All places

Waterskiing, wakeboarding and SUP on Lake Ozolnieki, plus an inflatable water park with obstacle courses, slides and a trampoline.

A producer of sparkling, fruit and berry wines, ciders and stronger drinks, and since 2021 of grape wine from its own vineyard on the Abava in Sabile, described as one of the northernmost in Europe. Guided tours, tastings for individuals or groups, workshops and a small shop; arrange your visit in advance.

A manor in Zaļenieki parish that presents itself as a retreat for the creative industries and team building. Its celebration barn holds up to 150 guests, with halls of 70 m² and 35 m², a 400 m² granary, a restaurant, ponds and a park, plus accommodation for more than 70.

Sightseeing flights over Riga from Spilve airfield in a Cessna 172 with room for 2–3 passengers. A typical flight lasts 30 minutes.

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.

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

In winter and early spring, icefalls up to 10 m tall form on the rocky banks of the Amata, the biggest usually near the Vizuļu and Dzilnas rocks. Depending on minerals in the water the ice is white, clear, yellowish or even pink. The trail is free, with free parking at the Melturi and Veclauči bridges.

A restaurant in Sigulda in a timber building with a wooden-shingle roof beside an apple orchard. Latvian and European dishes, grilled food all year round, fish and desserts, and a wide wine selection including bottles from its own cellar. Daily 12–23 (orders until 22).

A fortified Latgalian settlement on an island in Lake Āraiši, lived in during the 9th and 10th centuries and partly reconstructed under archaeologist Jānis Apals. Its wooden houses on a log platform show how people lived here a thousand years ago; one of Latvia’s most popular archaeological sites.

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.

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

A family-run complex by Gaiziņkalns, Latvia’s highest hill. There have been ski runs here since the early 1960s; in the 2025/26 season four runs were open, with snowmaking from November. Café, guest house, saunas and winter equipment rental. The complex used to be called “Golgāts”.

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.

A castle where the Mēmele and Mūsa rivers meet: its oldest part, from the mid-15th century, is the only Livonian Order fortress built specifically for artillery, and the newest is a late-17th-century fortified residence with bastions. It is the only partly preserved residence of the Kettler dukes of Courland and Semigallia. Adults €9; November–April 10–16, closed Mondays.

A bar right on the beach at the Baltic Beach Hotel: grilled meat, seafood and cocktails with sea views. Sit at the bar or rent a sun bed on the sand. Open 12–22.

A sleigh ride behind the castle horse Safrāns through the Bīriņi castle nature park, past the landscape park and old water mills to the Love Oak. €20 for 30 minutes or €30 for an hour, up to four people, with warm blankets; without snow it’s a cart ride instead. Open daily 10–16; book ahead for weekends.

A national cultural monument on the Zemgale plain, with hotel rooms in the renovated stable building and breakfast included. The restored manor park has a children’s playground.

A 42 m monument unveiled in 1935 in honour of the soldiers who fell in the War of Independence, by sculptor Kārlis Zāle. The granite, travertine and copper composition is crowned by a woman holding up three stars, and it is a symbol of Latvia’s freedom and independence. An honour guard stands at its foot.

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.

One of the mightiest castles of the Livonian Order, begun around 1213 by the Brothers of the Sword and from 1481 the permanent residence of the Livonian masters. A castle servant leads visitors with lanterns through the Western Tower and the master’s room with its 16th-century star vault; in summer there is a castle garden, craft workshops and multimedia exhibitions in the towers. May–September daily 10–18.

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.

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.

A Neo-Baroque palace built in 1896 for Baron Paul von Wolff, a four-star hotel since 2003, with antique furniture, fireplaces and tiled stoves. A nature spa with massages, saunas and a pool, and a castle restaurant cooking with local produce, including fish from the castle pond.

A laid-back sports bar on Jomas iela with an industrial, steampunk-style interior and a summer terrace. Burgers, wings, cocktails and Latvian and foreign draft beer, with sport on screen. Weekdays 18–23, weekends 12–23.

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

A Neoclassical manor house in Tukums, one of the most interesting classical manors in Latvia. It houses part of the Tukums Museum collection and is surrounded by a park.

