Travel guide
Latvia holidays: a travel guide for UK visitors
Riga’s art nouveau grandeur, a long sandy coast and deep forests — Latvia sits at the heart of the Baltics and rewards a day ashore with elegant, walkable charm.
Why visit Latvia
Latvia is the cultured middle child of the Baltic states, and its capital, Riga, is the region’s liveliest city. A UNESCO-listed centre pairs a medieval old town of guild halls and church spires with whole streets of extravagant art nouveau façades, the finest collection of their kind in Europe. Beyond the capital stretch pine forests, river valleys and a sweep of Baltic beach at Jūrmala, long the seaside resort of choice. For cruise passengers, Riga offers a handsome, compact port city with a strong café culture and a real sense of occasion in its architecture.
Best time to visit
June to August brings the warmest, brightest days, perfect for Riga’s terraces, the beaches at Jūrmala and the surrounding countryside — the heart of the Baltic cruise season. May and September are cooler and calmer yet still enjoyable, while winter is cold and atmospheric, with Christmas markets in the old town.
Top things to do in Latvia
- 1
Wander Riga’s UNESCO old town
Riga’s medieval heart is a walkable tangle of cobbled squares, guild houses and the soaring spire of St Peter’s Church, with the cruise terminal a short stroll from the action along the Daugava river.
- 2
Admire the art nouveau quarter
Riga holds Europe’s grandest concentration of art nouveau architecture, especially along Alberta iela, where façades drip with sculpted faces, flowers and flourishes — a free open-air gallery of early-20th-century design.
- 3
Relax at Jūrmala beach
A short hop from the capital, the seaside resort of Jūrmala stretches for miles of white sand backed by pines and wooden villas, a long-loved Baltic escape for a breath of sea air.
The cheapest Latvia holidays right now
Lowest lead-in prices first, from live availability. Open one for its dates, and book directly with its operator.
Latvia travel questions
- When is the best time to visit Latvia?
- June to August is the prime season, with the warmest weather and the longest days for enjoying Riga and the coast — also the busiest time for Baltic cruises. May and September offer a quieter, still-pleasant alternative.
- Do UK citizens need a visa for Latvia?
- No. UK passport holders can visit Latvia without a visa for tourism and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- What currency does Latvia use?
- Latvia uses the Euro (EUR). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Riga and other towns, though a little cash is handy for markets and smaller venues.
- Is Latvia expensive to visit?
- Latvia offers good value by Western European standards, particularly for food, drink and coffee. Riga’s most central restaurants cost more, but everyday spending stays comfortably modest.
- Do they speak English in Latvia?
- English is widely understood in Riga’s tourism, hospitality and cruise sector, especially among younger people. Russian is also commonly spoken, but English serves most visitors well.
- How many hours ahead is Latvia compared with the UK?
- Latvia is two hours ahead of the UK on Eastern European Time, and changes its clocks for daylight saving on the same dates, so the two-hour difference applies all year.
- Is Latvia safe for tourists?
- Latvia is a safe and welcoming destination with low crime. Ordinary care with your belongings in busy parts of Riga’s old town is all that is needed for a trouble-free visit.
- Do I need a travel adaptor for Latvia?
- Yes. Latvia uses Type F sockets at 230V, so a standard European travel adaptor will fit your UK three-pin plugs. UK devices run happily on the local voltage.
- Is Riga easy to explore from the cruise port?
- Yes. Riga’s cruise terminal sits a short walk from the old town along the river, so the main sights, squares and art nouveau streets are easily covered on foot in a day ashore.
- Which cruises visit Latvia?
- Riga features on Baltic cruise itineraries, typically alongside Tallinn, Stockholm, Copenhagen and the German ports, giving a single voyage a sweep of the region’s historic capitals.
Related travel guides
Estonia
A perfectly preserved medieval capital, dense forests and a digital-age outlook — Estonia is the most northerly of the Baltic states and a highlight of Baltic cruises.
Lithuania
A baroque capital, a windblown sand-dune coast and a proud, layered history — Lithuania is the largest of the Baltic states and a characterful Baltic cruise call.
Poland
Rebuilt royal cities, a moving 20th-century history and a lively Baltic coast — Poland offers depth, value and a warm welcome on Baltic cruises and city tours.