Latvia Holidays 2012

Latvia offers the visitor two very distinct holiday options. On one hand, the capital Riga is a bustling city with great nightlife and wonderful architecture. On the other hand, the unspoilt Latvian countryside and long stretches of sandy beaches are a real draw for outdoor and nature lovers. During your holiday, you will fully appreciate Latvia if you try and take in both of these aspects of the country.

The Capital: Riga

Riga is the capital of Latvia and is the Baltic’s only true cosmopolitan city. With just under a million people, it is easily the biggest city in the region and has around half of the total population of Latvia. Don’t say it too loud, but it is still a relatively well kept secret akin to what Prague was like about twenty years ago.

RIga is very pleasant to look at with stunning Art Nouveau architecture, quaint churches and interesting merchant houses to explore and enjoy. The city has always been a major centre of commerce in the Baltics and today you can enjoy shopping in the many establishments in the city centre. The Central Market in the old town is well worth a visit if you are hungry and you are sure to pick up some authentic Latvian food here. Look out for the speciality cheeses and honeys. The Latvian War Museum is well worth a visit and provides many stark reminders of the country’s past from the wars of the twentieth century to Latvia’s own struggles with it’s Russian overlords in the latter part of the century.

Out of Town

For a great contrast from the hustle and bustle of busy Riga, you should try and get out into the wonderful Latvian countryside. The Open Air Art Museum at Pedvale was established in 1991 and is located close to the town of Sabile. The museum covers a large area of around one hundred hectares and provides open space for creatives to express themselves. Each year has a different theme (2010 was stone) and there are numerous interesting sculptures, paintings and all manner of art objects to enjoy.

Liepaja is a pleasant town on the Baltic coast featuring a wonderful blue flag sandy beach. Seaside Park near the town centre is a pleasant place to spend your day and features three stadiums and a concert garden. There are also numerous pleasant churches to explore and the town is host to the Baltic Beach Party in July every year. Liepaja is a genuine treat to visit.

When to Visit

From late May to early September is the best time to holiday in Latvia when the weather is warm and pleasant. Winters can be bitterly cold and from October through to the following spring, rainfall is relatively frequent.