Traveling to Latvia?

Question

I had this dream last night, and now i think I might change my other European vacation plans and head to Latvia instead. Has anyone been there? How is it? How is it cost wise? What is there to do? Are there good beaches? Is tourism big there?

Answer 1

I am from Latvia (havent been there for a couple of years though - i live in NYC)
You have to send me more specific questions to answer.
Latvia is a small country, most of people live in capital city (Riga). Its cold in winter and warm in summer. There are beaches. Nightlife is fun in capital city (Old Town part mostly) and women are pretty and dressed nicely all the time)

Answer 2

Hi! I live in Latvia.
Well, if you're coming to Latvia, then you'll be probably coming to Riga, as it is the capital. Though, I recommend visiting the country side or another city too. If you'd like to go and see another city in Latvia, I'd recommend Kuldiga, Valmiera, Liepaja or Cesis, they're all very beautiful cities. If you want to go to a beach, you should go to Jurmala, which is like 20 min. from Riga or go further in to Latvia and see Liepaja (you can go there by plane, there's a fantastic hotel named Fontaine) it's a very beautiful city and next to the sea. A lot of people also like Ventspils, as a city next to the sea, but I wouldn't recommend it, it's not that beautiful and there aren't a lot of things to see.
But in Riga you should see the Old city, which is very beautiful. There are a lot of beautiful monuments, of which you can probably read in a tour guide. There's also a lot of bars, where you enjoy the nightlife. Though, the nightlife in the Old city is very pricey and there are a lot of tourists, if you want to enjoy the real places, then you should visit the Gallery "Istaba", Krisjana Barona street 31, or Teatra Bars, Lacplesa street 26 or the tea room "Goja".
Also you should go and see the beautiful Art Nouveau on Alberta street and around it.
If you want to where people around 20 hang out, you should go to Andrejsala, which is really indescribable. But you can check it out at www.andrejsala.lv.
Well, don't forget to visit the Occupation Museum, which is very interesting and The National Museum of Art.
But most of all I recommend you to just walk around Riga and feel it. I love it as a city, and if you decide to come and visit, than I hope that you will like it too!

Answer 3

i think Latvia worth to go, it's a small country but may things to do specially if you visit first time. I think Riga is the city where you should just walk around, in some point it's so different than other European capitals, still keeps some kinda soul from Soviet era but also have lot's of from the times before Soviets. When i visited Riga first time in 2003, it gave me the impression of US full with Soviets. In nowadays it's much better and developed, people are friendly if you're not a stereo type tourist who is walking around and try to get some bird from the street. If you have time, I would suggest you to rent a car and travel country side, it's such a beauty, reminds me Scotland in some points just warmer in summer and much much colder in winter. Many castles around there but for me the most important thing was to see Soviet touch around, not always the most beautiful but surely interesting for an outsider. Food is something else, should try traditional pork ribs and forest mushrooms, they also have different kinds of soups. You may visit http://www.gotobalticstates.com/attractionsearch.php for places like castles so on. Smiling is essential in Latvia I believe even if you don't get response most of the time, just keep smiling, you'll see the difference in some point. Most of the locals speak English in Riga, I'm not sure about the country side but in major cities you may find many people who speaks at English or German. Balsam is something to try, even if I don't like it, I suggest you to at least taste. In these days, Latvians are not so different than other Europeans so I don't think you would have any culture shock.

It's not so expensive place but not cheap also. I would say it's around %20-%30 cheaper than UK, alcohol and cigarettes are very cheap compared to UK.

Apart from all, there're things you could do,depending to season, like; ice fishing on the river in the middle of Riga, mushroom picking in a wild forest I really like that one, have a long walk on the beach which is the longest I've seen in my life after north cyprus, swimming in the lake in the middle of a forest.

I believe Latvia is a safe place for anyone and should visit at least once if not more.

Answer 4

Latvia is hell