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Latvia Travel Guide
Whether you travel to Latvia for its diverse natural beauty or the art nouveau capital Riga, you're sure to get the perfect tune out of the 'Land that Sings'. Here's everything you need to know about your Latvian adventure.
What you'll find in this guide:
Top things to do in Latvia
Practical Information
Facts about Latvia
Getting to Latvia
Getting around Latvia
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ATTRACTIONS & GUIDED TOURS
Riga's Old Town walking tour
Learn about the most significant cultural and historical highlights of Riga's old town on this walking tour.
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ATTRACTIONS & GUIDED TOURS
Riga Central Market tour with food tasting
Explore the largest market in the Baltic States, learn about Latvian food and try delicious local specialities.
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ACTIVITIES
Art and culture walking tour of Riga with a local
Discover what the everyday life of a local looks like in Riga and learn where the city gets its characteristic ambience from.
GMT +2
Euro (EUR)
Latvian
Type C and F
2hr 40
Some facts about Latvia
One of three Baltic States, Latvia is packed with gorgeous, naturally diverse landscapes. Think vast forests that cover over half of the country, thousands of lakes and rivers, and 309 miles of Baltic coastline just waiting to be explored. Gauja National Park is a particular highlight, whose beautiful scenery offers the perfect haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
The 'Land that Sings' is famed for its choral singing tradition, which is an important expression of national identity in Latvia. The UNESCO-recognised Latvian Song and Dance Festival takes place every 5 years and gathers tens of thousands of singers and dancers in a single choir. The latest edition in July 2023 featured over 40,000 participants and marked the festival's 150th anniversary.
Practical Info
Culture and etiquette
Religion
Around two thirds of the Latvian population are Christian, and about a third aren't religious at all.
Tipping
You'll usually see a service charge on the bill at restaurants – it's common to tip a little extra for good service.
Smoking
Smoking is banned in most public places including bars, restaurants and public transport.
Jabs, visas and other advice
For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.
Emergency numbers
For an ambulance call 113, for fire call 112 and for police it's 110.
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Latvia Ultimate Experiences
Make the most of your trip and book Latvia's top experiences before you go.
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Travel Insurance for Latvia
You'll want a reliable travel insurance policy for your trip to Latvia.
Getting to Latvia
The easiest way to get to Latvia is to fly. It takes around 2 hours 40 minutes to fly from London to Riga. Riga also has a cruise port if you wanted to visit as part of a cruise.
Getting around Latvia
Hiring a car is a great option if you plan on exploring Latvia. Major roads are generally in good condition, but driving in rural areas can be a bit more difficult.
Trains connect most major towns and cities and are a good option if you don't fancy driving. Just bear in mind that Latvia isn't covered by Eurail or InterRail passes.
If you're staying in Riga, you'll find buses, trams and trolleybuses to get you around. You can buy tickets online or on board.
Latvia ranks 22nd on the Good Trip Index
This score is calculated based on Sustainability, Human Rights, Women's Rights, Press Freedom, Quality of Life, LGBTQI+ Rights and Animal welfare
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