Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts of visiting Latvia. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do on a trip to Latvia, we also want to share what you should NOT do on your Latvia vacation!
Don’t Expect a Lot of Tourists
Latvia is not a huge tourist destination, believe it or not. So you won’t be dealing with crowds too much, especially if you leave the larger cities. You’ll also have a chance to meet more locals this way, and they’ll be intrigued by you, rather than annoyed like some destinations that are overrun with tourists.
However, there is one exception to this—weekends in Riga. It’s very popular for European bachelor and bachelorette parties because it’s very affordable and easy to reach from many European cities.
Don’t Doubt Latvian Pride
Whether it’s their sports teams or their culture and food, Latvians love their country. They love to celebrate their culture and host tons of festivals every summer to celebrate. When choosing a region to place them in, they prefer Baltic Europe or Northern Europe, rather than Eastern European.
One of the best places to learn about Latvian culture is the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia in Riga. It really makes you appreciate the people and what they went through under different regimes. You’ll quickly realize that it would be in poor taste to joke around about the USSR as many families have ties to this time and it’s not anything to make light of.
They are also really proud of the natural beauty of their country, so don’t mess it up! Take the chance to enjoy the parks, beaches, and scenery, and always leave it better than you found it.
Don’t Miss Out on the Best Foods in Latvia
I’ve had many, many meals in Latvia and there are some foods you have to try on your trip. Latvian food is very natural, so you don’t find a lot of preservatives or dyes, just natural, delicious food. Lido is a chain of cafeteria-style restaurants, and it’s a great place to sample several traditional Latvian dishes in one spot.
- Šašļiks is type of skewered meat, often made with pork or chicken and marinated a number of different ways. This is a common dish to make at home on the barbeque, but you can also get it at restaurants.
- Karbonāde is the Latvian version of a schnitzel, often served with mushroom gravy.
- Smoked fish is also very popular, so that’s worth trying, as well as smoked cheese. Herring is one of the fish varieties seen most often, and you’ll find it pickled or smoked, served alone or in soups.
- Black beans and bacon is a popular side dish in Latvia. It looks weird, but it’s delicious!
- Cold Borscht is one of the most unique dishes in Latvia, and it has become one of Mark’s favorites, even though it took him years to try it. It’s pink, so it kind of looks like Pepto Bismol, but it tastes so much better. In the winter, you can have a hot version as well.
- Potato pancakes in Latvia are delicious! It’s almost like a giant hash brown patty, and I recommend getting it with salmon and sour cream. Yum!
- Dairy features heavily in Latvian cuisine. Cheese and sour cream seem to be in every dish, so pack your Lactaid! If you want to try a local cheese, get Jevas Siers, which is sold everywhere.
- Fried Garlic Bread is a very popular appetizer. It looks like burned french fries because it’s made with dark rye bread, but it’s super delicious. Some would say life-changing. You can also just buy the brown bread and do whatever you want with it; it’s so good!
- Piradzini are little crescent-shaped dough pockets. They are often filled with meat or sauerkraut and sold at markets like the Central Market.
- Pelmeni are dumplings stuffed with meat or cheese. Of course, they are served with sour cream like everything else in Latvia!
- If you visit Latvia in the summer, which you should, the berries are fresh and delicious. Don’t pass them up if you see a farmer’s market.
- When you visit the Central Market in Riga, don’t pass up the sweets and desserts! Rye bread pudding is one of the most popular desserts in Latvia, so make sure you try some!
There are good drinks in Latvia, too! The country is best known for balsam. The black currant is one of the better tasting balsams. Some of them are very earthy, so a fruity flavor helps balance out the tree taste. If you mix your balsam with ginger beer and lime, it makes a pretty good cocktail.
Riga Black Balsam Explained by a Local Bartender
Latvian beer (Alus) is actually pretty good, too. Kvass is something you’ll find on tap as well. It’s almost like near beer, with a very low alcohol content. If you like the idea of drinking bread, try Kvass!
Eating out in Latvia is super affordable, so you can try lots of dishes without spending a ton of money!
Ten Most Affordable European Cities
Don’t Miss the Riga Central Market
It’s right by the bus station and is filled with all kinds of vendors. From candy to sausage to souvenirs, it’s a quintessential old-school European public market. If you’re trying to learn Latvian, it’s also a good place to practice or just listen to conversations in passing.
Don’t Forget to Pack Good Shoes
If you’re spending much time in Old Town Riga, you’ll need some good, sturdy shoes. The streets are cobblestone and they’re also very uneven. Twisting an ankle is almost inevitable, especially if your shoes don’t have any grip. There are also grates on some sidewalks, so high heels aren’t a great idea.
Five Rules to Shoes to Wear in Europe
Don’t Skip the Churches
Latvia has beautiful churches and there are two churches in Riga to see. St. Peter’s Church offers amazing views from the tower, but it can be very cold and windy, so bundle up! Riga Cathedral is also worth checking out.
Don’t Miss Out on Architecture in Riga
Old Town Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part due to the fantastic architecture. You’ll see a lot of Art Deco styles, as well as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and more. There’s a whole museum dedicated to art nouveau in Riga. If you can book a walking tour around the city, your guide will likely point out a lot of cool buildings.
Don’t Forget to Explore Beyond Old Town Riga
The majority of attractions are found in Old Town Riga, but to really get a sense of Latvia, you have to explore beyond Old Town. Riga has beautiful parks to explore, and you can even take a boat tour through the park.
Don’t Forget to Buy Amber
If you’re into souvenirs, then you’ll want to buy amber when you’re in Latvia. You’ll see shops selling it everywhere, and you can even find it washed up on the beaches. It makes a great souvenir, especially if you have someone who loves jewelry on your gift list.
Don’t Forget to Learn a Few Latvian Words
Because there are so few tourists, Latvians love it when you can speak a little bit of their language. A few words can go a long way!
- Paldies = Thank You
- Sveiki = Hello
- Ata = Goodbye
Don’t Skip Public Transportation
You can rent a car and drive around Latvia pretty easily, but you can also just use public transportation. There aren’t as many trains in Latvia, especially for tourist use, so buses are the way to go. If there is an express bus, take that one, as they are usually more comfortable. In Riga specifically, the trams are a great way to explore other neighborhoods.
They are expanding the trains, so it’s worth researching again in the future as more options become available.
If you prefer rideshare apps, the one in Latvia is called Bolt. You can take them anywhere, and you can even rent a car through them for a short time.
Don’t Visit Latvia in the Winter
Between October and March, Latvia is cold, dark and windy. If you must come in the winter, bring lots of warm layers because you’ll need them. Locals also tend to withdraw during winter, so you won’t have as much opportunity to meet locals. Don’t think they’re unfriendly; once the sun comes out for the summer, they’re some of the friendliest locals you’ll meet!
If you do happen to visit Latvia in winter, plenty of things stay open, so you can still visit museums and markets. You can even enjoy the great outdoors, as long as you pack appropriately.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Latvia is the perfect travel destination for families looking for history, culture, and nature on a budget. The lack of tourists makes it easy to meet locals and have a unique Latvian experience. Want more tips for traveling in the Baltic region? Check out these blog posts: