Latvia
The Republic of Latvia may be small but it offers much more as a destination than many travelers might guess. Latvia offers markedly different features depending on which area you visit; one-third of this Baltic state is covered by forests, but you'll also find a cosmopolitan city full of art nouveau architecture, plus miles of serene coastline and thousands of rivers. We've collected the best Web sites to help you discover Latvia online and to aid you in planning a trip there.
Expand All Guide SectionsBasic Latvia Travel Information
The Web reveals Latvia's land, culture, enviable sightseeing opportunities, and shadowy history. In this section, we present sites to introduce you to this Baltic nation before you visit.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Depending on whom you ask, Latvia's capital, Riga, is either the next hot spot in Europe or in a downward cultural spiral. For example, a 2006 feature in The New York Times Travel section described Riga as an admirable combination of boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and a symphony orchestra, while a 2007 entry from travel blog World Hum notes Riga's potential for becoming the "Baltic Bangkok," due to a growing sex industry, numerous clubs and pubs, and cheap flights.
- During the Holocaust, the capital city of Riga was the site of concentration camps for Jews from Latvia, as well as from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. Furthermore, as the BBC describes, Latvian soldiers have a complicated history with the Nazi party. It may be worth visiting a few places in Riga to gain a better understanding of what Latvia went through during World War II. The Estonia-based periodical City Paper suggests some relevant spots.
- Latvia gained status as an independent state in 1991 after decades under the communist rule of the Soviet Union. Reminders of communism can still be seen in Riga, such as small apartment blocks and ethnic Russian discrimination. Therefore, you may need more than a day or two to get a true sense of the country and its people, as your initial impression may not be favorable.
- If you want to catch Latvia in a good mood, consider visiting during one of its many festivals. Ligo, a celebration of the summer solstice, is an especially popular gathering (and superstitious: if you fall asleep at all during Ligo, tradition holds that the following year won't go well for you). One of the sites described below, iExplore, lists some popular Latvian festivals.
- Beer is the beverage of choice for Latvian festivals and for the long, harsh winters. If you plan to do some sampling while you're there, get to know your many options beforehand. Beer.lv lists Latvian beers with descriptions of taste, and includes a list of pubs and beer news in the Baltics.
- Prague isn't the only city in Eastern Europe offering castles and stunning architecture; Latvia has both Riga, known for its art nouveau style and charming Old Town, and Cesis, which has otherworldly castles.
Dulcinea's Picks
For official tourism resources ...
The Official Latvia Tourism Portal
offers extensive information and resources to help you become better acquainted with the country. The site has a clean, easily navigable design, which makes perusing sections such as "E-Latvia" (multimedia features) and "About Latvia" (a helpful overview) quite fun.
For geography and natural features ...
The CIA World Factbook
describes essential characteristics of each country. A simple map of Latvia is included, as well as geographical facts (namely, boundaries, area, length of coastline, land use, and current environmental issues) in a straightforward, outline format.
The Latvian Institute
was established to provide information about the country's society, culture, and history. Touting an attractive layout and vivid photos, the site also includes a "Nature" section. Thorough details of natural features, animal and plant species, and natural resources such as amber are provided. Ecotourism is also discussed.
Merriam-Webster's Atlas
is an online source for maps and encyclopedic information. View a small but detailed map of Latvia, including cities, nature reserves, and national parks, as well as bordering countries and bodies of water. Land use facts are provided adjacent to the map.
For history and culture ...
The Latvian Institute
, previously mentioned for its "Nature" section, is an excellent source of historical information, no matter how much time you want to devote to research. A basic timeline dating back to 9000 BCE is included in this well-organized section, in addition to features on "Latvia in the 20th Century," "Milestones in History of Technologies in Latvia," and much more. Also see the Institute's sections on culture, including music, cuisine, and literature, and a breakdown of Latvian society that discusses ethnic composition and population density.
City Paper
is a news source for the Baltics, published weekly online and monthly in print. Consult this "20th Century Timeline" of key historical events and turning points for the Baltic states, incorporated with quotes from key players including professors and journalists.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
's Web site, although text heavy, is dense with information about various aspects of Latvian culture, including library and museum systems, film, music, and more. Cultural news and upcoming events are also listed.
The Latvian Culture Vortal
is a sister site of the Ministry of Culture, and is appealing both visually and textually. Get an overview of Latvian arts and artists, including listings of upcoming events in music, art, dance, literature, and more; samples of artwork give you an idea of what to expect from exhibits. Personalities of Latvian culture are also detailed.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
's Web site includes a section on Latvia. The progression of Jewish persecution in the country is summarized and flanked by multimedia features: maps of Baltic Nazi camps and ghettos, historical film footage of mobile killing units, and personal stories with photos of Latvian Jews who either lived through or died during the Holocaust.
For travel guides ...
Insight Travel Online
presents guides written by country natives that are a pleasure to read. Quick but descriptive summaries convey a sense of Latvia that you won't find in most other guides. Consult various sections to get the full picture: "Highlights" for parks, towns, and cities to visit; and "Travel tips" for cultural dos and don'ts, for example.
iExplore.com
, a leading adventure travel magazine, furnishes this well-rounded guide to Latvia. Sections are detailed and lively, and describe history, culture, natural features, and activities (bird watching, for example). Practical advice and logistics are included as well (see "Where to Go" for two resort cities near Riga). iExplore has been named Forbes's "Best Adventure Travel Magazine" for the past seven years, and provides adventure tours for the Travel Channel and Lonely Planet, among other top guidebook companies.
In Your Pocket
guides give the scoop on urban life in Eastern Europe in a young, sarcastic tone, courtesy of locals. Several cities in Latvia have guides but the Riga guide is most thorough. Intros explain what to expect from each season, while culture, nightlife, food and drink, and shopping are detailed in separate sections. Expats should find the directory useful, as it offers info about apartment rentals, translators, and more.
The New York Times
Travel section's prolific "36 Hours In" series recently featured Riga. A detailed itinerary includes recommended sights and attractions, restaurants, and hotels, all of which are marked on the accompanying map. A vivid slideshow offers an enticing peek of the city.
For sightseeing ...
TripAdvisor
is a valuable compilation of opinions and recommendations from travelers. On this page of "Things to Do in Latvia," scroll down for "Attractions by city." Click each for lists of suggestions, most of which have summaries and links to sites of museums, monuments, markets, and more.
Kaleva Travel
offers package and tailor-made tours in the Baltics and Finland. Highlighted attractions and sightseeing options for three Latvian cities (Riga, Sigulda, and Cesis) are featured here, with descriptions of guided tours and bus trips. Scroll to the bottom of this page for Kaleva's contact information.
MyPhotographs.net
presents well-organized, high-quality photo galleries created by travelers. The site includes more than 125,000 pictures taken in 63 countries around the world, including a great section on Latvia. Countless images of sights and attractions in Riga, Segulda, and Cesis are available, including the National Theater, the Riga Central Market, and the Cesis Castle.
Travel Requirements for Latvia
Here you'll find sites to relieve your pre-travel anxiety, covering passport requirements and ... read more »
Getting to Latvia
Latvia may present a challenge if you're used to Eurail-ing it around Europe. Though it lacks the ... read more »
Latvia Hotels
Tourists in Latvia have many accommodation options from which to choose: upscale and boutique ... read more »
Getting Around in Latvia
Latvia's size is manageable, which means you'll have plenty of good transportation options once you ... read more »
Latvia Travel Blogs and Forums
Latvia's independence is still relatively new, and Soviet occupation and influence is still a ... read more »
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