Outdoor & Nature in Latvia

A wooden boardwalk across the raised bog in Ķemeri National Park: the short loop is 1.5 km (about an hour) and the long one 3.5 km (about an hour and a half), leading to an observation tower. The boardwalk is free; the car park, about 800 m away, costs €3 for the first hour (Mobilly). Not wheelchair accessible, slippery in rain, and snow isn’t cleared in winter.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Bābelīte in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Būšnieki in Ventspils. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Ciecere. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

An adventure park by Lake Lielais Stropu: rope courses with 102 obstacles up to 12 m high, a separate net park and a 100 m zipline. Little ones (3–6) have a kids’ park; the red and black courses require age 10+ and a height of 140 cm. Gift cards available.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A 33.5 m viewing tower in Dzintari Forest Park with 12 platforms at different heights; from the top you look out over the pine tops to the sea horizon. Free to visit; open daily 9–22, during the park’s hours.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Lielupe in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

The rental point of a Latvian outdoor-shop chain, in Pārdaugava. It hires out touring and mountain bikes with helmets, child seats and bike bags, plus hiking kit — tents, sleeping bags, mats, backpacks, dry bags, stoves, cookware, lamps, camping furniture and trekking poles. Gear can be booked online and also collected at Gandrs points in Valmiera or Liepāja; the longer the rental, the lower the daily price.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Baltic Sea. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Kovšu. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Lielais Stropu in Daugavpils. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Baltic Sea in Liepāja. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

An 8 km white-sand beach with a Blue Flag every summer since 2001, lifeguards, and access for people with visual and mobility impairments.

Nature Conservation Agency trails in Gauja National Park, where Latvian forest animals — bears, wolves, lynx, wild boar, deer and foxes — live in large enclosures. Over 5 km of paths (2–2.5 hours), a 22 m observation tower and a covered, glass-fronted platform at the lynx enclosure; open all year.

Official bathing site on Lake Limbažu Lielezers in Limbaži. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Lubāns. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Latvia’s State Forests nature park in the Tērvete pinewood, about 1,200 hectares: the Fairy Tale Forest, the Gnome Farmstead, wooden sculptures, trails and boardwalks over the Tērvete river valley, and three ancient hill forts. A new visitor centre and a 25 m observation tower opened in 2026; the park drew a record 166,700 visitors in 2025.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Venta in Kuldīga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A leisure centre between Jūrmala and Tukums: 11 runs of varying difficulty (the longest up to 320 m), 9 lifts and a snowboard park. Equipment rental, instructors, a ski service, accommodation, a sauna, a café and a crèche. The sledging hill and cross-country trail are free. Mon 14–23, Tue–Thu 12–23, Fri–Sat 12–24, Sun 10–22.

A museum at Dunte Manor, where Baron Munchausen lived with his wife Jacobine: wax figures, weapons and hunting trophies, distorting mirrors and a shooting gallery. In the forest there is a trail with 55 wooden sculptures (1–4.3 km), a 1 km path to “Munchausen’s Beer Mug” and an amusement ship.

Official bathing site on the Lielupe in Jelgava. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Baltic Sea. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

One of the largest open-air adventure parks in the Baltics: 11 rope courses with more than 140 obstacles in the trees, up to 20 m high. There is also a catapult, giant swings, trampolines and a toboggan run on one of Latvia’s steepest slopes, plus rides for kids from age 3.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Baltic Sea. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Rāzna. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Riga Zoo’s branch in Kurzeme, founded in 1996 and covering more than 130 hectares: large enclosures with 38 wild species and 12 farm breeds — bears, lynx, wolves, elk, eagles and vultures, a herd of kiangs and Latvian blue cows. Allow more than an hour for the trails; cash only.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A deer park in More parish with a 1.5 km trail past 19 enclosures holding about 400 animals — red, fallow and white deer. You can hand-feed them; cash only, and there is a guest house with a sauna.