Latvia’s oldest concert hall: the enclosed Small Hall dates from 1936 and was restored in 2015; the summer Great Hall with about 2,100 seats was built in 1963. Festivals and big concerts in summer, concerts in the Small Hall in winter.

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.

A Gothic Revival castle on the shore of Lake Ēdole, surrounded by a landscape park. It originally consisted of two residential buildings joined by a stone wall and is an architectural and archaeological monument of national importance.

A 45-minute trip round the port of Ventspils: the mouth of the Venta, the old town, the industrial port and the Freeport sea gates. The boat has 150 seats; May–September Wed–Fri at 11, 13, 15 and 17, with an extra 18:00 sailing at weekends. Adults €5, pupils and seniors €2; it sails with at least 5 passengers and may be cancelled in strong wind or fog.

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

Latvia’s highest point, 312 m above sea level in the Vidzeme Upland near Madona. The unfinished observation tower was demolished in 2012 and a small replica now stands by the flagpole; in winter the hill has ski slopes.

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.

Latvia’s largest national park (about 918 km²), along the ancient valley of the Gauja from Sigulda to beyond Cēsis, established in 1973. Sandstone outcrops and caves such as the Ērgļu cliffs, the river valley, trails and castles make it ideal for hiking and canoeing.

Boat trips on the Gauja, Brasla and other rivers. Boat delivery and transport back to the start are included.

The widest and tallest cave in the Baltics, in the ancient Gauja valley near Sigulda. It began to form more than 10,000 years ago when post-Ice Age meltwater washed out the sandstone; it is Latvia’s oldest tourist attraction, and inscriptions on its walls date back to the 17th century. The legend of the Rose of Turaida is tied to the cave.

Tours of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) at the former secret Soviet complex in Irbene: a walk around the 32 m RT-32 radio telescope, the RT-8 tower with an exhibition on how the antennas worked in Soviet times, the old RT-16 antenna and an underground tunnel. Season 1 April to 1 November; times and booking on the VIRAC website.

A red-brick castle built in 1901 for Riga’s mayor George Armitstead and now an architectural monument of national importance. With its towers and grounds it is a popular place to visit and to celebrate near Tukums.

A medieval castle at Jaunpils that is more manor house than fortress and now houses a hotel. You can look round the rooms and courtyard, stay the night and soak up the medieval atmosphere.

The largest Baroque palace in the Baltics, built in the 18th century to Bartolomeo Rastrelli’s design as the residence of the Dukes of Courland in their capital, Jelgava. Today it houses the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, and its basement holds the family vault of the Dukes of Courland with their sarcophagi.

A fishing village from the late 19th and early 20th centuries at the foot of Raga Dune: a net shed, a dwelling house, a granary and a fish-smoking hut, plus a large collection of anchors and fishing boats. On Thursdays in July and August there are rope- and net-making masterclasses and fish smoking. Tue–Sun, free entry.

Boat, kayak and SUP rental with routes on the Lielupe and Buļļupe rivers.

A late-19th-century villa turned culture venue. In summer there is live music in the courtyard every week, the M/Darbnīca bar-club gives artists a stage, and the hip-hop club De Flou is on the villa square.

A quarter of restored 19th-century wooden houses across the river. On Saturdays 10:00–16:00 there is a market of local producers and craftspeople with free workshops for kids, and seasonal festivals bring concerts, exhibitions and open-air plays.

A professional karting circuit in the forest by Kandava: 1,012 m and 11 turns, rebuilt in 2008 to CIK-FIA standards with a layout by Hermann Tilke. It hosts Latvian and Baltic championship rounds, and hobby drivers can rent karts with lap timing.

A country manor in Kārļi near the Amata valley in Cēsu municipality. It has a 100 m² restaurant hall, 15 rooms, a garden terrace, a separate house by the cherry garden, an apple orchard and a historic park — suited to a small company retreat, seminar or celebration in the countryside.

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

A campsite on the Gulf of Riga between Roja and Kolka, where barrel cabins stand right by the beach looking out to sea.

