Cost of Vacation in Latvia – Highlights and Tourist Centers

Filed in Articles by TMLT Editorials on August 12, 2020

Cost of Vacation in Latvia – Highlights and Tourist Centers.

Vacation in Latvia – can also be so interesting in small countries. Latvia is one of the small but mighty vacation destinations that can grant you a memorable vacation experience. Latvia is one of the three small countries that make up the Baltics. It is bordered to the north by Estonia and to the south by Lithuania and it sits along the Baltic Sea.

It has a maritime culture and you will find seafood prolific in the cuisine. Some interesting coastal communities offer a glimpse into small-town life in this quaint and beautiful country.

Many people head to Riga, the country’s vibrant capital city, but if you want to see more of the area, head into the countryside and find some small towns to explore.

This is where you’ll see daily life and small-town culture at its finest. This area has seen a dramatic increase in popularity among travelers in recent years.

It has become a more well-known destination both inside and outside of Europe. Riga is a very livable city with a lovely old town and a very impressive market.

It’s a popular destination for young Europeans who are looking to go bar hopping and enjoy some cheap drinks, but it’s still second in line to the more popular and famous city of Tallinn to the north.

If you find yourself with a few days in Riga and can spare the time, lengthen your stay because this beautiful country has so much to offer outside of its capital.

Outside of Riga, there are many things to see in the form of great beaches, lovely small towns, and beautiful countryside. Churches and crosses dot the landscape, paying tribute to the area’s strong religious routes.

Some museums and monuments educate and inform the visitor on the country’s brutal past, but the lighthearted nature of its citizens gives today’s Latvia a fun and laid back atmosphere.

Whether you choose to hang out in the cosmopolitan capital city or step back in time to the quaint villages, you’re sure to have an eyeopening experience in this great country.

Highlights of Latvia

If you’re traveling into Latvia from within Europe, your cheapest option is often to catch a flight on Air Baltic. It’s the country’s national airline and most flights travel through Riga. There are connections available throughout Europe and the prices are usually quite low. It’s often cheaper than taking the train or any other form of ground transportation.
Because the country is so small, it is fairly easy to navigate it by public transportation. Trains travel to many different towns, and those that are not accessible by train can be reached by bus. It’s not necessary to rent a car, but if you do decide you’d like your own private vehicle, there are plenty of reputable rental agencies around.
Summer is easily the most popular time to visit the country. The weather is the most-mild during the summer months and it’s a good time to be outdoors and experience the area’s nature. Many restaurants and hotels close during the winter months as well, so you may find it challenging to visit during these low times as well.
If you’re looking for souvenirs to take home, there are many great local markets throughout the country. In large cities and small towns alike, you can find handmade goods that range from hand-woven mittens to pottery and jewelry. If you’re at an outdoor market you can often barter the price down a little bit.
If you’re in a college town, head to the neighborhood around the university to grab a bite to eat. The prices are cheaper than other neighborhoods and the meals are very filling. It’s a great option for those who are traveling on a budget. Many of the restaurants are casual in nature and sell everything from piragis to pancakes. You often pay by the weight so you can get as much or as little as you like.

Currency of Latvia

The lats were the currency of Latvia from 1922 until it was replaced by the euro on 1 January 2014. A two-week transition period during which the Lats were in circulation alongside the euro ended on 14 January 2014.

Language of Latvia

Latvian or Lettish is a Baltic language spoken in the Baltic region. It is the language of Latvians and the official language of Latvia as well as one of the official languages of the European Union.

Climate of Latvia

The climate of Latvia can be described as a typical European continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. In summer daytime temperatures reach 20-25°C, but sometimes quite higher, 30°C or more.

Popular Foods in Latvia

Latvian cuisine is comparable to many of its northern neighbors. The dishes are usually hearty and filling. Popular ingredients include bread, sausage, mushrooms, pork, potatoes, and beets. It doesn’t use much spice so some visitors consider the flavors kind of bland.

Seafood is a popular item and you can find smoked salmon in most markets. Outdoor markets are popular throughout the country and you’ll find the largest in downtown Riga.

Aukstais galds: The Latvian form of a Smorgasbord, this is typically served at a wedding or special event. Typical items include ham, jellied meats, smoked salmon, rye bread, and Latvian potato salad.

Piragis: These crescent filled pastries are usually made with bacon or meat and onion filling. They are the Latvian version of a dumpling and are available at cafes and restaurants throughout the country.

