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Latvia

A tapestry of sea, lakes and woods, Latvia is best described as a vast, unspoilt parkland with just one real city – its cosmopolitan capital, Rīga. The country might be small, but the amount of personal space it provides is enormous. You can always secure a chunk of pristine nature all for yourself, be it for trekking, cycling or dreaming away on a white-sand beach amid pine-covered dunes.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Turaida Castle, Sigulda, Gauja National Park, Vidzeme Region, Latvia

    Turaida Museum Reserve

    Latvia

    Turaida means ‘God’s Garden’ in ancient Livonian, and this green knoll capped with a fairy-tale castle is certainly a heavenly place. The red-brick castle…

  • Daugavpils Fortress

    Daugavpils Fortress

    Latvia

    This impressive riverside citadel is enjoying an ongoing renovation that's recreating its historic atmosphere. Look for the restored Nicholas Gate near…

  • Sigulda Castle Complex

    Sigulda Castle Complex

    Latvia

    The city of Sigulda has done a fine job developing the historic buildings at its core into one unmissable complex. The highlight is the Livonian Order…

  • Cēsis Castle

    Cēsis Castle

    Latvia

    Cēsis Castle is actually two castles in one. The moody dark-stone towers belong to the increasingly restored old castle. Founded by Livonian knights in…

  • Rīga Ghetto & Latvian Holocaust Museum

    Rīga Ghetto & Latvian Holocaust Museum

    Maskavas Forštate, Avotu Iela & Grīziņkalns

    The centrepiece of this arresting and challenging museum is a wooden house with a reconstructed flat, like those that Jews had to move into when the Nazis…

  • Biķernieki Memorial

    Biķernieki Memorial

    Rīga

    Between 1941 and 1944, the Nazis – aided by Latvians – shot more than 35,000 Jews at 55 different sites in this forest. It is one of several killing sites…

  • Baltā Kāpa

    Baltā Kāpa

    Latvia

    These striking pine-covered cliffs loom above a pristine white-sand beach dissected by a glistening stream. This is one of the most enchanting places…

  • Kalnciema Kvartāls

    Kalnciema Kvartāls

    Rīga

    A lovingly restored courtyard with several vintage wooden buildings is home to creative cafes, shops and restaurants. It's also home to a fantastic…

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The Metropol Parasol (officially called Setas de Sevilla), a structure in the shape of a pergola made of wood and concrete.

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10 of the best places to go in Europe in autumn

Aug 21, 2024 • 10 min read

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