Europe · Northern Europe

Latvia

Republic of Latvia

Flag of Latvia
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+02:00
🏛️ Capital
Riga
👥 Population
1,829,000
📐 Area
64,559 km²
💱 Currency
euro (€)
🗣️ Languages
Latvian
📞 Calling Code
+371
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+02:00
🌐 Region
Europe / Northern Europe

About Latvia

Latvia is a small Baltic nation that rewards visitors with a remarkable concentration of natural beauty, architectural brilliance, and a cultural identity forged through centuries of resilience. Wedged between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia sits on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, its landscape a serene mosaic of dense pine forests, amber-scattered beaches, mirror-still lakes, and gentle river valleys that feel refreshingly undiscovered compared to more heavily touristed European destinations.

Riga, the capital and the Baltic region's largest city, is a place that stops visitors in their tracks. Its Art Nouveau architecture — the most concentrated collection anywhere in the world — transforms entire streets into open-air galleries of sculpted facades, floral motifs, and dramatic maskheads. The medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unfolds across cobbled lanes between soaring Gothic churches, guild halls, and the city's iconic Riga Cathedral. The energy of the city is lively and creative, with a thriving restaurant scene, independent design shops, and a music culture deeply rooted in the Latvian tradition of choral singing.

Beyond Riga, Latvia opens into a landscape of quiet power. The Gauja National Park draws hikers and cyclists through ancient sandstone valleys to medieval castle ruins. The Latvian coast at Jūrmala stretches for kilometres of white-sand beach backed by elegant art nouveau villas. In the east, the Latgale region harbours a contemplative lakeland landscape that feels almost untouched. Latvia is a place where you can spend mornings in a world-class art museum and afternoons foraging for mushrooms in a primeval forest — and feel that both experiences are equally authentic.

History & Background

Latvia's recorded history is one of conquest and resilience. The Baltic Latvian tribes were subjugated by German crusading knights (the Livonian Brothers of the Sword) in the 13th century, beginning seven centuries of foreign rule. The region passed through Swedish and then Russian imperial control, and by the 19th century a Latvian national awakening was underway — poets, educators, and intellectuals began asserting Latvian language and culture as something worth celebrating and defending. Latvia declared independence on 18 November 1918, establishing a short but culturally productive interwar republic.

Soviet occupation in 1940, followed by Nazi invasion in 1941 and re-occupation by the USSR in 1945, brought catastrophic suffering, including the deportation of tens of thousands of Latvians to Siberia and the near-annihilation of Latvia's Jewish community in the Holocaust. Latvia was the last Soviet republic to declare independence, doing so on 4 May 1990 in a process culminating in full recognised independence in August 1991. The Singing Revolution — mass peaceful protests using song — is one of history's most extraordinary acts of non-violent resistance. Latvia joined NATO and the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2014, firmly anchoring itself in the European community.

Culture & People

Latvia's cultural identity is a remarkable act of collective preservation — a people who maintained their language, songs, and traditions through centuries of German, Swedish, Polish, Russian, and Soviet rule and emerged with a culture that is distinctly, defiantly their own. The Latvian Song and Dance Festival, held every five years, brings together over 30,000 performers in a mass choral celebration that was used as an act of peaceful resistance during the Soviet era and remains one of Europe's most emotionally powerful cultural events, recognised by UNESCO.

Latvian folk culture is rich with pagan roots. The ancient festival of Jāņi (Midsummer) is celebrated with bonfires, garlands of oak leaves and wildflowers, folk songs called dainas, and the rolling countryside filling with song long into the luminous Nordic night. The dainas — short, four-line folk poems — are among Europe's most extensive oral traditions, with millions recorded, exploring themes from nature and seasons to love and death. Latvians are known for their reserve with strangers but deep warmth within their circle of trust, and the experience of earning that warmth through genuine curiosity and respect is one of travel in Latvia's greatest rewards.

Food & Cuisine

Latvian cuisine is honest, seasonal, and deeply connected to the land and sea. Dark rye bread — rupjmaize — is the cornerstone of the Latvian table, dense, slightly sour, and eaten at every meal; Latvians consider it a national symbol as much as a food. Smoked fish, particularly cold-smoked sprats (sprats in Latvian — šprotes) and fresh smoked salmon, are beloved as both everyday sustenance and celebratory delicacies. Grey peas with bacon — pelēkie zirņi ar speķi — is the traditional Latvian staple, especially prepared at Jāņi (Midsummer), simmered with smoked lard and served with sour cream.

