糖心传媒

Latvia is a country with two distinct moods.

Cosmopolitan 搁墨驳补, the country鈥檚 capital and only major metropolis, accounts for more than half of the population. The rest of the country, thinly populated, showcases stunning landscapes and a gentler, more relaxed way of life. 

Almost all visitors to Latvia start in 搁墨驳补, a wonderfully cozy and welcoming city that doesn鈥檛 go overboard with razzmatazz, rather displaying its understated charms quietly. Be sure to explore the city beyond the tourist-thronged Old Town, for there鈥檚 lots to see.

The countryside beyond the capital is surprisingly diverse, with four historical regions 鈥� agricultural Kurzeme in the west, hilly and forested Vidzeme in the north, history-rich Zemgale in the south, and the lakelands of Latgale in the east 鈥� presenting an intriguing interplay of farmland, natural landscapes, and idiosyncratic towns and villages. Yet Latvia鈥檚 the main treasure is its coastline, with 311 miles (500km) of stunning beaches and pine-covered dunes flanking the Gulf of 搁墨驳补 and the open Baltic Sea beyond.

From the bird-filled marshlands of 亩emeri National Park to 搁墨驳补鈥檚 cultured museums, here are the best things to do in Latvia. 

1. Hike in Gauja National Park, Latvia鈥檚 鈥淎lps鈥�

About 50 miles (80km) northeast of 搁墨驳补, encompasses an enchanting landscape of forested hills that surround the white ribbon of the meandering Gauja River. Providing a vertical dimension to this lowland country, the hills serve as Latvia鈥檚 鈥淎lps,鈥� drawing hikers, downhill skiers and rafters (on fairly tame white water). 

But Gauja鈥檚 main pull is its quiet, unmarred beauty 鈥� especially in autumn, when the hills turn yellow and bright red with fall foliage. While it鈥檚 possible (and popular) to visit on a day trip from 搁墨驳补, camping areas and plenty of near the park enable an extended visit.

Planning tip: The most memorable way of traversing Guaja National Park is hiking or cycling the M膿啪taka trail. Get here from 搁墨驳补 by renting a car, or use a combination of train and buses.

2. Discover the rich history of Riga鈥檚 Old Town

搁墨驳补 has seen many eras and rulers over its 800-plus-year history. The tall spires and cobbled streets of Old Town (or Vecr墨ga), which compose a designated , are the legacy of the city鈥檚 Baltic German and Swedish rulers during the Middle Ages. 

A canal and a chain of pretty parks form the Green Belt, which separates the more modern city center from Old Town. The latter is centered on Dome Sq, a vast cobblestone space in front of the enormous 搁墨驳补s Doms, the country鈥檚 most important cathedral. 

Facing the Town Hall, Blackheads House was built in 1344 for the Blackheads guild of unmarried German merchants. The building is actually a modern reconstruction of the original house, which was ruined in 1941. (Fun fact: this was reputedly the spot where the first-ever Christmas tree was decorated.) Nearby, the three stone houses dubbed the 鈥�Three Brothers鈥� exemplify old 搁墨驳补鈥檚 diverse collection of architectural styles. The house at No 17 is over 600 years old, making it the oldest dwelling in the city.

Detour: Head to the city鈥檚 Central Market to sample fried herring with cottage cheese, a favorite Latvian delicacy; is a good place to try it. 

3. Dive into history at Sigulda

About 31 miles (50km) northeast of 搁墨驳补, Sigulda has loomed large since the 13th century, when the Livonian Brothers of the Sword built a castle here. In the 19th century, Russian prince Nikolay Kropotkin, a nephew of anarchist thinker Pyotr Kropotkin, reinvented Sigulda (then known as Segewold) as a resort town. 

The Livonian Order Castle, constructed in 1207, and Kropotkin鈥檚 grand manor stand close together, with the latter鈥榮 neo-Gothic architecture echoing the castle鈥檚 medieval features. Today, you can visit both with a single ticket to the Sigulda Castle Complex, perched on a hill above the forested Gauja Valley. 

