If you have Latvian heritage and are thinking to get a dual Latvian citizenship, probably you already considered visiting Latvia. It is not necessary to visit Latvia in order to apply for Latvian citizenship, but if you do – we are sure you will become even more determined to get passport of this beautiful country.
Visiting Latvia does not have to be expensive since it is one of the cheapest travel destinations in Eu-rope. An average budget of 40-70€ per day is enough for one person to live comfortably and enjoy travelling in this small Baltic country.
This tour guide lists some of the things you can do in Latvia, as well as some accommodation options that you can consider. Of course, if you are on a tight budget, you should consider using local transportation instead of hiring a car.
Accommodation Rates
$: there are dormitory beds or small rooms in hostels for 10€-25€ per night. On Air bnb, you can find nice rooms for 8€-14€ per night and whole apartments from 14€ per night.
$$: A mid-range room or a more classy alternative on Air bnb comes back roughly at 30€ to 45€ per night (for 2 people in general).
$$$: At 45€ and above per night we are already starting to have options of staying in very nice hotels. The first 4* of the city starts at about 45€ (breakfast included for 2 people). To find cheap accommodation, we recommend using hotel booking sites like Booking.com, Agoda or even Airbnb if you are on a tight budget. Whether it’s a hotel, an apartment, or just a small room lo-cated in a house at the center of a quaint town, you will surely enjoy your stay.
Top Travel Activities
Although there are a lot of things you can do in Latvia, here is a short outline of the top things that potential new Latvian citizens should do:
• Visit historic Centre of Riga – the UNESCO World Heritage Site with lots of cozy cafes, restaurants and packed with history. Besides its Gothic old town, Riga is well known for its highly decorative Art Nouveau architecture. The Art Nouveau buildings make up roughly one-third of all the buildings in the center of Riga, making Latvia’s capital the city with the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world. You can also visit a museum dedicated to this style of architecture.
• Taste Riga Black Balsam, an iconic alcohol drink made in Latvia for more than 250 years. It consists of 24 natural ingredients, including 17 herbs and spices and has won more than 100 awards at international fairs throughout its history.
• Visit the Moscow district of Riga. It is home to a lot of Riga’s wooden architecture and has a unique atmosphere and character that is totally different from the rest of the city. The official title of this suburb is the ‘Latgales priekšpilsēta’ but to locals it is known as the Moscow district or ‘Maskachka’, since it is situated along the road heading towards Moscow.
• Shop in Riga Central Market. It is the largest market in Latvia where you will find a range of authentic Latvian delicacies. The market is a hundred years old and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main structures of the market are five pavilions constructed by reusing old Zeppelin hangars and incorporating Neoclassicism and Art Deco styles.
Also Read: The Benefits of Latvian Dual Citizenship
• Enjoy the scenery at Gauja National Park. This park in Vidzeme region is the largest national park in Latvia and the most beautiful one. Besides its lush nature and scenery, it is also known for its many historical structures. Covering a large swath of the Gauja river valley, it surrounds the town of Cēsis and its 13th-century castle. Medieval Turaida Castle, with its tall tower, anchors the Turaida Museum-Reserve. While in Gauja National Park you can also visit Folk Song Park, with granite sculptures inspired by Latvian folklore. While visiting Sigulda – another town close by – you can view ruins of one more castle built by Livonian Order.
• Learn about Latvian history in Turaida Castle. The castle was build 800 years ago by Catholic military order called Livonian Brothers of the Sword as part of their attempt to conquer Latvian territory and baptize local population.
• Take a bath in the sea in Jūrmala, just west of Riga. This seaside resort is known for its wooden and Art Nouveau seaside villas, Soviet-era sanatoriums and long, sandy Jūrmala Beach.
If you are looking for a more in-depth itinerary, please read our article on things to do in Latvia.
If you have Latvian descent and would like to acquire dual Latvian citizenship, you may reach out to us via email at info@latviancitizenshup.eu. We offer assistance from document acquisition, application preparation, translation services, and guidance throughout the process until Latvian passport is granted to you. Email us today so we can assess your eligibility for a Latvian dual citizenship by descent.
