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Latvia travel guide

Riga's coastal capital plus the small towns of Cēsis and Sigulda, at their best in June

Best: Jun

Photo: Mihail Emelyanov / Pexels

Capital
Riga
Language
Latvian
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Latvia

Latvia suits a compact trip built around Riga, its coastal capital of 588,911 people. From there you can add much smaller inland towns such as Cēsis and Sigulda. June is the best month for the whole country. In Riga, May and September also work well. The honest limit is a short peak season. Outside Riga, June is the only month our data rates as best, so the window for the smaller towns is narrow.

  • June is the top month

    Our data rates June as the best month for Latvia as a whole. It is also the best month for all 3 cities we cover: Riga, Cēsis and Sigulda. If you can pick only 1 month, June lets you combine the capital and the smaller towns on one trip.

  • A coastal capital with a long season

    Riga is the capital and Latvia's largest city, with 588911 people. It sits on the coast. Its best months are May, June and September, so you have more choice of dates here than in the smaller inland towns.

  • Small inland towns

    Cēsis has 14899 people and Sigulda has 14784. Both are inland and far smaller than Riga, so they make a quieter contrast to the capital. June is the best month for both towns.

  • A small country with room

    Latvia covers 64559 km² and has 1832100 people, and more than a quarter of them live in Riga. Outside the capital, towns stay small. The country is in Northern Europe and uses one time zone, UTC+02:00.

  • Simple practical basics

    Latvia uses the Euro, and people drive on the right. Plugs are types C and F at 230 V. The emergency number is 112, and the calling code is +371. Latvian is the official language.

Is Latvia right for you?

Great for

  • Summer city breaks in Riga, with June highs near 22°C and about 14 sun hours
  • Travellers who like warm but not hot weather, as July and August highs stay near 22°C
  • Shoulder-season visits to Riga in May or September, when highs are 17–18°C
  • Trips to the small inland towns of Cēsis and Sigulda, both at their best in June
  • Winter travellers who enjoy real cold, with January highs of -0.1°C and lows of -4.5°C

Less ideal for

  • Warm-water beach holidays, as the sea peaks at only about 20°C in August
  • Sun seekers in winter, as December gets just 1.7 sun hours and January 2.2
  • Travellers who dislike rain in summer, as July has 15.8 rain days and 89 mm
  • Travellers chasing heat, as highs never go above 22.4°C in any month

Latvia right now: October

3.0/10
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
5°C
Rain days
15
Sea
12°C

Averages for Riga.

Weather by month

In Riga, June has the best weather, with highs of 22°C, 13.9 hours of sunshine a day and a sea near 17°C, while May and September are also good with highs of 17–18°C. The toughest months are December and January, when highs stay around 0–2°C, lows drop to -4.5°C, sunshine falls to about 2 hours and 13–14 days bring rain.

Average highs and lows in Riga by month January: high -0°C, low -5°C , 14 rain days . February: high 2°C, low -3°C , 11 rain days . March: high 6°C, low -2°C , 11 rain days . April: high 11°C, low 2°C , 11 rain days . May: high 17°C, low 7°C , 10 rain days . June: high 22°C, low 12°C , 11 rain days . July: high 22°C, low 14°C , 16 rain days . August: high 22°C, low 14°C , 13 rain days . September: high 18°C, low 11°C , 12 rain days . October: high 11°C, low 5°C , 15 rain days . November: high 5°C, low 2°C , 13 rain days . December: high 2°C, low -2°C , 14 rain days . 0°C -5°C JAN 14d 2°C -3°C FEB 11d 6°C -2°C MAR 11d 11°C 2°C APR 11d 17°C 7°C MAY 10d 22°C 12°C JUN 11d 22°C 14°C JUL 16d 22°C 14°C AUG 13d 18°C 11°C SEP 12d 11°C 5°C OCT 15d 5°C 2°C NOV 13d 2°C -2°C DEC 14d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Riga · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Latvia: month-by-month weather →

Where to go in Latvia

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

A week from Riga to inland towns

  1. Day 1–3

    Riga

    Start in Riga, the capital and the only coastal city on this route. Walk its streets, try Latvian food and spend some time by the sea. May, June and September are its best months.

  2. Day 4–5

    Sigulda

    Head inland to Sigulda, a small town of 14,784 people. Use it as a base for walks in the countryside around town. June is its best month for time outdoors.

  3. Day 6–7

    Cēsis

    Finish in Cēsis, a town of 14,899 people. Take slow days here: walk the town centre, sit in cafés and enjoy the quieter pace after the capital.

10 days

Ten slow days across Latvia

  1. Day 1–4

    Riga

    Spend your first days in Riga, the capital, home to 588,911 people. Explore different neighbourhoods, try local food and take time by the coast. Its best months are May, June and September.

  2. Day 5–6

    Sigulda

    Move inland to Sigulda, a town of 14,784 people. Go for long walks in the surrounding countryside and enjoy the change from city life. June is the best month here.

