Traveling Around Latvia

Anyone who decides to travel to Latvia will have a special experience. Latvia has a long history, which is reflected in the old castles and churches from different eras. The area was already inhabited 9,000 BC and the land has also served as a route for the Vikings. The country has a beautiful, long coastline consisting of sandy beaches, rock formations and dunes. Traveling through Latvia, you will immediately notice the beautiful, untouched nature. There are four national parks, in addition to 24 nature parks and many nature reserves. In short: traveling around Latvia offers something for everyone!

Things to Do in Latvia

Latvia may be a small country, but it definitely has many things to do. As mentioned above, the country offers something for everyone. Whether you want to explore historic cities, or you want to take hikes through beautiful nature, Latvia has it all. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things that you can do in Latvia;

Riga

Riga is the beautiful capital of Latvia. The city is a thriving Hanseatic city, where tourism is on the rise. You can enjoy a beautiful historic center, which is even on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city is characterized by historical architecture and a cozy atmosphere. The old center is full of beautiful buildings dating from the Middle Ages and there are also streets full of beautiful Jugendstil buildings. It is therefore recommended to stroll around for several hours and to immerse yourself in all the monumental buildings and streets.

Rundāle Palace

The Rundāle Palace is a beautiful palace south of Riga. The palace was built in the 18th century by a wealthy duke and has had many owners since then. Nowadays the castle is open to the public and there is a beautiful museum where you can learn everything about the history of the palace. It is considered one of the highlights of Latvian architecture.

Gauja National Park

Gauja National Park is the largest national park in Latvia. It is a large green area that covers the basin of the river Gauja. The park is characterized by forests, lakes and rocks. In addition, there are many different bird species such as the stork, the eagle owl and the kingfisher. You can enjoy walking and there are many different routes of varying lengths. It is also recommended to make a beautiful kayak or canoe trip on the Gauja river.

The Basilica of Aglona

The Basilica of Aglona is a beautiful church in south-eastern Latvia. The church was built in a beautiful baroque style in the 18th century. The church is a well-known place of pilgrimage and therefore attracts many pilgrims who want to visit the basilica every year. August 15 is especially busy because the day of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary is celebrated. The church is decorated with paintings and statues and it is certainly worth admiring the church inside and out.

Foods to Try in Latvia

The Latvian cuisine is very diverse. The people are very fond of soups made out of fresh vegetables, peas and beans. You will also find potatoes in quite a few dishes. Since the country has a large coastline, fish and other types of seafood is also often consumed. Here is a short list of some of the must-try Latvian dishes;

• 
  Biešu Zupa: A soup made of red beet, the national vegetable of Latvia. It has a beautiful red color, thanks to the red beet. The soup includes chopped onions and greens, and is often served with sour cream and rye bread.
• Kartupeļu Pankūkas: A very popular comfort food in Latvia, made from potatoes. The potatoes are grated, salt and pepper is added and then baked in oil, to create what basically is a potato pancake meal.
  
• 
  Pelēkie Zirņi ar Speķi: A meal that is very popular during the winter months, especially around Christmas. It is a bowl of grey peas, baked with lard, fried onions and bacon.
• Siļķe Kažokā: A type of cold salad made out of herring. The herring is stacked into a small tower of eggs, boiled vegetables, mayonnaise and a lot of sour cream.
  

Latvia Travel Tips

• Only use recognized taxi companies with a meter. This way you avoid being scammed.
• It is forbidden to take pictures of military objects in Latvia. This also applies, among other things, to some government buildings and infrastructure. Pay attention to the warning signs that indicate this.
• In Latvia there is a fine for public intoxication. This is strictly observed by the police.
• The possession and use of drugs is illegal and punishable in Latvia.