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Latvia by Rail

Explore the wonders of Latvia by train with this amazing journey

 

Duration

8 Days

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Latvia by Rail

Tour Information

Latvia has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The country has a unique blend of Baltic, Germanic, and Russian influences, which is reflected in its language, traditions, and art.

Latvia’s combination of cultural richness, natural beauty, and historical significance makes it a wonderful destination for a wide range of travellers, whether you’re interested in history, culture, outdoor activities, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature.

Riga, Latvia
Carbon Conscious?

We’ve partnered with Path Net Zero to calculate the carbon emissions of all our Sustainable Journeys, so you can make conscious choices about how you travel.  

This journey generates:

Where will this journey take you?

All aboard! This 8-day exploration of Latvia by rail unveils a captivating blend of picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. As the rhythmic clatter of the train wheels, and lush countryside whizzes past your window seat, you’ll explore quaint villages, medieval towns, and national parks. The well-connected rail network allows for seamless travel, offering a unique perspective on Latvia’s diverse geography, from the historic charm of Riga to the pristine beaches of Jūrmala.

Journey Overview

Day 1 – Arrive in Riga
Day 2 – Cycle tour with a local guide in Riga
Day 3 – Gauja National Park
Day 4 – Cēsis Hanseatic Town
Day 5 – Valmiera Town
Day 6 – Jūrmala
Day 7 – Ķemeri National Park
Day 8 – Departure

What’s Included?
  • 7 nights in small local hotels and guesthouses
  • Train tickets to all locations mentioned
  • Riga cycling tour
  • Hiking route notes and maps in the mobile app
  • Brewery tour and beer tasting at Valmiermuiza brewery

How is this a Sustainable Journey?

Exploring lesser-known destinations: This tour offers a sustainable alternative to mass tourism by focusing on Latvia’s hidden gems. As the Baltic states are a lesser-known region, we encourage travellers to explore this captivating destination and delve deeper into one country. While typical Baltic itineraries cram three countries into a whirlwind of 7-8 days, this focused 8-day Latvian adventure allows for a more immersive experience. You’ll visit remote areas and charming small towns, often overlooked by mainstream tourism, and discover the region’s rich tapestry of nature and culture. This focus on less-travelled areas directly benefits local communities that don’t see the usual tourist flow, providing them with a much-needed economic boost.

Accommodations: We prioritise partnering with small, sustainable hotels and homestays run by Latvians. This ensures your impact is felt directly by the local people. Experience their warm hospitality firsthand while learning about their unique traditions and culture.

Transportation: Getting around Latvia by train is a fantastic way to soak in the beautiful scenery. Using public transportation is considered an integral part of any sustainable journey. In this tour, you’ll travel by train, the greenest mode of transport for point-to-point travel within Latvia.

Short distances: We offer day activities that include walking, hiking and exploring nearby areas from the overnight stay. Each day the distance covered is 30-100 km between each location. This allows more stops in beautiful and interesting local areas that would otherwise be skipped if visiting only capital areas.

Food and drinks: The distinct four seasons influence Latvian cuisine heavily, with each season offering unique dishes and ingredients. Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to savour local specialities, experiencing the diverse flavours and traditional recipes specific to each region. Vegetarian and vegan options are readily available at many locations.

Local staff: Your hosts and guides are local Latvians with deep connections to the destinations you visit. They may own, manage, or be employed by the hotels, activity providers, and tour companies you encounter, ensuring your travel dollars directly benefit the local economy.

Detailed Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrive in Riga

    Riga, Latvia

    Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or culture, or simply want to explore a charming European city, Riga has something to offer every type of traveller. Riga is known for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and the city boasts one of the largest and best preserved collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a bustling central market, stylish shops, and a thriving arts and culture scene.

    Your hotel for today is only a 10-minute walk from Riga train station, or if you’d prefer, we can arrange for a taxi transfer to meet you upon arrival.

  • Day 2 - Riga

    The tour begins at Dome Square and takes you to another part of the Daugava River which runs through the city. From here you can admire the spectacular panoramic view of the Old Town. On the route, you will pass the recently built National Library of Latvia and the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia as you head towards the neighbourhood of Āgenskalns which has still charming early 20th-century architecture.

