Latvia
Latvia sits at the heart of the Baltic, a country of amber coastline, dense pine forest, and art nouveau streetscapes where the rhythms of rural life and a compact, confident capital coexist across roughly 64,000 km².
Overview
Located in northeastern Europe, Latvia borders Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the west. Its capital, Riga, is the largest city in the Baltic states and serves as the country's cultural and economic centre. Latvian is the official language, and the euro has been the currency since 2014. The country's identity is shaped by centuries of shifting rule — German, Swedish, Russian — and a persistent attachment to folklore, song, and the land.
Visa Requirements
Latvia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, meaning citizens of many countries — including EU member states, the United States, Canada, and Australia — may enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travellers from countries requiring a visa should apply through Latvia's official state migration channels or the relevant Schengen consulate in advance.
Airports in Latvia
2 airportsAirlines based in Latvia
2 airlines
Famous Attractions in Latvia
Riga's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains a dense concentration of medieval architecture alongside one of Europe's finest collections of art nouveau buildings — over 700 facades in a compact district. Jūrmala is a long shoreline resort town known for its wooden 19th-century villas and white-sand beach. Gauja National Park offers sandstone cliffs, river valleys, and Turaida Castle, a restored 13th-century red-brick fortress. Rundale Palace, designed by Baroque architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, stands in the flat southern countryside as a remarkably intact 18th-century estate.
Weather & Climate
Latvia has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are mild, with temperatures typically ranging from 18°C to 23°C, while winters are cold and grey, dropping to between −5°C and −10°C, occasionally lower. Snow cover is common from December through February. The warmest and most reliably pleasant period is June through August, though spring and early autumn offer quieter travel conditions. Pack a waterproof layer regardless of season — rain is distributed fairly evenly across the year.
Interesting Facts About Latvia
- Riga holds Europe's largest collection of art nouveau buildings.
- Latvia's Song and Dance Festival dates back to 1873.
- The country regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
- Latvia is over half covered by forest.
- Latvian is one of the oldest living Indo-European languages.
Official Resources
- latvia.travel — official Latvian tourism portal operated by the Tourism Development State Agency
- mfa.gov.lv — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa and entry information
- pmlp.gov.lv — Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, residency and documentation
- meteo.lv — Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, official weather forecasts