Latvia Visa Travel Insurance for Indian Travelers

Location / Language of Latvia

Visa Requirements / Currency (please note these procedures / exchange rates can changed from time to time…please get an update from the embassy prior to travel)

Top 10 tourist attractions in Latvia

1. The Gauja National Park – The park is the perfect place to destress when you’re in Latvia’s capital Riga. Wander miles across stunning hiking trails, explore fascinating medieval castles or thrill to bungee jumping, bobsleighing and other adventurous activities.
2. Jurmala – It is a beautiful seaside resort like no other and if you’re looking for fun, there’s vibrant life on the beach and in the unique spas, offering a tempting menu of mud packs and massages. But Jurmala is also a great place to get back to nature, strolling the miles of pine-fringed shore or admiring beautiful timber summer cottages.
3. Rundale Palace & Museum - Nicknamed the Baltic Versailles, this stunning museum will transport you to an age of splendour. Designed by Francesco Rastrelli, the architect who also created St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Rundale is a superbly restored Baroque and Rococo masterpiece packed with art treasures and surrounded by a delightful rose garden.
4. Latgale – Latgale is an off-the-beaten-track gem that is home to a museum dedicated to legendary artist Mark Rothko to awe inspiring Aglona Basilica. Stunning lakes, fascinating traditions, timeless handicrafts and heartfelt hospitality will make this a place you will never forget.
5. Salaspils – The city of Salaspils is situated on the verge of the Daugava River and is infamous for the World War II Nazi Concentration Camp that was founded there. Now one can travel the Salaspils Memorial Ensemble, which was established on the spot of the concentration camp where many thousand were murdered – it is a solemn monument and serves its motive to remind us that we should never overlook man’s atrocity towards his fellow men. You can also pass some time exploring the National Botanical Garden, which is the home of the huge collection of flora from the Baltic areas.

• Brave the Naval Port Prison – The Naval Port Prison in Karosta is the only former military prison that is open to the public in Europe and was built in 1900 to house military inmates. Now one can visit the cells, the solitary confinement blocks, and the dedicated museum section that takes you through different periods of history such as World War Two and the Soviet Regime. If you are feeling adventurous there are even events that you can join such as the ‘Extreme Night’ show where you can actually spend the night in a prison cell or eat in the prison canteen.
• Visit the Old Sigulda Castle – It was built in the 13th century by the famous Livonian Brothers of the Sword a group of self styled ‘warrior monks’. It was also the first stone castle to be built anywhere other than the capital of Riga and was designed to guard against an enemy attack from the Gauja River.The castle has been loving restored over the years and visitors can now climb up inside the North Tower as well as the Main Gate Tower where you will get excellent views over the surrounding area. There are also showcases of traditional archery held here during the summer.
• Experience the Latvian National Opera - The powerhouse Latvian National Opera hosts both the Latvian National Opera and the Latvian National Ballet company. As a result, one can take in a range of performances here that include opera and ballet showcases and there are traditional Latvian folk stories as well as dedicated children’s plays and shows. Over the course of a season some 200 performances take place here so whenever one visits there is sure to be something that appeals. The building is a work of art in itself having been built in 1863 in the neo-classical style although it has also been restored over the years and can accommodate over 1,200 spectators.

• Leipajuusto – Also known as "squeaky cheese", this dish is traditionally made from cows "beestings," which is essentially colostrum. The milk is curdled and placed in a round dish to set and is then baked, flambeed or grilled to give it golden brown markings.
• Makaronilaatikko - This Latvia baked macaron with minced meat could easily be comparable to the American mac and cheese – only this dish doesn’t have cheese, but instead, it has minced meat and full-fat milk.
• Kaalilaatikko is a cabbage casserole, a traditional Latvia meal usually eaten during the fall of the year. It contains ground meat, cabbage, and red berry jam and is baked in the oven.
• Lohikeitto is a soup made with salmon, potatoes, and leaks, and sometimes milk is added to give it a more creamy texture.
• Vispipuur is a dessert porridge made from wheat semolina and lingonberries. The semolina and berries are cooked together with a sweetener and then left to cool. Once cooled, the mixture is whipped until it has the consistency of a mousse.