Rediscover Latvia
I know you want to explore Latvia this summer. July and August are traditionally holiday months, and that, of course, means both short and long trips. In recent years, Latvia has experienced tremendous growth, and with the support of the European Union, 73 different cultural and natural heritage sites have been built or restored, including manors, castles, churches, towers, parks, and more. So yes, there are many fascinating places to discover right here in Latvia.
All these renovated sites are collected on the website atrastalatvija.lv, where you’ll also find special thematic routes tailored to different interests. Latvia may seem like a small country, but its regions and cities are remarkably diverse – as are their histories and cultural heritage. That’s why these themed routes reveal different sides of Latvia, allowing you to explore everything from small coastal villages to the historic center of Riga, and the vast fields of Latgale.
This year, I tried out the Māra’s Route – one of the eight thematic routes featured on the website. It was an exciting journey through Latgale, and I want to highlight two places that left a deep impression on me – the medieval ruins of Ludza, where you can truly feel the breath of history, and the Daugavpils Fortress, where heritage and culture blend with modern art and creative initiatives. I also took the opportunity to visit the Mark Rothko Art Centre, which I wrote more about in a previous blog post: “5 Museums Worth Visiting in Latvia.” Of course, you can always modify the route according to your preferences and travel plans, but in my opinion, this is a great starting point for getting to know Latvia better.
Thanks to support from the European Union, Latvia has been able to restore and preserve valuable ancestral heritage and make it accessible to the public. The Atrast Latviju website is like an interactive map and storybook all in one. It not only shows you where to go, but also why – what makes these places special and how they’ve been brought back to life in recent years. You can even plan your route, mark places of interest, and keep track of where you’ve already been. What’s more, the descriptions often highlight development stories, showing how community initiatives and EU funding have helped preserve and adapt Latvia’s heritage for today’s needs.
In addition to your cultural journey, I also recommend using the Latvian State Forests map – mammadaba.lv/karte, where you’ll find information on well-equipped, free public recreation areas all across Latvia. There you’re welcome to have a picnic, pitch a tent, or spend the night there – just remember to leave the site clean, follow fire safety rules, and enjoy nature without disturbing the animals and birds.
I believe now you have everything you need to start your journey and rediscover Latvia. Good luck – and let me know in the comments which places in Latvia you’ve visited this summer!
Vita, OLS Community manager - Latvian