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.

Riga’s first “Kiwi pub”: a big bar with Latvian and foreign beers, sport on several screens, pub food and a summer terrace.

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

The ruins of a 13th-century castle on a high bank above the Daugava. A reservoir created by a hydroelectric dam built downstream in 1965 partly flooded the castle and the valley, so the walls now rise straight out of the water. Poles, Swedes and Russians fought over the castle in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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

The northern tip of the Kurzeme peninsula on the Livonian coast, where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga. The two waters collide here, so swimming is dangerous, but watching it from the shore is impressive; in spring and autumn the cape is one of the best bird-watching spots.

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

A mid-19th-century manor complex above the ancient Gauja valley in Gauja National Park. The great hall with balcony seats 60 and the conference hall with salon 30, with extra rooms for group work; it sleeps up to 100 guests in summer and 60 in winter. Café Milly is on site and the terrace looks out over the Gauja valley.

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.

A museum in a former locomotive repair shop in Pārdaugava, holding the largest collection of broad-gauge rolling stock in the Baltics. On set days children can climb into historic trains such as the ER2 electric train and the TE3 diesel locomotive, ride a hand-pumped draisine in summer and join school-holiday workshops.

One of Europe’s oldest open-air museums, founded in 1924, in pine woods on the shore of Lake Jugla. More than a hundred historic rural buildings — farmsteads, churches, windmills and bathhouses — have been brought here from every region of Latvia; in summer craftspeople work on site and there are festivals and fairs.

A LIDO restaurant complex: a timber building with a windmill on Krasta iela serving Latvian food. It opened in 1999, with its first guests arriving for the millennium New Year, and added an amusement park and a skating rink in 2003.

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 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.

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

The Latvian National Sports Centre’s tennis base in a pine forest: nine courts in two indoor halls and nine outdoor courts. There is also squash, beach tennis, a mini-tennis court and a gym.

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.

Sports complex with a pool and spa, an ice hall, an indoor football hall, a gymnastics hall, an indoor arena and stadiums. The tennis hall is separate, on Liedaga iela.

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.

The only ferry in the Baltics driven by the river current: a platform on two steel boats that the ferryman angles into the stream to drift across the Gauja. It was set up after the war, when Līgatne’s bridges had been destroyed. Daily 7:30–18; €1 one way on foot or by bike, €3.50 by car; it doesn’t run when the water is too high or too low or when the river is frozen.

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.

The University of Latvia’s recreation and conference centre in Līgatne parish, about an hour’s drive from Riga. The grounds hold six restored historic buildings, accommodation for 150 and pitches for football, basketball, volleyball and croquet, with room for outdoor events of several thousand people.

The University of Latvia’s botanical garden in Zasulauks, with a palm house and a Tropical Butterfly House where, from spring to autumn, blue morphos, owl butterflies and other exotic species fly among banana and coffee trees and orchids. The butterfly house opens daily 10:00–16:00 with a garden ticket.

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.

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.

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.

Canoe and raft rental for trips on the Gauja, from a couple of hours to two- or three-day journeys.

A restored Neoclassical manor and architectural monument, now a design hotel with 22 rooms, a restaurant and bar, massages and a conference room. Walk or cycle in the park, or take a boat out on the manor pond.

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

A restored manor in the Lielupe valley, Bauska municipality, with a four-star hotel of 26 rooms. The restored barn and stables serve as event spaces for up to 80 guests, and Rundāle and Mežotne palaces are nearby.

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.

The main stage of the Song and Dance Festival in Mežaparks, held here since 1955. After the first phase of reconstruction (2018) it seats about 30,000, and Latvia’s biggest summer concerts take place here.

A lit 3.5 km cross-country trail in Mežaparks plus the paths around it. Equipment rental at Kokneses prospekts 39; the park is open around the clock, with cafés nearby.

A Neoclassical palace on the Lielupe, one of the finest examples of the style in Latvia, linked to the Lieven family and set beside an English-style park. Since June 2025 it has been open to visitors under the Rundāle Palace Museum; adults €5. May–September 10–18, October–April 10–17, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

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.

