Latvia’s lakes offer a wide range of recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, nature trails, birdwatching, observation towers and cultural and historical sites – all of which create memorable experiences with family or friends. Meanwhile, Latvia’s islands make for fascinating stops on any travel itinerary, attracting visitors with their stories, legends and mysterious appeal.
This article provides information about Latvia’s beautiful blue lakes, where you can plan an unforgettable and rewarding getaway, as well as introduces Latvia’s islands, whose histories are closely connected with lakes, rivers, the history of the River Daugava, Kolka Lighthouse, and the legends surrounding Moricsala, Dole Island and many other remarkable places.
Nine Latvian Lakes Worth Visiting
Latvia is home to more than 3,000 lakes, which represent an important part of the country’s natural heritage. Alongside the Baltic Sea and its rivers, lakes have long been associated with summer recreation for Latvians – swimming, sunbathing, fishing and spending holidays in nature – making them an essential part of both domestic tourism and the country’s outdoor lifestyle.
Lake Usma in Ventspils Municipality is one of the best-known recreational destinations in the Kurzeme region. Its shores are home to holiday resorts, campsites and tourist accommodation, while the lake itself is ideal for sailing, fishing, boating and peaceful relaxation thanks to several well-maintained swimming areas. One of the lake’s most distinctive features is the Moricsala Nature Reserve, situated on one of Lake Usma’s islands. As this is a strictly protected nature reserve, it may only be admired from a distance. A visit to Lake Usma can be complemented by hiking the Usma Elkrags Nature Trail or taking a trip to Ventspils to see the city’s famous Cow sculptures. For overnight stays, Usma SPA Hotel & Camping offers accommodation with spa facilities, a sauna and swimming pool complex, boat hire, fishing and a variety of other outdoor activities.
Lake Engure is one of Latvia’s premier birdwatching destinations. The Lake Engure Nature Park is home to numerous rare and protected bird species, while several birdwatching towers have been built around the lake. The area’s greatest attractions include wild cattle and horses, wetlands, scenic walks through the nature park and exceptional birdwatching opportunities. As Lake Engure is a lagoon-type lake with extensive reed beds and relatively inaccessible shores, visitors are encouraged to explore it via the designated trails and official routes. A trip to Lake Engure can easily be combined with exploration of the Gulf of Riga coastline, where local seaside village markets offer freshly smoked fish.
Lake Kaņieris is nestled within Ķemeri National Park. The Lake Kaņieris Reed Trail leads visitors along wooden boardwalks through extensive reed beds and between the lake’s islands, making it an ideal destination for anyone wishing to experience the unique landscape of a lagoon-type lake, maze-like reeds and tranquil natural scenery. The lake supports a rich diversity of birds and fish, making it equally popular with anglers and birdwatchers. Visitors can also make use of the boat station and birdwatching tower, while boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are available for hire during the season. Extend your visit to include a walk to Kaņieris Hillfort, or explore Ķemeri Park and the Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk.
Castle Island (Pilssala), home to the ruins of the Livonian Order Castle, scenic viewpoints and recreational facilities, is situated on Lake Alūksne, while Temple Hill and its observation tower can be found on the opposite shore. The shores of Lake Alūksne are ideal for leisurely walks, boat trips, sightseeing and relaxing in one of Vidzeme’s most charming small towns. Many of the attractions are within easy walking distance of one another, making the area particularly suitable for families with young children. Nearby are Temple Hill, Alūksne Manor Park, the Narrow-Gauge Railway (Bānītis) Station and the town centre. For a unique overnight stay, choose the floating houseboat Bed&Boat, which offers picturesque views of Lake Alūksne and the castle ruins.
Lake Lubāns is the largest lake in Latvia and one of the country’s most important destinations for enjoying nature in the eastern part of the country. The lake is surrounded by the Lubāns Wetland Complex, canals, embankments, meadows, fish ponds and birdwatching sites. It is an excellent destination for boating, fishing, cycling, birdwatching and walks along nature trails. Take a boat trip across the lake at sunset or paddle along the River Aiviekste, which flows out of Lake Lubāns, for a particularly memorable experience. The Lubāns Wetland Nature Reserve was established to protect Latvia’s largest inland wetland complex, so visitors are asked to follow all signage and remain on designated routes throughout the area.
Lake Rāzna, located in the Latgale region, is a large lake with several islands, bays and sandy shores, making it an ideal destination for recreation. Situated within Rāzna National Park, a visit to the lake can easily be combined with trips to Mākoņkalns (Cloud Hill), Lielais Liepu Hill, traditional Latgalian villages, local craft workshops and many of the park’s other attractions. Lake Rāzna is perfect for swimming, boating, fishing and relaxing by the water. Rāzna National Park offers a wide variety of nature and cultural routes, while campsites, guest houses and holiday cottages are available nearby for overnight stays.