Seasonal eating is embedded in Latvian food culture. Spring brings wild garlic soups and fresh sorrel; summer overflows with berries, new potatoes, and cottage cheese; autumn means mushroom and cranberry harvests; winter centres on preserved meats, pickled vegetables, and warming potato dishes. Riga's food scene has transformed in recent years, with a new wave of restaurants celebrating Latvian ingredients with modern techniques and genuine creative ambition. The city's Central Market — housed in five former zeppelin hangars — is one of Europe's most atmospheric and comprehensive food markets, perfect for sampling local cheeses, breads, cured meats, and freshly caught Baltic fish.

Top Attractions

  • Riga Art Nouveau District — World's densest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, centred on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela streets.
  • Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) — UNESCO-listed medieval core with Gothic churches, the House of the Blackheads, and St Peter's Church tower views.
  • Gauja National Park — Latvia's oldest national park, with sandstone cliffs, the medieval Turaida Castle, and hiking and cycling through ancient river valleys.
  • Jūrmala — Elegant Baltic seaside resort with art nouveau wooden villas, long sandy beaches, and a relaxed spa-town atmosphere.
  • Rundale Palace — Magnificent 18th-century Baroque palace designed by Rastrelli with elaborately restored state rooms and formal gardens.
  • Cēsis Medieval Town — Charming historic town with a ruined Livonian castle, cobblestone centre, and excellent craft brewery culture.

Practical Travel Tips

  • The euro is the currency; ATMs are widely available throughout Riga and major towns.
  • Riga's Old Town is compact and best explored on foot — wear comfortable shoes on the cobblestones.
  • Book accommodation well in advance if visiting during the Song and Dance Festival (held every five years) or summer peak season.
  • Purchase an Riga Card for unlimited public transport and discounted museum entry if spending several days in the city.
  • Renting a car is recommended for exploring the countryside, Gauja National Park, and the eastern Latgale lakes.
  • Learn a few basic Latvian phrases — locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even though English is widely spoken in cities.
  • Take the train to Jūrmala beach — it is only 30 minutes from central Riga and far cheaper than a taxi.

Visa Overview

Latvia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, meaning EU and EEA citizens can enter freely with a national ID card or passport. Citizens of many other countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement. Nationals of countries not on the visa-free list must apply for a Schengen visa through a Latvian embassy or consulate before travel. Always verify current entry requirements on the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs website.

Getting Around

Riga International Airport is well-connected to major European cities via airBaltic (Latvia's national carrier) and numerous budget airlines. Within Latvia, bus services operated by Lux Express and regional providers connect all major towns efficiently. Trains run between Riga and Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, and other destinations. Car hire is the best option for exploring rural areas and national parks. Riga's public transport system of trams, trolleybuses, and buses is comprehensive, affordable, and easy to navigate with a contactless payment card.

Safety Notes

Latvia is a safe country for travellers, with crime rates low by European standards. Petty theft can occur around Riga's tourist areas and the Central Market, so keep bags close in crowded spaces. Exercise caution in the Old Town late at night during summer weekends when stag parties can create boisterous atmospheres. Roads in rural areas can be poor, particularly in spring when frost damage is common. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Travel insurance covering medical expenses is recommended, though healthcare is readily available.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Latvia.

