Latvia has plenty of sights and attractions to offer its visitor. Riga is a mixture of medieval history, Art Nouveau gems and modern city life.

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The seaside is a popular site for recreation and water sports for both Latvians and foreign guests. Sandy beaches and sand dunes form the 497 kilometres coastal zone.

And not to forget the green forests and meadows in the Latvian countryside, which is a true paradise for nature lovers.

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Latvia – the unique mosaic in New Europe!

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Rīga

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In 1201 the metropolis of the Baltics where grounded by the Germans, and later became an important part of the Hanseatic League.

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In the 21st century, Rīga is a modern city of 800,000 inhabitants at the bank of the river Daugava.

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Art Nouveau

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The elegant metropolis is famous for being the premier Art Nouveau city in Europe.

Art Nouveau, also known as Jugendstil or Modern Style, was a movement in middle Europe between 1890’s and 1910 that whished to combine architecture and decorative arts by using quality handicrafts and materials.

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One third of Riga centre’s buildings are from the Art Nouveau period, which was an objection to the many imitations of the historicism that characterised the European style at that time.

The Latvian Art Nouveau used many elements from the Latvian folklore, flora and fauna.

Take a stroll and look up at the beautiful houses of Riga…

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Old Riga

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This part of the city is a string of historical buildings, architectonic gems and cosy cobble stoned streets. Walking in Vecriga, Old Riga, you cannot avoid looking up at the many decorative house fronts.

Here are churches, cathedrals, old dwelling houses, remains of an old city wall, a castle and 13-15th century houses with exciting stories to tell.

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The Central Market

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Five food pavilions in old Zeppelin hangars and outdoor stalls are the settings for one of Europe’s oldest and largest markets.

The Central Market is buzzing with life and you can buy almost anything from clothes, flowers and food to household equipments.

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Wooden Riga

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Up till the end of the 19th century a rule in Riga prohibited the construction of buildings in non-wooden material. That is the reason why about 20% of all houses in Riga are made of wood.

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Especially the island Kipsala, situated on the opposite side of Daugava from Riga Old Town, has fascinating wooden architecture and a unique atmosphere.

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Riga New City

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Riga is more than Art Nouveau and Old Town. It is an elegant city with trendy restaurants, bars and lounges, cabaret and event venues, teahouses and cafes.

On nearly every street corner is a hairdresser or a beauty parlour pampering the many visitors.

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New and modern buildings accommodate hotels, apartments and the offices for the growing Baltic business.

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Jurmala

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The largest seaside resort in the Baltic States, Jurmala, is only 20 km from Riga.

Since the 19th century is has been a popular recreation resort with numerous fantasy-like wooden houses, spa and beauty temples and luxury hotels.

From May to September the beach are buzzing with activities like beach volleyball, soccer, sailing and all kinds of water sports.

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The Latvian regions

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Latvia is divided in the four regions Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale. In each region numerous historical, cultural and nature experiences is waiting to be discovered.

The country has a large number of castles and manor houses of which several is open for visitors.

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For the active visitor Latvia offers outdoor and extreme activities like rafting, bobsleigh riding, skiing in winter, kite surfing in summer and much more.

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The Latvian nature comprises both white, sandy beaches, rivers ideal for fishing and canoeing, hills for skiing and forests and meadows for discovering the beautiful wildlife.