The medieval ruins are being restored; you can walk along the ramparts above them and ascend a tower for wonderful views over the Gauja. The restored Kropotkin manor house is a visual delight both inside and out; decorated by the best artists of the time, it鈥檚 a gem of the Latvian national revival style. 

Planning tip: Since Sigulda鈥檚 attractions are quite spread out, the area is a cyclist鈥檚 paradise, with several rental shops dotted around town, including by the train station. Bus 3112 connects Sigulda and Turaida; you can also get between them via Bolt taxi. 

4. Walk through the marshlands of 亩emeri National Park 

Inland from the gulf, about 22 miles (35km) west of 搁墨驳补, 亩emeri National Park might be the most meditative place in the whole of Latvia. To the southwest of 亩emeri train station, the  2-mile (3陆km) leads through an enormous area of multicolored marshland interspersed with round waterholes that reflect white clouds. There鈥檚 an observation tower for bird watching and plenty of benches along the way to sit and contemplate nature鈥檚 beauty. 

Planning tip: The best season for bird-watching in 亩emeri National Park is spring, when white-tailed eagles and migratory birds gather on the wetlands.

5. Take a stroll around central 搁墨驳补

The center of 搁墨驳补 is best explored on foot. Start your tour by the rosarium at V膿rmanes d膩rzs (V膿rmanes Garden), and exit into T膿rbatas iela to make a short detour to the Splendid Palace cinema, an art nouveau masterpiece hidden within a modernist Soviet-era structure. 

Continue along T膿rbatas iela, noting the brightly colored art nouveau facades. At the next crossing, you鈥檒l reach an important cluster of bars; if you鈥檙e feeling thirsty, our top choice here is . 

Once refreshed, turn into Stabu iela, one of 搁墨驳补鈥檚 most elegant streets, and cross Br墨v墨bas iela near the St奴ra M膩ja 鈥� the former Soviet secret police headquarters, now open to the public for . Turn into Bazn墨cas iela, where you may be tempted to sip a gimlet at a much-lauded venue called, well, . 

You鈥檒l find yourself near central 搁墨驳补鈥檚 top landmark, St Gertrude Church, the centerpiece of a beautiful oval-shaped square. Continue to the next crossing and turn into L膩膷pl膿拧a iela to find the famous , a former music school turned beer garden and concert venue. 

6. Soak up Baltic history and culture at Turaida Castle

Turaida, about 2陆 miles (4km) north of Sigulda, means 鈥淕od鈥檚 Garden鈥� in ancient Livonian 鈥� and indeed this green knoll capped with a fairy-tale castle is an enchanting place to explore. The red-brick fortress with its tall cylindrical tower was built in 1214 on the site of a former Livonian stronghold. 

What you can see today is partly the result of a 1980s reconstruction. A museum inside the castle鈥檚 15th-century granary offers an interesting account of the Livonian era, which lasted from 1319 to 1561. More exhibits can be viewed in the tall Donjon Tower and the castle鈥檚 western and southern towers. 

The rest of the site features a variety of buildings housing small galleries and exhibits on local life. It鈥檚 worth stopping by the blacksmith鈥檚 house, where you can buy crafts and try your hand at pounding Liv pagan symbols into small chunks of iron. 

The nearby Folk Song Garden is dotted with 26 sculptures dedicated to Latvian heroes immortalized in the dainas, poetic folk songs that are a major national tradition.

7. Get the local experience at Peter鈥檚 Market in Liep膩ja

Vendors have touted their wares at Peter鈥檚 Market in Liep膩ja since the mid-17th century. Their offerings provide another reason to visit this Baltic Sea town about 124 miles (200km) west of 搁墨驳补, in addition to its broad and gently shelving white-sand, Blue Flag-rated beach. 

