Things to do in Latgale

A bread museum in Aglona where the hostess greets you in Latgalian folk dress with songs and a welcome in the Latgalian dialect. You hear about the history of bread and how rye bread is made, try milling grain, taste freshly baked bread and Latgalian dishes, and bake your own rye loaf to take home. Programmes €10–20; arrange your visit by phone.

An unrestored manor on the Dubna river in a historic park that keeps its original look; guests stay in the “gentlemen’s rooms”. On the riverbank is an old-style smoke sauna.

Sports complex with two pools and a spa area, a gym, a CrossFit hall, a multi-purpose sports hall and a football pitch. Café and free parking on site.

A theatre in Unity House, built in 1937 in central Daugavpils. Performances in Latvian and Russian.

A concert hall and culture centre in Rēzekne, opened in 2013: concerts, shows and festivals in the capital of Latgale.

A small municipal zoo in central Daugavpils, laid out as an artificial jungle: pythons, caimans, koi carp in the pond, macaques and sugar gliders among the lianas, plus rabbits and guinea pigs that children can stroke. Wed–Sun 10–18, closed Mondays and Tuesdays; cash only.

The only surviving manor complex in the Daugavas loki nature park. For families there are swings, a playground, a climbing wall and outdoor fitness equipment, with morning coffee and Latgalian dishes. The manor also rents touring kayaks (for 2–3 people) for trips down the Daugava, such as Krāslava–Lielborne (15 km) or Lielborne–Elerne (25 km); transport for the boat and paddlers to and from the manor is included in the price.

A glassblowing workshop at the Latgale Art and Craft Centre, where glassblower Aleksandrs Logvins makes objects and sculptures from molten glass and visitors can blow into the pipe themselves (€4 per person, by appointment). Glassblowing in Līvāni is on Latvia’s intangible cultural heritage list, and the centre also houses the Līvāni Glass Museum.

An Art Nouveau manor built in the early 20th century near Rāzna National Park, originally conceived as a place for art and music; it later served as a school, military headquarters, parish office and library. Today it hosts exhibitions and tours, and rooms can be rented.

An art centre in the artillery arsenal of Daugavpils Fortress, devoted to the abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, who was born in Daugavpils. It is the only place in Europe where original Rothko paintings, on loan from his family, are permanently on show; there are changing contemporary art exhibitions too.

A modern pub on Rīgas iela in central Daugavpils with an industrial loft interior: classic European beers and bold Baltic flavours, plus tastings, masterclasses, theme nights and gigs. Closed on Mondays.

A Latgale culinary heritage centre in Unity House, devoted to šmakovka, Latgale’s home-distilled spirit. An interactive exhibition across three halls with authentic equipment and more than 200 exhibits (the oldest from 1890), tastings (€1.50 for one, €3 for three) and a one-hour guided tour for €16 per group. Adults €6; April–October daily 11–19, closed Mondays in winter.

A café inside the Embassy of Latgale GORS concert hall, with views over Rēzekne and a summer terrace. Everyday and festive dishes — a handy place to eat before a concert or show.

A lakeside holiday base in Višķi parish, Augšdaugava municipality. The conference hall seats 120, accommodation takes 232 guests, and company sports and leisure days are held for up to 400 people; there is a café by the lake.

Badminton training and games in Daugavpils, in the sports hall of the Daugavpils Construction College.

Gym in Daugavpils for strength and cardio training. Wellness services are available too. Open daily 08:00–21:00.

A gaming venue with VR games, professional racing simulators and a lounge with PS5 and Xbox Series X, for solo visits, groups of friends, birthdays and company events. Open Tue–Thu 14–22, Fri 14–24, Sat 12–24, Sun 12–20, closed Mon.

Daugavpils Innovation Centre in a former cinema hall, opened in December 2022: interactive displays on physics, biology, dinosaurs, technology and entrepreneurship, robots and touchscreens, and a lab for experiments. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00–18:00.

Gym in Daugavpils for strength and cardio training.

Four escape rooms in central Daugavpils: A Hunter’s Secret, Zone, Magic of the Dark and Mirror Maze. Teams of 2–5 get 60 minutes; book a slot in advance.

An interactive game arena with a 5×8 m LED floor, music and video projections: run across lit-up squares and complete tasks that test speed, reactions and focus. From age 4, up to 8 players at once; booking only.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Daugavpils for strength and cardio training.

CrossFit and functional training box in Daugavpils.

Gym in Daugavpils for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 09:00–19:00.

Combat sports club in Rēzekne: taekwondo. Classes for children too.

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.

The studio of ceramicist Lība Ločmele, who works in porcelain and stoneware. In a two-hour masterclass you make a mug or snack bowl or try the potter’s wheel; groups of up to 6, €45 per person, with pieces ready in 3–4 weeks.

A crafts centre in a former flax warehouse in Ludza Old Town, where artisans work with wood, clay and metal. Workshops on request — pottery, dressmaking and other old crafts, plus Latgalian cooking; local crafts are on sale.

An entertainment complex with 10 Brunswick bowling lanes, four pool tables certified by the European Billiard Federation, car simulators and air hockey. There is a kids’ playroom and live sport on screen. Open Mon–Thu 12–23, Fri 12–01, Sat–Sun 11–01.

The workshop of potters Staņislavs Viļums and Viola Anna Bīriņa in a Latgalian homestead, where pots are thrown from Latgale clay on a kick wheel and wood-fired. Watch them work, try the clay yourself and join a kiln opening; tours by arrangement, closed December to March.

Swimming pool in Rēzekne.

A nature spa at a lakeside resort beyond Daugavpils. Treatments use local herbs, bog mud, wild berries and blue clay from Lake Sila; there’s a sauna ritual, a massage with natural oils, tea rituals and healthy snacks. The resort also has the Silenes Terases restaurant and villas.

The restaurant of Silene Resort & SPA on a lakeshore beyond Daugavpils. Refined food and a glass veranda looking onto the water, well suited to a romantic dinner; the resort also has villas for an overnight stay.

Gym in Daugavpils for strength and cardio training.

Ceramicist Valdis Pauliņš’s workshop in the Krāslava Crafts House: follow the whole process, try the potter’s wheel and make your own piece, help light the kiln and buy ceramics. Individuals, families, school classes and large groups are all welcome.

Pilates studio in Daugavpils. Wellness services are available too.