euro (EUR) €
Updated: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 15.949281
AAVE 0.012938
ADA 6.090330
AED 4.198644
AFN 72.687638
AGIX 14.653548
AKT 1.822806
ALGO 12.771407
ALL 93.715249
AMD 420.687823
AMP 2,563.140894
ANG 2.061699
AOA 1,049.968938
APE 8.155490
APT 1.828050
AR 0.572736
ARB 14.293563
ARS 1,706.397805
ATOM 0.723000
ATS 13.760300
AUD 1.650375
AVAX 0.165594
AWG 2.046446
AXS 1.132201
AZM 9,717.759386
AZN 1.943552
BAKE 1,521.521968
BAM 1.955830
BAT 12.981393
BBD 2.286532
BCH 0.004737
BDT 140.934392
BEF 40.339900
BGN 1.955830
BHD 0.429868
BIF 3,403.510590
BMD 1.143266
BNB 0.001956
BND 1.477679
BOB 7.919585
BRL 5.908495
BSD 1.143266
BSV 0.077435
BSW 3,415.845850
BTC 0.000018
BTCB 21.573515
BTG 3.962033
BTN 108.924484
BTT 4,310,778.202359
BUSD 1.142293
BWP 15.430353
BYN 3.319956
BYR 22,410.177604
BZD 2.302612
CAD 1.624558
CAKE 0.789485
CDF 2,637.792313
CELO 17.016964
CFX 25.554029
CHF 0.919689
CHZ 63.326984
CLP 1,053.176301
CNH 7.764348
CNY 7.761272
COMP 0.068216
COP 3,821.401247
CRC 520.971136
CRO 19.127055
CRV 5.347923
CSPR 588.668145
CUC 1.143376
CUP 30.299475
CVE 110.2700
CVX 0.950574
CYP 0.585274
CZK 24.186247
DAI 1.143807
DASH 0.032500
DCR 0.102993
DEM 1.955830
DFI 1,376.082887
DJF 203.607530
DKK 7.474915
DOGE 14.794151
DOP 67.757151
DOT 1.310575
DYDX 8.656942
DZD 152.047465
EEK 15.646640
EGLD 0.413647
EGP 56.159478
ENJ 39.503862
EOS 15.783994
ERN 17.148990
ESP 166.3860
ETB 182.871710
ETC 0.160971
ETH 0.000643
EURC 1.000728
FEI 1.143672
FIL 1.447925
FIM 5.945730
FJD 2.567212
FKP 0.856850
FLOW 40.795582
FLR 164.477041
FRAX 1.155714
FRF 6.559570
FTT 4.799680
GALA 499.043181
GBP 0.856850
GEL 3.002840
GGP 0.856850
GHC 129,886.186361
GHS 12.988619
GIP 0.856850
GMD 84.309381
GMX 0.192922
GNF 10,023.628542
GNO 0.010875
GRD 340.750000
GRT 60.259003
GT 0.168638
GTQ 8.726603
GUSD 1.144776
GYD 239.303057
HBAR 15.140623
HKD 8.966681
HNL 30.607777
HNT 4.770791
HOT 3,168.153681
HRK 7.534500
HT 31.909137
HTG 149.647394
HUF 353.603071
ICP 0.518628
IDR 20,570.209465
IEP 0.787564
ILS 3.433987
IMP 0.856850
IMX 8.274737
INJ 0.234012
INR 108.924484
IQD 1,499.043340
IRR 1,573,228.768594
ISK 144.001544
ITL 1,936.270000
JEP 0.856850
JMD 181.119145
JOD 0.810576
JPY 185.037303
KAS 37.269854
KAVA 25.338993
KCS 0.158357
KDA 196.152856
KES 147.813810
KGS 99.994876
KHR 4,584.303728
KMF 491.967750
KNC 10.256361
KPW 1,029.039168
KRW 1,752.466471
KSM 0.324446
KWD 0.354755
KYD 0.951107
KZT 540.471024
LAK 25,848.153325
LBP 102,669.185320
LDO 4.232248
LEO 0.122148
LINK 0.143176
LKR 382.874215
LRC 93.050064
LRD 207.644501
LSL 18.582404
LTC 0.025327
LTL 3.452800
LUF 40.339900
LUNA 23.280219
LUNC 18,621.432255
LVL 0.702800
LYD 7.333327
MAD 10.705136
MANA 16.430289
MBX 45.458621
MDL 20.122768
MGA 4,851.480259
MGF 24,257.401295
MINA 24.115095
MKD 61.601743
MKR 0.000798
MMK 2,400.088668
MNT 4,097.623598
MOP 9.235681
MRO 456.586497
MRU 45.658650
MTL 0.429300
MUR 53.741133
MVR 17.674192
MWK 1,983.150655
MXN 19.983511
MXV 2.265944
MYR 4.661391
MZM 73,016.400614
MZN 73.016401
NAD 18.582404
NEAR 0.573792
NEO 0.577989
NEXO 1.486114
NFT 4,313,881.267151
NGN 1,566.593611
NIO 42.084613
NLG 2.203710
NOK 11.245652
NPR 174.360867
NZD 2.009463
OKB 0.014333
OMR 0.440020
ONE 914.672172
OP 10.634304
ORDI 0.352191
PAB 1.143266
PAXG 0.000275
PEN 3.893144
PEPE 419,153.813525
PGK 5.029557
PHP 70.325608
PI 10.106348
PKR 318.067727
PLN 4.292661
POL 15.545695
PTE 200.482000
PYG 6,954.060930
QAR 4.161488
QNT 0.017075
QTUM 1.608321
ROL 52,260.095818
RON 5.226010
RPL 0.564664
RSD 117.291974
RUB 88.097412
RUNE 2.764439
RVN 299.982382
RWF 1,675.880331
SAND 22.914164
SAR 4.287247
SBD 9.251377
SCR 16.337036
SDD 68,623.992676
SDG 686.239927
SEK 11.035756
SGD 1.477679
SHIB 261,122.105549
SHP 0.856850
SIT 239.640000
SKK 30.1260
SLE 26.112138
SLL 26,112.137915
SNX 4.992721
SOL 0.014169
SOS 652.851438
SPL 0.190544
SRD 43.037810
SRG 43,037.810297
SSP 5,429.582653
STD 24,681.801703
STN 24.681802
STX 6.685931
SUI 1.530284
SVC 10.003577
SYP 126.379793
SZL 18.582404
THB 38.002477
THETA 8.149578
TJS 10.597256
TMM 20,059.689343
TMT 4.011938
TND 3.370278
TOP 2.753336
TRL 53,522,506.924889
TRX 3.481290
TRY 53.522507
TTD 7.746755
TUSD 1.145661
TVD 1.650375
TWD 36.687679
TWT 3.325665
TZS 3,004.055907
UAH 50.950323
UGX 4,178.083222
UNI 0.361742
USD 1.143266
USDC 1.143620
USDD 1.144428
USDP 1.146724
USDT 1.144500
UYU 46.015386
UZS 13,682.375462
VAL 1,936.270000
VEB 73,676,464,017.7850
VED 736.699046
VEF 73,669,904.620052
VES 736.699046
VET 242.347559
VND 30,068.135851
VUV 137.411341
WAVES 4.302368
WEMIX 4.415912
WOO 96.554813
WST 3.162059
XAF 655.957000
XAG 0.018516
XAU 0.000275
XAUT 0.000275
XBT 0.000018
XCD 3.094677
XCG 2.061699
XCH 0.725428
XDC 40.687825
XDR 0.843258
XEC 215,226.956128
XEM 2,670.609044
XLM 5.726679
XMR 0.003533
XOF 655.957000
XPD 0.000900
XPF 119.331742
XPT 0.000698
XRP 0.998686
XTZ 4.594649
YER 270.946532
ZAR 18.582404
ZEC 0.002510
ZIL 370.612584
ZMK 20,978.141068
ZMW 20.978141
ZWD 413.747954
ZWG 30.666484
ZWL 76,627.085634

