Plan your trip to Latvia

Latvia is a small country in northern Europe that borders the Baltic Sea, an important natural and cultural resource for the Baltic people who settled the region. Latvia’s 310-mile Baltic coastline comprises major fishing ports in cities like Riga and Liepaja, but also countless tiny fishing villages, marine preserves and national parks. For nature enthusiasts, Latvia is the place to be; the country’s thousands of lakes and hundreds of rivers offer superior kayaking, canoeing and fishing recreation. Jurmala is a popular Baltic beach resort town that offers luxury spas, hotels and outdoor activities.

Latvians take seriously the preservation of their country’s cultural heritage, reflected in the proliferation of arts and crafts workshops throughout the country. Amber jewelry is a treasure, and you can still find amber washed up on the shores of the Baltic.

Latvia’s capital, Riga, is a beautiful city situated on the shores of the Riga Gulf and at the mouth of the country’s longest river, the Daugava. Riga offers a wealth of arts and entertainment, and some of the best-preserved architecture, including styles from the Gothic, Baroque, Classical and Art Nouveau periods. Riga also offers more than 50 museums showcasing Latvian art, history, nature and science; among them, the outdoor Lativian Ethnographic Museum and the Riga History and Maritime Museum—the oldest museum in the Baltics. Another famous Riga landmark, the Dome Cathedral is a majestic architectural centerpiece in Old Town, and is most famous for its monster organ, with 6,828 pipes.