The capital
Almost every trip starts in Riga, the largest city in the Baltics. Its medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and just beyond it stands one of the richest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. Add the Central Market in old Zeppelin hangars, a lively food scene and a long river front, and you have reason to stay three nights at least.
The beach
Half an hour west by train, Jūrmala is a string of seaside villages along a long white sand beach, with carved wooden villas in the pines, spa hotels and the bog boardwalks of Ķemeri National Park. It is an easy day trip from Riga and a relaxing place to spend a night or two in summer.
Castles and river valleys
An hour north east of the capital, Gauja National Park follows the Gauja river through sandstone cliffs and deep forest. Sigulda has Turaida Castle, a cable car and a bobsleigh track, and Cēsis has a medieval castle you explore by lantern light. It is the best place in Latvia for canoeing, hiking and autumn colour.
The west
In Kurzeme, Kuldīga is a UNESCO listed old town of red roofs and wooden houses beside the Venta Rapid, the widest waterfall in Europe. On the coast, Liepāja is the city of music, with long beaches, a great concert hall and the haunting old naval town of Karosta. Together they make a rewarding loop with the wild coast at Pāvilosta and Cape Kolka.
How to combine them
For a first week, try three nights in Riga with a day in Jūrmala and a stop at Rundāle Palace, then two nights in Sigulda or Cēsis. With ten days, add Kuldīga and Liepāja in the west. With less time, Riga plus Jūrmala is a perfect long weekend. Use the free trip planner to shape a route around your dates.