General information about Latvia:

Latvia is located on the Baltic Sea, between Lithuania and Estonia, and has around 1.9 million inhabitants.
With a total area of ​​64,490 km2, Latvia is about 18% the size of Germany.
It is a green country with many forests, untouched nature and about 500 km of coastline with beautiful sandy beaches.

The capital Riga has more than 600,000 inhabitants and is the largest city in the Baltic States. The old town is included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The city has a varied architecture. In addition to medieval buildings, Art Nouveau and centuries-old wooden architecture in the old town, you will also find modern architecture. There are many small art galleries as well as restaurants and cafes.

  • There is a German kindergarten and a German school .
  • Riga is a livable and lovable city.
  • The euro has been the official currency in Latvia since 2014.
  • The cost of living is about 20% below that in Germany.
  • Establishing a company is easy and straightforward.

In the “Ease of doing Business Index” developed by the World Bank and published until 2021, Latvia took 19th place in 2018, 2019 and 2020, ahead of Germany in each case. This index was considered the world’s best-known and most comprehensive study of business friendliness and company regulations in the evaluated economies.

 

LATVIA WEATHER

Why Latvia?

Latvia is located between Russia, Belarus, Estonia and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea in the center of the Baltic States. The landscape of this Baltic country is characterized by hills and forests. Latvia has enchanting lakes, long rivers and a charming coastline with many bays. There are also 702 nature parks and 4 national parks in Latvia. Latvian wildlife consists mainly of deer, brown bears, wolves, foxes, beavers and Konik horses, a pony-like breed. This small country is also known for its cultural cities and historic buildings. A holiday in Latvia harmoniously combines relaxation in breathtaking nature with a cultural stay in the city.

Art Deco House on the Albert Straße.

Rundāle Palast Museum.

RIGA, THE CAPITAL OF LATVIA

Riga has a charming old town, which is characterized by its Art Nouveau houses. About a million people live in the Latvian capital and metropolitan area. The Hanseatic city of Riga is the political, economic and cultural center of Latvia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Riga city center boasts remarkable 19th-century wooden architecture. The medieval core of the city is surrounded by beautiful boulevards, and some of the area’s most famous sights include the City Hall and the so-called Blackhead House. There is also a statue of Roland.

Church on the Esplanade (Esplanāde) – Riga.

Guarding by the Armed Forces in Riga.

Riga is a great place for walking and nature, and for those who don’t want to miss out on the internet, Riga is also a great place to hang out. Almost all public places and even taxis and buses in the capital of Latvia offer free mobile Internet access. So it’s a breeze to share the beauty of this place with loved ones back home via social media or the web. Riga Cathedral and Riga Castle are also not to be missed during your stay. When in Riga, don’t miss the Freedom Monument and the city’s small markets. The absolute highlight is Berg’s Bazar, the oldest and largest shopping arcade in the city.

Schwarzkopfhaus – Riga

Mark Rothko Art Center– Daugavpils

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES AND REGIONS OF LATVIA

Jurmalciems is probably the greatest treasure when it comes to beaches and coastal areas in Latvia. Located on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, this place enchants with its pristine beaches. This remote coastal town is ideal for those who are looking for peace and want to experience the country in its originality. Between the Gulf of Riga and the Liepaja coast there are almost 500 kilometers of beautiful cliffs, dunes, salt marshes and white sandy beaches, far from mass tourism and hustle and bustle. On a trip through the country, which is about the size of Bavaria, you should also visit the Gauja National Park.

It is the largest and oldest national park in the country and impresses with its breathtaking fauna and flora. Here you can meet moose and lynx, hike on rolling hills, admire steep cliffs and explore mysterious caves and grottos. The landscape of Kemeri National Park is characterized by heathland and peat bogs. In this national park there is also a very beautiful white bathing beach. Jurmala is also a very popular bathing resort, Jelgava is famous for its castles, monasteries, palaces and churches and in Kuldiga you can admire what is probably the most beautiful waterfall in Latvia.

Liepaja – Latvia

Gauja National Park

COUNTRY AND PEOPLE

Latvian is spoken in Latvia, but due to the large Russian minority, Russian is also widely spoken. Latvia is a Christian country, people are Protestant or Catholic. Judaism and the Orthodox Church are also represented in the country. Traditional pagan customs and rituals are widespread in all religions. Latvian cuisine is very regional. In summer all berries from the region are used and in autumn game dishes are on the menu. Latvian cuisine is hearty and rich, with bread, potatoes, dairy products and fish and seafood on the table.

 

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The climate in Latvia is a mild continental climate, but it is cooler and wetter than the Central European climate. Winters in Latvia are cold and long, summers are warm, and spring and autumn are mild. Average summer temperatures in Latvia reach 22 °C. 30 °C are possible, but rather rare.

Winter in Latvia lasts from October to March. Temperatures rarely exceed 4°C during this period, and extremes of -25°C are quite possible. Swimming in the Baltic Sea is quite pleasant in the summer months, the water is around 21 °C in July. Latvia can be visited all year round, but you should always expect rain and pack weatherproof clothing in your luggage. The most uncomfortable month to travel in Latvia is probably March, when the snow starts to melt and everything is wet and muddy.