How to best spend one week in Latvia: An itinerary for first timers

Latvia is one of three small countries sandwiched between the Baltic Sea and almighty Russia. It was the last of the Baltic states to regain independence after Soviet occupation on 21 August 1991. With good (and reasonably cheap) flight connections to other European countries, the number of visitors to Latvia, and particularly its capital, Riga, is rising. If you plan to visit Latvia, you might wonder what there is to see and do, and how best to spend your time. Based on our own exploration of all three Baltic States, we’ve put together a one-week itinerary that provides a thorough introduction to this little Baltic gem: from the capital and nearby beaches to National Parks and quaint castle towns.

Three reasons why you should visit Latvia

1. Not only is the historic centre of Latvia’s capital, Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it also has more than 800 Art Nouveau buildings, making Riga (not Barcelona) the Art Nouveau Capital of Europe.
2. Only a short trip outside Riga, grand wooden seaside homes and ancient Teutonic castles await exploration.
3. Latvia is not only rich in history. About 1/5 of the country is protected (and 56% is forested). No wonder, then, that despite its compact size, Latvia has four outstanding national parks (two of which are featured in our itinerary).

The Highlights of Latvia in 7 Days

Our itinerary assumes that you travel to Riga overland from Lithuania or arrive by plane at Riga Airport (IATA Code: RIX) and continue your travels north to Estonia. If you don’t plan to explore Estonia, your closest airport for returning home is Riga.

For this itinerary, it’s best to base yourself in

• Riga (3 nights) – to explore the city as well as nearby Jūrmala and Ķemeri National Park;
• Bauska (1-2 nights) – to explore Bauska’s Castle and museums as well as nearby Rundāle Palace; AND
• Sigulda or Cēsis (2-3 nights) – to explore the Teutonic castles and Gauja National Park.

Check our accommodation recommendations at the end of this article.

Map of Accommodation, Points of Interest, Eateries and Transport

Below is a map of the recommended accommodations, points of interest, eateries, and transport terminals or stops mentioned in this article.

How to get around Latvia

Latvia is a small country, and public transport is good. Its efficient rail network (that continues south into Lithuania and north into Estonia), reliable intercity coaches, and Riga’s urban public transit system, comprising (trolley)buses and trams, make it easy to get around. Thus, all the recommendations on our itinerary can be done without a car.

To use Riga’s public transportation network, here is all you need to know: Route Planner, Timetables and Fare Information.

Unless you’re a frequent visitor to Riga, we recommend buying a yellow e-talon (made of cardboard), which can be loaded with 90-minute, 24-hour, 3- or 5-day, and 1-month tickets (at ticket outlets, including vending machines). If you’re loading up 90-minute rides, don’t buy too many upfront, as you won’t be able to get your money back if you don’t use them all. If you’re coming from or heading to Riga Airport on bus 22, you can also pay your fare by credit card (at the bus stop).

Highlights of Riga

Free walking tours

As with Lithuania’s capital Vilnius and Estonia’s capital Tallinn, we recommend starting your first day in Riga with free walking tours around the Old Town and Riga’s Art Nouveau treasures. We did both and thoroughly enjoyed them. 

Riga museums worth visiting

The Latvian capital has over 30 museums – plenty to keep you occupied.

By chance (as we had time to spare between activities), we stumbled upon the Latvian National Museum of Art [Google Maps location]. We’d never encountered a Latvian painter before, but we are familiar with the styles associated with internationally renowned artists like Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Picasso, Kandinski, etc. It was interesting to see Latvian artists’ works from the same periods as those of their better-known counterparts. Bonus: the museum building is a beautiful work of art in its own right.

If you’re more interested in Latvia’s more recent history than art, you may want to visit the Museum of Latvia’s Occupation [Google Maps location] and/or The Corner House [Google Maps location]. If you want to join a guided tour (highly recommended for The Corner House), book ahead. Tours start on the hour from 11:00.

What’s the difference? The Museum of Latvia’s Occupation covers Latvia under both Nazi German and Soviet occupation (from 1940 to 1991), giving you a stronger understanding of the country’s 20th-century history. As the former KGB headquarters (where many of those who disagreed with the regime were detained and interrogated, tortured and killed), The Corner House offers a very sombre experience (similar to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius). Either is worth visiting – expect to spend a few hours taking in all the information.

Two other museums we recommend are on the outskirts of town – reachable by public transport from the centre of Riga in about 45 minutes.

For those who love vintage vehicles, the Riga Motor Museum [Google Maps location] is a MUST-SEE. Founded in 1989, it holds the largest and most diverse collection of antique vehicles in the Baltics, with more than 100 unique automobiles and motorcycles (including many Soviet-era vehicles) presented in a modern, interactive exhibition.

