Things to do in Latgale

Latvia’s most important Catholic pilgrimage centre: an Italian Baroque basilica built in 1768–1780 and consecrated in 1800. In August thousands of pilgrims come for the feast of the Assumption; the grounds are large and include a spring.

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.

The main Orthodox church of Daugavpils, with room for 5,000 people. It stands on Church Hill in the Jaunbūve district next to Catholic, Lutheran and Old Believer places of worship — four faiths side by side is a Daugavpils hallmark.

An early-19th-century fortress whose construction began in 1810 by order of Tsar Alexander I ahead of Napoleon’s invasion. It is the only fortification of its kind and age in Northern Europe to survive without significant changes; the Mark Rothko Art Centre is within its walls.

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.

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

The Latgale liberation monument “United for Latvia” in central Rēzekne, unveiled in 1939; it was made by sculptor Kārlis Jansons to a design by Leons Tomašickis. The Soviet authorities pulled it down and it was restored in 1992; it is a symbol of Rēzekne and of all Latgale.

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.

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.

The ruins of a Gothic Livonian Order castle in the centre of Ludza, built on the site of an older Latgalian wooden castle as an eastern outpost guarding trade routes. Impressive fragments of wall survive, one of them three storeys high, and the hill looks out over Ludza’s lakes.

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.

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

A ski base in the Augšzeme highland about 20 minutes from Daugavpils: a family run and a blue slalom run with a lift, a tubing run and floodlights in the evening; equipment rental available.

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

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.

Leisure spot in Aglona with boat rental.

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.

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.

Leisure spot on the shore of Lake Cirma with boat rental.

Four outdoor courts in Stropi run by the Daugavpils tennis club. Open daily 9:00–20:00 in spring and summer, except in rain; book through the Olimpija sports complex.

A bike shop and workshop in central Daugavpils that rents city and mountain bikes and helmets. Hire is €20 per 24 hours with a €50 deposit (no hourly rental); open weekdays 09:00–18:00 and Saturdays 10:00–15:00, with out-of-hours returns by prior arrangement.

Two outdoor padel courts in the north of Rēzekne, open in the warm season. Courts are booked online.

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.

A karting track in Daugavpils: rides from 15 minutes to an hour, solo or in a group, after a 15-minute briefing. From age 7 and at least 125 cm tall; book rides by phone.

A campsite on the Daugava at Slutišķi in the Daugavas loki nature park: 2 holiday cottages, 10 cabins and 10 glamping tents, plus pitches for tents and campers. Saunas and hot tubs overlooking the river bends, kayak, raft and SUP hire, and the Oi, Gords café.

A boat trip along the Daugava bends, the most scenic stretch of the “river of destiny”, from the campsite near Slutišķi. Up to 20 passengers; the season runs from early spring to late autumn, with scheduled weekend trips and weekday trips on request. Adults €8, ages 8–13 €5, under-7s free; the whole boat can be hired.

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.

Instructor-led day trips by boat from a riverside base on the Daugava near Krāslava: along the Daugava bends (24 km, 5–7 hours) or through the Sauleskalns lake system (15 km, 4–6 hours). Along the way you hear about the region’s nature and heritage; good for teams too. Cash only.

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

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.

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.

Outdoor 25-metre pool with six lanes, a children’s pool and jacuzzis on the Olympic Centre grounds.

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.

Tandem paragliding flights with an instructor at 500–700 m above Latgale. A flight lasts about 7–10 minutes depending on the weather; flights run in every season except winter.

A speedway stadium in Daugavpils, opened in 1963, with a 373 m track and room for about 10,000 spectators. It is home to the Lokomotīve speedway team, which races in the Polish league, and has hosted Speedway Grand Prix and Speedway of Nations rounds.

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

Three clay courts in Daugavpils. Courts are rented by the hour, with coaching for kids and adults.

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.