The Gauja Steep Banks park in Valmiera: a 1.5 km tree-top rope trail 5–11 m above the ground with four zipline crossings over the Gauja, plus a 2 km barefoot trail.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Saldus. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Saulkrasti. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Gauja in Sigulda. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Baltic Sea. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on Lake Lielais Stropu in Daugavpils. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Sandstone caves on the bank of the Brasla in Straupe parish, carved out by underground springs: the Lake Cave holds two clear underground lakes, with the River Cave and suffosion sinkholes nearby. The caves can only be visited with a guide.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Baltic Sea in Ventspils. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A winter centre in Cēsis with several runs of varying difficulty on neighbouring slopes, from long gentle descents to steeper sections with sharp turns. It runs what latvia.travel calls the largest professional ski school in Latvia, and has equipment rental, two cafés, a children’s room and a ski-service point. Snow is stored over the summer for an early season start.

Bike rental, sales and repairs in Majori, with 20 years in the business. Children’s, youth, sport, touring, mountain, beach-cruiser and city bikes can be hired, as can bike trailers; the company also runs group rides, races and corporate events.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Boat hire in Krāslava for trips down the Daugava through the Daugavas loki nature park: 12 canoes, 12 kayaks, 2 inflatable rafts, SUP boards and all the gear. A two-person boat costs €15, and after the trip drivers are taken back to their cars in Krāslava. With the Skerškāni guest house it also runs a two-hour boat quest for families (€20 regardless of the number of boats); booking required.

Official bathing site on the Beberliņi quarry in Liepāja. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A free children’s town in Ostgals by Lielais prospekts, full of play equipment; on Sundays at 11:00 there are songs, dances and games with storybook characters. Open daily from 7:00 to 22:00 (to 20:00 in winter).

Bike and Segway rental in Old Riga on Pils iela. Choose from city, mountain, folding and electric bikes or a tandem, with child seats and trailers available; a helmet, lock and map are included, and a deposit is required. Guided bike and Segway tours of Riga, Jūrmala and Sigulda are also on offer.

Official bathing site on the Bolderāja quarry in Riga. A new official bathing site from 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

E-bike hire in the south of Liepāja on Ganību iela, including e-bikes with a child seat or a sidecar. Bikes can be delivered and collected for an extra fee; rentals run daily 09:00–22:00 by prior arrangement, from €6 an hour.

A paintball and laser tag ground in Naujene parish near Daugavpils. Paintball is recommended from age 12, laser tag from 5 (hits at 200+ m, player stats). Night games and away games across Latgale are on offer. By appointment only.

Gandrs’ bike and outdoor-gear rental point in central Liepāja: touring, electric and mountain bikes for the city’s 55-plus kilometres of cycle paths, with lower daily rates for longer hires. Hiking gear booked online — tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and camping furniture — can be collected here too.

Official bathing site on Lake Gaurata. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

The “Avārijas brigāde” amusement park, spread over 28 hectares with more than 40 activities — a dinosaur trail, carousels, minigolf, laser tag, virtual-reality adventures, a water world and a surf wave. One ticket covers every attraction for the day; the season starts in May, with the next one in 2027.

An equestrian club in Kuldīga: guided rides with an instructor along the Venta to the Veckuldīga castle mound, riding lessons for every level at your own pace, cart rides in summer and sleigh rides in winter. Horses are also available for photo shoots.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Outdoor laser tag near Cēsis, plus two RC car tracks, 4×4 RC trucks and kids’ quad bikes on a closed track. There is a playground, a picnic and campfire spot and a tent for parties. Book at least a day ahead.

Laser tag across 1,000 m² of outdoor ground near Kocēni, with running, climbing, crawling and even wading. There is a party room of about 100 m², a gazebo and a playground, plus VR goggles and a car simulator.

Two laser tag arenas, one indoor and one outdoor, in former railway warehouses in Balvi’s industrial area. Open games for everyone at weekends; booking is recommended.

Official bathing site on the Lielupe in Jelgava. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A tree-top net park in Līgatne: net mazes up to 8 m above the ground for climbing, running and lounging, for kids and adults alike. Open daily 10:00–21:00; visits can be booked by phone or email.

