When to go to Latvia
Latvia packs four dramatic seasons into a small Baltic country. Your ideal timing depends on whether you want long beach days on the Baltic coast, the buzz of Riga's festivals, or quiet, frost-dusted forests. Here is how the year breaks down.
Summer (June to August): peak season
This is Latvia at its liveliest. Daytime temperatures sit around 20 to 23 degrees Celsius, and near the summer solstice the sun barely sets, giving you 18 hours of daylight. Beaches in Jūrmala, the famous resort town just outside Riga, fill up, and outdoor cafes spill across Riga's cobbled Old Town.
The highlight is Jāņi (Līgo) on 23 to 24 June, the midsummer celebration with bonfires, oak-leaf wreaths, cheese and beer, and all-night singing. It is the most important holiday in the Latvian calendar. July brings the Sea Festival in Liepāja and Riga, while August stays warm and slightly less crowded.
Expect peak prices for hotels and book well ahead, especially around Jāņi.
Autumn (September to October): shoulder season
Autumn is a quiet favourite. September is still mild and the crowds thin out, while October sets Sigulda and the Gauja National Park ablaze with red and gold foliage, perfect for castle visits and hiking. Mushroom and cranberry foraging is a national pastime. Prices drop and the Old Town feels calm.
Winter (November to March): cold and atmospheric
Winter is dark and properly cold, often well below freezing, with snow blanketing Riga. But the Christmas markets in Doma Square and Līvu Square are magical, with mulled wine, gingerbread and one of the oldest decorated-tree traditions in Europe. Skiing is modest but Sigulda offers a bobsled track and winter trails. Daylight is short, around six hours in December.
Spring (April to May): the awakening
Spring is a lovely shoulder season. Snow melts, parks bloom, and prices stay low. By May, temperatures reach the mid-teens and outdoor terraces reopen. It is a great time for birdwatching and exploring before the summer rush.
Quick recommendation
- Best overall: late June for Jāņi and long days
- Best value and colour: September to early October
- Festive atmosphere: December for Christmas markets
- Fewest crowds: April to May
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