Latvia Travel Guide: A Traveler’s Book To Explore The Fine Blend Of Old And New!
The country of Latvia is really small, but it has a huge amount of personal space which is ideal for those who want some peace and quiet. The country is a great place for cycling, trekking or even sitting on a white sandy beach amidst pine-covered dunes. It’s not hard to find yourself a little bit of everything natural here. There is so much to see and learn in this country, so if you’re traveling across Europe and want to go beyond the famous spots, keep this with you Latvia Travel Guide And be sure to explore the best sights of this small country.
Best time to visit Latvia
Latvia has four seasons – summer, spring, autumn and winter. The best time to visit the country is undoubtedly during the months of January and February. But the summer, winter and early autumn seasons are also a good time to end up there. Remember that the weather is least predictable during spring, when it can change from sunny and warm to several days of rain or snow.
Ideal time for holidays
You can spend as many days here as you want, the more time you spend, the more you get to know about this place. But if time is short, Latvia can be seen adequately in 2 days – one day in Riga and the other outside it.
places to visit in latvia
1. Albert Street
All The best travel guide to Latvia This place has been listed as one of the top places to visit. This site is like a big painting that should take you hours to admire because the more you look at it, the more details you will see about it. But this is not a museum, rather it is a street consisting of restaurants, shops and houses. What makes it different from others and worth a visit is the Art nouveau style, also known as Jugendstil, that is used here. In Alberta Isla 2A, which was built in 1906, you’ll be able to see serene faces filled with Chevalier helmets standing on a guard above the façade. The lower sections are filled with screaming masks and taunting ghosts. There are griffins, chimera lions and many other reliefs and creatures to see here.
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2. Riga Central Market
Come here to bargain prices and see a series of World War I Zeppelin hangars. Each of these hangars is 35 meters long and adds more than 57,000 square meters of vending space. It is a great destination to meet people in their daily routine and see how they live their daily lives in addition to stocking up on a beautiful picnic lunch. Visit the dairy and fish departments, each of which has a separate hangar and paints a beautiful picture of abundance.
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3. Sesis Castle
It is actually not just one palace, but two palaces. The first consists of deep stone towers that are a part of the old Venden castle. It was founded by the Livonian Knights in the year 1214 but was sacked by the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1577. The second palace is more cheerful and resembles a palace. It used to be a manor in the 18th century and was settled by the dynasty of German Counts von Sievers. Apart from the beautiful architecture of the place, the palace also houses a museum which contains the original fin de siècle interiors. If you get bored of looking at the palace, there is also a beautifully landscaped park for a stroll.
things to do in latvia
1. Town Hall Square
Reliable Travel guide to Latvia This grandeur must be told. Riga’s Town Hall Square has been the center of trade in the city. One of the most popular buildings to see at this square is the House of the Blackheads, the Latvian Occupation Museum and the Baroque clock tower that is part of the town hall. If you come here to spend your winters, don’t miss the Christmas tree display, which is an annual event on the square. Be sure to see the architecture here and experience the beauty of this place.
Place: Town Hall Square, Riga
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2. Explore the Seaside Open Air Museum in Ventspils
If you’re a fan of all things marine then this is a must see. The Seaside Open Air Museum is dedicated to sailing and fishing as the museum hosts 24,000 exhibits related to these in both its outdoor and indoor areas. The outdoor section is made up of 4 hectares dedicated to teaching people about the historical fishing techniques used in the Kurzeme region since the 28th century. Apart from this, you will also get to see replicas of fishermen’s houses here. Apart from this, you will get to see farmhouse, smokehouse, windmill and much more here.
Place: 2 Ringka Street, Ventspils, LV-3601
3. Walk Down Jauniella
The buildings on this street come in different combinations of colors. Many of these buildings are decorated in the Art Nouveau style and the street itself is known for its astonishing abundance of colorful flowers falling from window boxes. The street is also filled with eateries, museums, and shops, so be sure to spend time having a cup of coffee while admiring the place.
Place: Jauniela, Riga
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currency
The previous currency of Latvia was lats. But from January 1, 2014, the country adopted the euro after the European Union assessed it in June 2013 and confirmed that it met all the criteria for euro adoption. Currently, 1 Euro is equal to 80.87 Indian Rupees
visa to latvia
- When applying for a Latvian Schengen visa application, be sure to remember these general requirements:
- Fill out the Latvian Visa Application Form online.
- Attach 2 passport format photographs.
- Copies of passport and previous visa, valid for at least 3 months from the date of return, are required.
- Remember to have at least two blank pages.
- You will need a Europe travel insurance confirmation of a minimum of 30,000€ for Latvia as well as the entire Schengen Area.
- Attach a cover letter stating the purpose of your visit
- Flight itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Latvia. Also, attach a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your trip.
- Attach proof of civil status as well as sufficient financial means for the period of stay.
- According to European Commission immigration law, foreign nationals wishing to enter and stay in the country must confirm that they enjoy a minimum of 14€/day for the duration of their stay.
what to pack
One of the things to know before going to Latvia is a quick rundown of what to pack. Latvia is a Northern European country which means the weather can change quickly. So whenever you are traveling here, carry at least an umbrella and some warm things like a sweater along with a rain jacket. This is because even if it rains, it will be cold even during summer. Also, if you are planning to visit Riga during winter make sure to check the weather forecast in advance as temperatures drop as low as -30 C/-22 F, so it is better to be prepared.
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Latvia is a wonderful place to visit. It may be small, but it offers a lot of opulence, and most importantly, it offers solitude no matter where you go and a break from the busy travel schedule. Make sure you get to this little paradise before you head off to your next destination in Europe.
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