people come to Latvia they often forget to explore any other city besides Riga. Although Riga is a beautiful place, there are many interesting cites to see outside of the capital. Your rental car can take you to some great cities for a short day trip or on a longer overnight stay.
Cities within 100 km
Jurmala – Only 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Riga, you will discover the amazing beach city of Jurmala. This is one of the best resort towns in all of the Baltic States. There are 5 star hotels and spas, a beach stretching 33 km, a calm river featuring huge sand dunes, a great old town atmosphere and an indoor water park. Jurmala is best enjoyed in the summer, but it is also a fun place in winter.
Sigulda – Less than an hour drive from Riga is the contemporary and environmentally conscience city of Sigulda. The slogan of the city is ‘Breathe Freely’ which really encompasses their dedication for preserving nature while progressing into future projects. There are great ecotourism opportunities in Sigulda including skiing in the winter and a high ropes course in the summer. Sigulda is located on the Gauja River and is very close to the Gauja National Park where you can enjoy recreation throughout the entire year. They also take great care maintaining architecture and historical areas for amazing manmade sights from recent buildings to ancient castles.
Jelgava – Only 42 km to the south of Riga is the city of Jelgava. There are many impressive sights such as the Jelgava Palace, St. Anne’s Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. Witness some chilly art in February during the ice sculpture festival or feed your wild side with some sky jumping in the summer. Jelgava is most famous for its local nightlife featuring the huge club Tonuss and Jelgavas Cetri Balti Krekli a place where they only play Latvian music.
Farther than 100 km
Daugavpils – About a 3 hour drive to the east of Latvia is Daugavpils, the second largest city in Latvia. This is a wonderful place to come and spend a couple of days admiring the architecture and absorbing the history. The Daugavpils Fortress is one of the most impressive in all of Europe. Finished in 1833, this is the only fortress of its kind that has lasted so long. The city is also famous for the Daugava Dam, the unity house, and the unique church hill. At the peak of a small hill there are four churches that share a common area giving the landmark and appropriate nickname.
Liepaja – 160 km from Riga is the seaside city of Liepaja. It is located on a thin strip of land between the Baltic Sea to the west and Lake Liepaja to the east. The white sand beaches on the sea and the rich fishing area of the lake make Liepaja a great summer destination. There are also some amazing sights in the city including a host of museums, some old churches, famous monuments and stunning architecture. Liepaja is gaining recognition for its Baltic Beach Party festival located directly on the coast of the sea.