Destinations in Latvia
Latvia lies at the heart of the Baltic States. The country offers travelers an incomparable experience that seamlessly combines nature, culture and history. Let yourself be enchanted by the unspoiled beauty and warm hospitality of Latvia.
Latvia is a country in the center of the Baltic States. It borders Lithuania, Belarus, Russia, Estonia and the Baltic Sea. The capital and largest city of Latvia and the entire Baltic region is Riga. Latvia has been a member of the European Union since May 2004 and has been part of the eurozone since January 2014.
The country is blessed with endless forests, crystal-clear lakes and a picturesque coastline along the Baltic Sea. The Gauja National Park, often referred to as ‘Latvian Switzerland’, invites you to hike through deep green forests and over rolling hills. In winter, these landscapes turn into a true winter wonderland, ideal for cross-country skiing and relaxing in hot saunas.
Riga, the vibrant capital of Latvia, is a must for lovers of culture and architecture. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enchants with its winding alleyways, impressive Art Nouveau buildings and the majestic St. Peter’s Church.
History buffs will be fascinated by Latvia. The country’s history is reflected in its many castles, palaces and museums. Latvia is not only a country for explorers, but also a place of relaxation. The thermal baths and spas, especially in the coastal town of Jūrmala, offer perfect retreats for body and soul.
Not to forget the Latvian cuisine, which impresses with its hearty dishes and fresh ingredients. Be sure to try traditional dishes such as “rupjmaize” (rye bread) and “sklandrausis” (a sweet carrot and potato cake). Latvian cuisine also offers some unusual culinary specialties such as birch sap, caraway cheese, quinces and chanterelles. These ingredients give the dishes a unique flavor and are often found in traditional recipes.
Travelling in Latvia
Riga, the charming capital of Latvia, is a fascinating destination that should definitely be on your list. It is located on the Gulf of Riga on the banks of the River Duna and is considered the largest conurbation in the Baltic region.
Travel information for Latvia
Arrival
By plane
The capital Riga has an international airport. This is mainly served by some low-cost airlines and airBaltic.
By train
There is no direct train connection from Germany to Latvia. A planned direct connection from Poland is still under construction as of 2020. So far, there is only one regional train from Białystock in Poland to Kaunas in Lithuania. However, this only runs at weekends. Rail transport from Lithuania to Latvia is currently also possible at weekends.
By bus
There are several bus companies that run regular services from Germany to Latvia. From Berlin it takes about 22 hours.
By car
From the German border near Frankfurt/Oder it is about 1000 km to Riga on the shortest route. However, this route leads via the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, for which a transit visa is required.
The connections via Poland and Lithuania are somewhat longer.
By ship
Ferries depart from Lübeck/Travemünde to Latvia several times a week. The journey time is about 28 hours.
Entry requirements/visas
Entry requirements for EU citizens
EU citizens enjoy the right to freedom of movement within the European Union. This means that they can enter all EU member states as well as the EEA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland without a visa. This naturally also applies to Latvia.
All you need to enter the country is a valid identity card or passport. This regulation makes traveling and staying within the EU considerably easier.
Entry requirements for non-EU citizens
Different regulations apply to non-EU citizens, depending on their country of origin and the purpose and duration of their stay. In principle, non-EU citizens require a valid passport and possibly a visa to enter the EU.
For short stays in the Schengen area, third-country nationals with a biometric passport can often enter without a visa if their country of origin has a corresponding agreement with the EU.
For longer stays or if no such agreement exists, a visa is usually required, which must be applied for at a diplomatic mission in the destination country before entering the country.
These regulations may vary depending on the country and the specific agreement, so it is advisable to find out the exact requirements before traveling.
On the way in..
By bus
The bus is the standard means of public transport.
Buses depart from Riga in all directions. In the countryside, minibuses connect the towns.
The bus stops are often not easy to find and the timetables are more indicative. Fares are very reasonable. A small tip: Individual travellers should always ask for a receipt. It can happen that the tourist surcharge suddenly disappears.
By taxi
Taxi rides are quite affordable in Latvia. Call taxis are often offered, and you should negotiate prices with the driver in advance.
By train
There are several railway lines running through the country. So far, however, little attention has been paid to these connections. Only around Riga is the service good.
By car
If you are not travelling to Latvia with your own car, you can book a car with numerous car rental companies. In the high season, however, it can happen that all the cars are already sold out. In terms of price, the offer is somewhat cheaper than in other Central European countries.
If you travel off the major connecting roads, you will often find poorly maintained roads.
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May):
Temperatures gradually rise in spring. In March, average temperatures are around 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, while in May they rise to a pleasant 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Spring is a transitional period with moderate rainfall, with an average of around 10 to 12 rainy days per month.
Summer (June to August):
Summer in Latvia is mild and pleasant. The average temperature is between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius. July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 16.8 degrees Celsius. There are around 8 to 10 rainy days per month during this period, making summer the ideal time for outdoor activities.
Fall (September to November):
Temperatures gradually cool down in the fall. In September, temperatures are still a pleasant 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, but drop to around 0 to 5 degrees Celsius by November. September is the wettest month with around 13 days of rain. The number of rainy days decreases slightly over the course of the fall.
Winter (December to February):
Winter is cold, with average temperatures in January of -5.8 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures can also drop below -10 degrees Celsius. Winter is the driest season, with around 7 to 9 days of rain per month. Snow is common, turning the landscape into a winter wonderland.
Language
Latvian is spoken in Latvia. The language belongs to the Indo-European language family. After the end of the Soviet Union, the independent character of the Latvian language is officially promoted.
The second most widely spoken language in the country is Russian, and Lithuanian is spoken in some parts of the country.
In the tourist areas, English is more widely spoken.
Money
Latvia is one of the euro countries. Here you pay with the euro (€).
Tip
In Latvia, you only give a tip if you are actually satisfied with the service. Accordingly, the amount of the tip can also vary.
In restaurants, about 10% of the bill is given as a tip. Taxi drivers receive a tip of about 10%. Tour guides, guides and hotel staff are also happy to receive a few euros a day – but it is not expected.
Travel Adapter
German travellers do not need a travel adapter for trips to Latvia. Type C and F plugs are used in the country. These sockets can also be found in Germany.
Drinkable Water
In some places it is not advisable to drink tap water without boiling it.
In rural areas, tap water may contain strong-smelling sulphur compounds and iron from old pipes.