A 1,750 m motocross track with sand and clay in Ķegums, home of the Latvian round of the MXGP World Championship (6–7 June in 2026).

A lakeside sauna house at a historic mill in Nītaure, with a guest house and spa rituals. Up to 8 people; day visits are possible too.

A 12 km cross-country trail through the hills between Ikšķile and Ogre; a 10 km section is lit from October to mid-March. At the park’s highest point stands a 30 m viewing tower with views as far as Riga; rest areas and rental on site.

Four outdoor hard courts next to the Ice Hall, open daily from early morning until late evening. In winter you can play in the athletics hall.

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.

An art park in the Abava valley near Sabile and a cultural monument of national importance. Its 150 hectares hold walking trails of 1–5 km lined with outdoor artworks and installations; until 2018 it was called the Pedvāle Open-Air Art Museum.

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.

An open-air museum in the Vasarnīcas district of Ventspils on the life of Kurzeme’s coastal farmers and fishermen, with a windmill among its buildings. The more-than-a-century-old narrow-gauge steam train “Mazbānītis” runs through it on a 1.4 km loop and a 3 km line to “Kalns” station. Closed on Mondays.

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

Open-air water park by the sea: three heated pools, slides from 8 m and 10 m towers, attractions for little ones, saunas and hot tubs.

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.

Glamping at the former Ērgļi railway station in the Vidzeme Upland: seven types of Latvian-made cabins, guided hikes, kayaks and e-bikes.

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

A summer beach bar and café at the end of Peldu iela: coffee and doughnuts by day, drinks, sunsets and reggae in the evening.

A restaurant on Jomas iela in Majori with a varied menu, from traditional European dishes to more exotic flavours, and a summer terrace overlooking Jomas iela. Open daily 12:00–23:00 all year, with gift cards from €25.

A sports and leisure complex near Baldone: ski slopes in winter, a tree-top obstacle course and a zipline in summer.

Wakeboarding and SUP on the Daugava at Zaķusala, a few minutes from the centre. Also suitable for kids.

One of Europe’s largest markets: five pavilions rebuilt from First World War zeppelin hangars, plus an outdoor trading area. Meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, bread and spices; inside the pavilions there are places to eat Latvian dishes, fish, grills and craft beer. Pavilions 7:30–18, outdoor market 7–18.

The zoo in Mežaparks by Lake Ķīšezers covers around 20 hectares and keeps thousands of animals of several hundred species, from giraffes and lions to red pandas. The tropical house is home to birds, reptiles, frogs and insects, and there is also a country branch, Cīruļi, in Kurzeme. Tram 11 takes you there.

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.

Rope jumps from 47 m on the grounds of the old Sloka paper mill, solo or as a tandem. The summer season runs from early May to the end of September; in winter there is one jump day a month, announced in advance.

A manor near Kandava with a Neo-Gothic manor house built in 1876; in the late 19th century owner Edgar Lyra added a Renaissance-style veranda with a grand staircase. The restored estate has guest apartments in the former stables and servants’ house, a restaurant in the old coach house, and a park with ponds and a bridge to a small island.

The Baroque palace of the Dukes of Courland, built to Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli’s design in two stages, 1736–1740 and 1764–1768. Lavish state rooms and a large French garden; main exhibition €12 for adults, garden €6, combined ticket €17.

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.

Kayak and canoe trips on the Abava from one to five days, boat rental and transport back to your car.

Leisure spot on the Lielupe: sunrise and sunset trips on a floating terrace, a floating jacuzzi, SUPs, kayaks and pedal boats.

Bungee jumps from the cable car cabin, stopped about 43 m above the Gauja. Jump solo or as a tandem. The operator has run jumps here since 1992; book a time in advance.

A bobsleigh and luge track opened in 1986, with 16 curves. From November to March, by prior booking, you can ride a tourist bob with a professional pilot (over 100 km/h, age 16+), the soft "Vučko" bob (age 6+, with a parent) or the "Frog", lying on your stomach.

