Latvia — Where to Go
Top Things to See
Riga's architecture
Riga (www.rigatourism.com) boasts both the finest concentration of Jugendstil (Germanic art nouveau) buildings in Europe and a chocolate-box pretty old town, which together have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Freedom Monument
Not only is this vaulting statue at the heart of Riga, it also commemorates the hardships that Latvia's citizens have endured over the years and is a poignant symbol of nationhood. That it survived communist rule at all is a miracle.
Turaida Museum Reserve
One of Latvia's most popular attractions throngs with tourists and Latvian school children, who come to ramble around Turaida Castle (one of Latvia's most attractive). The ramparts open up striking views over the Gauja National Park from its ramparts, while the attractive landscaped grounds boast a number of oversized esoteric sculptures. (www.turaida-muzejs.lv)
Rundale Palace
It may not be on the same scale as St Petersburg's Hermitage, but Rastrelli's Rundale Palace (www.rundale.net) is equally handsome. A visit to this opulent baroque and rococo masterpiece is a must. Renovation work is still bringing the interior up to scratch.
Cesis
Old wooden buildings, cobbled streets, attractive churches and impressive castles transport you back through layers of history in Cesis (www.tourism.cesis.lv). One of Latvia's oldest towns, it was first inhabited in the 13th century.
Liepaja
Its old town buildings may be a little faded but Liepaja (www.liepaja.lv) still boasts attractive architecture. The real highlights though are its seaside park and sandy EU Blue Flag beach. In Karosta, formerly a Russian naval base, you can take a tour of a KGB museum.
Kuldiga
This attractive town proudly promotes itself as the home of Europe's widest waterfall. While the gushing torrent is impressive when the Venta River is high, Kuldiga (www.visit.kuldiga.lv) is an attractive historic settlement well worth exploring in its own right.
Basilica of Aglona
A place of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over Latvia, this immense white cathedral is worth visiting even if you are not religious. To see it at its most atmospheric, visit during the Feast of the Assumption (15 Aug) when around 150,000 worshippers take part in a torchlit procession.
Top Things to Do
Cape Kolka
The windswept beach at Cape Kolka, part of the Slitere National Park (www.slitere.gov.lv), is a breathtaking spot where the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga crash together. It's also a good place for a bracing walk.
Skyline Bar
The 26th- floor Skyline Bar at the Revel Hotel Latvia (www.revalhotels.com) offers epic 360° views over Riga. The same dramatic views can be seen from the toilets. An extensive cocktail lists complements the vistas.
Spas
Spa holidays are all the rage in Latvia, and no more so in Jurmala (www.jurmala.lv). The ever-growing number of spa hotels in this Baltic resort are backed up by a seemingly endless sandy beach. Indulge in an aromatherapy massage or something a bit more unusual like a salt chamber.
Hiking
The country's national parks and protected areas boast myriad hiking trails. Gauja National Park (www.gnp.gov.lv) is the country's biggest. Covering an area of nearly 94 sq km (36 sq miles) around the River Gauja, it features caves, rocks and dense woods.
Birdwatching
Latvia's wetlands and traditionally cultivated farmland attract significant populations of interesting and uncommon birds, including the corncrake, now rare in other parts of Europe. Local operators can arrange birdwatching trips. For more information, contact the Latvian Ornithological Society (www.lob.lv).
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia (www.muzeji.lv), established in 1924, is one of the oldest in Europe. It boasts historical dwellings, workers' homesteads, a tavern and windmills, gathered here from all over Latvia. Masters of 18 different crafts demonstrate their work.
Fly High
The cable car from Sigulda to Krimulda provides a birds-eye view of the Gauja River Gorge. Krimulda also has a ruined castle.
Get wet
The winding Gauja River offers plenty of opportunities for watersports, from white-water kayaking to river rafting. Anyone seeking an extended watery adventure can stay at one of the national park's 23 campsites (www.gnp.gov.lv).
Stay in the land of the Blue Lakes
It is possible to rent log cabins amidst the Latgale forest. Some properties are located next to lakes where the hearty can take a swim, while others have their own saunas. For further details contact the Latvian Country Tourism Association (see Accommodation Information)