A little bit further out is the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia [Google Maps location], one of Europe’s oldest and largest outdoor museums. Founded in 1924 and located in a gorgeous natural setting on the shores of Lake Jugla, the museum brings together 118 historic buildings from Latvia’s four main cultural regions. Exhibits include farmsteads, fishermen’s homes, craftsmen’s workshops and churches, many furnished with period interiors and tools. From May to September, you can watch artisan woodworkers, blacksmiths, potters and weavers at work. The museum also hosts many events throughout the year – including the Traditional Folk Art Fair (on the first weekend in June). Explore the museum on your own or book a private tour.

Performing arts treasures

If you like (organ) music, head to Riga’s Cathedral [Google Maps location] to enjoy one of its organ concerts – weekly on Fridays at 19:00 or 20-minute Concerto Piccolos Saturdays to Thursdays at noon. For lovers of opera or ballet, check out the performances at the Latvian National Opera [Google Maps location].

Day Trip – Jūrmala and Ķemeri National Park

Once you’ve explored enough of Riga, we recommend heading out of the city.

This day trip will take you west of Riga – to the historic seaside resort of Jūrmala and gorgeous Ķemeri National Park. This will be an active day of cycling and hiking/walking (expect to walk at least 8km and cycle at least 38km, all on flat terrain).

To hire an e-bike or MTB, contact VeloPark. This bike rental outlet delivers bikes hired for the whole day anywhere in Jūrmala – ask them to bring it to Ķemeri Station [Google Maps location].

Ķemeri National Park

In the morning, take the train to Ķemeri Station (trains take just over an hour – check the timetable and buy your ticket here). Pick up your bike, then cycle 3.5km south into the National Park. Make sure to bring sunscreen and insect repellent.

In Ķemeri National Park, we recommend the following walking/hiking trails:

• Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk: The longer boardwalk loop through this peat bog has a length of about 3.5 kilometres (with an observation tower for 360 degree views). Leave your bike at the parking lot [Google Maps location] 3.5km south of Ķemeri train station.
• Black Alder Swamp Boardwalk: This short boardwalk loop (less than 1 kilometre long) takes you through a forest swamp dominated by black alder (hence the name). Park your bicycle at the Meža Māja Information Centre [Google Maps location].
• Lake Sloka Path: Starting at the car park at Lake Sloka [Google Maps location], this circular route is about 3 kilometres long and takes you through pine and spruce forests along Sloka Lake. There is also a (floating) observation tower just off the car park.

The cycle journey between the three trails is about 8.5 kilometres (or around 20 minutes). If you can (or want to) do only one of the trails, choose the first one.

Jūrmala

After spending the morning exploring Ķemeri National Park, head to Jūrmala in the afternoon (the cycle journey to VeloPark [Google Maps location] is about 26km). If you’re hungry, stop at Šampurs (closed Mondays) [Google Maps location], Hačapurija Kauguri [Google Maps location], or Nojan Tapan [Google Maps location] for lunch.

Take your time exploring the seaside town (which is really a collection of seaside suburbs). The area is known for its grand wooden villas, and you will come across quite a few as you travel west to east through Vaivari, Asari, Melluži, Majori and Dzintari. In Majori and Dzintari, also check out:

• the Jūrmala City Museum [Google Maps location]
• Jomas Street [Google Maps location]
• the Dzintari Concert Hall [Google Maps location] and
• the Dzintari Observation Tower [Google Maps location].

If you happen to visit Riga in mid-July, check out the program of the Jūrmala Festival.

Highlights of Bauska and Rundāle

Today, you’re heading south of Riga, partway (back) towards Lithuania. Take Bus 7480 from the Riga Centre Bus Station [Google Maps location] to the town of Bauska, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. You can buy your bus ticket here or purchase tickets as you enter the bus. Cards are generally accepted but do bring some cash in case the machine doesn’t work.

Bauska is a quaint little town with a surprising amount of interesting things to see: Bauska Castle [Google Maps location], the Local History and Art Museum [Google Maps location] and for lovers of vintage vehicles, a branch of the Riga Motor Museum – closed Mondays [Google Maps location].

Bauska

The main attraction in Bauska is Bauska Castle. One of Latvia’s most interesting fortified sites, the castle combines two eras in one place: a mid-15th-century Livonian Order fortress, built to control the route between Lithuania and Riga, and a late-16th-century ducal residence created for the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia.

The castle stands dramatically above the meeting point of the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers, which alone makes it worth the stop. Explore the ruins of the original stronghold, walk through the restored palace section, learn about warfare and court life in the exhibitions, and enjoy the expansive views from the castle grounds and towers.

After all this exploration, you will surely be hungry. For lunch, we recommend Pie Rātslaukuma [Google Maps location], a canteen that offers local dishes at very affordable prices and is closed on weekends. If you are here on a weekend, looking for a dinner option (or after a more upmarket dining experience), head to Mežs Kungs [Google Maps location].