A cable car opened in 1969 across the Gauja valley between Sigulda and Krimulda: 1,020 m long, with the cabin 43 m above the ground. Renovated in 2024. It runs every 20–30 minutes all year; tickets at the Sigulda box office or from the attendant at Krimulda.

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

The ruins of a castle built in 1207 by the Brothers of the Sword on the edge of the Gauja valley; from 1432 it was the residence of the Livonian Order’s land marshal. Next door is Sigulda New Castle, built in Neo-Gothic style in 1878, and the grounds look out over the ancient valley towards Turaida.

Waterski and wakeboard lessons on a historic channel by the Lielupe. SUPs, kayaks and boats are also for rent.

A manor on the bank of the Venta beside the Riga–Liepāja highway, with hotel rooms in the main house and a separate building, banquet and conference halls and a park. The restaurant cooks with produce from local farmers; spa in a separate building.

A skydiving centre at Limbaži airfield, about an hour’s drive from Riga. Tandem jumps from 4,000 m with around 60 seconds of freefall, oxygen jumps from 5,500 m and an AFF course for jumping solo. The jump plane is a Pilatus PC-6; gift vouchers are available.

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.

Riga’s public outdoor ice rink in Esplanāde park by the Rainis monument. Free with your own skates; skate hire €2.49 an hour for adults and €2 for children. Weekdays 11–22, weekends 9–22 (ice-care breaks 13–14, 16–17 and 19–20). Open from December to 1 March, weather permitting.

An inactive lighthouse on the Blue Hills escarpment in Slītere National Park, several kilometres inland from the sea. The brick tower is open to visitors and looks out over the forests to the sea; forest trails start nearby.

A manor whose history goes back to 1484, one of the few fortified medieval manors in the Baltics and the only one that survives in Latvia. It has a 15-room budget hotel and guided tours, and the interiors reflect the road-building firms that ran it.

Fat-tyre e-bike hire in Sigulda for the town’s hilly trails and rides into Gauja National Park. The motor assists up to 25 km/h and one charge lasts more than 60 km; rental costs €29–49, booked through Sigulda Adventures.

A cross-country and biathlon centre near Madona: a 30 km professional trail plus 3 km and 5 km competition tracks, snow cannons and lighting until 21:00. Sauna, café, instructors and accommodation. Weekdays 9–20, Sat 10–19, Sun 10–18.

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.

SUP rental in Majori with all the gear. Rides on the Lielupe and the sea, plus 10 km expeditions towards Lake Babīte.

Sunrise SUP trip across a bog lake with a guide and all the gear.

Three neighbouring houses on Mazā Pils iela that form the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents a different period of house-building; the buildings are home to the Latvian Museum of Architecture.

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

A 44-hectare museum reserve on the Gauja opposite Sigulda: the reconstructed brick castle with its main tower, a wooden church, the memorial to the Rose of Turaida, manor outbuildings and more than 38 displays on the Livs and local history. Open daily all year (9–20 in summer); adults €9.

A wooden Baroque manor house built in 1731–1732 for Lieutenant General Balthasar von Campenhausen; the Campenhausen family owned the estate from 1728 to 1939. One of the few such well-preserved 18th-century wooden manor ensembles in Latvia.

A free cross-country ski trail in Pārdaugava with artificial snow, instructors and equipment rental (€4 an hour for children, €5 for adults). On sunny days about 200 people use the rental point.

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

A craft brewery on a manor estate just outside Valmiera. The 1.5–2 hour tour covers the estate’s history and brewing from raw grain to finished beer, shows antique tools and ends with unfiltered beer tastings. The Beer Kitchen serves seasonal Latvian food such as fish from Lake Burtnieks and pork marinated in winter beer; summer beer garden, shop and rooms for parties.

Horse riding and sleigh rides through the park beside the Valmiermuiža craft brewery, with views of the historic manor grounds. Combine it with a brewery tour and tasting or weekend brunch at the Beer Kitchen. Book ahead.

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.

The Christmas market on Dome Square: crafts by Latvian makers, hot drinks and treats from more than 80 vendors. At weekends there are concerts and things for kids: Santa, a carousel and creative workshops.

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.

