Latvia
Riga, the Gauja Valley and an endless Baltic coast.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 7–10 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- jun–Aug (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 2,250 km to Riga (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 3 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- No vignette for passenger cars (Details and source)
- Paying
- euro
- EU member
- yes
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the euro. With a map and contactless pay works in cities, supermarkets and larger campsites usually easily. Nevertheless, have some cash with you for small campsites, market stalls and parking machines (our experience).
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Labdien: good day
- Paldies: thank you
- Lūdzu: please
- Uz redzēšanos: goodbye
Documents and border
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.
Health and safety
Take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of your health insurance card or available from your health insurer): it gives you necessary care in public healthcare under local conditions. Travel insurance is still wise, for example for repatriation. The European emergency number is 112.
Source: europa.eu (EHIC)
Traffic rules that matter
The per mill limit is 0.5, and 0.2 for everyone with less than two years of driving license. You also drive during the day with low or daytime running lights. From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are mandatory. Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, warning vest, bandage box and fire extinguisher. Children under 150 cm drive in an approved child seat. You don’t need a vignette.
Source: ANWB
Best time to travel
June to August. At midsummer (23-24 June) the whole country celebrates (our assessment).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road vignette | none for cars (only commercial vehicles over 3,000 kg) | No action needed | Latvian road charge law price checked Oct 2026 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Latvia
Sigulda and the Gauja
A wooded valley with Turaida Castle and sandstone cliffs.
Kurzeme coast
A quiet coast in the west, with Kuldīga and the wide Ventas Rumba waterfall.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Riga
The largest city of the Baltic States, with old town and many Art Nouveau buildings, common world heritage. There is a large central market in old Zeppelin halls.
Source: UNESCO: Riga
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Gauja and Sigulda
A river valley with sandstone cliffs, caves and castles like Turaida. You can go canoeing and hiking there; also called 'Latvian Switzerland'.
Source: turaida-muzejs.lv
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Coast and Kurzeme
Long, quiet sandy beaches on the Baltic Sea, from Jūrmala near Riga to the wild coast of Courland in the west.
Source: latvia.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Rundāle
A baroque palace with a large French garden in the south, close to the border with Lithuania.
Source: rundale.net
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A route of 7 to 10 days, often between Estonia and Lithuania (our assessment). Check the travel times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Sigulda and the Gauja Valley.
- Days 4-5: Riga and the zoo.
- Days 6-8: the Kurzeme coast.
- Day 9: Rundāle on the way to Lithuania.
Camping
Where do you camp?
Camping in the Gauja Valley
On the Gauja there are campsites and campsites, also for canoeists. Follow the rules of the national park.
Source: likumi.lv
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Campsites on the coast
On the Baltic Sea there are campsites in the dunes and forests, often quiet (our experience).
Source: latvia.travel
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Rundāle Palace
The gardens are big enough to run around in; inside you see how nobles used to live.
Source: rundale.net
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Līvu Akvaparks
A large indoor water park on the coast near Riga, with an outdoor section in summer.
Piedzīvojumu Parks Tarzāns
According to its own website, the largest adventure park in the Baltic States, with climbing courses and toboggan run.
Summer bobsleigh on the bobsleigh track
With the summer bob on wheels down the real bob track. Weekends April–September in good weather (according to website).
KLIKK
According to its own website, the largest covered family theme park in Latvia, with 260 meters long, two-storey electric cart track, trampoline zone with climbing wall, skate park, Nerf Arena and network labyrinth. Located in Sigulda, so good to combine with the summer bob and Tarzāns. Closed on Mondays.
Rundāle Palace
A baroque palace with a large French garden.
Tickets/tour via Viator → Ad · affiliate link
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Pelēkie zirņi
Grey peas with bacon and onion, a traditional dish.
Rupjmaize
Dark rye bread, sometimes as a dessert with cream and berries.
Jāņu siers
Cheese with caraway seeds, eaten around midsummer.
Debesmanna
A light pink semolina pudding with berries.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (3)
Rundāle Palace
A baroque castle with a large French vocational garden in the south of Latvia, not far from the border with Lithuania. Good to connect with transit to the south.
Source: rundale.net
Camping in Latvia
Campsites are often simple, with modest but clean sanitation facilities; Some have no drinking water, so take water bottles with you. Free camping is allowed in the countryside and in national parks (sometimes for a small fee); on private property only with permission.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Latvia
Nature management
The Latvian nature conservation authority manages the national parks like Gauja and informs about ways and rules.
Source: daba.gov.lv
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Camping in Gauja National Park
The park has its own rules of protection; Some activities are permitted only with written permission. Camp on the pitches in the park. Source: likumi.lv: rules for Gauja National Park
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- likumi.lv: rules for Gauja National Park
- UNESCO: Riga
- turaida-muzejs.lv
- latvia.travel
- rundale.net
- rigazoo.lv
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- ACSI Eurocampings: Latvia
- daba.gov.lv
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Latvia?
No vignette for cars. Prices, points of sale and the official source are in the block 'Toll and Vignette' on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Latvia?
Allowed in the countryside and in national parks (sometimes for a small fee); Private reason only with permission. (Source: ACSI Eurocampings)
What is the best time to travel to Latvia?
June to August. At midsummer (23-24 June) the whole country celebrates (our assessment).
How far is Latvia from London?
From London to Riga it is about 2,250 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 3 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Latvia?
Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our Traffic rules & equipment page. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Latvia?
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.