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Cable bridge reflected in calm river at dusk

Latvia travel guide

Baltic forests, medieval streets and a coastline that wakes up 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 travellers who like quiet nature, old towns and a slower pace. Riga mixes Art Nouveau streets with a capital-city buzz, while Cēsis and Sigulda offer castles and forest trails inland. June is the best month across the whole country, and Riga also works well in May and September. The honest limitation: outside June, weather data for the rest of the year isn't covered here, so plan around that one reliable window.

  • Riga's old town and architecture

    Riga is Latvia's capital and largest city, with a population of 588,911. It's also coastal, giving it a port-city feel alongside its historic center. June, May, and September are the best months to explore its streets on foot.

  • Small towns beyond the capital

    Cēsis and Sigulda, two inland towns with populations of 14,899 and 14,784, offer a quieter contrast to Riga. Both are best visited in June, when the weather suits walking and outdoor sightseeing.

  • A compact country, easy to cover

    Latvia covers just 64,559 square kilometers, making it possible to combine Riga with smaller towns like Cēsis and Sigulda without long travel days. The whole country sits in a single time zone, UTC+02:00.

  • One clear best season

    The fact pack points to June as the single best month to visit Latvia overall. It's also the top month listed for Riga, Cēsis, and Sigulda alike, so travel plans across the country can line up around it.

  • Simple logistics for travelers

    Latvia uses the Euro, type C and F plugs, and 230 V power, matching most of continental Europe. Driving is on the right, and the emergency number is 112, which makes practical planning straightforward.

Is Latvia right for you?

Great for

  • Summer travellers who like warm but not hot days, with July and August highs around 22°C
  • Swimmers who want the sea near its warmest, as Riga's sea temperature peaks at 20.3°C in August
  • City-and-nature trips combining Riga with smaller towns like Cēsis and Sigulda, all best visited in June
  • Shoulder-season visitors, since Riga also suits May and September with milder crowds and decent daylight
  • Travellers happy with changeable weather, as even July sees 15.8 rain days on average

Less ideal for

  • Winter sun seekers, since January highs stay near -0.1°C and lows drop to -4.5°C
  • Beach holidaymakers wanting long hot summers, as even peak summer tops out around 22°C
  • Anyone wanting guaranteed sunshine, since December offers only 1.7 sun hours a day on average
  • Trips planned around sea swimming outside summer, as sea temperature falls to 0.4°C in February

Latvia right now: November

0.9/10
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
2°C
Rain days
13
Sea
8°C

Averages for Riga.

Weather by month

Data for Riga shows June is the best month, with highs near 22°C, 13.9 hours of sun, and sea temperatures reaching 17.3°C for swimming. Weather is toughest from November to February, when highs stay near or below 2°C, nights drop to -4.5°C in January, and sunshine falls to just 1.7–4.2 hours a day.

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

Riga, Sigulda and Cēsis in a Week

  1. Day 1–3

    Riga

    Spend your first days in Latvia's capital. Walk the old town, browse the Art Nouveau streets, and visit the Central Market. June, May and September are the best months to visit.

  2. Day 4–5

    Sigulda

    Head to Sigulda for castle ruins, forested hills and the Gauja valley. June is the best month here, with warm days for walking or cycling the trails.

  3. Day 6–7

    Cēsis

    Finish in Cēsis, a small town with a medieval castle and cobbled streets. June is again the best time to visit, when the castle gardens and courtyards are in full bloom.

10 days

Ten Days Across Latvia

  1. Day 1–4

    Riga

    Start with four days in Riga, exploring the old town, the riverside, and the Art Nouveau district. Best visited in May, June or September, when the weather is mild and days are long.

  2. Day 5–7

    Sigulda

    Move on to Sigulda for three days of castle visits, cable car rides over the Gauja valley, and forest trails. June is the best month for outdoor activities here.

  3. Day 8–10

    Cēsis

    End the trip in Cēsis, exploring its castle, church towers and surrounding countryside. June offers the best weather for walking around this small historic town.

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

Rye bread

Dark rye bread, or rupjmaize, is a staple in Latvia. It appears at almost every meal, often with butter or as a base for open sandwiches.

Grey peas with bacon

Grey peas cooked with smoked bacon and onions is a traditional winter dish. It is especially common around Christmas time in Latvian homes.

Cold beet soup

Aukstā zupa is a cold soup made with beets, kefir, and fresh herbs. Latvians eat it in summer as a refreshing, light meal.

Smoked fish

Smoked fish, especially from the Baltic Sea, is popular along the coast. It is often sold at markets and eaten with bread or potatoes.

Kvass

Kvass is a mildly fermented drink made from rye bread. It is a traditional non-alcoholic refreshment, popular in warmer months.

Riga Black Balsam

This dark herbal liqueur comes from Riga and is made from a mix of herbs, roots, and berries. It is often drunk neat or mixed with hot tea or coffee.

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

Is Latvia good to visit in August?

Yes, August works well. Riga's high reaches 22.4°C and the sea warms to 20.3°C, its warmest point of the year. There are 13.3 rain days, so pack a light jacket, but the month scores 7.1 out of 10, a solid rating for travel.

What is the best month to visit Latvia?

June is the top-rated month, scoring 7.7 out of 10. Riga sees highs of 21.9°C, lows of 12.4°C, and 13.9 hours of sun, its sunniest month. Rain falls on 11.1 days, less than in July or August, making June a comfortable balance of warmth and light.

Is Latvia cold in winter?

Yes. From December to February, Riga's daytime highs stay near or below freezing, dropping to -0.1°C in January with lows of -4.5°C. These months score under 2 out of 10 for travel, reflecting short daylight, with sun hours falling to just 1.7 in December.

Can you swim in the sea in Latvia?

Only in summer. The sea off Riga reaches its warmest at 20.2°C in July and 20.3°C in August. It stays cold the rest of the year, dropping below 2°C from December through March, so swimming outside June to September is uncomfortable.

When does it rain most in Latvia?

July and August bring the heaviest rainfall, each with 89 mm. July also has the most rain days, at 15.8. Spring is drier: March, April, and May each see under 55 mm and fewer than 12 rain days, making those months better for outdoor plans.

What is the weather like in Latvia in September?

September stays mild and scores well at 7.4 out of 10. Riga's high is 17.8°C with a low of 10.5°C, and the sea still holds warmth at 18.6°C. Rain falls on 11.7 days, similar to early summer, making it a good shoulder-season choice.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Latvia.