From big city sophistication to heartfelt
country hospitality, Latvia has a warm welcome for every visitor. Discover
ancient castles, wander through stunning valleys or laze on miles of beaches in
this Baltic gem.
Top
10 Attractions in Latvia
The middle child of the Baltics is perhaps
most famed for the hedonistic party joints of its gloriously Gothic and Art
Deco capital, or the happening coastal strips of Jurmala just along the
coast.
But delve a little deeper into Latvia’s
backcountry and you’ll discover Teutonic castles, tsarist palazzos and wild
woodlands peppered with bucolic towns.
Check out these best places to visit in
Latvia:
1 #Riga
The largest and most exciting metropolis in
the Baltics, Riga will inspire you.
Top of the menu for any first-time
travelers making their way across the Baltic, Riga is certainly one of the
great urban treasures of the region as a whole.
It straddles the channels of the Daugava
River on the northern edges of the country, boasting a labyrinthine Old Town
area which is considered one of the most handsome in Europe.
Here, the cobbled streets are overshadowed
by the dagger-like spires of the mighty St Peter’s Church, while the famously
reconstructed House of the Blackheads stands definitely elegant after the
tumult of Soviet domination over the city.
Art Nouveau is the name of the game in the
city’s outer districts, with masterworks lining the pavements of Alberta
iela.
And then – of course – there’s Riga’s
legendary nightlife; a medley of hedonistic basement bars and thumping clubs that
host locals and stag dos and hen parties aplenty.
2 #Gauja
National Park
The Gauja National Park is the perfect
place to destress. Wander miles of stunning hiking trails, explore fascinating
medieval castles or thrill to bungee jumping, bobsleighing and other
adventurous activities.
3 #Jurmala
Just 20 minutes’ drive from Riga, Jurmala
(Jūrmala) is a seaside resort like no other. If you’re looking for fun, there’s
vibrant life on the beach and in the unique spas, offering a tempting menu of
mud packs and massages.
Stretching for nearly 30 kilometers along
the curved coastline of the Riga Gulf, sun-kissed, breezy Jurmala is the place
to go during the hotter months of the year.
With their unique microclimate and salty
air, the various towns that form the so-called ‘Latvian Riviera’ here are known
for their mineral mud pools and range of curious holistic health
treatments.
Beach wise, there are worthy sands running
right the way along the breadth of the region, with Majori and Bulduri hailing
in as the favourites with their Blue Flag ratings and opportunities for water
sporting, collections of shore-side cafes and beach volleyball
competitions.
No wonder the likes of Brezhnev and
Khrushchev came here to unwind!
4 #Kuldiga
Drift back to a gentler age in Kuldiga
(Kuldīga), an ideal destination for a romantic weekend or family vacation.
This beautiful town offers a mixture of
Baroque splendour and soulful timber houses, Europe’s widest waterfall and
enchanting restaurants and guesthouses to ensure a magical stay.
5 #Rundale
Palace and Museum
Nicknamed the Baltic Versailles, Rundale
Palace (Rundāles pils) will transport you to an age of splendour.
A onetime gift from the Russian empress
Catherine the Great, the Rundale Palace is the most elegant remnant of imperial
rule from Petersburg left in Latvia.
It can be found encircled by blooming rose
gardens and English-style lawns close to the town of Bauska.
The designs of the façade and grounds are
flamboyant and extravagant in the extreme, oozing with all the Italian-esque
opulence and eccentricity you’d expect of a piece by the celebrated architect
of the Russian court, Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
Today, thousands of people flock to tour
the interior rooms and gardens at Rundale, weaving between the exhibitions of
the Palace Museum and spotting visiting luminaries around the grounds.
Designed by Francesco Rastrelli, the
architect who also created St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Rundale is a superbly
restored Baroque and Rococo masterpiece packed with art treasures and
surrounded by a delightful rose garden.
6 #Turaida
Museum Reserve
Latvia is a land of ancient traditions, and
the best place to experience them is the Turaida Museum Reserve near
Sigulda.
Explore the medieval castle and its
intriguing museum, connect with Latvia’s musical heritage on Folk Song Hill and
take in sweeping views of the lovely Gauja River Valley.
7 #Cesis
Cesis (Cēsis) is a town with an intriguing
mixture of hipness and history.
A picture of traditional Latvian town
planning, Cesis has retained all its medieval glory.
Its center is lauded as one of the
best-preserved historic districts in the country, coming complete with wide
cobblestone streets, pretty, painted timber facades done out in the classic
Baltic style, stuccoed churches (check out the gorgeous St John’s Church and
its tombs of the Livonian Order knights) and worn courtyards where once Middle
Age markets would have thrived.
The piece de resistance of the town has to
be Cesis Castle; a formidable medley of palisades and gatehouses that’s
shrouded by forests close to the center.
Here, visitors can discover 800 years of
history and tales of Swedish, Russian, Slavic and Polish invaders alike.
Savour the timeless ambience of the old
town, get into medieval life at the ancient castle, enjoy cute cafes and soak
up diverse artistic and musical events.
8 #Liepaja
Known as the "city where the wind is
born," Liepaja (Liepāja) is a port with uncommon attractions.
Architecture from Art Nouveau pearls to
historic churches, the Soviet brutalist Karosta military port district, a
magnificent beach and rich musical traditions are yours to savour.
9 #Latgale
Latgale is an off-the-beaten-track gem that
deeply rewards visitors. From a museum to legendary artist Mark Rothko to awe
inspiring Aglona Basilica, Latvia’s eastern region is packed with
surprises.
Stunning lakes, fascinating traditions,
timeless handicrafts and heartfelt hospitality will make this a place you will
never forget.
10 #Ventspils
The port of Ventspils is a town with the
sea in its veins, as well as being a delightful destination for the whole
family.
Enjoy street sculpture, let the kids run wild in the city’s fun parks, discover the interactive medieval castle or relax on the Blue Flag beach.
#best place to visit latvia
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