Latvia Activities

Latvians are very child-friendly and there are plenty of entertainment options for young ones. A visit to the circus will fascinate old and young alike, while watching wild animals at the zoo never fails to amuse the younger generation.

Riga Circus
Riga Circus’ history goes back almost 100 years, and it is the only permanent circus in the Baltics. It was built by a circus performer, who bought the land where the building now stands. The circus is seasonal and shows start on the second-to-last Friday of October and last until Easter. Two to three regular programmes run alongside a special Christmas and Easter show during this time.

Livu Aquapark
The biggest covered aqua park in the Baltics is located at Lielupe, the gateway to Jurmala. Wild and calm water slides for both kids and adults are on offer, and the park features a special children's town called ‘The Island of Captain Kid’, which boasts thrilling slopes, waterfalls and water cannons. Children's birthday parties can be organised at the water park. For adults seeking to enjoy themselves without children, the park provides an adult area featuring a swim-up bar.

Riga Zoo
Housing 3,000 animals, not including invertebrates, the zoo receives almost the same amount of visitors yearly and is one of Latvia’s foremost ‘green’ organisations. In 2002, the zoo’s area was increased by three and a half hectares and its buildings were renovated, while new open-air animal enclosures were built. Children visiting the zoo have the opportunity to watch exotic animals that they cannot normally see, and to play with the domestic animals and pets roaming around. Many educational games and activities can be found throughout the zoo and there is a merry-go-round and a cafeteria.

Lido Complex
Lido is a restaurant-cum-amusement park. The complex features a restaurant serving tasty, traditional Latvian cuisine, a bistro and a beer cellar for adults. A large amusement park offers a child driving school, jumpers, hills, climbers and other fun activities. Parents can also organise children's parties here. In the winter, a gigantic Christmas tree is put up near the complex and a skating rink opens. On sunny weekends, the place is often quite crowded.

Latvia is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast, with its many national parks and nature reserves. Here, visitors can enjoy boating on the many rivers and lakes or watch elsewhere rarely seen birds in their natural habitat.

Hiking
With about 10 per cent of its area below sea level, Latvia has many wetlands, rivers and forests. The country’s highest point is just 311 metres. In summer, hikers can walk the trails in the national parks and protected areas. Latvia’s largest national park is Gauja National Park, located 32kms north of Riga, between Sigulda and Valmiera. Straddling the River Gauja, it offers caves, rocks and thick forests. Among the abundant wildlife here are elk, deer, brown bears and wolves. Nature trails are on hand to introduce hikers to the plants and animals. Kemeri National Park also has lots of flora and fauna. Another popular hiking route is the Amber Trail along the western coast of Courland.

Bird-watching
The wetlands and traditionally cultivated farmlands of Latvia are a magnet for large populations of interesting and rare birds. The country’s plentiful fields and meadows are home to the corncrake, now rare in other parts of Europe. White storks can often be seen in farming areas near wetlands. Northern European birds such as red-throated and black-throated divers and Slavonian grebes breed in the open water. Reed marshes are home to bitterns and marsh harriers, while ospreys and the large white-tailed eagle can be found near lakes and rivers. The forests are home to a range of birds including hazel hens, black storks, pygmy owls and three-toed woodpeckers. Bird-watching trips can be arranged by local operators.

Water sports
Water sports are popular and available on the many rivers and lakes and on the coast. The River Gauja is a popular spot for boating, with accommodation and mooring facilities on hand. Many visitors go canoeing on the Abava, Gauja and Salaca rivers, and in the Latgale lakes region. On the coast, you can find yacht harbours. Freshwater and marine fishing are very popular. Anglers can catch perch, pike, salmon, eel and herring.

Since independence and the resulting influx of tourists, the dining scene in Latvia has much improved. This applies not just to Riga, but too many towns and cities all over the country. But even though many international restaurants have opened, Latvians are as fond of their local specialities as ever. Latvian cuisine is typical for temperate and northern countries, high on butter, fat and grains, and low on spices.

Cabbage and pea dishes are popular, while local grilled pork ribs, smoked fish, piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions) and sorrel soup (made of pork, onions, potatoes and barley) dishes are commonly found on menus here.

In summer and autumn, good use is made of berries, which are freshly picked from the forest. Fruit pies and tarts are abundant at this time of year. For dessert, try the delicious Alexander torte, which is made from pastry strips filled with raspberry or cranberry. Dairy products are also very popular and Latvian cheeses, while maybe not quite as famous as those from other European countries, are certainly worth trying.

To wash it all down, try the excellent local beers, but beware of their strength so you don’t fall under the table. The stronger dark beers include Bauskas, Tumsais and Porteris, while the more common pale beers are Bauskas, Gaisais, Aldara Zelta and Aldara Luksusa. Another traditional Latvian alcoholic drink is Riga’s Melnais Balzams or Black Balsam. This is a thick, black alcoholic liquid, which is said to have cured Catherine the Great of fever when she visited the country. Latvians refuse to part with the recipe, but if you want to try it, put some in your tea or coffee first as it is quite strong. Oddly enough, it’s also a very effective hangover cure.

Latvia provides many shopping opportunities for visitors, and prices are generally lower than in Western Europe. There are many locally-made products worth sampling, which were already popular during Soviet times.

Latvian-made Laima candies are a great buy. During the Soviet era, the candy was devoured by all the children throughout the Communist empire, and Laima-brand chocolate is heavenly. It's one of the best souvenirs you can buy. The Latvian national liqueur, Riga Black Balsam, if nothing else, is a good conversation starter.

Apart from the ubiquitous Baltic amber, line clothes are typical handicraft products of Latvia. Their price is reasonable and some of the designs are fantastic. In the small souvenir stalls in the streets of Vecriga, you can also find a lot of Russian Matriushkas. Shoppers can also find some real treasures in the antique stores sprinkled throughout the city centre.