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: 2026-05-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 12.514092
AAVE 0.013067
ADA 4.635765
AED 4.268857
AFN 73.050085
AGIX 13.756873
AKT 1.467514
ALGO 9.909935
ALL 95.435541
AMD 427.611835
AMP 1,379.202612
ANG 2.095243
AOA 1,065.796717
APE 7.940193
APT 1.214236
AR 0.521054
ARB 10.271498
ARS 1,624.999404
ATOM 0.577421
ATS 13.760300
AUD 1.624547
AVAX 0.124130
AWG 2.080668
AXS 0.954390
AZM 9,880.268964
AZN 1.976054
BAKE 1,337.267257
BAM 1.955830
BAT 11.688170
BBD 2.324769
BCH 0.003114
BDT 142.888970
BEF 40.339900
BGN 1.955830
BHD 0.437057
BIF 3,461.270968
BMD 1.162385
BNB 0.001789
BND 1.485566
BOB 8.031297
BRL 5.818157
BSD 1.162385
BSV 0.077115
BSW 1,567.711019
BTC 0.000015
BTG 3.636395
BTN 112.378377
BTT 3,605,647.553499
BUSD 1.162883
BWP 15.767662
BYN 3.184946
BYR 31,849.462337
BZD 2.340396
CAD 1.598341
CAKE 0.792428
CDF 2,667.664759
CELO 14.201431
CFX 19.585838
CHF 0.915133
CHZ 25.306504
CLP 1,044.690106
CNH 7.905158
CNY 7.905527
COMP 0.050843
COP 4,314.622517
CRC 525.644447
CRO 16.774378
CRV 4.835499
CSPR 391.623484
CUC 1.162385
CUP 27.897815
CVE 110.2700
CVX 0.672799
CYP 0.585274
CZK 24.299276
DAI 1.163082
DASH 0.023075
DCR 0.066586
DEM 1.955830
DFI 1,286.101906
DJF 207.185113
DKK 7.472878
DOGE 11.112250
DOP 68.458548
DOT 0.928173
DYDX 7.606495
DZD 154.268832
EEK 15.646640
EGLD 0.292983
EGP 62.100780
ENJ 25.727907
EOS 14.261678
ERN 17.435769
ESP 166.3860
ETB 187.635015
ETC 0.128032
ETH 0.000542
EURC 0.999253
FEI 1.169405
FIL 1.198585
FIM 5.945730
FJD 2.558623
FKP 0.864720
FLOW 32.179629
FLR 139.106564
FRAX 1.170775
FRF 6.559570
FTT 3.542172
GALA 339.662601
GBP 0.864720
GEL 3.101804
GGP 0.864720
GHC 134,226.612678
GHS 13.422661
GIP 0.864720
GMD 85.572767
GMX 0.173787
GNF 10,197.327925
GNO 0.009723
GRD 340.750000
GRT 46.006984
GT 0.164141
GTQ 8.862792
GUSD 1.164880
GYD 243.162682
HBAR 12.987917
HKD 9.104945
HNL 30.919162
HNT 1.400071
HOT 2,878.226966
HRK 7.534500
HT 8.061299
HTG 152.200512
HUF 359.640468
ICP 0.454336
IDR 20,522.555935
IEP 0.787564
ILS 3.376998
IMP 0.864720
IMX 6.718758
INJ 0.228804
INR 112.378377
IQD 1,522.914597
IRR 1,536,359.240989
ISK 143.401583
ITL 1,936.270000
JEP 0.864720
JMD 183.947124
JOD 0.824131
JPY 184.694195
KAS 33.252309
KAVA 19.696085
KCS 0.144986
KDA 140.569266
KES 150.527813
KGS 101.677068
KHR 4,662.597870
KLAY 22.729204
KMF 491.967750
KNC 8.087349
KPW 1,046.167488
KRW 1,739.708635
KSM 0.231925
KWD 0.359021
KYD 0.966659
KZT 548.960488
LAK 25,504.559821
LBP 103,767.012935
LDO 3.211248
LEO 0.115603
LINK 0.120312
LKR 400.547615
