Most of us know Latvia exclusively thanks to Riga, but this Baltic country can surprise not only the capital. Many cities can boast of medieval castles, parks with unspoiled nature and picturesque buildings of different eras and styles. We have collected for you the 10 most beautiful cities in Latvia that every traveler should visit. Of course, it could not do without Riga.
So, the most beautiful cities of Latvia according to TheBiggest.ru:
1
Riga
Population: 632,600
Opens our "guide" the capital of Latvia, the city of Riga. It will surprise you with its beauty, striking on the spot with cobbled streets and elaborate architecture.
The historic district of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you will find ancient buildings, cobblestone pavements and cozy themed restaurants where you can pass the time after a walk. About a third of the buildings in the area were built in Riga's Art Nouveau style. They are the best examples of this architectural style in all of Europe.
If you find yourself in Riga on a sunny day, do not forget to admire the Freedom Monument, however, with increased cloud cover, it is also not bad at all. Fans of cultural recreation will find many theaters and museums in the city, among which the Museum of Foreign Art occupies a special place.
2
Sabile
Photo by: alvis balins / CC BY-SA
Population: 1,318
After seeing all the sights of Riga, you can go west to the valley of the Abava River, where the beautiful city of Sabile is located in the Talsi region. This settlement counts its history from the 13th century, and is considered the northernmost vineyard on the map, located in the fresh air.
The title of “grape capital” of Latvia is confirmed by the annual wine festival, which takes place in July. Consider this a clue which Baltic city to visit in the second month of summer.
The Pedale Manor houses an open-air museum that will satisfy lovers of spiritual food. The museum was created by the Latvian architect Ojars Feldbegs. It is in this museum that the best installations of the sculptor are exhibited, as well as the work of other artists representing contemporary art. The museum regularly hosts cultural festivals and thematic exhibitions.
The Abava Valley attracts archeology buffs where they can explore many ancient burials and historical sites.
3
Kuldiga
Photo by: Olga1969 / CC BY-SA
Population: 12,650
After visiting Sabile, it's time to move closer to the Baltic Sea, on the way to which you will meet the city of Kuldiga. He is known throughout Europe as one of the best examples of picturesque architecture.
The old city, built in the XVII – XVIII centuries as an extension to the city castle, is simply stunning with the beauty of its buildings, each of which is a historical monument.
The Aleksupite River flows through Kuldiga, on the banks of which there are several attractions. One of them is Ventas Rumba Falls, which, in fact, is a natural threshold (the widest in Europe). From ancient times, fishermen went here to catch salmon jumping out of the water. There is also a 4.5-meter waterfall and the beautiful Kuldig bridge made of red brick, where "naked races" are held on the night of the summer solstice.
4
Kandava
Photo by: Andrey Romanenko / CC BY-SA
Population: 4,029
The first mention of this city in the west of Latvia dates from the beginning of the XIII century. Wandering along the streets of the central part of the city, you will literally feel its rich history. While the castle around which Kandava was built turned into ruins, a quadrangular tower from the fourteenth century has survived to this day.
The market square and the promenade adjacent to it, where you can relax and eat in cozy cafes, are the most attractive places in the city. You can also feel the spirit of ancient Kandava thanks to artisans selling authentic souvenirs here in the square.
Despite the strong destruction during the Northern War, the city can surprise you with several architectural monuments, among which are numerous stone buildings and neo-Gothic townhouses. If you love natural beauty, then go to the eastern part of the city, where you can find harmony on the shore of the Teterinu reservoir.
5
Tulsi
Photo by EdgarsLacis / CC BY-SA
Population: 9,225
We move further west to the town of Talsi, which is an example of the perfect combination of natural and artificial beauty, which makes it one of the most attractive places for travelers to visit in Latvia.
Talsi is also known as the “City of Nine Hills”, as it was built on a hilly area. Two picturesque lakes complete the picture, collecting a lot of local residents and tourists from their shores in the summer. Parks with many fruit trees are located in the central part of the city. In summer, you can have picnics there, and in the fall you can take beautiful photos in the sea of yellow-red foliage.
