Summer is perfect for a leisurely exploration of Latvian cities, where every cobblestone tells a story, and every courtyard can become an unforgettable discovery. This time, we invite you not to focus on one event or place, but to indulge in travel as an adventure – one where the destination is not the most important thing, but every day spent in Latvia enriches. Moreover, when planning your own trips to Latvian cities, you can combine it perfectly with various concerts, festivals, interesting events, and exploring historical sites.
In this article, we will inspire you to travel to Latvian cities – both popular and well-known destinations – and to gain authentic experiences outside the usual tourist routes. You will find links to information about nature parks, MICHELIN star restaurants, the fantastic Baltic Sea coast, active recreation opportunities and other travel ideas.
How to plan a trip?
An excellent and useful assistant when choosing and planning your trip is the trip planner on the website “Latvia Travel”. This is an invaluable virtual guide for individual travellers, which will help to compactly plan Latvian tourist destinations for multiple days. We offer free maps of Latvia and informative materials for download. Interested parties who need printed materials in smaller quantities are invited to contact the nearest tourist information centre.
Summer guide to Latvia's most popular cities
Discover the riches Latvian cities have to offer for the summer season – no matter which region you go to, in each of them you will find cities big and small with their own stories and adventures.
Riga
Riga is an architectural gem. It is a city where buildings of different eras and styles can be found in one place – from churches built at the beginning of the city and medieval buildings in the Old Town to outstanding examples of Art Nouveau, centuries-old wooden architecture and contemporary modernism. Riga’s Old Town is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
Riga is a green, scenic city and the most pleasant way to see it in the summer is by going on a bike ride. Whichever direction you decide to go, the designated cycling routes will always take you through the most dynamic points of Riga. Check out the Riga cycling guide. We also offer some ideas for active recreation opportunities in Riga.
Cēsis
Cēsis is a place where history and the present meet in harmonious coexistence. Here, in an instant, you can enter a medieval atmosphere or feel the peace of untouched nature. In summer, Cēsis enchants with the natural beauty of the Gauja Valley, medieval romance and cultural events. An extensive cultural programme in Cēsis is held in the summer months, and they take place on the picturesque stage of the Castle Park. In addition, this year Cēsis is the Latvian Capital of Culture 2025, so a rich cultural programme has been prepared for the guests of the city – from excellent music and art events to local festivals. Cultural events include the Cēsis Art Festival, a chess festival, exhibitions, unusual hikes and performances.
Valmiera
The northern gate of the Gauja National Park – Valmiera delights its guests not only with beautiful nature, but also with cultural and historical monuments, interesting cultural and sports events, breathtaking stories and legends. The uniqueness of the city lies in its tenacity and perseverance – Valmiera has been devastated by wars and fires over time, so it has been completely rebuilt 11 times in its history.
This summer, culture and art lovers will be delighted with various cultural events at the Valmiera Cultural Centre, as well as art exhibitions at the Valmiera Museum and elsewhere in the city. In the summer, you can visit the Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival, which takes place in unique locations for theatre in the city, open-air amateur theatre performances and other cultural, sports and educational events.
Daugavpils
The history of Daugavpils begins with the construction of Dinaburg Castle, which was founded by the Livonian Order. Over the centuries, the city has been ruled over by various powers – Polish, Swedish, Russian and German. This historical interaction has left an impact on the city’s architecture, culture and diversity of residents. Get to know this multi-layered city by visiting its unique places! Daugavpils Fortress is one of the most remarkable cultural and historical sites in Latvia. Its walls still bear a centuries-old history, which is especially impressively revealed in the World War I exhibition. The Daugavpils Mark Rothko Museum, located in the very heart of the fortress, is the only place in all of Eastern Europe where you can see the original works of this world-famous artist.
Kuldīga
Kuldīga is perfect for a romantic weekend in the summer season – for picturesque walks, you can choose the well-maintained walking paths on the banks of the Venta River, the ancient, cobbled streets, or the city's green parks. Kuldīga is included in the UNESCO national list due to its flowing waters and historical architecture. And it wouldn’t be a trip to Kuldīga without a trip to The Venta Waterfall, the widest waterfall in Europe.
Liepāja
Walking through Liepāja, you will discover the charm of the city in its small, cosy streets, decorated with expressive Art Nouveau buildings and historical wooden buildings. A wide white sand beach, peaceful relaxation by the sea, scenic nature and unforgettable sunsets – these are just some of the values that attract guests from all over the world. An important place in the history and identity of Liepāja is Karosta, which was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries as a military port, but today it is one of the most unique parts of the city. Karosta brings together elements that are seemingly at odds – luxurious tsarist architecture and gloomy Soviet heritage. You must see the Northern Forts, the Naval Port Prison, the Naval Cathedral and the Northern Pier.
Seaside vacation
The Baltic Sea coast in Latvia stretches for 500 km, so everyone can find their favourite beach here.
The Seashores of Kurzeme captivates lovers of untouched nature – you can walk along the sea for kilometres without meeting a single person. An unusual natural formation is found in the steep coastline of the Baltic Sea – it stretches for dozens of kilometres, in places up to 20 metres high. Particularly impressive is Jurkalne Seashore Bluffs, where the coast is suitable for paragliding and water sports enthusiasts can indulge in kiteboarding and windsurfing. You should visit Kolkasrags, which is the largest cape in Latvia, where the Baltic Sea meets the waves of the Gulf of Riga, forming impressive whirlpools.
The Vidzeme Shoreline has almost every possible type of beach, but it is especially known for its rocky coastline, which stretches 12 kilometres long and 20-40 metres wide between Tūja and Vitrupi. To the north of Salacgrīva, nature lovers will be delighted by the Randu or seaside meadows. They are distinguished by their great biodiversity and are an important bird nesting site. There is a nature trail and a bird watching tower in the Randu meadows. Walking along the Vidzeme seaside, you can see the sandstone outcrops of the dunes.
Boating and active recreation opportunities
Water tourism and boating are a type of active tourism that offers different experiences for everyone – for those who want to relax in calm waters and enjoy the scenery, for those who are ready for more extreme sensations in rivers full of water during floods, and also for those who are not afraid of strong waves on the seacoast. Each river has its own character, which you need to get to know before getting on a boat. In addition, ideas for other types of active recreation opportunities can be found here.
Latvian National Nature Parks and Bog Trails
Latvia is rich in four magnificent national parks – Gauja, Ķemeri, Slītere and Rāzna. Each of them is unique and will provide satisfaction and various adventures for nature lovers. When planning a summer trip to Latvian cities, include a visit to the nearest national parks and bog trails.
Events, Festivals and Concerts
Events are held in Latvia every year that attract both local and foreign visitors, offering unique opportunities to enjoy various musical genres with unforgettable and spectacular performances and events.
The MICHELIN Guide Latvia
When travelling, don’t forget to indulge in culinary adventures and visit restaurants included in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. Local cuisine is like a taste guide to culture and traditions, making every meal an unforgettable experience. It’s an opportunity to feel the soul of a place through carefully-crafted recipes and seasonal delicacies. Enjoy not only the charm of Latvian cities and picturesque natural views but also indulge in a journey of gastronomic discovery!
How to travel?
When travelling around Latvia in the summer, every trip will be more exciting if the traveller prepares their own route – taking public transport to a distant destination, and then, on foot or by bicycle, exploring the corners of the city, green areas and quiet parks. Travelling in this way is not only healthy, but it also allows you to slowly experience the unique atmosphere of Latvia.
If you still choose to travel around the cities of Latvia by car, you should consider that car rental options are widely available in the country, both through international companies and local services.