The island, connected to the shore by a 144-metre-long pontoon bridge, is Lake Viļaka’s most distinctive tourist attraction. It features a walking trail, boardwalks, picnic areas, information boards, a boat jetty, a birdwatching platform and a scale model of Marienhausen Castle. Fragments of the medieval castle can still be seen on the island today. During the summer season, visitors can enjoy stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and other water-based activities, while a campsite on the shores of Lake Viļaka provides convenient overnight accommodation. Lake Viļaka is an excellent destination to include in a Northern Latgale travel itinerary.
Lake Zebrus, located in Dobele Municipality, is one of Zemgale’s best lakes for peaceful relaxation, fishing and waterside accommodation. Situated in the East Kurzeme Upland, the lake’s eastern shore is the most easily accessible, with several holiday resorts, campsites and swimming areas. The lake is closely associated with local legends and the area’s ancient hillforts, making it easy to combine a visit with Ezerlūķi Hillfort, the surrounding Dobele area or the mystical Pokaiņi Forest. Several recreational facilities are located on the shores of Lake Zebrus. Zebrus Resort offers accommodation with a sauna, hot tub and SUP board hire, while the Niedras holiday complex provides boat hire, fishing opportunities and overnight stays in stylish wooden cottages.
The area surrounding Lake Ciecere in Saldus Municipality offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. An observation tower stands by the lake, rising 18.4 metres high. Built on an artificial embankment, its total height reaches 30 metres. Visitors can also make use of picnic areas equipped with wooden tables and benches. At the Zvejnieki 2000 holiday resort, guests can stay in cottages or at the campsite, enjoy fishing, take part in sporting events and camps, or host family celebrations. The lake is also popular with anglers, as it is home to pike, pike-perch (zander), bream, carp and tench.
Latvia’s Islands
Latvia is home to around 500 islands. However, unlike neighbouring Estonia, Latvia has no natural islands in the Baltic Sea. Instead, it has its own man-made island at Cape Kolka. Almost all of Latvia’s islands are found in rivers and lakes and many have been developed for recreation, including Castle Island (Pilssala) in Alūksne, the island on Lake Viļaka and Zirgu Island (Horse Island) in Liepāja. Worth particular mention is the River Daugava, Latvia’s largest river, which is home to dozens of islands. Among the most significant is Dole Island, near Salaspils. Today, Dole Island remains an important cultural and historical site, featuring the Daugava Museum, the remains of the walls of Vecdole Manor and memorial sites marking the homes that were flooded following the creation of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant reservoir, serving as a reminder of how the river landscape was transformed.
Many of Latvia’s islands are found in the lakes of the Latgale region. Lake Rāzna, for example, is home to ten islands, while Lake Sivers has around twenty islands of various sizes. Particularly noteworthy is Lake Ežezers, regarded as the lake with the greatest number of islands not only in Latvia but also in the Baltic States, with more than thirty islands.
Latvia’s lakes are also home to floating islands. These natural formations develop from peat-rich shoreline vegetation, roots, reeds and other aquatic plants, which gradually intertwine to form dense floating masses capable of remaining on the water’s surface. Driven by wind or water currents, these floating islands can drift across a lake. In Latvia, they can be found in Ungurpils Mill Lake and Ilziņš Lake near Vestiena.
Among Latvia’s islands, the Kolka Lighthouse Island is particularly remarkable. This man-made island lies several kilometres offshore in the Baltic Sea. It was constructed in the late 19th century to provide a foundation for a lighthouse, improving navigational safety in the Irbe Strait. The waters around Cape Kolka have long been considered hazardous for shipping, making the lighthouse a strategically important landmark. Near Svētciems and Salacgrīva, visitors can also find small rocky islets, including the Svētciems Stone Islets and Krauju Stone Islet, which are distinctive natural features of Latvia’s coastline.
Latvia’s islands are also closely linked with historical events and local legends. Moricsala, on Lake Usma, takes its name from Count Maurice of Saxony, who sought refuge on the island in the 18th century after his unsuccessful attempt to become Duke of Courland. Meanwhile, the stories of Dole Island preserve not only historical accounts but also legends of sunken castles and treasures lost beneath the waters of the River Daugava.
If you would like to plan your own trip to Latvia’s unique lakes and islands, simply enter the relevant keywords into our portal’s search tool, find the information you need, choose the route that suits you best and set off on your next adventure. You’ll also find a wide selection of accommodation on our portal, including authentic campsites and glamping sites for an unforgettable stay in nature.