Also Talsi has something to surprise in terms of culture. Local music groups support the traditions of folk music. In the middle of summer, a festival is held every year where you can enjoy traditional Latvian music, taste local cuisine and buy beautiful souvenirs for nothing.
6
Pavilosta
Population: 1,143
Despite the relative youth, the city of Pavilosta has something to show its visitors. It was founded by the German baron at the end of the 19th century, and went through several stages of development, first flourishing as a shipyard, and later as a fishing harbor. After walking just a few minutes from the city center, you will find yourself on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
In Pavilost you can enjoy delicious fish in one of the local restaurants or cafes. You can choose a dish of smoked or fried fish, prepared according to an ancient recipe, whose secret the locals will tell you, as well as purchase fresh fish directly from the sea.
Pavilosta is one of the sunniest cities in Latvia, you can catch clear days even in winter, when daylight hours are not so long. Every corner of the city is literally saturated with love for the sea, and the harsh profession of a fisherman here is revered by all the inhabitants who simply do not imagine themselves outside the sea.
7
Cesis
Photo by: Olga1969 / CC BY-SA
Population: 17,170
Cesis is one of the most remarkable cities in the central part of Latvia. It was founded in the 13th century, and is an important part of Latvian history. Cesis is filled with attractions, including historical buildings, monuments and museums. One of the most popular places in the city is the Cessian Castle, which over the centuries has become the property of many owners, and now receives visitors as the Cessian Historical Museum. Also in demand among tourists is the park, laid out around the castle, where you can wander around surrounded by greenery and enjoy the beauty of nature in the fresh air.
Lovers of antiquity will definitely visit the old city, where you can find the remains of medieval buildings, including the well-preserved Cathedral of St. Ion. Also here are the ruins of the castle of the Livonian Order, built at the beginning of the XIII century. The city has many monuments and museums, and forums are also held in memory of the battle of Cesis 1919. It was here that the combined Estonian and Latvian forces defeated the Germans in the Latvian War of Independence.
8
Dobele
Population: 8,995
According to information received by archaeologists, the area of modern Dobele has been constantly inhabited by people since the Stone Age. It is not surprising that Dobele, belonging to the Zemgale region, has many attractions. Here are the ruins of Dobele Castle, as well as many ancient city churches.
An ideal option would be to plan your trip in Dobele in advance to get to one of the famous festivals that are held regardless of the time of year or the tourist season. In the spring, travelers are attracted by the Lilac Festival, during which your sense of smell will come to a real delight from the smells flowing from everywhere.
In the summer, the city hosts several theme festivals in Dobele castles, and in the fall you can get to the apple festival. For lovers of winter travel, the inhabitants of the city have stocked up the Snowman Rally.
9
Kraslava
Population: 6,981
Kraslava is located in the south-west of Latvia, on the border with Belarus. Near the city there are natural parks and reserves. The city was founded in the XIII century as a fort in the mountains. Kraslava later became a Catholic Jesuit fortress, which held the defense in the region, where Protestant Christianity was mainly practiced. The region was famous for its artisans who produced goods in demand in neighboring Germany and Poland.
Kraslava is part of the Latgale region, which also deserves attention due to its rich cultural heritage. Here the Latgalian dialect is used, which is significantly different from the classical Latvian language. On the whole, the region is not as studied by tourists as the rest of Latvia, this is what attracts it with its opportunity to discover new things!
10
Ludza
Population: 8,718
Ludza is the oldest city in Latvia, which attracts many tourists with a rich culture. It was first mentioned as a settlement in the X century. Here are the ruins of the once great Ludza Castle. It was built as an outpost of the Livonian Order at the easternmost point of the Teutonic territory (the dominant order, which included the Brotherhood of the Knights of Christ of Livonia).
Since the city is located on the border territory near Russia, the ethnic composition of the region is quite diverse. Latgalians, Belarusians and Poles lived here, and in the XVII century a rather large group of Estonians emigrated here, who were able to carry Estonian language and national traditions through the centuries.
To understand the intricacies of the ethnic group Ludza, you should visit the historical museum, including an open-air exhibition. Also in the city you can find many monuments and historical monuments.
Finally
On this our article came to an end. TheBiggest.ru editors are waiting for interesting comments from you. If you can add about other equally beautiful cities in Latvia, write about it.