  3. Day 7–9

    Cēsis

    Stay longer in Cēsis, a small inland town of 14,899 people. Wander at an easy pace, eat in local cafés and use the extra days for walks nearby. June suits it best.

  4. Day 10

    Riga

    Return to Riga for a final day. Revisit your favourite spots, shop for gifts and get ready for your trip home.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Old Town

Riga

Good for first-timers, short city breaks

Riga's medieval core, called Vecrīga, has cobbled lanes, church spires and the main sights within a short walk. It is the easiest base if you only have a few days. Weekend nights can be loud with bars and stag groups, and the cobbles are hard work with a wheeled suitcase.

Old Town

Cēsis

Good for first-timers, history, short stays

The medieval centre around the castle, Rose Square and Lielā iela has cobbled lanes, cafés and most of the town's sights within a short walk. It is the easiest base for a first visit because you can do everything on foot. The streets are hilly and cobbled, which can be hard with heavy luggage or a pram.

Turaida

Sigulda

Good for history lovers, couples, quiet

This area across the Gauja river sits around Turaida Castle and its museum reserve, with forest trails and caves nearby. Staying here means early mornings and evenings at the castle without the day-trip crowds. It is a fair distance from the station and shops, so you will rely on a car, bike or infrequent buses.

Food to try in Latvia

Grey peas with bacon

Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi are large grey peas fried with bacon and onion. They are a classic winter dish and a regular part of the Christmas table. Many traditional restaurants in Riga serve them.

Pīrāgi

Small baked buns filled with chopped bacon and onion. You find them in bakeries and cafés across the country. Families also bake them for holidays and celebrations.

Rupjmaize (dark rye bread)

Dense, dark rye bread with a slightly sweet and sour taste. It is eaten with most meals. It is also the base for maizes zupa, a sweet bread dessert served with whipped cream.

Jāņu siers

A mild fresh cheese flavoured with caraway seeds. It is made for Jāņi, the Midsummer festival, and eaten with beer. Supermarkets and markets also sell it at other times of year.

Sklandrausis

A small open tart from the Kurzeme region. It has a rye crust and a sweet filling of mashed potato and carrot, often with cinnamon. Look for it at markets, bakeries and folk festivals.

Riga Black Balsam

A dark, bitter herbal liqueur made in Riga. Locals drink it in small shots, mixed with blackcurrant juice, or added to coffee or tea on cold days. Bars and souvenir shops sell it.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Latvia uses plug types C and F, with a supply of 230 V. Travellers from countries with other plug shapes or a lower voltage should pack an adapter, and check that their devices accept 230 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Latvia drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first days behind the wheel.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for emergencies in Latvia. It is the single number for urgent help. Save it in your phone before you arrive.
  • Currency: Latvia uses the euro. If you have euros left from a trip to another eurozone country, you can spend them here without changing money.
  • Language: The official language is Latvian. Learning a few basic words, such as hello and thank you, is a polite gesture. Consider a translation app for menus and signs.
  • Time zone: Latvia is on UTC+2. Check the time difference from home before booking onward connections or calling home, so you do not miss flights or wake people up.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Latvia is +371. Add it when you save local numbers, such as your accommodation, so you can dial them from a foreign SIM.

Latvia: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Latvia?

June is the best month to visit Latvia, with a score of 7.7 out of 10. Riga averages highs of 21.9°C and lows of 12.4°C, with about 13.9 hours of sunshine a day. May and September are also good, both scoring 7.4. They have milder highs of 17°C and 17.8°C.

Is Latvia good in August?

Yes, August is a good month for Latvia, with a score of 7.1. Highs in Riga reach 22.4°C and the sea is at its warmest, around 20.3°C. The main drawback is rain: August brings about 89 mm spread over 13.3 rain days, so pack a light rain jacket.

Can you swim in the Baltic Sea in Latvia?

Yes, in summer. The sea near Riga is warmest in July and August, at about 20.2°C and 20.3°C. September stays fairly mild at 18.6°C, and June is cooler at 17.3°C. In May the water is only about 11.3°C, and in winter it drops close to 0°C.

Does it rain a lot in Latvia in summer?

Summer is the wettest time in Latvia. July has the most rain days, about 15.8, and both July and August get around 89 mm of rain. June is drier, with about 69 mm over 11.1 rain days. May has the fewest rain days of the year, about 9.5.

What is Latvia like in winter?

Winter in Latvia is cold and dark. In January, Riga averages highs of -0.1°C and lows of -4.5°C. December gets only about 1.7 hours of sunshine a day and around 14.2 rain days. If you want a winter trip, bring warm layers and plan indoor activities for the short days.

What currency and plugs does Latvia use?

Latvia uses the Euro. Power plugs are type C and F, at 230 V. Cars drive on the right, the time zone is UTC+02:00, and the emergency number is 112. The calling code is +371, and the main language is Latvian.

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