The market expanded in 1910, when an art nouveau pavilion was constructed adjacent to the square. Today, you鈥檒l find stalls inside and out selling everything from secondhand clothes and beautiful handicrafts to fresh, locally grown produce and baked goods. Venture to the underground floor to find the photogenic fish market.

Planning tip: While in Liep膩ja, don't miss the St Nicholas Maritime Cathedral, a gold-domed jewel-box built in the classic Russian Orthodox style.

8. Admire the grandiose Rund膩le Palace and Museum

Built as a grand residence for the Duke of Courland, the magnificent Rund膩le Palace, some 37 miles (60km) south of 搁墨驳补, is a monument to 18th-century aristocratic excess. It鈥檚 the architectural highlight of rural Latvia. 

The palace was designed by Italian baroque genius Bartolomeo Rastrelli, best known for creating the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. About 40 of the palace鈥檚 138 rooms are open to visitors, as are the wonderful formal gardens, inspired by Versailles in France.

The East Wing was devoted to formal occasions, while the West Wing was the private royal residence. The palace was badly damaged in the Franco-Russian War in 1812 and again during the Latvian War of Independence in 1919; what you see now is the result of a painstaking restoration that took place between 1972 and 2015.

Planning tip: It鈥檚 possible to get to Rund膩le Palace from 搁墨驳补 by bus, changing in Bauska 鈥� but it鈥檚 easier to come by rental car, following the A7 or A8. 

9. Go with the flow at Bauska Castle 

The nearest town to Rund膩le Palace, Bauska was once an important seat in the Duchy of Courland. Today, it鈥檚 worth a brief stop to check out its most prominent attraction, Bauska Castle, which sits on a picturesque hillock squeezed between two rivers 鈥� the M奴sa and the M膿mele 鈥� that flow parallel to each other through the countryside. 

As is often the case in Latvia, Bauska Castle is in fact two castles melded together. The older part is in ruins and dates back to the Livonian period in the 15th century; the newer portion is a fortified manor house built by the Duke of Courland in the 16th century and remains mostly intact. A museum covers the tangled history of the castle and the region.

Planning tip: Latvia and Lithuania are both in the Schengen Area, so it鈥檚 straightforward to continue south from Bauska to Vilnius on the . 

10. Encounter new and wonderful works at the Latvian National Museum of Art

Before you leave 搁墨驳补, be sure to investigate the city鈥檚 artistic heritage. Housed in a palace-like building on Janis Rozentals Sq, the Latvian National Museum of Art is the country鈥檚 greatest art treasury, with a focus on a diverse range of Latvian artists from the 18th to late 20th centuries. 

The most interesting part of the collection comes from the Latvian revival era of the early 20th century, when the nation鈥檚 artists started to experiment with more personal and expressive subjects and styles. Wander the galleries to follow the nation鈥檚 artistic journey, noting how historic 鈥� and traumatic 鈥� events (two World Wars, the Soviet occupation) shaped the nation鈥檚 artworks. 

Detour: If you want more museum time, head to the excellent , a privately owned art center that stages top-notch exhibitions. Also, consider timing a visit to coincide with the annual , which fills crumbling and semi-abandoned buildings across 搁墨驳补 with intelligently curated art displays each September.

11. Enjoy 闯奴谤尘补濒补鈥檚 beaches 

Latvia鈥檚 fifth largest town, 闯奴谤尘补濒补 is the setting for the country鈥檚 longest beach promenade. Stretching for a full 15 miles (24km), this beach is has hard-packed white sand that鈥檚 ideal for walking (though kids may prefer to pause and stack it up into sand castles). Come in any season and you鈥檒l see promenading urbanites and cyclists 鈥� and even skiers in winter 鈥� moving along the seafront. 

