Latvia is no longer the Baltic’s best-kept secret. Once considered a side trip between better-known capitals, this forested country on the Baltic Sea is stepping into the spotlight, offering a compelling mix of cobblestone charm, palatial elegance and cultural experiences with a sharp modern edge. At the center of it all is Riga, a city of architectural masterpieces and culinary reinvention that makes an ideal base for exploring the region’s most memorable sights. And the luxury scene is fast rising.

Stay in Style: Two of Riga’s Finest

Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is a 5-star landmark in the city’s heart. Rooms are quietly elegant, blending crisp modern lines with historic warmth, some boasting dreamy city and park views. The hotel features a full-service spa and wellness center, complete with an indoor swimming pool, sauna and treatment rooms. The rooftop Stage 22 restaurant and bar is a top choice for sundowners and skyline selfies. The brand’s signature Ladies in Red concierge team operate very much like local best friends.\

© Kempinski Hotels

Grand Palace Hotel, a few blocks deeper into Old Town, offers a cozier, more classic alternative. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this boutique luxury property occupies a former bank building dating to 1877. Rooms are understated yet plush, with soaking tubs and a modern home aesthetic. Breakfast in the vaulted dining room feels like a special occasion, even if you’re just opting for coffee and herring. Though smaller in footprint, the location puts you steps from Dome Cathedral and House of the Blackheads.

Art, Architecture and Balsam

In Riga, begin with a walking tour through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, where Gothic churches and Baroque facades climb above cobbled lanes, then head to the Art Nouveau district for a visual feast. With more than 800 ornate buildings, Riga is home to the largest Nouveau collection in the world. Don’t miss Riga Art Nouveau Centre museum, a 1903 apartment restored to period glory.

Cultural touchpoints continue inside Riga Dome Cathedral, where daily Concerto Piccolo showcases one of Europe’s largest pipe organs. Just around the corner, climb the tower of St. Peter’s Church for panoramic views of spires, markets and the Daugava River. Break for a medieval lunch at Rozengrāls, housed in a 13th-century wine cellar, lit by candlelight and serving period recipes.

© Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

Later, explore Latvia’s signature liqueur, Riga Black Balsam. Crafted in Riga since 1752 from 24 natural ingredients including ginger, black pepper and gentian, it’s a bittersweet herbal liqueur that roots deep in local tradition. Traditionally served neat or in hot tea, you’ll now find it served in creative cocktails, too.

Flavors of Latvia

Plan to spend at least a day diving into Latvia’s evolving culinary identity, from farmhouse traditions to contemporary tasting menus. Āgenskalns Market is a good place to start. Housed in a restored 1920s brick hall, this lively community hub brings together foraged mushrooms, smoked fish, herbal liqueurs and birch sap sodas. Riga Central Market, Europe’s largest, is set inside five former Zeppelin hangars filled with stalls piled high with pickled vegetables, honeycombs and slabs of smoked pork fat.

Āgenskalns Market © Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

Modern fine dining in Riga has earned international recognition, with several spots landing on the Michelin map. Three Chefs Restaurant, with its open-plan kitchen and playful presentations, remains a favorite. For a livelier setting, Chef’s Corner delivers seasonal tasting menus and premium meats with warm, attentive service in a stylish brasserie atmosphere.

Beyond Riga: Palaces, Castles, Caves
Latvia’s compact scale makes it easy to layer on countryside and coastal escapes. Some of the nation’s most atmospheric estates and scenic sights sit just beyond the capital.

Thirty minutes from the city and accessible by affordable rideshare or direct train, Jūrmala offers a breezy coastal contrast. Known for its long stretch of Baltic beach, gingerbread-trimmed villas and legacy of wellness tourism, the town has evolved into a stylish but easygoing retreat where spa days and shoreline strolls go hand in hand.

Jūrmala © Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

South of Riga, Rundāle Palace is a standout. Built in the 18th century by the same Italian architect behind St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace, this Baroque masterpiece gleams with gilded stucco; ceiling frescoes; and symmetrical, French-style gardens. Take a guided tour with a costumed interpreter. Nearby, the partly restored Bauska Castle pairs medieval ramparts with Renaissance wings for a deeper look at the region’s layered history.

To the northeast, the river-cut terrain of Gauja National Park feels like a Baltic fairytale. In Sigulda, visit Livonian Order Castle ruins and Sigulda New Castle, then cross the Gauja Valley by cable car for sweeping views of sandstone cliffs and lush forest. For a dose of adrenaline between sightseeing stops, ride the Olympic-grade Latvia Bobsleigh track with a trained pilot. It’s open year-round with ice in the cold months and wheels when it’s warmer.

Rundāle Palace © Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

More relaxed outings unfold in Līgatne, where a historic paper mill has become a cultural site and candlelit wine tastings are held inside sandstone caves carved into the cliffs. Local wines here lean toward berry, fruit and flower varietals, and tastings include specialties like rhubarb and apple ice wine. Consider overnighting at restored manor houses like the grand Mālpils Manor or the spa-forward Mazmežotne Manor, where curated interiors, fine dining and pastoral quiet offer a deeper glimpse into Latvian countryside life without the need to return to the city between stops.