Europe’s widest waterfall, in the middle of Kuldīga: 249 m across, up to 275 m in spring floods, and 1.8–2.2 m high depending on the water level. Right beside it are the 19th-century brick bridge over the Venta and Kuldīga’s old town.

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 Swiss-style summer manor in a park in Kuldīga, the town’s only wooden manor and a local architectural monument since 2014. It now has 22 design rooms, each in a different style.

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.

A six-hectare sports complex with a football and athletics stadium, a multi-purpose sports hall and a European-level BMX track.

A zipline that follows the cable car line across the Gauja valley, about 55 m up. Classic Zērglis reaches 50–60 km/h, and Turbo Zērglis with turbines up to 100 km/h. Kids aged 7+ and over 30 kg can ride alone; younger ones ride with an adult. Book a time in advance.

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 600 m tree-top obstacle course in the Ogre Blue Hills nature park: 65 obstacles up to 11 m high on three difficulty levels, with two zip descents of 30 and 70 m. Open from spring to autumn, closed in rain and storms; children only with a parent.

An observation deck on the 17th floor, about 65 m above the city, in the Academy of Sciences high-rise, completed in 1961 and for many years the tallest building in Latvia (about 108 m). A lift goes to the 15th floor, then two flights of stairs. Opening hours can change with the weather.

A 350 m zipline in Alūksne’s Tempļakalns park, reaching about 50 km/h. Riders must weigh 30–120 kg. In wind or rain, call ahead to check it is running.

A restaurant right on the beach in Dubulti, listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Fish and meat are cooked over charcoal, with vegetarian dishes too; for dessert there is a Riga Black Balsam tiramisu. Closed on Fridays.

Boat rental for trips on the Abava.

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.

Quad-bike rental in Talsi municipality: two CFMOTO CFORCE 625 Touring 4×4 ATVs for guided or self-planned forest rides, or to hire with a trailer. Up to two people per vehicle; a B or B1 driving licence is required. €60 for the first hour, €35 for each extra hour.

Leisure spot in Aglona with boat rental.

Boat rental at Lielirbe on the Irbe river.

Boat rental point for trips on the Aiviekste.

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 bar in an old wooden house with a low-key entrance: Latvian craft beer, a big courtyard terrace and antique furniture in a relaxed, alternative atmosphere.

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.

A leisure centre about 10 minutes’ drive from Valmiera: downhill skiing and snowboarding lessons, ski rental, a snow-tubing run and a cross-country trail through the forest. There are five camping cabins (40 beds), a sauna, a yurt for events and a climbing wall.

A lakeside resort on Lake Lilaste with a hotel, restaurant and bar, sauna and jacuzzi, gym, bike hire and rooms for celebrations and conferences. The restaurant sells gift cards (from €30).

A leisure complex in Tīnūži parish, Ogre municipality, with four event venues: up to 200 people indoors and up to 2,000 outdoors. The 6-hectare “Valley of Four Winds” hosts outdoor events and sports games, and there is accommodation and catering on site.

Flights over Riga in a hang glider that takes off from the water, or in a motorised trike. Flights last 10–20 minutes and can be filmed on a GoPro. Teens aged 14–18 fly only with a parent. Gift vouchers available.

A 9-hole course among birch groves and water hazards, 3 km from Valmiera. Lessons for kids and adults, club rental, a driving range and a golf simulator.

A restaurant on the bank of the Venta in Kuldīga, looking at the old brick bridge and the Venta Rapid, with three terraces in summer. Latvian country cooking from local produce: baked Latvian cheeses with rhubarb jam, trout from Pelči, a venison burger and Abava cider. Year-round 12–21, until 23 in summer.

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.

Cross-country loops of 1.1 to 4.9 km in Biķernieki forest for classic and skate skiing. Lit until 23:59, with artificial snow laid around Lake Linezers; rental and instructors available.

Biķernieki Complex Sports Base, Latvia’s main circuit, built in 1966 in Biķernieki forest; its longest layout is 5.9 km. It hosts Baltic touring-car races, Drift Masters and European Rallycross rounds, and has a speedway school, a motorsport simulator, safe-driving seminars and a karting track, plus a winter track in the cold months.

