10 days in Latvia Itinerary

Often referred to as "The Paris of the North," Riga offers thriving nightlife and some of the best collections of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.

Step out of the city life by going to Jurmala Beach and Dzintari Forest Park. Do some cultural sightseeing at Old City Riga (Vecriga) and Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Take a break from Riga with a short trip to Salaspils Memorial Ensemble in Salaspils, about 30 minutes away. There's much more to do: examine the collection at House Of The Black Heads, take in panoramic vistas at View of Riga from St Peter's Church Tower, pause for some photo ops at Freedom Monument, and contemplate the long history of Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum.

To see traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Riga trip itinerary planning site.

Baku, Azerbaijan to Riga is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Baku to Riga. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Baku in December: high temperatures in Riga hover around 3°C and lows are around 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Ventspils.

Ventspils is a town in northwestern Latvia in the historical Courland region of Latvia, and is the sixth largest city in the country. Start off your visit on the 29th (Thu): step into the grandiose world of The Castle of the Livonian order, browse the collection at Parventas Library, and then get outside with Ventspils Beach.

To see ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Ventspils travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Riga to Ventspils takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a daytime high around 3°C in December, and nighttime lows around 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) early enough to drive to Liepaja.

Liepāja, is a city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region and the third largest city in the country after Riga and Daugavpils. Start off your visit on the 30th (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Jurmalciems beach, contemplate the long history of Northern Forts, and then pause for some serene contemplation at St. Joseph's Cathedral. Keep things going the next day: stroll around Jurmalas Park, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Nicholas Orthodox Sea Cathedral, and finally steep yourself in history at Karosta Prison.

To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Liepaja trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Ventspils to Liepaja takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December in Liepaja, expect temperatures between 3°C during the day and 0°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) early enough to travel back home.