Latvia: What to Know Before You Visit Latvia
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- If you are heading to Latvia there are a few things you should know before you head to this forested land. The captial Riga is chock full of great architecture and some neat churches. The occupation museum is probably the most important museum to visit in the capital. Getting around the country is easist by bus. The Euro is the currency of Latvia. And you have forests in the interior and some nice beaches on the coasts to enjoy.
Filmed on the border of Latvia and Lithuania
Copyright Mark Wolters 2019
#latvia #riga #latvija
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Few tips from local. The best way to explore Latvia is by car. Buses and trains can take you only to bigger cities. If you want to see something outside cities, like our beautiful nature parks (Ķemeri Moorland footbridge or Cena Moorland foothpath (which I highly recomend)), you need a car. Also you can't get to Rundale Palace, which is considered Latvian Versailles, by public transportation. And there are many more such places. Latvia has a lot of beautiful places to offer. Unfortunately people visit mainly Riga. About safety - I would dissagree. Riga is safe. I and my friends love to explore weird places, so we have walked in different areas of Riga, which could be considered dangerous, and never had a single problem. Noone really cares about you. Even drunk people. I have walked alone from Oldtown at night and never had a problem. So I am happy to live in a safe city.
Hello there, that's a great tip. Are the places you mentioned in your comment accessible by yandex taxi or bolt? Thank you
@@ngamphundarkhaling6848 hello! I guess so. Haven't tried that way, but should be. I just don't know how much it would cost.
Hi! Can you tell me which "weird places" you are talking about? I would like to visit them. 😁
@@tomhoornaert2583oh, I wrote that comment year ago, so I don't remember now which specific places I meant then. :D Probably Skanste region, but it is completely changed since then. All the garden houses are destroyed, because that region is being developed. Also, we used to walk around Riga and just randomly discover some places, so I don't know specific addresses. Sometimes we just walk in some open gates of housing blocks. There are some interesting yards and unique "worlds" behind Art Nouveau facades.
Im also from latvia
I am from Palm beach,Florida and my girlfriend is Latvian. I spend lots of time in Latvia. Latvia is all about nature,peace and serenity.Riga is Busy city but country is different. And Latvian songs and music just increadably beautiful to listen.
im from the uk and live in lilaste latvia and my wife is latvian we live very close to the beach lovely
@@rudeboz5486Yes my friend I think Latvia is just beautiful country. I love Latvian Music
So nice to read, exactly! For me Riga is only interesting in Christmas, I love getting out of the capital and enjoy nature.
Look at this Latvian gem from the 60s - th-cam.com/video/JNrFXn2o3ms/w-d-xo.html
I don't know why am i watching this, when i live in Latvia
Es ar
Esi arī nezinu kāpēc?
Yap...laikam man nebija ko darīt ar savu laiku
Es arī lol
Un tad ari interesanti :)
As a Rigan I would disagree that Tallinn or Vilnius are better than Riga, the only problem with Riga is that it has made less effort in advertising itself and thought about how to attract tourists, also problems with infrastructure due to incompetent city management. Otherwise Riga has a lot more of great historical architecture than both of those cities. Sadly that also means that it costs a lot of money to renovate all those buildings and because of that a number of them are in bad shape.
Admittedly though, if we compare only the old towns yes, Riga probably loses out as our one is not as big or authentic as in Tallinn or Vilnius, but the early 20th century part, the center area is unrivaled in the Baltics.
I can't say for Vilnius, but certainly Tallin's old town is much smaller and for me less exciting and less interesting than Riga's old town
Vilnius I think is older tho, it also has some interesting places. Am a Lithuanian and am saying what I have seen.
I went to both Lithuania and Latvia last month. Vilnius had very little to do, as soon as we drove into Riga I knew I was going to enjoy it a lot more.
@@Real_Eggman Riga was founded in 1201 (13th century), Vilnius does not have proper records but it was in the 14th century. Sure both cities have more than just some interesting places.
@@Real_Eggman Lithuania is better after visiting both
Latvieši, Kur jūs esat?!
Sadly we are back in the US now :(
Tepat vien esam
gulj majas , dzer alu , skatas ytube un ed sashljik :)
Čau
Te!!
I loved Riga when I had the opportunity to visit it while on a Baltic cruise. It was a beautiful city with good food and beer.
I have travelled a lot around Germany and visit Latvia every year as my parents and relatives all are/were from there. Latvia has really good beer and when you walk into any store the beer selection has more variety and is crazier than the toothpaste section in every American store. One of my favorite breweries is Valmiermuiza.
I’m aways excited when seeing that you have uploaded a new video!
Thanks Roland
In terms of taxi, DO NOT GET INTO TAXI’s at the Airport, they will charge you up to 70euro for a 15 min trip to the centre. It is cheaper to use Yandex Taxi, or Bolt. These are apps equivalent to Uber/Lyft. A trip to the city centre wouldn’t cost any more than 15euro. I suggest downloading these apps as they will save you lots of money. Their prices are very cheap, you can see the exact price you will pay when you book the taxi. Bolt only accepts card prepayments but Yandex Taxi also uses cash.