Boat trips on the Riga canal and the Daugava.

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.

Four seaside holiday homes in South Kurzeme, about 40 km from the Lithuanian border, open all year round.

1 outdoor padel court in Bukulti. A tennis club near Lake Baltezers that has added a padel court. On site: gear rental.

Laser tag on a former military site in Sigulda. In the underground bunker a team of up to four searches dark corridors to find and disarm a self-destruct device; above ground there are several outdoor arenas with themed quests. Children can play with an instructor; there are showers and a picnic spot with a grill. Booking required.

A 1 km artificial-snow track and a 2.5 km natural-snow track, both lit after dark and suitable for beginners and pro athletes alike. Rental and service on weekdays 14–20, weekends 10–16.

Canoe, kayak and SUP rental for trips on the Salaca, Gauja and Brasla rivers.

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

A laid-back Old Town bar that doubles as a collection of film, fantasy and comic memorabilia, with an arcade game and a terrace. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Three outdoor courts and four indoor Soft Hard courts in Bulduri, all available to rent.

Tennis club with courts in Teika, Purvciems, Pļavnieki and Jugla; the indoor courts are in Teika and Jugla. Coaching, courses and table tennis too.

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 10-hour minibus day trip from Riga in English: Rundāle Palace with an audio guide, Bauska Castle, lunch at a local restaurant (paid separately) and a walk on the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk, with a tasting of Latvian snacks and drinks on the way. From €149 per person; best from May to September.

Campsite on Dole Island in the Daugava with boat rental; a floating sauna runs here too.

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.

Electric mountain bike (e-MTB) hire and rides around Līgatne in Gauja National Park. Routes include a Līgatne e-bike tour that can take in the Elephant Cave, an easier Līgatne–Cēsis–Līgatne loop for beginners, Līgatne–Sigulda–Līgatne on forest paths, and a 75 km day ride Valmiera–Cēsis–Līgatne with a lunch and charging stop in Cēsis.

E-bike and mountain-bike hire in Cēsis at the Eži bike shop and workshop. Bikes come fully equipped, and renters get free GPS e-bike routes to load onto their phones. Open weekdays 09:00–18:00 and Saturdays 10:00–15:00; at weekends an e-bike can also be collected by arrangement by phone.

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 pirts in the pine woods near Vecumnieki whose owners have written two books on the Latvian sauna and run a pirts school. Rituals led by a bath attendant use whisks chosen for each guest, natural scrubs and masks, and foam, honey or chocolate massages; the Māra and Laima saunas can be hired, and there is accommodation and a seminar room.

Indoor and outdoor tennis courts in the west of Riga. Courts can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.

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

A lit 1.25 km cross-country trail on an artificially frozen base that keeps skiing going longer than elsewhere, with natural-snow trails up to 3 km. The service building has rental, changing rooms, showers and a sauna; in summer the asphalt loop is used for roller skiing. In the 2025/26 season skiers had 86 snowy days.

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.

Helicopter flights and photo sessions, popular with newlyweds: room for a couple and a photographer (up to 3 people) on a route of your choice. Gift cards available; book at least 5 working days ahead.

Hot-air balloon flights from several launch sites in Latvia, including around Cēsis, Jelgava, Jēkabpils and Kandava. The site and time are agreed before the flight, depending on the weather. Gift cards available, including for companies.

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.

A 9-hole golf course in Jaunmārupe with a driving range. The golf academy offers lessons, Green Card courses and club rental.

A floating Russian bath on the shore of Lake Ķīšezers in Mežaparks: a panoramic window, a mini cinema, a kitchen and the option to stay overnight. €40 an hour; a Japanese ofuro wooden tub, massages and scrubs cost extra.

Tennis court in Vaivari with individual and group training; equipment provided. Open daily 07:00–21:00 in summer.

An outdoor paintball, laser tag and airsoft park on a former industrial site in Mežaparks. Several themed fields, automatic markers, smoke and blast effects, and scenarios run by a game leader.

