Latvia
A Comprehensive Travel Guide
the
baltics
Latvia is a former Soviet republic sandwiched between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south in the Baltics. Today, Latvia is an EU member country and attracts tourists for its alluring architecture, medieval and Soviet historical sites, and many hiking opportunities.
Latvia has so much to offer travelers, and is so much more than just its capital city! When you visit, you must check out the countrysides - they are teeming with medieval castles and give you an authentic glimpse of Latvian life and culture. Between its lush, green forests and 310-mile coastline, there's plenty to do in Latvia for travelers. Check out my guide below to help you plan your trip!
VI. cuisine
v. When to Visit
iV. average costs
iII. know before you go
iI. places to visit
i. what to expect
Table of contents
Places to Visit
Expect
What can i
from Latvia?
Official Language(s) – Latvian; English is also spoken in the cities and Russian can be heard in the countryside.
Currency – Euro (EUR)
Capital City – Riga
Outlets – C & F
Taxi Apps – Bolt
Popular SIM Card Providers – Bite, LMT, Tele2 register.
details
tallinn
Know
you go
before
Average Costs
Сколько стоит?
Estonia is an EU country whose tourism is fairly well-developed. As such, the prices in Estonia are among the highest of other post-Soviet countries, but not as exhorbitant as you might find in western Europe. Take a look below at the average prices of various expenses in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, in 2023. Note: These prices are for one person.
❖ Mid-range accomodation: €41
❖ Mid-range meal: €10
❖ Cappuccino: €2.46
❖ Glass of wine: €6
❖ Taxi: €6.66 for 8km
❖ Single-ride bus ticket: €1.15
❖ Museum ticket: €7
❖ Glass of wine: €3.50
Sources: Livingcost.com, Numbeo, Budgetyourtrip.com
when to visit latvia
Due to Latvia's northern location, summer is typically the most popular season for tourists to visit thanks to its warm temperatures and green scenery. Summer in Riga is quite mild with temps at around 15°C-19°C which makes it a perfect spot to visit if you want to hit up the nearby beaches while you're there. Summer months do see a bit of rainfall, however, so don't forget your umbrella!
Autumn and Spring can be quite chilly but are great times to visit thanks to the lack of tourists and off-season prices. Early autumn also has the hidden bonus of being prime time for birdwatching as Latvia is a major spot for birdwatchers. I visited in late November and it was quite cold (2°C), but I was lucky enough to be there to see Latvia's Independence Day (Nov. 18th) festivities and traditions. It only snowed a few times while I was there, but if you want to see snow, January and February are the Winter months to do so.
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