Or take the Bus for 2.50 Euro
@@djdag2000the bus is only 1.15€ if you buy ticket at the airport.
@@mm166 Ok, thanks
they are now trying to crack down on the taxi mafia in the airport, sadly it took such a long time but perhaps things may change... But if you really need to catch a cab in the airport, take green ''Baltic Taxi'' or Red-White ones called ''Red Cab''. They will charge you a bit under 15 euros to get to the center, with a Bolt or Yandex Taxi app it will be even cheaper, but that's just in case you need a taxi and do not want to bother with the app. They are usually in the second row of taxes though, for some reason extortionists are right next the doors, so go past them...
Becose taxi work russians.
Woow, I can't believe you actually came to Latvia. A year ago, I thought it would be nice if you came to Latvia.
Hello Liga
Love ❤️ your conutry
How can I visit
The apartment rentals sound like the way to go in Latvia. They are such a fun people. For the last six years, we've had students from Latvia stay at our house as they sold books door to door to save up for college. They were so nice. They'd leave presents for Fathers' Day and for my wife and Is' anniversary. I can't wait to see Latvia, and get to know the culture better.
It`s Airbnb what works also in Latvia, so you can look for apartments to rent over there on the nett.
"It's fairly cheap"
- that is if you don't actually work in Latvia... i can see how it can be "cheap" for tourists, though.
Yep true
Tas pats Lietuvoj.
Yeh some of my family live there and it is expensive for them but not my family cause we live in England
Cheap holiday spot, but since the salaries are lower in Latvia it's shit for locals
@⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ yes it is?
if you come to Latvia - rent a car - 25-30 euros a day is well worth the mobility freedom you get . Trains are nonexistant , bussies also not the best option , and country is small enough to be travaled by car in 4 - 6 days . This is especially true if you travel in packs of 3 or more .
What do you mean? Trains go to plenty of places such as sigulda jurmala and liepaja. Ventspils would be nice too but trains don't go there anymore
@@dreamthedream8929 yeah , 6 trains a day is hardly well connected train plan. Also , jurmala and Sigulda are expetions because they are basicly sleeping and chill towns for Riga.
@murderouskitten2577 you said nonexistent whereas six trains is good enough if someone considers getting there by train. It's another option for them. Would be nice if trains would also go to ventspils but perhaps need to wait for that. In addition people can reach tukums, cesis, daugavpils and so on by trains
Thank you, Mark! We never visit a new place without checking out Wolter's World, and Riga is on our list.
If you come to Latvia, please try to explore more than Riga. Cities like Cesis, Talsi, Kuldiga. They are wonderful, especially in summer. Personally Riga makes me frustrated after first 3 hours when I'm in there, so if you're like nature and calm places, just go outside of Riga and enjoy :))
Would you still recommend visiting outside of Riga in the winter time? I’m coming in February but worried that might make outdoor activities more difficult
or Liepāja
But isn’t Riga where they have party haha
@@adobotravelsa lot of people don't like such parties
Wish to visit
Dzimtene 🇱🇻✌️
Yes. Many taxi drivers are greedy bastards there.
What I would recommend is getting an uber-like taxi. There are currently two companies operating in Latvia. Bolt and Yandex.Taxi. Both very affordable. All you need is to get an app.
Yes, we used Bolt in Tallinn, very efficient!
I was gonna say this and bolt is ok but way more expensive
In my opinion, Panda-taxi is the best.
I like Bolt, I use it frequently.
Yandex is a Russian company not recommended
I am Filipina and my husband is Latvian. It is not easy for me to get a Latvia visa here in the Philippines because we don't have Latvian Embassy here. I need to go Japan first so I can apply Latvia visa. But if Japan visa will fail, I don't know where to apply. So sad 😔
you can go to poland and lietuva
@@wollfondot-3410 lithuania*
yes i am know that feail
@@wollfondot-3410 Lithuania*
but then she needs visa for Poland and Lithuania ;d ... i googled and there is Lithuanian embassy in Philippines but doesn't have Poland one.
Mr. Wolters, you are THE MAN! I've always wanted to travel around the world and learn all about the culture and food. Watching everyone of your videos is awesome!
Fun fact: Many people from the Philippines are now searching for LATVIA 🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻 because a Latvian-born investor named James Richman is dating one of the most popular celebrities in the country: Andrea Torres 🇵🇭
Interesting
You are right about the taxi's around Riga. The one's you call up are much more reputable than the random one's you might see on the street. Overall the most reputable taxi companies are Baltic taxi (bright green cars), Red cab (white and red or just red), Bolt (green and white) and Panda taxi (yellow with various colors).
As a local these days I'd order the bolt (using the app) to move around when the public transportation doesn't do
Cool tips, thanks :) Latvia is one of the next countries on my bucket list :)
Thankyou for the wonderful tips again! We just started as travel vloggers and want to share our tips too with everyone regarding travel 😊
Congratulations
I’m a new subscriber and have been binge watching your videos lol. Im heading to the states from Australia next month. My first trip overseas and I’m nervous and excited. Really enjoyed your don’t and do USA content. Lol am 51 and excited like a kid!!
