Latvia travel guide: Riga, the Gauja valley and the Baltic coast
Latvia is a small Baltic country of forest, long sandy beaches and an old capital full of Art Nouveau. It suits a city break with a day or two outside, and it fits easily into a trip through Estonia and Lithuania. The one thing to know is that Riga is where almost everything starts, and the rest is reached by short train or bus rides.
The short answer
- First trip
- Base yourself in Riga for two or three days, then add a day trip to the Gauja valley, the seaside at Jūrmala or Rundāle Palace.
- How long
- Three days covers Riga and one trip out. Five to seven days lets you add Cēsis, Kuldīga or a stretch of coast.
- Best time to go
- June to August for beaches and long light evenings. December for Christmas markets, and September for quiet forests and color.
- Getting around
- Trains and buses link Riga to the main towns. Outside the cities a car is the simplest way to reach castles, villages and the coast.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in towns, with some cash useful in villages and at small markets.
- Book ahead
- Rooms in summer, especially at Jūrmala and in Riga on festival weekends, and any guesthouse in a small town.
Best cities to visit in Latvia
Riga
A walkable capital with a medieval old town, one of Europe's largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings and a big central market. It suits couples, architecture fans and anyone who wants an affordable city with good food.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Jūrmala
A long seaside resort of pine woods, wooden villas and a wide sandy beach. Trains from Riga take about 30 to 40 minutes, so it works as a half-day or a beach stay.
Sigulda and the Gauja valley
Castles, sandstone cliffs, caves and forest paths in Gauja National Park. Trains from Riga take about an hour, and the area suits a full day of walking.
Rundāle Palace
A grand 18th-century baroque palace with formal gardens, south of Riga. It is easier by car or on a tour, and takes about an hour and a quarter each way.
Cēsis
A small medieval town with a castle, a pleasant old center and woods nearby. It is about an hour and a half from Riga by train or bus, and combines well with Sigulda.
Kuldīga
A quiet western town with red-roofed old streets, a long brick bridge and the Venta Rapid, often called the widest waterfall in Europe. It is about two and a half hours from Riga, so plan a night.
Latvia itineraries
- Five days: Riga with the coast and the valley
Three nights in Riga for the old town, Art Nouveau streets and the market. Spend one day at Jūrmala and one in Sigulda, both reached by train from Riga Central Station and both done as day trips.
- Seven days: Riga, Sigulda, Cēsis and Kuldīga
Three nights in Riga, one in Cēsis with a stop at Sigulda on the way, and two in Kuldīga before returning. A hire car makes this far easier, because buses between the smaller towns are less frequent.
- Ten days: the Baltics from Tallinn to Vilnius
Start in Tallinn, move south to Riga for three or four nights with a day in the Gauja valley, then continue to Vilnius. Long-distance buses link the three capitals, usually in about four to five hours between each.
Best time to visit Latvia
June to August is the main season. Days are very long, the sea is swimmable in July and August and Jūrmala is at its busiest. Midsummer on 23 and 24 June is the big national holiday, with bonfires and wreaths, and many shops are closed.
September brings quieter forests and autumn color. December has Christmas markets in Riga and a cold, dark, atmospheric feel, while January to March is cold, snowy and cheap, and some seaside places close. Rain can come in any month.
How to get around Latvia
- TrainsPasažieru vilciens runs the domestic passenger trains. Riga Central Station has services to Jūrmala and Sigulda, and tickets can be bought at the station or in the operator's app.
- BusesBuses reach most towns that trains do not, including Cēsis and Kuldīga. Riga's coach station sits beside the central market.
- City transportRiga has trams, trolleybuses and buses on one ticket system. The old town is small enough to walk, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are common.
- Cars and the BalticsA car is useful for Rundāle, Cēsis and Kuldīga, and main roads are generally good. Long-distance buses connect Riga with Tallinn and Vilnius, so the Baltics make an easy multi-country trip.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Latvia. Each city guide has its own list.
- Rooms in summer and at weekends1 to 3 months ahead
Jūrmala, Sigulda and small towns have few beds, and July and August weekends sell out.
- Rundāle Palace and guided visitsa few days ahead
Tours and group visits fill up in the high season, and booking online saves queuing.
- Popular restaurants in Riga1 to 2 weeks ahead
The best known tables fill at weekends and during festivals.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro. Latvia joined the euro area in 2014.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken widely in towns. Carry a little cash for village shops, markets and parking.
- TippingTipping is modest. Rounding up or leaving about 10 percent in a restaurant is usual, if service was not already added.
- Tourist taxesLatvian cities and towns set their own per-person, per-night tourism taxes, charged on top of your room. Riga has agreed to raise its rate from January 2027, and other towns are introducing their own, so check your booking.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Latvia
- Driving in central Riga
Parking is limited and the old town is mostly pedestrian. Use trams and your feet, and hire a car only for the days you leave the city.
- Cramming Riga, the coast and the castles into one day
Sigulda, Jūrmala and Rundāle are in three different directions. Pick one trip out per day and leave room for a slow lunch.
- Visiting only in high summer
July and August are the busiest weeks at the sea. Late May, June and September give calmer beaches and forests, with longer light than most of Europe.
Latvia: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Latvia?
Three days covers Riga and one trip out. A week lets you add Sigulda, Cēsis and Kuldīga, and ten days fits Latvia into a longer Baltic trip.
What are the best places to visit in Latvia?
Riga comes first. Beyond it, the Gauja valley around Sigulda, Jūrmala's beach, Rundāle Palace, Cēsis and Kuldīga are the most popular choices.
Is Latvia worth visiting?
Yes, especially for a short city break. Riga has Art Nouveau streets, a medieval center and good food, and the forests and sea are an hour or so away.
What is the best time to visit Latvia?
June to August for the sea and long days. September for forests and fewer people, and December for Christmas markets.
Is Latvia easy to get around without a car?
Around Riga, yes. Trains reach Jūrmala and Sigulda, and buses reach most towns. A car helps for Rundāle, Kuldīga and the smaller villages.
Which currency does Latvia use?
The euro. Cards are widely accepted in towns, so you will use little cash.
Can you visit Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania together?
Yes. Riga sits between Tallinn and Vilnius, and long-distance buses link the three capitals in about four to five hours each. It is a popular ten-day route.