It鈥檚 worth exploring the rest of 闯奴谤尘补濒补, too. The oldest part of town near Dzintari, Majori and Dubulti stations resembles Prussian resorts on the German Baltic coast. Start your explorations on pedestrian Jomas iela, which runs between Majori and Dzintari stations, and where you鈥檒l find most restaurants and visitor-oriented things to see, including the well-funded 闯奴谤尘补濒补 City Museum.

Planning tip: A 30-minute train ride is an easy way to reach 闯奴谤尘补濒补 鈥� yet you can also rent bicycles at in 搁墨驳补 and cycle the 15陆 miles (25km) to 闯奴谤尘补濒补 along a path that parallels the railway line. Heading in the other direction, bikes can be rented at on Viestura iela in 闯奴谤尘补濒补.

12. Roam the stunning castle town of C膿sis

Livonian knights founded the settlement of Wenden, 50 miles (80km) northeast of 搁墨驳补, which was renamed C膿sis seven centuries later. Even though it was sacked a few times over the centuries, the beauty of the town鈥檚 hilltop castle town has long been celebrated across the nation.

C膿sis Castle actually consists of two castles that today form a single museum. The moody, dark-stone towers belong to the restored medieval castle; you鈥檒l be handed a candle lamp to ensure that your exploration of the dark ruins is suitably atmospheric.

The newer castle is a stolid 18th-century manor house once inhabited by the von Sievers family, a dynasty of German counts. It now houses a museum that features original fin-de-si猫cle interiors; exhibitions lead to the owners鈥� library and study under the cupola at the top of the mansion.

13. Take in Europe鈥檚 widest waterfall in Kuld墨ga

About 96 miles (154km) west of 搁墨驳补, Kuld墨ga鈥檚 most famous feature 鈥� Ventas Rumba 鈥� is known as 鈥淓urope鈥檚 widest waterfall.鈥� Though this description feels a bit grand for this 7ft (2m) drop on the Venta River, this zigzagging ribbon of white water is an impressive sight indeed when seen from above. 

This idyllic scene is best observed from the town鈥檚 castle hill, on which only few stones from the city鈥檚 medieval fortress remain. Today, the hill is home to a sculpture-filled park presided over by the stately Castle Watchman鈥檚 House from 1735.

Detour: Disappointed by the modest height of the Ventas Rumba? Just head over to Latvia鈥檚 tallest falls 鈥� the 13戮ft (4录m) Alek拧up墨te Waterfall 鈥� part of an old Kuld墨ga mill at the confluence of its namesake stream and the Venta.

14. Admire the architecture of 搁墨驳补鈥檚 art nouveau district

In 1901, 搁墨驳补 celebrated its 700th anniversary by inaugurating a new street, Alberta iela, built in the revolutionary Jugendstil (art nouveau) style and named after the founder of 搁墨驳补, Bishop Albert von Buxhoeveden. Today, this street forms the heart of what is known as the Jugendstil quarter, an art nouveau gem of a district filled with eye-catching buildings adorned with garlands, Greek drama masks, sphinxes and other motifs. Wander northeast along Alberta iela from Kronvalda Park to admire the lavish decoration of the facades. 

15. Eat, drink and soak up the atmosphere at Ventspils鈥� lively market

The town of Ventspils, 104 miles (167km) west of 搁墨驳补 on the Baltic coast, is worth visiting for its attractive beach and the appealingly renovated in the heart of Old Town. It鈥檚 a great place to stock up on such fresh produce such as vegetables, homemade cheeses, honey, forest mushrooms and berries. 

Open until 3pm, the market is best visited in the early morning, especially on weekends. A bell tower on the side of the market square plays popular Latvian tunes on the hour. Across the square, the Courlander pub makes its own beer and has a menu largely based on fish from the Baltic. Nearby, sells fruity vintages from its namesake winery.

Detour: Just south along the coast, the village of J奴rkalne celebrates the summer solstice in June with a lively festival, complete with bonfires and dances by villagers in flower wreaths.

This article was adapted from 糖心传媒鈥檚 guidebook, published in June 2024.