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Introducing Latvia

When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit the Baltic States is late spring or summer. Spring begins in late April and the countryside takes on a green lushness, drawing horses out from their winter barns. Summers are relatively short (mid-June through August). You may experience a string of hot, dry days during this time, but showers and chilly nights can also be expected.

Temperatures cool down rapidly from September onwards. Autumn can be a beautiful season, as the golden leaves of deciduous trees begin to contrast with dark green pines. The first snowfalls can come as early as mid-November, and by December winter sets in with a vengeance. Average daytime temperatures can remain below freezing until March. That said, winter can also be a magical time, with lakes, rivers and large expanses of the Baltic Sea freezing over, crunchy snow cover adding an air of enchantment to medieval city centers, and plenty of skating rinks and saunas to keep you warm. 

Where should you go?
With its strong German influence and tall historic buildings, Riga feels different than other Baltic capitals. You'll love strolling the web of narrow Old Town streets, with no shortage of sidewalk cafes. From Riga, head to Jurmala, a resort town where the ice-blue waters of the Baltic Sea might be the prettiest of anywhere in the region. There's plenty of entertainment to be found, but unspoiled nature is the main attraction here—come for the sea, white sandy beaches, and shady pine forests. Latvia's other draws include the Baroque style Basilica of the Assumption in Aglona, and the Medieval town of Cesis (home to the oldest brewery in the country).

How many days do you need?
Travelers with 7 days will have enough time to tour Latvia or check out the highlights of the three Baltic capitals—Riga, Tallinn (Estonia), and Vilnius (Lithuania). With 10 days, you can combine an in-depth Latvia tour with stops in Tallinn and Vilnius, and two weeks is enough to see all three countries, including rural places and hidden gems.

Latvia Travel Insights

Explore Latvia
Map of Highlights of Latvia - 7 Days
Highlights of Latvia - 7 Days

Over seven days you'll cover the highlights of Latvia, from the medieval capital city of Riga to its gorgeous coastal villages. You'll also stop at unique locales, like abandoned fallout bunkers and former KGB headquarters, that are throwbacks to when Latvia was controlled by Soviet Russia. In between, you'll tour well-preserved castles, cathedrals, and opulent palaces, some of which date back as far as the 13th century.

Latvia
Map of History & Nature in Latvia - 5 Days
History & Nature in Latvia - 5 Days

Discover Latvia, from the cobbled streets of its historic capital of Riga to the dense forests and waterfalls of Gauja National Park. After witnessing the famous Art Nouveau architecture of Riga, visit the sandstone caves near the medieval village of Kuldīga followed by a trip to the coastal resort city of Jūrmala. Along the way, you'll tour castle ruins, historic palaces, and discover Latvia's art scene with a visit to an open-air museum with over 150 works of art.

Riga at Sunset
Riga and the Midsummer Festival - 5 Days

Experience local culture and traditions in Riga by enjoying its annual Midsummer Festival, starting with a walking tour of the historic city center and its renowned architecture. Then participate in traditional songs, dances, and sauna rituals with locals at the festival, sleeping in the tranquility of Gauja National Park. Learn about Baltic culture and traditions with an herbal workshop, a carpentry workshop, and a visit to the open-air ethnographic museum.

Riga
Map of Highlights of the Baltic Capital Cities - 8 Days
Highlights of the Baltic Capital Cities - 8 Days

Discover the capital cities of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia on this whirlwind 8-day trip through the Baltic states. As you travel north from Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn, you'll learn about each city's rich cultural, historic, and culinary traditions. Visit churches in Vilnius, indulge in a food tour in Riga, and explore the creative hub of Tallinn on this Northern European adventure.

 House of the Blackheads in Riga Old Town
Highlights of Latvia - 5 Days

This trip through Latvia starts in Riga, touring the medieval Old Town, the Central Market, and the Latvian National Opera and Ballet House, and ending with a traditional dinner with folklore dancing. You'll then explore the country's rural landscapes with visits to waterfalls and caves in the town of Kuldīga, as well as the preserved Bauska Castle and the palaces of Rundāle and Jelgava. End your trip in Jūrmala, a seaside resort where you'll ride bikes along the beach and swim in the sea.

Sunset over Riga's Old Town
Map of Ancient Traditions in Latvia & Estonia - 9 Days
Ancient Traditions in Latvia & Estonia - 9 Days

Explore the medieval towns and castle-filled countrysides of Latvia and Estonia on this nine-day itinerary. From the 13th through 16th centuries, the two countries were a unified political entity known as Livonia, and you can explore their shared culture as you travel through the historic cities, ancient river valleys, islands, and Hanseatic towns of the Baltic region.

Latvia Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map Highlights of Latvia - 7 Days
Highlights of Latvia - 7 Days
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Map History & Nature in Latvia - 5 Days
History & Nature in Latvia - 5 Days
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Map Highlights of the Baltic States
Highlights of the Baltic States
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Trip Reviews for Latvia

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

The Baltics - Lithuania and Latvia
Latvia | Jun 29 - Jul 12, 2025

Linda
Linda S.
Greensboro, NC | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025
We have worked with Kim Kimfor multiple trips and Moonika has planned the last several for us. She has come to understand our requirements and expectations as travellers (as a couple and a family with grown children) and we count on her to find unexpected and different itineraries that allow us to really experience new countries. This trip was no exception. Yes, we visit the capital cities - but Moonika ensures we explore the hidden gems and little towns with guides who (for the most part)... Read more

We have worked with Kim Kimfor multiple trips and Moonika has planned the last several for us. She has come to understand our requirements and expectations as travellers (as a couple and a family with grown children) and we count on her to find unexpected and different itineraries that allow us to really experience new countries. This trip was no exception. Yes, we visit the capital cities - but Moonika ensures we explore the hidden gems and little towns with guides who (for the most part) fit our style of learning and interacting. Even the drivers she finds are pretty great. Moonika was available when we needed her and stayed in touch with us to be sure all was okay. She is truly a professional.

