Best of Latvia in 8 days
Private tour

Best of Latvia

  • 8 days / 7 nights
  • Latvia
  • Riga – Sigulda – Turaida – Rundale – Kuldiga – Liepaja – Jurkalne – Kolka – Jurmala – Riga

Program

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN RIGA

Welcome to Latvia! Arrival in Riga. Check in to the hotel.

Overnight: Riga

DAY 2: RIGA

Founded in 1201 by German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals. Riga is famous for its sophisticated Art Nouveau architecture – about 40% of the city center consists of Art Nouveau buildings, more than in any other city in the world. Join the guided walking tour and explore the most famous Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta Street and Elizabetes Street. On the tour, you will also discover the jewels of the lovely Old Town: House of the Blackheads, City Hall Square, Riga Cathedral, St. Pether’s Church, Riga Castle, the oldest dwellings in the city – Three Brothers, and others. Let yourself fall in love with the cobblestone streets of Riga Old Town.

The afternoon is reserved for the guided walking tour of Other Riga. This tour will bring you to a completely different scene of Riga and show around the so-called Moscow Suburbs. You will also have a chance to visit the Latvian Academy of Sciences, an impressive Stalin-era skyscraper that offers the best panorama of Riga.

Later you will dive into the rich and colorful aisles of the Riga Central Market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Riga Central Market was opened in 1930, and it consists of five former Zeppelin airship hangars. Riga Central Market is a perfect place for tasting local products, such as smoked meat and fish, pickled vegetables, rye bread, Latvian craft beer, various dairy products, and seasonal treats.

Overnight: Riga

DAY 3: RIGA – SIGULDA

This day will bring you to the Gauja National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Latvia. Sigulda is one of the most popular places in the Gauja National Park where you can enjoy truly scenic views of the Gauja River valley, several castles, nature wonders, and countless hiking trails that go up and down along the river. You will explore Sigulda Castle Complex which consists of two castles built in different centuries. Sigulda Medieval Castle Ruins mark the beginnings of Sigulda as a town while Sigulda New Castle serves as a wonderful example of a 19th-century manor house and is famous for unique 20th-century interiors in the style of national romanticism.

Later you will enjoy a fun and scenic ride in the Sigulda Cable Car. The cable car connects both sides of the Gauja River, offering picturesque views of the river valley, three castles, and the Sigulda Bobsleigh Track. The ride above the tree tops and the river is about one kilometer long.

You will also explore Turaida Medieval Castle which looks just like out of a fairytale about princesses and dragons. Not far from the castle, you will visit Gutman’s Cave – the biggest cave in the Baltics and the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia.

Overnight: Sigulda

DAY 4: SIGULDA – RUNDALE – KULDIGA

In the morning you will go to the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Join the guided tour and get to know the most exciting secrets of the palace. The Rundale Palace surprises its visitors with impressive baroque architecture, wonderful interiors, breathtaking paintings on the ceilings, and wonderful gardens. The splendor of Rundale offers to experience the vibe of Versailles in the Baltics.

Later, you will go to Kuldiga. Enjoy a peaceful evening in this lovely town: sit down at a restaurant in the very heart of the old town or choose a cafe with a panorama of the Venta River, get inspired by the historical atmosphere of the town, take some great photographs, or simply relax.

Overnight: Kuldiga

DAY 5: KULDIGA

Kuldiga is one of the most romantic and charming towns in Latvia which is often compared to Venice. It is a very popular weekend getaway destination thanks to its lovely blend of cobblestone streets, historical 16th to 18th-century architecture, small canal meandering through the town, and the widest waterfall in Europe – Ventas Rumba. In the morning you will join the guided walking tour and visit the most important and beautiful places in Kuldiga. Later you will have a chance to discover the town at your own pace: wander around the curvy streets, enjoy some great food and drinks, and look inside art galleries, designer stores, and museums.

Overnight: Kuldiga

DAY 6: KULDIGA – LIEPAJA

This day will bring you to the western coast of Latvia, where the seaside city Liepaja awaits you. It is a vibrant port city with its own character. As most Latvian rock musicians come from Liepaja, the city is known among the locals as the Capital of Rock Music. Discover Liepaja by joining the guided walking tour: discover the most spectacular Art Nouveau buildings in the city center, look for street art pieces, and stroll along the Promenade.

Liepaja is also known for the longest breakwater in Latvija – Liepaja Northern Breakwater that stretches into the sea for 1,8 km. The breakwater was built in the 19th century as a part of the military fortress, but today it is popular among local fishermen, as well as couples meeting up for a romantic picnic. In your free time, relax at the beach, explore the most hidden alternative bars with great live music, or head towards Karosta, a former closed military territory.

Overnight: Liepaja

DAY 7: LIEPAJA – JURKALNE – KOLKA – JURMALA – RIGA

For most of this day, you will be following the coastline of the Baltic Sea. First, you will stop at Jurkalne, a small village that is known for the Jurkalne Seashore Bluff. Enjoy the vast panorama from the top of the bluff, as well as climb down to the wild beach, see the magnificent coastline close up, and listen to the waves and seagulls.

