Latvia travel guide: itineraries, budget and practical tips

This Latvia travel guide introduces the middle Baltic state: Riga, its capital, with a Hanseatic old town and Art Nouveau façades, the long sandy beaches of Jūrmala, the forests and castles of the Gauja Valley around Sigulda and Cēsis, the baroque Rundāle Palace and the small town of Kuldīga. It helps you organise a trip to Latvia: when to go, where to go, how many days, what budget, how to get around and how to combine the country with Estonia and Lithuania.

To locate the cities, regions, relief, national parks and airports, see our map of Latvia.

When to go to Latvia

The best time runs from May to September, with afternoon highs of 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F) in Riga and very long days around the solstice: 17 h 50 of daylight on 15 June. June is the month of Midsummer (Jāņi, the night of 23 to 24 June), the country’s most popular festival; July and August are beach months, but also the wettest. Winter is long, cold and dark: highs close to 0 °C (32 °F) from December to February and only 6 h 46 of daylight on 15 December; in return, Riga has a fine Christmas market and low prices.

Month	High °C (°F)	Low °C (°F)	Rain mm (in)	Sun (h)	Crowds	Prices	Verdict
January	−0.1 (32)	−4.5 (24)	46.5 (1.8)	36.6	Low	Low	❌ Cold, frost, very short days
February	0.3 (33)	−4.6 (24)	40.1 (1.6)	64.2	Low	Low	❌ Cold, snow possible
March	4.8 (41)	−1.7 (29)	34.1 (1.3)	141.2	Low	Low	⚠️ End of winter
April	11.9 (53)	2.9 (37)	35.0 (1.4)	203.6	Medium	Medium	⚠️ Cool spring
May	17.8 (64)	8.2 (47)	47.5 (1.9)	286.7	Medium	Medium	✅ Mild, very sunny
June	21.3 (70)	12.4 (54)	65.0 (2.6)	282.2	High	High	✅ Light nights, Midsummer festival
July	23.8 (75)	14.9 (59)	79.5 (3.1)	291.2	High	High	✅ The warmest, beach time
August	22.7 (73)	14.1 (57)	77.9 (3.1)	250.4	High	High	✅ Warm but rainy
September	17.3 (63)	9.8 (50)	67.1 (2.6)	166.7	Medium	Medium	✅ Mild, fewer people
October	10.5 (51)	4.9 (41)	75.6 (3.0)	95.5	Low	Low	⚠️ Cool, autumn colours
November	4.8 (41)	1.1 (34)	56.3 (2.2)	36.1	Low	Low	❌ Grey, early nightfall
December	1.4 (35)	−2.4 (28)	50.2 (2.0)	24.4	Medium	Medium	⚠️ Cold, Christmas market in Riga

• Spring (April–May): May is the most pleasant month for nature, with nearly 290 hours of sunshine, as much as in July.
• Summer (June–August): the beaches of Jūrmala and Courland, festivals, hiking in the Gauja; storms are frequent in July and August.
• Autumn (September–October): September stays mild; October colours the forests but has the most days with rain.
• Winter (November–March): for a short break in Riga, with museums, concerts and the Christmas market; see our selection of Christmas markets in Europe. GOV.UK warns that temperatures may drop to −25 °C (−13 °F) or below between October and March, and that snowfall can disrupt transport.

Latvia in figures: daylight and rain

Two questions often decide the dates of a Baltic trip: how many hours of daylight will you get, and how many rainy days are you likely to have in a week? We did the maths.

Month	Daylight in Riga (15th)	Sunset in Riga	Expected rainy days per week
January	7 h 26	4:15 pm	2.5
February	9 h 33	5:24 pm	2.2
March	11 h 47	6:26 pm	1.8
April	14 h 17	8:32 pm	1.6
May	16 h 30	9:34 pm	1.8
June	17 h 50	10:19 pm	2.3
July	17 h 14	10:06 pm	2
August	15 h 13	9:04 pm	2.3
September	12 h 48	7:42 pm	2.1
October	10 h 25	6:21 pm	2.7
November	8 h 06	4:11 pm	2.6
December	6 h 46	3:41 pm	2.5

• June: 17 h 50 of daylight in Riga; the sun sets around 10:19 pm and it never gets fully dark around Midsummer.
• December: only 6 h 46 of daylight, with sunset around 3:41 pm: plan outdoor visits before 3 pm.
• Rain: over a week, expect on average about 1.6 days with precipitation in April, the driest month by frequency, against 2.7 in October.