Activity Reviews
 Flavors of Vilnius
Flavors of Vilnius
Vilnius

This was combined with our walking tour. See previous notes.

Vilnius Walking Tour
Vilnius Walking Tour
Vilnius

Due to flight complications and arriving later than expected, our walking and food tour were combined. It all worked out great though. Our guide (Dov) was very informative, friendly and full of energy. She took the time to explain many cultural aspects related to food, people, art and history. Her communication style was friendly and warm.

Quality of Experience
Dov was a very flexible person. Took us to the art section and it was fascinating.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai
Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai
Vilnius

What a great way to see a countryside. The ride itself was perfect. Great, professional captain who made everyone feel safe and comfortable. The drivers to and from the take off site were not super friendly and didn't speak with any of us which was too bad.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Especially the captain. The crew worked hard.
Transport
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Jul 14, 2025

Hello Linda,

Thank you so much for your wonderful words and for trusting me with your travels again. I’m so glad this trip met your expectations, and I’m already looking forward to helping you explore your next destination!

All the best,
Moonika

Simply the best
Latvia | Jun 29 - Jul 12, 2025

Stu
Stu N.
Germantown, MD | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025
This is at least our third trip that Moonika has organized. She is amazing. Each trip keeps getting better and better. We visited Lithuania and Latvia and loved it. Moonika arranged for us to stay in and experience a list of cities that otherwise we woud never have known about. Kuldiga is a great example. I love this place so much that I am thinking seriously about buying a place there. The balloon ride was to die for. Moonika is the best. She follows up on details. She stays in... Read more

This is at least our third trip that Moonika has organized. She is amazing. Each trip keeps getting better and better. We visited Lithuania and Latvia and loved it. Moonika arranged for us to stay in and experience a list of cities that otherwise we woud never have known about. Kuldiga is a great example. I love this place so much that I am thinking seriously about buying a place there. The balloon ride was to die for. Moonika is the best. She follows up on details. She stays in touch during the trip making sure everything is top notch. We travel far more than most and so we appreciate good agency and Moonika is the best.

Stu Nichols

Hotel Reviews
Noliktava No 5
Kuldīga

The design was amazing, but there was ZERO interaction with the hotel staff. My wife and I are very self-sufficient travelers so we don't need interaction, but this was sort of ridiculous. Btw, we LOVED Kulidiga. The stay was just good. Not amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
if you want to get a decent rating on this, you need to have staff present. Not the case here.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dome Hotel
Riga

I love this hotel. Very near the central square. Unique design. Great restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Unique design
Location
Right in the middle of things
Staff
The breakfast is amazing. The staff is the dream team. Friendly and attentive. I literally looked forward to breakfast daily. Elizabete is top tier. Her colleagues didn't wear name badges but they are amazing.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Promenade Hotel
Liepaja
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
MICHAELSON boutique HOTEL
Klaipeda

Great renovation but the staff disappointed us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Kaunas
Kaunas

perfectly fine hotel, but not amazing. had motel vibes. Great gym though. probably the most amazing gym ever.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel PACAI
Vilnius

Amazing hotel. Very good staff.

Authenticity & Character
I don't know how they did what they did.
Location
Right next to city hall
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai
Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai
Vilnius

Un-effing believable. do this! fly to the baltics just for this. Trust me.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Jul 14, 2025

Hello Stu,

Thank you so much for your kind words and continued trust, it truly means the world to me. I'm so happy you loved Latvia and Lithuania, and that Kuldīga left such an impression! It's one of my favorite towns too:) All the best and I hope to have you as my guests again in the future.

Moonika

Life changing!
Latvia | Jun 11 - Jun 17, 2023

Catherine
Catherine H.
Highland Springs, VA | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2023
These are the only places on earth where eastern and western architecture can now meet in harmony. The architecture tells a social history translated into excellent English on this tour! The hotels were clean, comfortable, and safe. The food was outstanding as well, I only wish I had more time! Read more

These are the only places on earth where eastern and western architecture can now meet in harmony. The architecture tells a social history translated into excellent English on this tour! The hotels were clean, comfortable, and safe. The food was outstanding as well, I only wish I had more time!

Hotel Reviews
Grand Palace Hotel
Riga

This hotel was clean, comfortable and safe. The staff were very friendly, accessible and helpful. The food at the restaurant was truly enjoyable. The location cannot be beat and overall this hotel is definitely a fabulous deal for the money.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Neringa Hotel
Vilnius

This hotel was clean, comfortable and safe. The staff were very accommodating and friendly. It's location was a bit far from sites that I was interested in seeing but overall a great deal for the price.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Valdis Čeičs
Valdis
Valdis Čeičs
Local specialist in Riga, Latvia | Replied on Jun 26, 2023

Thank you fAor such a nice review! We are really happy that you enjoyed the trip!

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