Later you will continue following the coastline until you reach Cape Kolka, a windy place on the beach where the water of the Gulf of Riga meets the waves of the open Baltic Sea. If you look carefully enough, you will see Kolka Lighthouse sending you greetings right from the sea.

On the way from Kolka to Jurmala, you will encounter many fishermen’s villages that will tempt you with lovely houses and the delicious smell of smoked fish. Stopping at one of the villages and trying out freshly smoked fish might be the best idea for lunch.

In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Jurmala, a popular seaside resort famous for its wonderful wooden architecture from the 20th century, fancy lifestyle, and white sand beach. Stroll along Joma Street, a very lively pedestrian street full of restaurants, bars, and cafes, walk around the town to see the most beautiful wooden villas, or enjoy the beach.

In the evening you will return to Riga.

Overnight: Riga

DAY 8: DEPARTURE

Departure day. Check out from the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

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Price in double occupancy

In 4-star hotels:

  • 2 persons traveling is 1820 EUR per person
  • 4 persons traveling is 1160 EUR per person
  • 6 persons traveling is 945 EUR per person
  • 8 persons traveling is 840 EUR per person

In 3-star hotels:

  • 2 persons traveling is 1695 EUR per person
  • 4 persons traveling is 1045 EUR per person
  • 6 persons traveling is 830 EUR per person
  • 8 persons traveling is 720 EUR per person

Single room supplement

Double room for one person – 340 EUR

Services included

  • 7 overnights in centrally located hotels with breakfast;
  • English speaking driver and tour leader throughout the program;
  • Transportation in private car or minivan per program;
  • Walking tour in Riga, Other Riga, Kuldiga, and Liepaja;
  • The Gauja National Park sightseeing tour;
  • Entrances in Academy of Sciences sight platform, Cable Car, Turaida Castle Museum, Sigulda Castle Complex, and Rundale Palace.
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What travelers say about us

EXCELLENT
36 reviews on
Carmen Daams
Carmen Daams
2023-09-22
I took the Kuldiga trip with Valdis. The experience was amazing. The entire day was great. He is a great guide, and knows a lot of interesting information. He would definitely make your whole experience even better. Kuldiga is such a captivating city, very unique with a very special style and soul. If you are visiting Latvia, don't hesitate to take this trip, it is a "must".
Stanley Wallerstein
Stanley Wallerstein
2023-08-29
Great Tour and great guide. Baltic Nature Travel is excellent.
Maria M Andrade
Maria M Andrade
2023-08-28
Valdis organized an absolutely wonderful 10 day trip to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania trip for my sister, a friend, and myself. He arranged all details including our private chofer and tour guide up the last detail. He went far and beyond when he knew I had an accident in Estonia. We met him Latvia and he make us feel welcome. He recommended the most amazing restaurants for us and he took care of my doctor needs where he was the interpreter. In every country we had the best guys one can possibly ask for. All hotels were walking distance from city centre. Thank you Valdis we will always remembered this trip!!!!
Sarah Daniels
Sarah Daniels
2023-08-21
Thank you, Valdis, for helping my family have a wonderful two week trip to the Baltics! Your advice and recommendations were very helpful, and our tour guides in 4 different cities were each outstanding! I highly recommend a vacation in the beautiful and fascinating Baltics, and I highly recommend using Valdis to help you plan it.
Rita Derencius
Rita Derencius
2023-08-09
Tours and tour guides, Tomas and Mindaugas, exceeded my expectations. We were able to curate our tour of Lithuania. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and adapted the tour based on our input. Valdis was responsive and easy to work with. Extremely happy we chose to have private tour guides. Best trip ever!
Deniz Demirors
Deniz Demirors
2023-08-08
Valdis did amazing job to organize us a 15 day, 14 night self drive adventure trip to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Thanks to his valuable advise before and immaculate documentation with names of the locations, guides etc we had a magical experience. We hiked, biked, walked, beached and off course drive all over in all 3 beautiful countries. We felt very safe. Everyone we met were very friendly. The car was delivered to our first hotel in Tallinn and picked up from last hotel in Vilnius. They were professional and kind people. We encountered few minor issues but Valdis resolved very promptly so our program was not impacted. We met him in Riga as he was our guide. Thanks to Valdis & his team of guides we had an unforgettable time and experience. Valdis is very gently, kind, hears his clients wishes and makes adjustments in his existing programs. Job well done Valdis. Thank you very much.
Catherine Herway
Catherine Herway
2023-06-24
These are the only places on earth where eastern and western architecture can now meet in harmony. The architecture tells a social history translated into excellent English on this tour! The hotels were clean, comfortable, and safe. The food was outstanding as well, I only wish I had more time!
Artur Iwański
Artur Iwański
2023-05-03
A very good and interesting guide. Customized trips - which is very useful. If you want to get to know Latvia (which is worth it!) there is no one better. Highly recommended.
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
2023-01-07
Very interesting trip. Definitely worth it!

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Baltic Nature Travel
Baltic Nature Travel