Located in Northern Europe and known as a “Baltic Country”, Latvia shares a border with Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Belarus to the southeast, Lithuania to the south, and the Baltic Sea to the west. I just wrapped up my second visit to Latvia, once in the winter of 2019 and more recently in the summer of 2025. Both times I got to explore the country beyond Riga and both times I’ve been impressed on the beauty of Latvia, the unique amount of things the country has to offer, and the kindness of the locals. This is the ultimate Latvia travel guide, perfect for first timers and those who prefer “slow” travel.
If you’re traveling to Latvia, don’t miss…
Why Should You Visit Latvia?
I love Latvia and I believe there are many reasons to visit. The country is relatively affordable. There are much fewer tourists than more well-known countries in Europe (such as France, Spain, Greece, etc). It’s easy to get around, the locals are kind, there’s a lot of interesting history to learn about, and overall Latvia is a pretty and peaceful country. Think beautiful countrysides, slow mornings, and unique sauna rituals.
Best Time to Visit Latvia
The best time to visit Latvia is during late spring and summer (May to August), when the weather is warmest and the days are long – perfect for exploring the country’s charming cities, beaches, and national parks. This is also when festivals and outdoor events bring places like Riga and the Baltic coast to life. July and August are peak tourist season, so expect more visitors, especially along the seaside. For fewer crowds and crisp weather, early fall – September – is a lovely time to visit, with colorful foliage and a quieter atmosphere. Winter (December to February) is cold and snowy but transforms Latvia into a cozy wonderland, especially during the Christmas markets in Riga.
I first visited Latvia in November and it was dreary with cold days that saw very few hours of sunlight. I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the winter unless you’re specifically interested in visiting the Christmas markets in December. My second time to Latvia I visited in July and it was gorgeous. The days were warm, the sun set late and rose early, and while there were definitely more crowds… things still felt pretty quiet and manageable.
How to Get to Latvia
Riga, the capital of Latvia has an international airport (RIX) that accepts flights from all over Europe. If you’re traveling from outside of Europe, you’ll need to connect in a big city like London or Paris, and then get a connecting flight to Riga. However, if you’re already in Europe and traveling to Latvia, there are a number of cities that have direct flights to Riga such as Helsinki, Dublin, Vilnius, and more. Not to mention, budget airlines like RyanAir, Baltic Air, SAS, Wizz Air, etc fly to Riga so you can usually get a pretty good deal.
If you’re visiting Latvia from another Baltic country like Estonia or Lithuania, you can take a bus to the country. To search for buses in Europe, I prefer to use Bookaway, 12Go, or Omio.
Entry Requirements for Americans
As an American citizen, the only thing that you need to visit Latvia is a valid passport. You do not need a visa to visit Latvia unless you’re planning on staying for longer than 90 days. Latvia is part of the EU and is also part of the Schengen Area so if you’re already in another Schengen country, you will not need to show your passport to enter Latvia.
Best Places to Visit in Latvia
Latvia has tons of great places to visit and if you want to see beyond Riga (which I would recommend), you’ll definitely want to rent a car to explore the country. Here are some of my favorite places in Latvia that I recommend…
- Cēsis – For a small, charming town
- Kuldīga – For a small, charming town
- Riga – Capital of Latvia
- Rundāle Palace – For a beautiful palace
- Sigulda – For nature
Don’t miss…
- 2 Days in Riga – The Perfect Itinerary for Latvia’s Vibrant Capital
- Latvia Travel Itinerary – Exploring What Makes Latvia Unique
- How to Rent a Car in Latvia: Everything You Need to Know
WANT TO EXPLORE LATVIA? GET YOUR RENTAL CAR HERE!
Best Things to Do in Latvia
There are so many incredible things to do in Latvia from medieval towns to outdoor adventures. Here are some experiences that I recommend when you visit Latvia…
- Visit a traditional pirt – you can read about my experience in a Latvian sauna here
- Rent a kayak in Riga to see Riga by water
- Day trip from Riga to Kuldiga
- Go on a kayaking trip down the Gauja River
- Hike in Gauja National Park
- Day trip from Riga to Kemeri National Park
- Try traditional Latvian food at Riga’s Central Market
- Visit the Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace, and Bauska Castle
- Join a walking tour through Riga’s old town
Latvian Food & Drink
In Latvia, the food and drink scene is shaped by centuries of farming traditions and a deep connection to seasonal ingredients. When eating Latvian food, you can expect cuisine that is hearty and rustic – with rye bread (a dense, dark bread) – at the center of nearly every meal. The staple ingredients in local dishes are potatoes, meat, sour cream, and cabbage; and dishes with grey peas and speck (a mix of peas and crispy pork), along with pirogi – baked buns stuffed with bacon and onion are common. Because of Latvia’s proximity to the sea, you can also expect to see a lot of seafood, especially herring.