What to see in Latvia: the highlights

Riga

The capital holds half of the sights: a UNESCO-listed old town, the House of the Blackheads, the tower of St Peter’s Church, the Art Nouveau district around Alberta iela, and the Central Market housed in former zeppelin hangars. Everything is covered in our guide to things to do in Riga.

Jūrmala

Half an hour by train from Riga, this seaside resort stretches along some thirty kilometres (about 19 mi) of sandy beach lined with pines. Its wooden villas, many dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, are explored by bike or on foot around the pedestrian street Jomas iela. The Baltic Sea stays cool, even in summer.

Gauja National Park: Sigulda, Turaida and Cēsis

About an hour from Riga, the Gauja Valley is the country’s great natural area: forests, red sandstone cliffs and caves. In Sigulda, visit the red-brick Turaida Castle and the ruins of the Livonian Order castle; a cable car crosses the valley. Further on, Cēsis has kept its medieval castle, visited by lantern light, and a pretty old town. In autumn, the forest colours draw many visitors.

Rundāle Palace

In the south of the country, near the Lithuanian border, this baroque and rococo palace was designed by the architect Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. The state rooms and the French-style garden, with its rose garden, can be visited in half a day from Riga, by car or on an organised tour. Beyond that border lies Lithuania, which can be added to a Baltic tour.

Kuldīga

This small Courland town, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, has kept its wooden houses and lanes along a stream. On the Venta River, the Ventas Rumba waterfall is often described as the widest in Europe, but it is only about two metres (7 ft) high; in spring, you can see fish leaping.

Liepāja and the Courland coast

On the west coast, Liepāja combines a long beach, a wooden centre and the Karosta district, a former naval base of the Tsar and then the Soviet army, with its Orthodox cathedral and former military prison open to visitors. To the north, Cape Kolka marks the meeting point of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga; avoid swimming there in rough weather.

Ķemeri National Park

Very close to Jūrmala, a boardwalk crosses the Great Ķemeri Bog, with an observation tower. It is an easy nature outing from Riga, best early in the morning or at sunset.

Latgale

In the east, this region of lakes is less visited. Daugavpils, the country’s second city, has a 19th-century fortress and an art centre dedicated to the painter Mark Rothko, who was born there; Aglona Basilica is a major pilgrimage site. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus and notes that access within 2 km (1 mi) of the Belarusian border is restricted and requires a special permit from the Latvian Border Guard (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).

How many days and what kind of trip? A decision tree

• You have a weekend: Riga alone, 2 to 3 days, possibly half a day in Jūrmala. See also our cheap weekends.
• You have 5 days: Riga (3 days) + Sigulda and Turaida (1 day) + Jūrmala or Rundāle (1 day), without a car, by train, bus or tour.
• You have 8 to 10 days and a car: a loop Riga – Rundāle – Kuldīga – Liepāja – Cape Kolka – Jūrmala – Gauja (Sigulda, Cēsis) – Riga.
• You have 2 weeks: the three Baltic states, from south to north: Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga, then Tallinn (Estonia), by bus from capital to capital (about 4 h to 4 h 30 per journey). The State Department advises carrying your passport on trips to neighbouring Baltic countries, even day trips, as random checks are possible.
• You are travelling in winter: stay in Riga and its museums; the days are too short for a road trip.
• You love the big northern capitals: combine with Stockholm or Finland (Baltic ferries), or with Warsaw to the south.

