Travel to Latvia

Latvia Destination

This eastern European country sits between Lithuania and Estonia, and has become a popular budget-friendly destination in recent years.

The capital city of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to a rich history and having the largest amount of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. Latvia also shares a border with Belarusk and Russia, so the Communist-Soviet influence is still very evident. 

QUICK LATVIA FACTS

Currency: Latvia uses the Euro as their currency which can be withdrawn from ATMs throughout Latvia, however keep in mind that smaller cities or towns may not have access to ATMs and its recommended to withdraw cash and take it with you.

Power Points: Most power points are the same as most other European power points (2 circular prongs). Obviously I would recommend you take a Travel Adapter especially for non Europeans.

Official Language: The official language of Latvia is Latvian.

Health: There are no major health concerns in Latvia for travellers, except for tick-borne diseases that are a risk in forest areas. I would recommend that you contact your doctor a few weeks before you travel as in some cases you need to start any medication a few days before your trip or you may need to get a vaccination.

Drinking Tap Water: The tap water is not generally safe to drink and bottled water is highly recommended.

Visa: Most countries don’t require a visa for short stays, to visit Latvia.

Popular foods:
– Grey peas and bacon (filling winter dish, which will provide a lot of energy and keep you warm).
– Smoked fish (local delicacy; smoky flavour combines well with local fish like herring, pike, plaice or cod).
Potato pancakes (potato pancakes can come with various toppings).
Latvian meatballs (minced meat, which also contain white bread soaked in milk).

When to go: The best time to visit Latvia is between April and September because the Baltics do live up to their cold reputation in the winter. The autumn foliage is breathtaking. As the temperature can drop as low as -5 degrees Celsius, Latvia is one of the greatest places to travel during the winter because it’s wonderful to experience.

Articles on Latvia

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