As far as local drinks, Latvia is known for black balsam which is Latvia’s national drink. Black balsam is a dark, herbal liqueur that is used in every situation from celebrations to treating illness. Beer is also a common, and wine made of local fruits is becoming more and more popular.
Practical Tips for Visiting Latvia
Currency in Latvia
Latvia operates on the Euro (EUR; €). Most places in Latvia take credit/debit cards, however, you might need a small amount of cash if you’re outside of Riga or you’re purchasing something of small monetary value. For this reason, I would recommend getting a small amount of cash from the ATM when you arrive.
Language in Latvia
The main language in Latvia is Latvian, however everyone working in tourism speaks fluent English. When traveling solo throughout the country, I never ran into an issue where I wasn’t able to communicate with someone.
Transportation in Latvia
In my opinion, the easiest way to get around the country is by renting a car so that you can travel at your own pace and create your own itinerary. However, if you don’t want to rent a car you can also travel around the country by bus or train. The three websites I use to book train and bus travel in Latvia are 12Go, Bookaway, and Omio.
When you’re in Riga, you can also get around by using Bolt – a rideshare app.
Safety in Latvia
I traveled solo through Latvia and felt safe while doing so. However, I always recommend being prepared when traveling – even in a safe country like Latvia. The good news is is that as of 2024, Latvia ranks 30th out of 163 countries and territories on the Global Peace Index (for reference, the United States holds the 132nd spot) for safety. And even though it is safe, here are some general safety tips to follow when you travel to Latvia…
- Make two copies your passport; keep one copy in a separate place from where you keep your passport, and leave the second copy at home with a loved one
- Forward all hotel reservations to a family member/friend so they can track where you’re supposed to be at all times
- Don’t carry all of your cash and credit/debit cards on you – keep some in your hotel room in case your purse was to be taken
- Know the number and address of the US Embassy (or whatever country you’re from). In this case, th US Embassy is located in Riga
- Know how to dial out – the code for Latvia is +371
- Know how to contact emergency services – 112 is the number to contact the police, fire service, and an ambulance
Another way to ensure safety during a trip is by purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover illness, theft, airplane and hotel cancellation, and emergency evacuation services if something arises (each plan is different so make sure to see what your insurance covers before purchasing). I use SafetyWing when traveling through Latvia and would highly recommend it.
Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…
- Why You Need Travel Insurance… From a Nurse’s Perspective
- 9 Most Important Things to Know About Travel Medical Insurance
GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!
Suggested Latvia Itinerary
Here’s my suggested itinerary for visiting Latvia…
- Riga – 2 days (read this post for hotel recommendations)
- Tukums + Kuldiga – 1 day
- Sigulda (stop at Rundale Palace first) – 1 day
- Cesis – 1 day
If you have more time, other highlights in Latvia (that I didn’t have time to visit) include Jurmala and Liepaja.
Don’t miss…
Latvia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Latvia
TRAVELING THROUGH LATVIA
- The easiest way to book train tickets in Latvia is through Omio
- To book a flight to Latvia, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going for cheap flight alerts)
- For car rentals in Latvia, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Latvia – I use and recommend SafetyWing (read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN LATVIA
- To easiest way to book hotels in Latvia is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN LATVIA
- For tours and activities in Latvia, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO LATVIA
- Don’t forget a Latvia guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Latvia uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
- I love traveling with ARMRA Colostrum travel sticks to support my immune system (use code “KYLEENELSON” for 15% off)
Latvia is truly an incredible country. I hope that this Latvia travel guide has not only inspired you to visit, but also made your trip planning easier. If you have any questions about visiting Latvia, let me know in a comment below!
For more information on Latvia, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinlatvia” or under my highlights for “Latvia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Latvia” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
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