Latvia is fast becoming one of Europe’s hottest tourist destinations. Thanks to its ideal location along the Baltic Sea, an abundance of nature parks, forests, lakes and wilderness lure travelers to book flights to Latvia every year. This small country is also packed with history. Flanked by fabulous architectural landscapes and boasting a rowdy nightlife and pub scene, Latvia has something for every traveler. Whether your interests lie in the medieval towns, ancient museums and monuments, and grand palaces or in the middle of a bustling city center, you’ll be glad you booked a flight to Latvia.
While you’re there, make sure to find out when the devil visits again. Legend has it that once every 100 years the devil rises from the River Daugava and asks whether Riga, the capital of Latvia, is ready to succumb to the undersea world. Book a flight to Latvia now before the country disappears all together…
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May to September (spring and summer) is the best time to visit, with daytime temperatures averaging 61F, but July and August is the peak tourist season and accommodations can be fully booked during this time. The coldest months are January and February and winter can experience extreme temperatures, and averages 25F during the day.
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Peak Season:
The summer months are the peak season and when most travelers book flights to Latvia. Some events occurring during peak season include May 4, the anniversary of Latvia's independence from the USSR and restoration of the Republic of Latvia. June 23 is Midsummer Eve.
Off Season:
The winter months – November to mid-March – can be very cold, but there aren't many tourists and cheap flights to Latvia and discounted hotel rates can be found.
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Latvian Railway offers a good service throughout Latvia and into Central Europe. Bus, trolley-bus and tram services operate in the cities and there are good bus services to major cities throughout Latvia. Ecolines, Eurolines and Nordeka offer bus services to international destinations.
Ferries: the three main ports are Ventspils, Riga and Liepaja. They are mainly for commercial traffic, but from Riga’s port – very close to the Old Town – there are passenger services to Germany and Sweden. Major rental car companies include Hertz and Europcar.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Riga (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Latvia.
| | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Jurmala | 0.45 | 0.20 |
|---|
| Leipaja | 3.15 | 3.09 |
|---|
| Cesis | 1.40 | 1.50 |
|---|
| Ventspils | 3.00 | - |
|---|
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- Riga’s charming Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also has one of Europe’s largest markets – the central market, which is housed in five Zeppelin hangars that date from the 1920s. Riga has a fine collection of Art Nouveau and medieval buildings. To get a bird’s eye view of the Old Town and the Daugava River, head to the upper levels of the Reval Hotel, one of the city’s landmarks.
- Kemeri – the wildlife reserve and national park is home not only to deer, elk, moose, wolves, foxes and wild horses and cattle, but there are about 900 varieties of flora there too.
- Livonia on the northern tip of Latvia (around Cape Kolka) was settled originally by the Livs, but conquered by the German knights – the Livonian Brothers of the Sword – in the 13th century. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty. In the 1990s, the Latvian Government declared the Livonian coast a protected area. No hotels or restaurants are allowed to be built there.
- Latvia has several medieval-era royal residences such as Bauska Castleand the Riga Order Castle, but the most famous is Rundale Palace, a baroque masterpiece, built by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the architect who designed the Winter Palace in St Petersburg and the Catherine Palace nearby.
- The cathedral of Aglona in southeastern Latvia is the country’s most important Catholic church, attracting thousands of pilgrims each year. It is sited at a spring which is said to have healing powers.
- Gauja National Park was founded in 1973, Latvia’s first national park. The park includes the valley of the Gauja River, Latvia’s longest river. The main attractions are Sigulda – Latvia’s “Switzerland” due to its reddish-brown rocks and caves – Cesis town and nearby Neo-Gothic Birini Castle.
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Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. All passengers must be in possession of a life and health insurance policy that will cover all health care expenses while in the country, including the return to country of nationality in case of a medical emergency or death. Policies are available on arrival at Riga airport.
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United States citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days per half calendar year.
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