Visit Latvia
For travellers from Ireland
Why visit Latvia
Riga
A UNESCO-listed Old Town and one of the finest collections of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.
Sea and sand
Hundreds of kilometres of Baltic beaches, from the resort town of Jūrmala to quiet fishing villages.
Forests and lakes
About half of Latvia is covered by forest. Walking, cycling, canoeing and berry picking are part of everyday life.
Song and midsummer
The Song and Dance Celebration, held every five years, is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. Midsummer (Jāņi, 23–24 June) is the biggest festival of the year.
Beyond Riga
Regions LatWest has worked with, through our Regional Days in Ireland and education links.
Latgale
The lake district of eastern Latvia. In Daugavpils, the Mark Rothko Art Centre sits inside a 19th-century fortress, and Rothko himself was born in the city. Nearby is the basilica at Aglona.
Kurzeme: Kuldīga
A UNESCO World Heritage old town beside the Venta Rapid, the widest waterfall in Europe.
Vidzeme
Gauja National Park, with the castles of Sigulda and Cēsis, sandstone cliffs and river valleys.
Zemgale
Rundāle Palace, a baroque masterpiece with French-style gardens, and the city of Jelgava.
Practical tips
- Getting there. There are direct flights between Dublin and Riga, taking under three hours.
- Money and documents. Latvia uses the euro. Latvia is in the Schengen Area but Ireland is not, so bring your passport or ID card.
- Getting around. Riga is easy to explore on foot and by tram. Trains and buses link the main towns, and a hire car is best for the countryside.
- When to go. May to September for long light evenings, or December for the Christmas markets in Riga.
- Language. Latvian is the official language, and English is widely spoken, especially by younger people.
Travel notes
Travel stories and tips will appear here. Been to Latvia and have a favourite place? Tell us about it.
