- Riga Old Town: Explore the charming cobblestone streets of Riga’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the stunning architecture, visit the iconic Riga Cathedral, and soak in the medieval atmosphere.
- Gauja National Park: Discover the natural beauty of Latvia in Gauja National Park. Hike through picturesque forests, visit the medieval Turaida Castle, and explore the unique sandstone cliffs of the Gauja River Valley.
- Jurmala Beach: Relax on the sandy shores of Jurmala, a popular seaside resort town. Enjoy the refreshing Baltic Sea, take a leisurely stroll along the beach promenade, and indulge in spa treatments at one of the many wellness centers.
- Cesis: Visit the charming town of Cesis and wander through its well-preserved medieval castle ruins. Explore the quaint streets, visit the historic St. John’s Church, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this hidden gem.
- Rundale Palace: Marvel at the grandeur of Rundale Palace, a magnificent Baroque palace surrounded by beautiful gardens. Take a guided tour of the opulent interiors, stroll through the manicured gardens, and imagine the lavish lifestyle of the past.
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Backpacking Latvia in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Latvia with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Latvia
Welcome to Latvia, a hidden treasure in the Baltic region, where history, nature, and vibrant culture create a distinctive backdrop for backpackers. Pros? Immerse in medieval architecture, pristine national parks, and a thriving cultural scene, all within a budget-friendly environment. However, the country may have fewer iconic landmarks compared to some European destinations, and English proficiency varies. For the backpacker seeking offbeat charm, Latvia offers an intimate and authentic European experience, where the road less taken leads to unexpected cultural encounters and natural wonders, making it a unique and enriching journey.
💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Latvia
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Latvia
The best time to visit Latvia for backpacking is during the summer months, from June to August. During this time, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F). This allows for comfortable outdoor activities and exploration of Latvia's natural beauty. Additionally, summer brings longer daylight hours, providing more time for outdoor adventures. It is worth noting that popular tourist destinations might be more crowded during this time, but Latvia's vast landscapes offer plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful backpacking experience.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Latvia
- The security environment at the Belarusian border could deteriorate at short notice. If you're in these areas, carry ID with you at all times and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Petty crime is common, particularly in Riga. This includes bag snatching, pickpocketing and muggings. Hotspots include Old Town, the central train and bus stations, the Central Market, parks, and routes to major hotels. Take care of your belongings.
- Check the price of drinks before ordering. Tourists are sometimes overcharged. Credit card fraud also occurs in shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Watch your card during transactions. Don't sign blank credit card slips.
- Criminals may spike drinks in bars and casinos. Don't leave your drinks unattended.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
LatviaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Latvia sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Latvia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Latvia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Latvia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Latvia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Latvia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Latvia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024