GENERAL

Sitting on the spectacular Baltic Coast, in between Estonia and Lithuania, and just across the water from Sweden, Latvia is a small but beautiful country that is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe.

Holidays to Latvia are perfect for those looking for an imaginative city break in Riga, groups of friends looking to enjoy the capital's famous nightlife and outdoor enthusiasts planning to take advantage of the untouched national parks.

Riga: beautiful & buzzing...

The capital Riga is a beautiful city and an essential stop on any holiday in Latvia. As with Tallinn and Vilnius, the city's historic centre is a Unesco World Heritage site, although in this case it is the magnificent Art Nouveau architecture rather than the medieval that is the major highlight. Known as the Jugendstil Quarter, it is home to a dazzling array of over 800 Art Nouveau buildings rated as the finest example in the whole of Europe.

The city may be old, but the atmosphere is anything but. Riga is a buzzing, dynamic city that has earned itself a reputation as one of the party capitals of the east. The nightlife in Riga is a blast with a countless and eclectic range of bars, nightclubs and music venues with a youthful, thrill-seeking vibe. Riga is also definitely the place to enjoy a little shopping on a holiday to Latvia.

The winding streets of the Old Town are the place to start and where many international designer boutiques can be found, whilst the vibrant Central Market is a good place to look for bargains as well as enjoy a slice of typical Riga life.

The Baltic Coast & the Great Outdoors...

If you want to hit the beach on your holiday to Latvia, head west to the country's top resort Jurmala - a breathtakingly sublime 33km stretch of perfect white sandy Baltic Coast. The resort is famous for its spa treatments so prepare yourself for a pampering.

Alternatively, lovers of the great outdoors will find Latvia's rolling national parks a paradise for birdwatching, cycling, camping and hiking. The largest, Gauja, is the highlight, whilst Gauja Rivers is a water sports hotspot.

If you like the sound of Latvia...

...take a look at our guide to Baltic breaks in Denmark and Finland or take a look at holidays to Russia here.