Kvass: This is an alcoholic drink that is made from fermented rye bread. The alcohol content is generally quite low and the drink is sometimes used in the preparation of soup.

Food Cost in Latvia

A decent meal will only set you back 5 euro. Budget meals cost5-7 euro, midrange are 8-16 euro, and high-end are 15-30 euros. If you want traditional Latvian food without paying a fortune, go to Lido.

It’s a restaurant network with a huge buffet for a set price of €16. Lido serves lots of different soups, like Latvian cold beetroot soup and borscht, but also sausages, red meats, fish, and salads.

Accommodation Cost in Latvia

A dorm bed is 10-25 euro, a mid-range hotel is 25 euro and up, while a high-end hotel is 80 euro and up.

Transportation Cost in Latvia

Riga is best explored by foot, but you can also take the tram. It’s easy and you can buy tickets at Narvesen (kiosk), in the tram or at your hotel/hostel. A ride on the tram can cost you as little as 1 euro.

You can choose between many different kinds of tickets, including tickets for one (€1.15), two (€2.30), four (€4.60), five (€5.75), ten (€10.90) and twenty (€20.70) rides, or tickets good for one (€5), three (€10) or five (€15) days of travel

Tourist Centers in Latvia:

1. Ventspils

Ventspils is a lively port city located on the Baltic Sea, offering a good mix of old and new attractions for visitors to discover. History lovers can wander along the cobbled streets of the Old Town, where you can admire 17th-century storehouses around Town Hall Square and Market Square.

To learn about the city’s history and culture, you can visit the 13th Century Castle of the Livonian Order, which is now home to the Ventspils Museum.

Ventspils boasts a great Blue Flag Beach where you can soak up the sun, and the adjoining Ventspils Water Park promises hours of water fun. You can also visit the Seaside Open-Air Museum to see all things nautical.

2. Riga

Latvia’s capital city of Riga is a modern European city where old and new rub shoulders and happily co-exist. Regardless of your interests, you will find some aspect of Riga to enjoy – the history, architecture, art, and culture, or the many green spaces where you can get back to nature.

To absorb the atmosphere of Riga you can start your exploration in the Old Town, the historic center of the city where medieval and Art Nouveau architectural styles will delight architecture enthusiasts, while culture vultures can visit the opera, attend the Latvia Philharmonic Orchestra, or feast their eyes on the art collections of several galleries.

Highlights of your visit to Riga will include Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Church. Also, there are 40 museums to please the most ardent museum fans.

3. Lauma Nature Park

Located in the Kurzeme (Courland) region of western Latvia, Lauma Nature Park is a wonderful place to take the family of an educational day of fun.

Several walks can be explored, starting with the Bees Path, which will introduce visitors to the secret world of bees. From bees, you can move on to tour the Bird Path, Plants Path, and the Forest Path.

Guided walks are available and besides enjoying nature you will also learn a great deal about the plants and animals that reside in the park.

Active visitors can tackle the Sports Path (obstacle course) or have some fun playing disc golf, which is suitable for all ages. It is a great place to have a picnic, and barbecues and fire-pits are available.

4. Daugavpils

Daugavpils is the second-largest city in Latvia, located along the banks of the Daugava River in the southeast of the country. One of the city’s main tourist attractions is the famous Daugavpils Fortress, which remains one of Europe’s most complete defensive castles dating back to the early 19th century.

You can spend several hours exploring this historical fort, which is built in the Empire style, except the Gothic Nikolas Gate and Water Tower.

The Arsenal building of the fortress now houses the Mark Rothko Art Center, which showcases Latvian and international artists.

History lovers should also visit Church Hill, which is unsurprisingly home to four interesting churches. The city offers several parks and gardens, museums, and the Latgale Zoo.

5. Courland

Courland (or Kurzeme in Latvian) is a region of Latvia located along the sparsely populated western coastline of the country – an undiscovered gem for all nature lovers.

The impressive 20-mt sea-cliffs along the Jurkalne coastline is also popular with camping enthusiasts and offer ideal conditions for paragliding, windsurfing, and kite-boarding.

Inland, the 100-mt wide Venta Waterfalls is the place to head to in autumn and spring to see hundreds of salmon trying to leap up the falls. Bird watching is excellent all along the coastline, particularly during migration.

Families will enjoy Ventspils Adventure Park, which offers various obstacle courses, a water park in summer, and opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in winter.

CSN Team.

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