Spring is the perfect season for active leisure and, in Latvia, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This is an enticing opportunity for foreign business travellers who are looking to make new impressions and recharge their batteries before going back to the office, whether that means taking a walk, hiking, or going skydiving or hang gliding.
Conference and incentive travel participants will only choose Latvia if they perceive its added value – the unique experiences and emotions that the destination can offer beyond an official programme. Clients are increasingly looking for memorable adventures and many are very sensitive to the emotional value of the events they attend, which is why business visitors at Latvia’s conference centres want to enjoy not only a high-quality event, but also something new. When leisure offers are special, engaging and remarkable, these memories bring visitors back to Latvia again and again.
Given that the largest business and conference centres are located in Riga, this article will highlight activities that are easily accessible by rental car or even via public transport, and located at most a few hours away.
Take a hike
In spring, when the snow has melted and the trails dry out, hiking is one of the most practical ways to spend a little free time since it requires no special equipment other than footwear and clothing that are well-suited to the weather.
Gauja National Park, the oldest and largest national park in Latvia with more than 90,000 hectares, is easy to reach from Riga. It is home to extensive Devonian sandstone outcrops, caves, cliffs and viewpoints over the ancient valley. The park also contains several hundred cultural and historical monuments, including Turaida Museum Reserve, Āraiši Lake Castle and other significant sites that can be visited over a single day.
We recommend visiting several especially beautiful nature trails in sequential order. Start with the Sigulda Gauja ancient valley route, where an approximately 8.3-kilometre hike offers views of the Gauja River, the Vējupīte ravine, forest trails and sandstone outcrops. Nearby, continue on the smaller Kubesele Nature Trail that follows along the Runtiņupīte River, which is suitable for families and leisurely recreation. The next part of the route takes you to Līgatne Nature Trails, where Latvian wild animals can be observed from viewing platforms in a well-maintained environment. Afterwards, it is worth visiting the Cīrulīši Nature Trail near Cēsis, where several routes of different walking lengths wind their way through primeval forests, as well as along the relief of the Gauja ancient valley and sandstone outcrops. Finish the day at Sietiņiezis, one of the most well-known white sandstone outcrops in Latvia.
Sail away
One of the most popular boating routes in Riga itself is along the city canal, which is suitable for beginners and usually takes around 1–2 hours. Longer routes along the Daugava River, as well as around Lucavsala and Zaķusala, are also available from Andrejosta, allowing visitors to experience the city from a completely different perspective. SUP, kayak and boat rental operates seasonally in Andrejosta, and rental points usually also offer pre-defined route suggestions.
Outside Riga, Jūrmala is a popular choice: the Lielupe River is well suited to more relaxing pursuits and SUP and kayak routes are also available on the Buļļupe River and near the coast. This is a prime location for spending time on the water in a city with a resort feel in close proximity to the sea. The Gauja, meanwhile, is one of Latvia’s classic boating destinations – routes through Gauja National Park between Cēsis and Sigulda are particularly well-travelled, combining active leisure with views of sandstone outcrops, forests and the ancient valley. The Ogre River, in turn, features both calmer stretches and sections with faster currents.
Adventure addicts are particularly drawn to the excitement of navigating faster rivers during the spring flood period when the water level is high, particularly the Amata. The route requires good skills and previous experience, because flooding speeds up the current and increases the technical challenge. We recommend making these trips under the supervision of experienced instructors who know the river in question and its seasonal conditions.
Get your thrills
Latvia is a great place to get your adrenaline going once the conference or work portion of a business trip ends. Explore high-intensity adventures in the air and on the water, soar across the skies or schedule guided active leisure for both individual guests and corporate team-building activities.
Skydive Latvia offers tandem skydiving at Limbaži airfield – a site that supplies some of the most heart-pumping plunges in Latvia. Choose either the classic tandem jump with an instructor from an altitude of 4,000 metres, requiring no previous experience, or the exclusive Oxygen Jump 5.5 KM in tandem from a height of 5,500 metres (participants must use an oxygen mask while in the aircraft). Enjoy the exhilaration of an impressive high-speed freefall before the parachute deploys, giving you a chance to take in the stunning landscapes that surround you as you glide through the air. Oxygen Jump 5.5 KM is one of the highest public tandem jump experiences in Eastern Europe, making it particularly appealing for adrenaline junkies looking for truly unique and premium excitement.
Bungee Sigulda is the only place in Northern Europe where you can plummet from an aerial cable car at a height of 43 metres above the Gauja River. This is an impressive and popular activity in Latvia, combining freefall and the beauty of the ancient Sigulda valley. Predictably, this is an irresistible lure for the bravest and “craziest” thrill-seekers among us. Also in Sigulda, visit AERODIUM for simulated freefall in a vertical wind tunnel within a controlled and safe environment. No previous experience is required, making this no-barriers fun for groups and corporate events.
Hang gliding, in turn, gives you an extreme rush as you soar over impressive panoramic views of Riga and its surroundings under the supervision of an instructor. Observe the urban and surrounding landscapes laid out several hundred metres below you for an experience that is as dynamic as it is unforgettable. Climb aboard a hot-air balloon for a more leisurely, but no less thrilling experience, the perfect vantage point for views of Latvia’s varied landscapes – the bends of the Gauja, city panoramas and rural patchworks – a ride you won’t soon forget.
Reel therapy
Spring is an excellent time to tackle some fishing in Latvia, now that nature has awakened and the scaly inhabitants of its waterways are more active. From March to May, pike and perch are particularly good catches in lakes and rivers, while sea trout, garfish and cod are found in the Baltic Sea. Both experienced anglers and first-timers will enjoy the pleasant weather and diverse fishing opportunities.
While planning your trip, make sure to find out whether a fishing licence or other permit is required at your destination, especially in inland waters and specific zones. It is equally important that visitors follow local regulations, as some spawning fish species may be subject to fishing restrictions in spring. The safest solution is to check the latest information about a body of water in advance or consult professional fishing guides.
Beginners will have more luck at calmer spots in lakes and rivers, where it is easier to master the basics of fishing and learn about fish behaviour. A successful trip does not require complicated equipment – a simple, universal rod and a few lures are all you need. Because the spring weather in Latvia can be changeable, we recommend clothing that is also suitable for both cooler weather and rain. So go with the flow, drift along with nature and flounder in an atmosphere of relaxation, where the best outcome is not only what you net, but the feel good you achieve downstream.
Make your escape
Riga’s escape rooms are as diverse as its natural habitats, from classic logic and teamwork puzzles to spooky horror-themed rooms with intense scenography. A wide range of facilities can accommodate both small groups of friends and team-building events, a natural choice for colleagues intent on better cooperation, which participants must do as they search for clues to escape before time runs out.
Entertainment organisers in Riga, such as EscapeRoom, ESCAPE.LV and NoGame, are popular establishments that offer different levels of difficulty and themes. Search for leads in a detective scenario, steal the show during a bank robbery story, or immerse yourself in other suspenseful and frightening adventures. DOORdom and UrbexQuest, meanwhile, feature a more intimate, nuanced atmosphere and different narratives, a good choice for anyone who wants a more intense and personal experience.
Latvia has no shortage of original ideas for staying active and trying something new once your work day is over, both within and around Riga. Perhaps most importantly, many of these activities last only a single evening or day. Their success is achieved thanks to strong event agencies that specialise in the development of creative and high-quality programmes, professionalism that is also highly valued by international clients.
