Welcome to my Travel Guide to Latvia!
On this page I’ve collected essential information you need to know when planning your travel to Latvia. I have tips on where to go, what to see or do, and what to eat!
Everything about Riga | Explore Latvia outside of Riga | Basic Information to Know about Latvia
Everything about Riga
Explore Latvia outside of Riga
Basic information to know about Latvia
Money
Currency: euro
Card is accepted in most places, but it’s always good to carry some cash. Especially if you want to visit the Riga Central Market!
Language in Latvia
The official language of the country is Latvian. Latvian’s only close linguistic relative is Lithuanian. However, Latvian and Lithuanian speakers understand each other about as well as Finnish and Estonian speakers—that is, some words may sound familiar, but comprehension isn’t guaranteed. Importantly, Latvian is not a Slavic language!
You can manage with English, especially in tourist areas. However, slipping a few Russian words into a conversation can dramatically change the tone—for better or worse—depending on the listener’s background.
Latvian is the only official language, but sources suggest that over half the population speaks Russian as their mother tongue. Many older ethnic Latvians know Russian, and younger generations have learned it for work and travel. However, the topic of language can be sensitive, so unless you’re a linguist, it’s best to avoid debating it with locals.
This sensitivity stems from Latvia’s history and its re-independence in 1991. Since then, Latvian citizenship has required proficiency in the Latvian language. Some Russian-speaking residents protested this and refused to learn the language. While their numbers are decreasing, 30 years ago, nearly a million people in Latvia were classified as “non-citizens.”
These language differences are still visible today. A surreal moment in Riga’s Old Town really brought this home for me: at a Narvesen convenience store, I tried to explain to the elderly cashier that the coffee machine wasn’t dispensing hot drinks. I even translated my request into Latvian using Google Translate, but after reading it, she handed me a napkin instead. Confused but resigned, I left with my cold coffee.
A few days later, at the same store, I attempted to buy a bottle of red wine from the shelf behind the counter. Prepared this time, I had my phrase ready and translated. The cashier just stared at me. A nearby elderly gentleman, speaking rough English, asked if I wanted the wine. When I nodded, he relayed my request to the cashier in proper Latvian.
At that moment, I realized the problem: the three of us had no shared language because she only spoke Russian! Even pointing at the bottle didn’t help—she kept offering whiskey and sparkling wine instead… Eventually, I gave up, walked across the street to Circle K, grabbed a chilled bottle of red wine from the fridge, and was out within two minutes. Efficiency at its finest.
When to Visit
The most obvious time to visit Latvia is in the summer. It’s one of the more affordable summer destinations in Europe.
The temperatures can reach over 30 degrees celsius in July and August! Riga especially is also very humid, so the temperatures can feel higher than this. I recommend finding a place with air conditioning if possible – many places will not have any, especially in the Old Town.
If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, but still enjoy a good weather, I suggest you plan your visit around September.
In December the cities are decked in Christmas decorations and lights and I feel it makes for a very romantic winter getaway! The Riga Christmas Market is definitely worth a visit, so December is the second best time to visit for sure.
Spring is quieter, but in April/May time the nature starts to bloom and you get to see a different side of the country!