New Year travellers to Latvia are pointed to local food and Black Balsam

Latvia draws more than a million foreign tourists a year, and interest is not limited to summer. Central Statistical Bureau figures show that tourist accommodation served 2.8 million guests in 2025, including 1.7 million from abroad. The largest numbers came from Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Finland and the United Kingdom.

In a Facebook travellers’ group, a visitor named Steven said he plans to come to Latvia alone around New Year and asked where to stay, what to do, which events to join and what else would make the trip work. Dozens of people replied, among them residents of Latvia and foreigners who have already been.

The food suggestions sit inside a wider city guide. Several people recommend Lido, especially the recreation centre on Krasta Street, where different Latvian dishes can be tasted. They also name the Old Riga folklore club Ala Pagrabs and the restaurant Rozengrāls. For local drinks, commenters suggest trying Riga Black Balsam. Riga Central Market appears among the sights they list alongside the historic centre.

Most replies say to start in Riga, and Old Riga is singled out for its holiday atmosphere. One traveller urges visitors to see in the New Year there, describing the shared countdown to midnight, and also mentions the Christmas market. Others suggest walking the historic centre, looking at the Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta Street, and visiting the House of the Blackheads, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and a tour of the Corner House on the history of the Soviet occupation. Culture-minded visitors are pointed to the Latvian National Opera, and those interested in technology to the Riga Motor Museum. One commenter suggests a guided city walk for more on Riga’s history and lesser-known places.

Outside the capital, Jūrmala is among the most frequently named places, including in winter for a walk by the sea and quiet in the pine woods. Others mention Sigulda and Turaida Castle, and Cēsis with its historic castle and old town. Rundāle Palace drew a particularly enthusiastic note: Lyle wrote that if you have a car it is worth the visit, and that of all the palaces he has seen in Europe he would rank it second, immediately after Versailles. Kuldīga, Tukums and Jelgava are also named. One traveller described a day trip from Riga to Jelgava and the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania.

On lodging, commenters share experience of several central Riga hotels, including Wellton, Neiburgs, Gutenbergs and Radisson Blu Latvija.

Almost everyone stresses preparing seriously for a Latvian winter. One commenter puts it briefly as insulated rubber boots. Others urge several layers of clothing, thermal underwear, a warm outer jacket and waterproof shoes. A woman who was in Riga the previous New Year recalls pavements so icy that people moved like inexperienced figure skaters. Travellers also suggest learning Riga’s public transport in advance, using the train for Jūrmala and downloading the Bolt taxi app.

One participant thinks the turn of the year is not the best time to visit. Other comments point the other way. One tourist says he spent five nights in Riga over the previous New Year holiday, liked the city so much that he has already booked the next trip, this time for six nights.