Best places to visit in Latvia

Latvia's Absolute Essentials

This selection spans Latvia's architectural and historical heritage, from Riga’s medieval Old Town to regional fortifications. Key sites include the 13th-century Riga Cathedral, the Gothic Three Brothers complex, and the 19th-century Daugavpils Fortress. Natural and scientific highlights include the Venta Waterfall—Europe’s widest—and the UNESCO-listed Struve Geodetic Arc. The collection also features the medieval Turaida Castle and the Freedom Monument, a central symbol of Latvian independence.

Latvia's Absolute Essentials — Map

Dezidor / CC BY-SA 2.5

A

Riga Cathedral

Although known as the Dome Cathedral, there is no dome. Still, it is the most impressive church in the city.

Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CC BY 2.0

B

Three Brothers

The Three Brothers is a building complex consisting of three houses, situated in Riga, Latvia.

Alma Pater / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Jauniela

Riga's most picturesque street surrounded by old colourful buildings in the very heart of the city. A must-see.

Arroww / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument is a monument located in Riga, Latvia, honouring soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence.

Edgars Košovojs / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Latvian National Opera

The Latvian National Opera and Ballet is an opera house and opera company at Aspazijas boulevard 3 in Riga.

Oxana Budylina / CC-BY-SA

F

Cat House

The Cat House is a building situated at 10 Meistaru iela in the old town of Riga, the capital of Latvia.

Solarislv / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Art Museum "Riga Bourse"

Art Museum Riga Bourse is a museum in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1920 and contains the most extensive collection of world art in…

J. Sedols / CC BY 3.0

H

Powder Tower

The Powder Tower is situated in Riga, Latvia, and originally a part of the defensive system of the town.

Chmee2 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Riga International Airport

Riga International Airport serves as the main international airport of Riga and it's also the largest airport in the Baltic states.

J

Bērzaunes pilsdrupas

Remnants of a 14th-century stone castle built for the Tiesenhausen family, vassals of the Archbishop of Riga. The structure was largely destroyed during the Great Northern War, leaving behind fragments of the original defensive walls.

Artyom Makhlin / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Daugavpils Fortress

Daugavpils Fortress, also known as Dinaburg Fortress or Dvinsk Fortress, is an early 19th century fortress in Daugavpils, Latvia.

Kikos / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Struve Geodetic Arc

The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through ten countries…

Algirdas / CC-BY-SA-3.0

M

Venta Waterfall

Venta Rapid is a waterfall on the Venta River in Kuldīga, western Latvia.

Pudelek / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Turaida Castle

Turaida Castle is a recently reconstructed medieval castle in Turaida, in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, on the opposite bank of the Gauja…

Philaweb / Public domain

O

Museum of the history of Riga and navigation

Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation is housed by the Riga Dom Cathedral ensemble in the heart of the Old Riga, Latvia.

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