Latvia Travel Guide

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A small country located on the Baltic Sea, Latvia boasts diverse and beautiful scenery that belies its size. The obvious highlights are the serene Gulf of Riga and the wild Baltic Sea, which both have seemingly infinite, sandy and often secluded beaches. Meanwhile, the equally dramatic hinterland - much of which is protected in nature parks - comes replete with vast swathes of forest, tranquil lakes and gushing rivers.

The Capital
The biggest of the Baltic capitals, Riga is at the top of the region's tourism chain. This varied city offers a UNESCO World Heritage-listed old core and the most impressive collection of Jungendstil (Germanic Art Nouveau) buildings in Europe. In stark contrast to this ancient history and fabulous architecture is one of the liveliest nightlife scenes on the continent.

Outside Riga
Long a favorite destination for vacationers from the Baltic region, Latvia's charms are increasingly being discovered by visitors from further afield. Those who venture beyond Riga discover picturesque medieval towns, country castles, museums and folk parks, ruined fortresses and grand palaces. It seems certain that this incredible country, championed as one of Europe's hidden treasures, won't remain hidden for much longer.

Geography

Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast and borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Russian Federation in the east and Belarus in the southeast. The country is divided into five broad regions: Riga in the north, Kurzeme and Zemgale in the west and Vidzeme and Latgale in the east.

The country is reasonably flat. A long sandy coastline is backed in places by undulating sand dunes and low sea cliffs. In Latgale, in the east, the landscape is noticeably different with rolling hills and myriad lakes. Wherever you are in Latvia you don't have to travel far to find dense forest. In addition the country boasts about 12,000 rivers. Latvia's longest river, the Daugava runs through Riga. Meanwhile, the Gauja River is at the heart of the country's best-known nature reserve, the Gauja National Park.