LRC 68.978450
LRD 212.776840
LSL 19.144507
LTC 0.021384
LTL 3.452800
LUF 40.339900
LUNA 18.157389
LUNC 15,145.766590
LVL 0.702800
LYD 7.399581
MAD 10.722687
MANA 12.996343
MBX 29.706068
MDL 20.205749
MGA 4,881.108551
MGF 24,405.542757
MINA 20.262974
MKD 61.643149
MKR 0.000679
MMK 2,440.702629
MNT 4,159.354888
MOP 9.378094
MRO 464.662663
MRU 46.466266
MTL 0.429300
MUR 55.101839
MVR 17.953453
MWK 2,015.636229
MXN 20.108264
MXV 2.283740
MYR 4.613983
MZM 74,238.678537
MZN 74.238679
NAD 19.144507
NEAR 0.695416
NEO 0.399231
NEXO 1.315396
NFT 4,114,359.321606
NGN 1,594.370337
NIO 42.779586
NLG 2.203710
NOK 10.773219
NPR 179.889687
NZD 1.979846
OKB 0.014313
OMR 0.447464
ONE 572.410527
OP 8.938004
ORDI 0.271203
PAB 1.162385
PAXG 0.000257
PEN 3.973516
PEPE 310,189.460730
PGK 5.069114
PHP 71.472524
PI 7.654636
PKR 323.912024
PLN 4.247647
POL 12.773867
PTE 200.482000
PYG 7,170.153045
QAR 4.231080
QNT 0.015746
QTUM 1.290481
ROL 52,381.704711
RON 5.238170
RPL 0.664559
RSD 117.423044
RUB 83.111774
RUNE 2.632548
RVN 210.843016
RWF 1,701.494446
SAND 16.012742
SAR 4.358942
SBD 9.341057
SCR 16.997227
SDD 69,766.060563
SDG 697.660606
SEK 10.855608
SGD 1.485566
SHIB 199,898.835263
SHP 0.864720
SIT 239.640000
SKK 30.1260
SLE 26.560392
SLL 26,560.391932
SNX 3.659728
SOL 0.013387
SOS 663.350193
SPL 0.193731
SRD 43.165768
SRG 43,165.768127
SSP 5,471.885521
STD 24,695.633686
STN 24.695634
STX 4.767224
SUI 1.077074
SVC 10.170865
SYP 128.500964
SZL 19.144507
THB 37.846832
THETA 5.738233
TJS 10.805111
TMM 20,393.256406
TMT 4.078651
TND 3.377943
TON 0.563287
TOP 2.799419
TRL 52,984,661.255005
TRX 3.244016
TRY 52.984661
TTD 7.882530
TUSD 1.163991
TVD 1.624547
TWD 36.718887
TWT 2.509307
TZS 3,037.714686
UAH 51.459769
UGX 4,384.696503
UNI 0.321746
USD 1.162385
USDC 1.162986
USDD 1.163059
USDP 1.164190
USDT 1.163757
UYU 46.876919
UZS 14,054.876444
VAL 1,936.270000
VEB 60,274,464,136.7606
VED 602.723394
VEF 60,272,339.413493
VES 602.723394
VET 174.102185
VND 30,650.138804
VUV 138.273874
WAVES 2.990676
WEMIX 4.151300
WOO 67.454771
WST 3.147520
XAF 655.957000
XAG 0.015294
XAU 0.000256
XAUT 0.000257
XBT 0.000015
XCD 3.147076
XCG 2.095243
XCH 0.321346
XDC 33.171668
XDR 0.850799
XEC 159,792.049454
XEM 1,730.129523
XLM 8.048185
XMR 0.002875
XOF 655.957000
XPD 0.000844
XPF 119.331742
XPT 0.000594
XRP 0.844290
XTZ 3.395818
YER 277.365580
ZAR 19.144507
ZEC 0.001777
ZIL 292.298779
ZMK 22,076.217614
ZMW 22.076218
ZWD 420.666989
ZWG 30.506481
ZWL 76,227.281295

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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.