Itinerary: 8 days in Latvia

1. Days 1 to 3: Riga (old town, Art Nouveau, Central Market, museums)
2. Day 4: Rundāle Palace, then drive to Kuldīga
3. Day 5: Kuldīga and Ventas Rumba, then Liepāja
4. Day 6: the Courland coast to Cape Kolka, overnight in the area or in Jūrmala
5. Day 7: Jūrmala and the Ķemeri bog
6. Day 8: Sigulda, Turaida and Cēsis, back to Riga

Item (per person per day)	Tight budget	Comfortable
Accommodation (based on a shared double room)	about €20–40 (hostel, guesthouse)	about €60–110 (4-star hotel)
Meals	about €15–25 (canteens, market, dish of the day)	about €35–60 (restaurants)
Transport	about €5–15 (regional trains and buses)	about €30–50 (shared car hire, fuel)
Sightseeing	about €5–15	about €20–40 (Rundāle, guided tours)
Total	about €60–90	about €120–200

Getting around Latvia

• Train: regional trains leave Riga Central Station for Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis and other towns; handy and cheap.
• Bus: buses serve the whole country from Riga bus station and link Riga with Tallinn and Vilnius. On buses and trams, validate your ticket as soon as you board: on-the-spot fines apply (GOV.UK).
• Car: essential for Courland and Latgale. US drivers must obtain an International Driving Permit (without one, police could confiscate the vehicle), headlights must be on at all times, and speed limits are usually 50 km/h (31 mph) in town and 90 km/h (55 mph) on highways (travel.state.gov, last updated September 10, 2026). UK licences can be used; rental companies may require a year of driving experience or a higher minimum age (GOV.UK).
• Taxis: use official vehicles with yellow licence plates, from a rank or by hailing, and agree an approximate price before setting off (GOV.UK).
• Ferries: routes link Riga with Stockholm; check timetables with the operators.

Getting there

Latvia’s main international airport is Riga International (RIX). Many travellers also arrive by bus from Tallinn or Vilnius, or by ferry from Stockholm. Check current routes from your home airport with the airlines and the airport.

Where to stay in Latvia

• Riga: the old town for a first visit, the Art Nouveau district for peace and quiet; details in our Riga guide.
• Jūrmala: spa hotels and villas for beach stays, to book early for July–August.
• Gauja: guesthouses and B&Bs in Sigulda and Cēsis.
• Courland: small hotels in Kuldīga and Liepāja, campsites and holiday homes near the coast.

Entry requirements for Latvia, health and safety

• US citizens: Latvia is in the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay, and you need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket. Latvia does not recognise the 12-page US emergency passport for visa-free entry (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated September 10, 2026).
• UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area; you may be asked for a return ticket. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry, free of charge (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
• Health: GOV.UK warns of tick bites between March and October, which occasionally carry encephalitis and Lyme disease; the State Department says both are widespread and that hepatitis A is a significant concern for longer or rural stays. Use repellent in forests, check your skin after walks and talk to your doctor about vaccination. Take out travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation; UK travellers can also use a GHIC or EHIC.
• Safety: petty crime is a greater risk in Riga Old Town, the Central Market and the central train and bus stations (GOV.UK). Some tourists have been charged exorbitant prices for drinks or found fraudulent card transactions in certain bars: get recommendations from trustworthy sources and keep your card in sight. GOV.UK also notes that some Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed into Latvian airspace: follow official guidance.
• Local laws: drinking alcohol in public, including in parks and streets, is illegal (GOV.UK).
• Emergencies: 112.

Practical tips for Latvia

• Money: the euro. Use ATMs inside banks where possible and check street ATMs for tampering (GOV.UK).
• Mobile data: check your home carrier’s roaming charges; otherwise, see our eSIM guide.
• Food: dark rye bread, smoked fish, grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi), cold beetroot soup in summer, and Riga Black Balsam, a herbal liqueur.
• Language: a few words of Latvian (« Labdien », hello; « Paldies », thank you) are appreciated.
• Midsummer: around 23 June, many residents leave the city for the countryside and some shops close. See our ideas for where to go in June.

Frequently asked questions

Our sources

• LVĢMC (Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre) and NOAA: 1991-2020 normals, Riga station; days with precipitation from NOAA, 1991-2020, via the climate table of the Wikipedia article « Riga »
• Destination de Voyage calculation: daylight and sunset (NOAA solar algorithm), rainy days per week
• Entry requirements, health, safety and driving checked on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Latvia country information (last updated September 10, 2026) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Latvia (updated 11 August 2026).
• Our methodology

Updated October 2026.

To go further, see our guide to things to do in Riga, our Poland travel guide and our other destinations in Europe.