Rundāle Palace

On your second day, head to Rundāle Palace [Google Maps location] – a 30-minute bus journey west of Bauska. Rundāle Palace is Latvia’s grandest Baroque Palace, built for Ernst Johann von Biron, Duke of Courland, in the 18th century. Today, the highlights are richly decorated state rooms and apartments, and the beautifully designed French garden.

If you have time, also check out the Watermill nearby [Google Maps location], which houses a small mill museum and a craft brewery – closed Mondays.

Highlights of Gauja National Park

Outdoor Adventures

The Gauja National Park is just over an hour east of Riga / 3 hours north-east of Bauska. After watching Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railways, which included an episode on train travel in the Baltics, we decided to take the train (rather than the bus) from Riga. The carriages were spacious, and there was free Wi-Fi. For schedules and ticket prices, check out the Latvian Railways website.

While you could visit the park on a day trip from Riga, we recommend to stay in either Sigulda or Cēsis (the two main vantage points for the park) to immerse yourself in Mother Nature and have time to roam around the historic sights.

You could easily spend a week (or more) in Gauja National Park, hiking, cycling and paddling past colourful sandstone formations, visiting the largest cave in the Baltics [Google Maps location] and enjoying beautiful vistas over the Gauja river valley. At a total length of 112km, the river valley lends itself to a five-day trek, starting in Rāmkalni and finishing in Valmiera (or vice versa). If you’ve got the time, these are the different stages (with maps): Rāmkalni – Sigulda | Sigulda – Līgatne | Līgatne – Cēsis | Cēsis – Caunītes | Caunītes – Valmiera. If you’re not into hiking (or walking between sights), (electric) bicycles and boats (kayaks, canoes and rafts) can be hired from outlets in both Sigulda and Cēsis. 

In Sigulda, adrenaline junkies can even bungee jump from the cable car across the Gauja River or zip-fly on the cable car’s cableway.

While staying at Hotel Sigulda [Google Maps location] – built in 1889 when the Riga-St Petersburg railroad opened – might be too expensive, we can highly recommend stopping here for lunch. In Cēsis, we can recommend the Black Swan Café [Google Maps location], which makes the best coffee in the area, and Pasēdnīca [Google Maps location], a lovely bistro serving Latvian cuisine.

Historic Sights

Sigulda and Cēsis are not only convenient hubs for Gauja National Park. They are also worthwhile destinations in their own right.

Each is home to castles of the Livonian Order (Teutonic Knights who settled in the area at the beginning of the 13th century). We visited both, but our favourite was the Cēsis Castle and Museum [Google Maps location]:

• With the help of old-fashioned lanterns, you can explore the castle’s western tower by yourself.
• The castle’s history is projected onto the inside of one of the towers.
• During the summer, workshops and a kitchen garden are staffed by locals dressed in medieval clothing. These people explain medieval crafts (for example, woodblock printing by the very passionate Viesturs Aboltins or straw hat making), traditional games and armour.
• Finally, a sizeable and super interesting museum awaits in the Manor House, explaining the history of Cēsis and Latvia (make sure you use the leaflets provided in additional languages).

The complex is one of the most interactive sights we’ve been to. We spent several hours here and had a lot of fun getting an idea of what life was like in the Middle Ages.

BTW: In 2026, Cēsis celebrates its 820th birthday, with events galore – Check out the program here.

Where to stay in Latvia

We book most of our stays via Booking.com: usually locally-owned apartments that allow us to self-cater and are centrally located / within easy reach of public transport (and grocery stores/produce markets). If your travel style is similar to ours, here are our accommodation recommendations for Riga and the Gauja National Park (Sigulda/Cēsis):

Travel Budget Latvia Tips

What is the currency of Latvia?

Like the other two Baltic States, Latvia uses the Euro. Before the country officially adopted the European currency on 1 January 2014, the national currency was the Latvian Lats (LVL).

How expensive is Latvia (and how to make your trip more affordable)?

Latvia is the most expensive of the three Baltic countries, but it can still be affordable if you travel mindfully. Expect to pay approximately EUR75 per person per day. The easiest ways to reduce costs are to stay in self-catered accommodation near the city centre or close to public transport (with only the occasional meal out), use public transport, and be selective of the experiences you choose to do.

What else is worth knowing?

In Latvia, tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. A sensible rule is to round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants if the service was good (do check the bill first though in case a service charge has already been added).

As common throughout Europe, the use of public toilets generally incurs a small fee (around EUR0.50). Use the (usually free) bathrooms in cafés, restaurants and museums, if you’re already there anyway.

Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops and public transport ticket outlets. We suggest to bring around EUR50 per person in cash (in small denominations, including coins).

Before you go, if you liked our article and found it helpful, we would appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and family via the Share buttons below. Even better: Leave a short review on Trustpilot or Google, which would help us further build our online reputation as a (trustworthy and helpful) travel and lifestyle blog.