Riga

Welcome to Riga, the capital of Latvia! Riga is definitely the main point of interest in Latvia. The historical buildings, the picturesque medieval architecture, the beautiful narrow streets, various museums, churches and monuments make a tour around the city very interesting and unforgettable. The popular sights of Riga include St. Peter’s Church (a beautiful building with a viewing platform around its spire), the Doma Cathedral (the magnificent cathedral dating from circa 1215), the Freedom Monument (the famous symbol of Riga), the House of Blackheads (dating from circa 1334, it is also one of the symbols of Riga), the Riga Castle (the residence of the president of Latvia) and many others. Riga is also one of the cities that never sleep. You are always welcome in the numerous nightclubs of Riga.

Jūrmala

The city is a popular holiday destination in summer. Jūrmala actually consists of a number small resorts stretching 32 kilometres along the Baltic Sea coast. Many people come to the lovely sandy beaches to enjoy the Baltic Sea and the sun shining bright above it. Jūrmala has been nicknamed the Baltic Riviera because it is charming and fashionable. Jūrmala is just about 20 kilometres from Riga. You can easily get there by car, by train or in a special taxi. Jūrmala is a unique resort because it offers fresh air, the beautiful sea and the lovely beaches, mineral water springs and healing mud. In summer different festivals are held in Jūrmala, which makes the city even more popular.

Sigulda

Located 53 kilometres from Riga, Sigulda is known as the “Switzerland of Vidzeme” (the city belongs to the Vidzeme Region of Latvia). The beautiful lakes and the picturesque hills make this area an ideal place for going on a hike. The places of interest include the ruins of the Sigulda Castle, the Sigulda Manor and the Sigulda Church. The Turaida Castle is also often visited by tourists. When you are in Sigulda you will probably be interested to hear the legend of the Turaida Rose. Halfway between Sigulda and the Turaida Castle lies the Gutmanis Cave. It is the largest cave in the Baltics and it has a creek flowing from it.

Bauska

It is a town in Bauska County with a population of about 11,700 people. It is situated in the Zemgale Region of Latvia. Bauska is known for the Bauska Castle. The Holy Spirit Church is also located here. Bauska is only 66 kilometres south of Riga, near the Lithuanian border. In 2009 the town will celebrate its 400th anniversary.

Rundāle Palace (Rundāles pils)

It is the most important baroque palace in the country. The palace is located at Pilsrundāle, 12 kilometres west of Bauska and 60 kilometres south of Riga. It was designed by the famous architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who is famous for such masterpieces as the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. Such beautiful place as the 18th century Rundāle Palace is certainly worth visiting.

Cēsis

It is a town located in the northern part of the Vidzeme Central upland. The town is the capital of Cēsis County and has a population of about 21,000 people. Located some 75 kilometres north of Riga, it is home to the 700-year-old St. John's Church, the place where many prominent German crusaders were buried. It is here that the Battle of Cēsis took place in 1919 during the Latvian War of Independence. The town is also famous for the 13th century Cēsis Castle, the famous Cēsis brewery also makes the town popular. Cēsis is a famous Latvian health resort.

Daugavpils

It is the second largest city in Latvia located about 230 kilometres south-east of Riga. Standing on the banks of the Daugava River, it has a favourable geographical position. The city was founded in 1275 when the castle Dinaburg was built by the Livonian Order. The name of the city was changed several times until it was renamed into Daugavpils in 1920 after Latvia gained independence. The places of interest include the Daugavpils Fortress of the 18th century, the Catholic St. Peter's Church (the city is located in the largely Catholic Latgale province), the city theatre, a few beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, etc. There are many beautiful lakes around the city.

Jelgava

It is a town about 41 kilometres south-west of Riga with a population of about 66,100 inhabitants. Jelgava is the largest town in Zemgale (a historical region of Latvia). It was once the capital of the Duchy of Courland and the capital of the Courland region. It is in the schools of Jelgava that three of Latvia's five presidents got their education. The Jelgava Palace designed by Francesco Rastrelli is also located in this town. The Palace is the place where the sarcophagi of many Dukes of Courland are kept. The sights also include St. Anne's Church built in 1619, the tower of the destroyed Trinity Church, the Villa Medema and the Academia Petrina.

Jēkabpils

This town on the Daugava River with a population of about 29,100 people is located almost halfway between Riga and Daugavpils. It is about 120 kilometres east of Riga. Jēkabpils is a place where you can find some of the best-preserved old houses in the region. Many of the buildings date back to the 17th century. Jēkabpils is famous for its old churches and the Krustpils castle. You can also visit the museum dedicated to the great Latvian poet J. Rainis. It is located in Tadenava, in Jēkabpils district. There you will also find the Justine and Dugnaja castle sites. It is also possible to visit the museum "Riekstini" dedicated to the famous Latvian writer J. Jaunsudrabins which is located between Nereta and Akniste.

Koknese

This small town on the right bank of the Daugava River is located in Aizkraukle District. Koknese is 80 kilometres east of Riga. The population of Koknese is about 3,000. The ruins of the Koknese castle are one of the town’s landmarks. Built in the 13th century, the castle was destroyed during the Great Northern War in the 1700s. The castle is considered to be home of Laimdota, the true love of the Latvian epic hero Lacplesis. The Koknese Manor Park is also one of the town’s sights.

Lielvārde

It is a town and rural district in Vidzeme. Located on the right bank of the Daugava River, it is 52 kilometres south-east of Riga. The population of Lielvārde is about 6,300 inhabitants. According to the epic poem based on the local legends and written by the famous Latvian poet Andrejs Pumpurs, Lielvārde is the place where the final battle between Lacplesis and his enemy, the Black Knight, is supposed to take place. Andrejs Pumpurs spent a lot of time working on his masterpieces in Lielvārde, that is why the Pumpurs Museum is located here.

Salaspils

Located 18 kilometers south-east of Riga, Salaspils is one of the oldest settlements in Latvia. The city is situated on the northern bank of the Daugava River. The population is about 21,100 people. The city is very important for the history of Latvia. Salaspils experienced many tragic events during World War II. It was here that the Nazis killed thousands of people and even today the exact number of the victims is still unknown. The major monument complex opened in 1967 tells us about this tragic episode in the history of Latvia. Salaspils is an important centre of power industry, science and agriculture. The National Botanical Gardens located in the northern part of Salaspils have the richest plant collection in the Baltic States. It is also very pleasant to go for a walk in the gardens and to see their beauty.

Ventspils

It is a city in the north-western part of Latvia with a population of about 44,000 people. Ventspils is an important Latvian port on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The city is the main transit point for Russian oil exports. It is considered to be the wealthiest city in Latvia. The Castle of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword is one of the tourist attractions in Ventspils.