    Next, you will ride to Ķipsala Island and enjoy beautiful views from the riverbank. By crossing the Suspension bridge, you will enter the neighbourhood which locals call “The Quiet Center” where patricians of the late 19th and early 20th century lived and the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings are located. Passing through the boulevards of the city centre we will come to The “Moscow” district where the halls of The Central market are situated, which is absolutely one of the must-see places in Riga.

  • Day 3 - Gauja National Park

    Today you will enjoy a picturesque walk in Sigulda and hike through medieval castle ruins, hills, caves, cliffs, impressive forests and other wonderful sights of the River Gauja valley.

    The Gauja National Park, often called Switzerland of Latvia by locals, is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Latvia, characterized by great biological diversity, a variety of landscapes, natural springs, sandstone outcrops, picturesque views and unique natural, cultural and historical monuments. The walking route is 12 -14km. Alternative routes can be taken which are shorter. There is also an option to use the cable car to cross the river from Sigulda to Krimulda side.

  • Day 4 - Cēsis Hanseatic Town

    Cēsis is a wonderful medieval town with a largely intact defensive stone wall, a historic Town Hall and other characteristic charms of a medieval city that can be dated back to at least the 14th century. Cēsis is a small town, so it’s best explored at a relaxed pace. It’s a great destination for history buffs, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a peaceful getaway in Latvia. Make sure to take your time to enjoy the quaint cafés and artisan shops.

    Cēsis Castle Complex

    The castle complex is located in the very centre of the city, where a number of different historical areas intertwine. One of the most mysterious monuments of pre-crusader times is Riekstu Hill, an ancient hillfort once inhabited by the Vendi tribe – the cradle of present-day Cēsis. Right next to Riekstu Hill, the castle was built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in 1213 AD, and it also housed the Teutonic Order. In the Middle Ages it was one of the most important footholds for the Teutonic Order in the Baltics, but nowadays – it is the most impressive and well-preserved castle ruins in Latvia.

    Overnight in Cēsis

  • Day 5 - Valmiera Town

    Valmiera, the northern gateway to Gauja National Park, delights visitors with its beautiful nature and its cultural and historic monuments, along with hosting interesting cultural and sporting events, and providing breathtaking stories and legends.

    Visiting Valmiermuiza Craft Brewery
    Valmiermuiza is a small manor brewery near Valmiera. The beer is produced from the highest quality ingredients, following the principles of slow brewing. While visiting the factory, you will have a chance to find out how the rich history of the manor has influenced the production of the beer. During a 1.5-hour brewery visit, you will experience, and witness with your own eyes, how they brew fine beer from a combination of Valmiermuiža well water, delicious malt, aristocratic hops and natural yeast. An integral part of any visit is discovering and sampling the wide range of brews.

    Overnight in Valmiera

  • Day 6 - Jūrmala

    Jūrmala is one of the oldest resorts on the whole Baltic coast with a long tradition as a spa resort. It used to be a very elegant and fancy spot during the 1930s and very popular after WWII. Today it is still a very popular holiday destination with a 30 km long white sand beach, pure air and mild climate. Besides beautiful beaches Jūrmala is also home to one of the largest heritage sites of historical wooden architecture in Latvia – 103 architectural monuments of national significance, we recommend going along Jūras iela, where one of the most beautiful houses is located.

    There is an ecological fee upon entrance to Jūrmala. The fee is 3 EUR per car for a day and should be paid when you arrive to Jūrmala town. Ticket machines are located at the entrance of the town. You can also purchase a Jūrmala pass at the Tourist information office during their working hours.

    Overnight in Jūrmala

  • Day 7 - Ķemeri National Park

    From the train station, there is a 5 km distance to the Ķemeri Bog boardwalk. This day can be done as a longer hike from the train station to the bog and back, or you can rent bicycles in Jūrmala and cover longer distances by bike. Ķemeri National Park is a natural wonder inhabited by thousands of migrating birds and was once a popular resort for medical tourism and healthy bathing in sulfur water and sludge. While the times of healthy bathing are long gone, tourists come here to soak in the unique beauty of the region and explore the ruins of a bygone era. Ķemeri bog is a real gem for nature lovers with its undersized pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes and the flavour of wild rosemary. The Ķemeri bog trail offers two walks – a shorter one of 1.4km and a longer one of 3.4 km.

    Train from Ķemeri to Jūrmala. Overnight in Jūrmala

  • Day 8 - Departure

    Train from Jūrmala to Riga

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