Latvia Travel

Latvia is full of picturesque towns and ancient cities. Riga is the most important tourist landmark of the country, a major port, a home to almost half of the country's population, and, at the same time, its historical center. The old part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riga has the best concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. So, the remnants of the past can be seen in the local architecture. There are also dozens of churches, museums and other monuments. Away from the capital, the tourists’ pace slows. But there are also some pearls to be discovered.

If you want to have fun, to have the best summer holiday in your life, choose Jurmala, one of the most popular resorts of Latvia. During the summer months the city doubles its population, because of its beautiful sandy beaches, healing waters, mud baths, and wonderful spa treatment.

Traveling through Latvia, you are advised to make a stop at Rezekne. It attracts the tourists by clean nature, amazing sea, beautiful architecture, ranging from medieval castles to modern buildings. The ancient cities of Valmiera, Ccsis and Limbaþi, located in the northern region, are less discovered then Riga or Jurmala, but they are really worth visited. The cultural towns of the Abava River Valley are better to explore on foot so that you will have enough time to feel this unique atmosphere.

If you consider yourself the history fan, the spectacular Baroque palace at Jelgava, in the central region of Zemgale, is waiting for you. The photos, made in that place, will for sure be unforgettable. Nature lovers will appreciate the striking beauty of Tervete forest with the oldest and tallest pine trees in Latvia. Outdoor activities are varied in the coastal Kurzeme region, where sandy and often secluded beaches stretch for miles. Get the best skiing experience, visiting northern Vidzeme region, the home to Sigulda, the country's downhill skiing area.

Geography Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast. Its closest neighbors are Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Russian Federation in the east, and Belarus in the southeast. The territory of Latvia is divided into five regions: Riga in the north, Kurzeme and Zemgale in the west and Vidzeme and Latgale in the east. The landscape of the country is reasonably flat with some rolling hills and myriad lakes. Wherever you travel in Latvia, is not hard to find dense forests and rivers. Latvia’s climate is influenced greatly by its closeness to the sea. Summers are usually cool and winters are long, dark and cold.