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Cities in Latvia 78
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Ainazhi Aizkraukle Aizpute Akniste Aloja Aluksne Ape Auce Baldone Balozhi Balvi Bauska Broceni Cesis Cesvaine Dagda Dobele Durbe Grobina Gulbene Ikskile Ilukste Ilukste Jaunjelgava Jekabspils Jelgava Kalnciems Kandava Karsava Kegums Kraslava Kuldiga Les Hautes-Rivieres Lielvarde Liepaja Ligatne Limbazhi Livani Lubana Ludza Madona Mazsalaca Ogre Olaine Pavilosta Piltene Piltene Plavinas Preili Priekule Rezekne Riga Rujiena Sabile Salacgriva Salaspils Saldus Saulkrasti Seda Sigulda Skrunda Smiltene Staicele Stende Strenchi Subate Subate Talsi Tukums Valdemarpils Valka Valmiera Vangazhi Varaklani Viesite Vilaka Vilani Zilupe

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Latvia needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Latvia?
The capital of Latvia is Riga.
What currency does Latvia use?
Latvia uses the euro (€) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Latvia?
The official language(s) of Latvia include Latvian.
What is the population of Latvia?
Latvia has a population of approximately 1,829,000 people.
What region is Latvia in?
Latvia is located in Europe, specifically in the Northern Europe subregion.
What is the international calling code for Latvia?
The international dialing code for Latvia is +371.
What time zones does Latvia observe?
Latvia observes the following time zone(s): UTC+02:00.
What is the current time in Latvia?
The local time in Latvia is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Latvia?
Latvia covers a total area of 64,559 km².
How many states or provinces does Latvia have?
Latvia is divided into 33 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Latvia in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Latvia in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Latvia?
Visa requirements for citizens of Latvia vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.