Imagine hiring a big holiday apartment in Riga, Daugavpils, Kuldiga or Liepaja, which are among Latvia’s top city destinations. Or imagine staying in a large coastal holiday home in Jurmala for a relaxing beach holiday, or a remote cottage in Latgale to get away from it all.
Where to Stay in Latvia
It’s not easy choosing where to stay in Latvia, with such a fabulous range of hiking and wildlife-spotting destinations, vibrant towns and cities, and superb group holiday accommodation.
In the Riga Region, rent a big holiday apartment in Riga itself to experience the capital’s vibrant nightlife and many tourist attractions, including the charming narrow streets of ancient Old Riga, and its 13th-18th century fortifications, Riga Cathedral, the White Stone Palace, St. Peters Church, St. Jacobs Cathedral, Dannenstern House, The Three Brethren houses, and Riga Castle. You can also get active and hire a bike to tour the city, or visit the unique Aerodium vertical wind tunnel where you can feel the freedom of flying like a bird. Not far away, you could stay at a big beach house in Jurmala during the summer, an attractive coastal resort that is said to have the longest beach on the northern side of Europe. Miles upon miles of fine, white sand are backed by dunes and pine woods dotted with the region’s characteristic wooden houses. Summer festivals add to the town’s holiday atmosphere, while spas offer opportunities for pampering and the town’s six museums, including an open-air museum, give visitors an insight into Jurmalas history.
Get away to a large holiday home in Kurzeme, or Western Latvia, and you can enjoy Baltic Sea resorts and fabulous sandy beaches. You could hire a holiday apartment in Liepa;ja, an ancient city on the Baltic Sea coast, to explore the Northern Fort labyrinths by torchlight, take in the Military Ports architecture and the former prison, look at art nouveau buildings in the city centre, and the unique wooden architecture of the Seaside Park. Hire a beach house in Ventspils, home to a Blue Flag beach with excellent amenities – including Ventspils Aqua Park and the playgrounds at the Childrens Town – making it a favourite Latvian family destination. Visit the Jurkalne Seashore Bluffs to witness some of the most picturesque stretches of coastline in Latvia, with a quiet, unspoilt beach; and head to dramatic Cape Kolka to enjoy Spring bird-watching or summertime swimming and surfing.
If you choose the inland region of Latgale, or Eastern Latvia, as your holiday destination you can really escape the crowds and discover a unique region of the country. Rent a large holiday cottage in Eastern Latvia and you can explore Makonkalns Hill and Volkenberg Castle Ruins; visit Ludza Crafts Centre, Daugavpils Fortress, and Latgale Art and Handicraft Centre; take a trip to Aglona Bread Museum and Andrupene Farmstead; see sacred Aglona and Aglona Basilica, the most important Catholic centre in the country; and wander around the protected historical centre of Ludza.
For a romantic destination full of legends, castles, cities and rivers, hire a big holiday home in Vidzeme, or Northern Latvia, where the lush, green countryside competes for attention with historical old towns such as Cesis, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the country. Visit Araiai Archaeological Museum Park; the nature reserve at Vidzeme Stony Seashore; and the Munchausen Museum — or follow the Lgatne Nature Trails in the ancient valley of the Gauja River.
Rent a holiday cottage in Zemgale, or Southern Latvia, and you can explore the peaceful, fertile countryside and visit famous Rundale the biggest palace of the region outside of St Petersburg. In the forests, locals have created magical stories, figures and games for families to enjoy, and other top attractions include Meotne Palace with its English-themed parklands; the imposing ruins of Koknese Castle; the magnificent Jelgava Palace; the Museum of Christmas Battles at the Mangai Farm; and Bakery Laci, where you can learn traditional bread-making techniques. Then there’s the Bauska Brewery, Pēteris Upītis Museum and Garden, and ancient Pokaini Forest — amongst the region’s many other tourist attractions.