Helicopter flights in a two-seat HungaroCopter HC-02, one passenger with the pilot. Choose 30, 45 or 60 minutes; flights can also be bought as a gift. Each flight is confirmed the day before, depending on the weather.

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.

2 outdoor padel courts in Babīte. A small independent club in Vīkuļi, between Riga and Jūrmala. On site: gear rental.

A five-star spa hotel in Amatciems between forests and lakes that calls itself Latvia’s first eco-village spa hotel. Turkish and Finnish saunas, a hot tub overlooking the pond, a chlorine-free pool, a shungite room, sauna rituals with a sauna master and massages; open to day visitors too.

Boat rental in Renda, Kuldīga municipality.

Golf club with a hotel near Piņķi: an 18-hole course plus a 9-hole academy course. A Green Card course for beginners and a junior academy for young players.

An LVM boat base: boat rental and fishing on Lake Kaņieris in Ķemeri National Park.

A karting track at the Rullītis sports and leisure complex in southern Jelgava. It is shorter and less technical than the professional circuits, so it suits children and beginners. Children’s karts and coaching available. Open daily 12–20.

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.

Campsite on the east shore of Lake Usma with boat and catamaran rental.

Barrel cabins looking out over Lake Sasmaka by Valdemārpils, about 140 km from Riga, with a sauna on site.

Campsite in Tārgale parish with boat rental.

Campsite on Lake Lielais Nabas with boat and pedal-boat rental.

A workshop near Kuldīga where pots are made without a wheel, using the coil technique typical of the Bronze Age, and smoke-fired in an open kiln. Masterclasses for children too, and you can join a kiln opening; booking required.

Four indoor hard courts and four outdoor courts, plus four beach tennis courts. Court rental includes the gym, sauna and running track; there is table tennis and coaching for kids and beginners.

Boat rental in Gavieze parish.

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.

A boat from Riga to Majori via the Daugava, the Buļļupe and the Lielupe, from the Big Christopher statue in Riga to the Majori pier (Rīgas iela 2A). Up to 80 passengers on board; the season runs from 15 May to 15 October.

A new themed walk through Kuldīga’s UNESCO World Heritage old town that takes you to unusual places, including inside a historic chimney. Suitable for school groups and adults; €10 per person; runs from October 2026 to December 2027; book by phone or email.

Boat rental in Saldus municipality.

Five outdoor padel courts in Jēkabpils, open every day and until late on weekdays. Booking through Playtomic.

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.

A craft beer bar in the Briāna street quarter with beers of many strengths and flavours and a popular summer patio.

A restaurant on the bank of the Lielupe in Bulduri with a minimalist interior. Contemporary Latvian cooking from local produce: lightly salted herring, Riga sprat pâté, fried blood sausage and other classics with a modern twist. Open daily 12–23.

Boat base in Valmiera.

A two-storey boathouse on Lake Alūksne looking towards the ruins of the Livonian Order castle; sleeps up to 4, with a boat included. Fishing and swimming on the doorstep; pets allowed.

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.

Helicopter sightseeing in a Robinson R44 (3 passengers) or an Airbus H125 (up to 5), from a base near Jelgava. Routes over Riga, Jūrmala, the Gauja valley and Rundāle Palace, or a route of your own.

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.

A French restaurant in the Dome Hotel in Old Riga; in summer there is a rooftop terrace looking across the Daugava. Listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Tue–Sun 12–23.

Bike rental, repairs and parts on Raiņa iela in Liepāja. Bikes can be hired by the hour, for a few hours, a day or longer: from €1.50 an hour up to €8 a day, with each extra day €5.

A sports and leisure complex near Līgatne: snowmobile rides through the forest on the edge of Gauja National Park and skijoring behind a snowmobile in winter, quad bikes and speedboats in summer. Rides must be booked in advance.

An LVM boat base: boat rental and fishing on Lake Lielauce.

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

Outdoor tennis courts in Liepāja’s seaside park, where the Liepāja tennis sports school trains.

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.

Five indoor and four outdoor hard courts, plus six beach tennis and volleyball courts. Coaches are available and a tennis sports school works with the hall.

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.