the winter sports capital of Latvia. You can also hike or enjoy water sports here in the summer.
This large town surrounded by hills, lakes, rivers, and forests is considered the winter sports capital of Latvia. You can also hike or enjoy water sports here in the summer.
Rezekne
A mid-sized town in Latvia's lake region, southeast of the country, with a few museums, several religious buildings, and the ruins of a medieval fortress.
A mid-sized town in Latvia's lake region, southeast of the country, with a few museums, several religious buildings, and the ruins of a medieval fortress.
Sigulda
A small town at the gateway to Gauja National Park. Beyond outdoor sports activities in the park, Sigulda boasts several historical landmarks, including the ruins of its medieval fortress and its "new castle.".
A small town at the gateway to Gauja National Park. Beyond outdoor sports activities in the park, Sigulda boasts several historical landmarks, including the ruins of its medieval fortress and its "new castle.".
Natural Heritage
Gauja National Park
This is the largest and oldest park in Latvia. It offers beautiful landscapes, caves (including the Gutmanis Caves), and opportunities for all kinds of hiking, skiing, and canoeing. You can also discover several castles (Sigulda, Turaida, Cēsis...) and ancient monuments in its small villages.
This is the largest and oldest park in Latvia. It offers beautiful landscapes, caves (including the Gutmanis Caves), and opportunities for all kinds of hiking, skiing, and canoeing. You can also discover several castles (Sigulda, Turaida, Cēsis...) and ancient monuments in its small villages.
Razna National Park
This park in south-eastern Latvia is home to numerous lakes and forests ideal for outdoor sports and nature activities.
This park in south-eastern Latvia is home to numerous lakes and forests ideal for outdoor sports and nature activities.
Must-see & highly recommended
Rundale Palace
★★★★ This is a stunning 18th-century Baroque palace that once served as the residence of the Dukes of Courland. It is one of the country’s…
Riga
★★★★ A stunning capital city that is also young and lively, with an old town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Recommended
Historic Centre of Riga
★★★ Riga boasts the finest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, which is why its historic centre has been designated a UNESCO…
Gauja National Park
★★★ This is the largest and oldest park in Latvia. It offers beautiful landscapes, caves (including the Gutmanis Caves), and opportunities for…
Worth a look / Other
Cape Kolka
★★ Beautiful dune landscapes, beaches, birds (in the small Slītere National Park), and wooden houses in the villages of this part of…
Cesis
★★ In the heart of Gauja National Park, where you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities, Cesis is a small town with two castles, an old…
Bauska Castle
★★ A 15th–16th century castle on the riverbank in the town of the same name.
Stameriena Castle
★★ A 19th-century neoclassical castle in the municipality of Gulbene.
Turaida Castle
★★ A charming medieval castle located in the Gauja National Park.
Jelgava
★★ The city is known for its beautiful Baroque Jelgava Palace, which, like the one in Rundāle, once served as a residence for the Dukes…
Jurmala
★★ A popular seaside resort near Riga. It boasts one of the longest beaches in Northern Europe and beautiful wooden architecture from the late…
Kuldīga
★★ A town in western Latvia with a charming old centre. The Ventas Rumba waterfall is nearby.
Ligatne
★★ This village with wooden houses in Gauja National Park is home to a wildlife reserve featuring bears, lynx, bison, and birds...
Razna National Park
★★ This park in south-eastern Latvia is home to numerous lakes and forests ideal for outdoor sports and nature activities.
Sigulda
★★ A small town at the gateway to Gauja National Park. Beyond outdoor sports activities in the park, Sigulda boasts several historical…
Daugavpils
★ Latvia’s second-largest city, set in a region of many lakes. It has an old town centre.
Jekabpils
★ A mid-sized town with old quarters halfway between the country's two largest cities, Riga and Daugavpils.
Karosta
★ It’s a former secret Soviet military base near Liepāja, now turned into an open-air "museum" you can visit.
Liepāja
★ A seaside town on Latvia’s western coast, featuring numerous religious buildings and some Art Nouveau architecture. The former Soviet…
Madona
★ This large town surrounded by hills, lakes, rivers, and forests is considered the winter sports capital of Latvia. You can also hike or…
Rezekne
★ A mid-sized town in Latvia's lake region, southeast of the country, with a few museums, several religious buildings, and the ruins of a…
Seda
★ The village is known for its Stalinist architecture from the 1950s.
Venta Waterfall
★ This waterfall near the city of Kuldīga is one of the widest in Europe at 250 m... yet only 2 m tall.
Ventspils
★ This major Baltic port is also a ferry terminal serving Germany, Sweden, or St. Petersburg.