Latvia, Latvia - Travel Guide

Latvia is the hidden gem of the Baltics - home to Riga's stunning Art Nouveau architecture, pristine Baltic beaches, castle-studded Gauja National Park, and deep forest wilderness. Less visited than its neighbors, it offers authentic Northern European charm, fascinating history, and genuine hospitality at excellent value.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days

Budget$50/day

Mid-range$100/day

Luxury$250/day

Known For

latviarigabalticart_nouveaujugendstiljurmalasiguldagaujarundalecesisliepajaventspilskuldigacuronian_spitmidsummeramber_coastold_town

🇱🇻 Country Information: Latvia

CapitalRiga

CurrencyEuro (€)

Language Latvian , Russian, English

Phone Code+371

Electricity230V (Type C, F)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated for good service in restaurants and cafes (5
10% is common)
Tipping taxi drivers is not common, but rounding up the fare is acceptable
Hotel staff and tour guides may be tipped for good service

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available
Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas and major tourist spots
It's advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases or in rural areas
No black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Punctuality is valued
It is common to remove shoes when entering someone's home
Direct eye contact is generally appreciated
Avoid discussing politics or sensitive historical topics unless you know the person well

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Latvia has made progress in LGBTQ+ rights, but same-sex marriage is not yet recognized. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited in employment.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Public consumption of alcohol is generally restricted to designated areas
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Littering is subject to fines

Common Phrases

NoNē (NEH)

YesJā (YAH)

HelloLabdien (LAHB-dyen)

PleaseLūdzu (LOO-dzoo)

GoodbyeUz redzēšanos (ooz REH-dzeh-shah-nohs)

Thank youPaldies (PAHL-dyess)

Climate

Maritime climate with cold winters and mild summers. Best weather June-August. Long winter darkness but magical if snowy. Spring and autumn transitional with rain possible. Baltic Sea moderates temperatures.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: June
August (best time, warmest)
Spring: April
May (blooming, variable)
Autumn: September
October (colorful)
Winter: November
March (cold, snowy)

Getting There

Riga International Airport (RIX) has connections throughout Europe with AirBaltic as national carrier
Direct flights from major hubs
Bus connections from Tallinn, Vilnius, and Warsaw
Ferry from Stockholm
Easy to combine with other Baltic capitals

Getting Around

Riga walkable for center
Excellent bus and tram network
Rent car for countryside exploration
roads good
Trains to Jūrmala and Sigulda
Buses connect major towns
Bolt and local taxis available
Compact country
nowhere more than 4 hours from Riga

Health & Vaccinations

No special vaccinations required
EU health card valid
Tick
borne encephalitis risk in forests
Good healthcare system
Pharmacies well
stocked
Standard European care

Staying Connected

LMT, Tele2, Bite providers
Excellent 4G/5G coverage
EU roaming applies
eSIM works perfectly
WiFi ubiquitous
Very connected country

Local Cuisine

Grey Peas with Bacon must_try

Latvia's national dish - dried grey peas cooked with smoked bacon and onions. Simple, hearty, and deeply traditional. Especially popular at Christmas

Riga Black Balsam must_try

Iconic bitter herbal liqueur in distinctive ceramic bottle. 45% alcohol, made since 1752 with 24 ingredients. Drink straight, in cocktails, or with bl

Smoked Fish must_try

Baltic fish (especially sprats, eel, and lamprey) smoked to perfection. Riga sprats in oil are famous. Try at Central Market for the freshest selectio

Rye Bread must_try

Dark, dense rye bread (rupjmaize) is central to Latvian identity. Sweet-sour flavor, often with caraway seeds. Rye bread soup (dessert!) is unusual an

Jāņi Cheese local_favorite

Special caraway cheese made for Midsummer celebration. Round, with distinctive flavor from caraway seeds. Hard to find outside June but worth seeking.

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Midsummer (Jāņi) Accommodation Accommodation

Book 1-3 months in advance

June 23-24 is Latvia's biggest celebration. Countryside properties book out. Many businesses close.

Song and Dance Festival Accommodation

Book 3-12 months in advance

Every 5 years, 40,000+ performers descend on Riga. Hotels book up early.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Rundāle Palace Tours tour_or_activity

Book 3-14 days in advance

Group tours and guides can be limited, especially for English.

Fun Facts

1. Riga has the world's largest collection of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings, with over 800 examples making up about one-third of the city center.
2. Latvia's Song and Dance Festival brings 40,000+ performers together and is recognized as a UNESCO Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage.
3. Midsummer (Jāņi) is the most important holiday - Latvians celebrate with all-night bonfires, cheese, beer, and no sleep as the sun barely sets.
4. Ventspils has free public transportation for all residents and visitors - one of few places in the world with this policy.

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