Official bathing site on Lake Lukna. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Latvia’s State Forests glamping in a pine forest by the Tērvete reservoir: 7 treehouses and 6 underground lodges (two adapted for guests with reduced mobility), each for up to 4 with a kitchen and bathroom. From €150 a night, including entry to the LVM Tērvete Nature Park and 2 hours of boat, pedalo or SUP; floating anglers’ cabins, tent pitches and camper spots too.

Official bathing site on Māra’s Pond in Kuldīga. A new official bathing site from 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A rope park in Mežaparks by Lake Ķīšezers: courses from a kids’ route up to the black course 10–15 m high, which ends with a 200 m zip descent. The higher courses need a height of 140 cm; minors come with an adult. Open 11:00–20:00 at weekends; on weekdays groups by booking.

A rope park on Kaķīškalns hill: six courses of varying difficulty with 82 obstacles — nets, bridges, swings and zip descents. Every course starts and ends on the ground. Open 11:00–20:00 at weekends; on weekdays groups by booking. In winter the hill is a ski slope.

A rental point in Mežaparks on Kokneses prospekts with bikes, inline skates and one-, two- and four-seat pedal carts for kids and adults to ride along the park’s paths. In winter, when there is enough snow, it hands out ski equipment for the Mežaparks trail.

A mini zoo about 2 km from Ventspils towards Kuldīga: goats, geese and chickens, camels, alpacas, emus, ponies, exotic birds, lizards and tarantulas. Open daily (to 20:00 in summer, 18:00 in winter); the owners ask you to book ahead.

A mini zoo in Dzimtmisa, about 34 km from Riga: dwarf pigs, rabbits, goats, sheep, ponies and exotic animals, plenty of birds — pedigree chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, quail, pigeons, pheasants and peacocks — and a pond with exotic waterfowl. Open May to November, 10:00–17:00.

A mini zoo in Naujene parish near Daugavpils where you can meet and feed — with special feed sold on site — alpacas, llamas, kangaroos, dwarf sheep and goats, ponies, donkeys, horses and rabbits; there are camels too.

A leisure park on the Gauja near Cēsis. In summer the "Supervāvere" adventure park has a three-level obstacle course up to 16 m high with about 60 obstacles and a 250 m zip descent; in winter there are ski and snowboard slopes. On site: a campsite with heated cottages, plus raft and boat rental.

Official bathing site on the Lielupe in Jūrmala. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Radži reservoir in Jēkabpils. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A ski area near Sigulda: a main slope (150 m, 35 m drop), a beginners’ run (200 m) and the “Kids Fun” park with a carpet lift. The runs are lit after dark; equipment rental, instructors, a café and a guest house, plus a 2 km cross-country loop.

A walking orienteering game around Daugavpils in the Roadgames app: 59 points over roughly 8 km, taking two hours or more. Teams of 2–4 collect points by choosing tasks and competing against other teams, in Latvian or English. Aimed at friends, families and corporate team building; you need a purchased game code to play.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Salaspils. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Pony rides for children near Cēsis: a handler leads the pony on a walk through the countryside, and there are birthday parties with two ponies (about an hour). Booking required.

Official bathing site on Lake Šūņu in Daugavpils. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A lakeside retreat on the south shore of Lake Valgums, surrounded by forest: a sauna with a hot tub, a hotel, a restaurant with a glass-walled hall and a seminar room. It is also the start of a 2.6 km barefoot trail that ends with a herbal foot bath.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A leisure park on the edge of Ventspils with something to do all year. In summer: the "Kaķa taka" rope course and the kids’ "Lācēns" course, a catapult, trampolines, paintball, a wake park and disc golf; in winter the "Lemberga hūte" ski hill with a snow park. The 580 m toboggan run (up to ~40 km/h) operates year-round when the wind is under 18 m/s.

A horse farm at Kaplava in the Latgale border area with 12 horses from Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus, plus dogs, rabbits, chickens, cows and cats. Rides and lessons for children and three cottages to stay in; booking required.