I’m surprised you said Vilnius is prettier than Riga. Everyone has said the opposite to me. I went to Vilnius in February and have Riga this Sunday, so I suppose I’ll find out for myself!
The architecture is different, in Vilnius more amazing baroque architecture and in riga more amazing art nouveau architecture
Wow Latvia so beautiful country
My great grandmother was from Latvia. I’m not sure exactly what area but I want to visit one day.
I live in Latvia and you are right Latvia is great place
I hear there are awesome Xmas markets in Riga, and the rest of Central Europe. You should visit this year and do a video, what to buy and expect ect. Love your videos! 😃
I can confirm that Riga has a wonderful Christmas market. As I was there just last year.
I live in Latvia and I can confirm to you that the best place’s to get Christmas dicor is home depo,spice,origo,ikea, sorry if my English is a bit bad
@@ditaannabram4424plus pagan tourism, this seem to attract a lot of people to experience pagan stuff that may be missing in their countries. Various Ķekatas in winter or Christmas and līgo or Jāņi in summer
Only two things are infinite.
The universe and the time I spend watching WW
Agreed. It's the best show on TH-cam
you rock my friend!
@@offthebeatenpathadventures1348 I'll allow it
@@woltersworld All joking aside, you've got two really fun, educational channels.
Go to Jurmala Beach! 30 minutes by train from Riga. 100 % worth it!
I agree
That looks gorgeous. Thanks for the recommendation
Yeh, we've been there last year. Really nice place
As a latvian, i woud say, Ainaži, Tūja, Salacgrīva > Jūrmala is just a crappy and expensive resort made for Russian tourists.
@@Swarmah I don't care. I love it, even though I am not russian
Some of the findings we had after some days in Latvia: In Riga people should be aware of the very uneven stairs in the undercrossings and the cobblestone streets in the old town. Moreover when you sit on a terrace and enjoy a cake or meal be aware that the pigeons, sparrows, seagulls... can be very annoying and even jump on the table to steal your food. But overall Riga and Jurmala are great places for a long weekend in the summer.
Great advice! I'm booked to go there in May
Awesome! Have a fun trip!
Sveiciens visiem Latviešiem!🙂🇱🇻
For Taxis in Baltics use BOLT and Forus. I usually compare which one will give me a cheaper ride at that given moment in time
My great and greatgreatgranparents left Riga so it might be interesting. You mentioned the homestay tradition there. I wonder if Airbnb is replacing it, or just keeping the same thing going but with a different name.
The same Airbnb as everywhere
Ive been in Latvia my whole life and he as a tourist has been in more places than me
It's nice to notice that you and your family have visited to Turku (Finland). My home town ;o) - I will travel to Latvia during this month to see how much it has been changed [after those old days].
Happy to see information on Latvia :)
I'm glad we can share
Now i miss this beautiful place 😊
Looks like a beautiful place! 😍❤
The old city is very interesting.
I like ur name 😂
If you're driving a rental car from Estonia to Latvia, make sure you drive the limit. Don't go over 1km/hr. You'll get a speeding ticket in the mail. This is true as you go Riga!!!! The city will have speed cameras all over the place. Also, make sure you have GPS and find a parking spot before you drive out there. If you like alcohol, Latvia is the cheapest. There's a reason the Finnish go to Estonia for alcohol, and Estonians go to Latvia for alcohol!!!
In Latvia you can go max 10km/h over the limit.
@@harijszeregela6555 Yeah, if you're driving with a Estonian license plate, that's not the case.
That thing about lithuanians coming to Latvia to party cuz here is cheaper was completely wrong. I was in lithuania for 1 month on summer- lithuania is cheaper with no doubts, starting from gas till food and living...
This is helpful, thank you
2:56 Actually not true, because Lithuania has cheeper stuff. If we Latvians want to go shopping big, then the best deal is to go to Lithuania...
Where would you suggest a winter break vacation for students? Currently studying in The Netherlands. Parts of Germany and Innsbruck for the Christmas Markets maybe?
Innsbruck has a good Christmas setting.
Love 😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰
More pictures from all those nature places you recommended????
I'm from Africa I really want to migrate to Latvia for greener pastures
where in africa?
I got along just fine thru the baltics taking the train only.
Nice to see you also exploring the eastern Europe !
I used to work in Latvia back in the day. Good times.
@@woltersworld wow, didn't know that ! Germany , Netherlands, Brazil, Latvia ... Is there any country you didn't live and work in ? Jokes aside, it's my dream as well and thank you so much for inspiring again! Hope to see more videos of you from Eastern Europe, like Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary...
It's actually Northern Europe by location and Eastern Europe by historical context ( ex soviet etc )
@@iggyblitz8739location should be north east like Greece is south east. Even share the same time zone with greece
Is the T silent in Latvia? Or I'm just not hearing you correctly. If that how it is pronounced in Latvian language than it should be on the 10 things that will shock you when visiting Latvia
Thanks
Not hearing me correctly? The sound was a bit off on the recording so that is probably it
@@woltersworld
So it is NOT a silent T.
Thanks
latvia forever
Great Video Mark.. Riga aka Little paris or Paris of the north is on my list of Places to see..
It's a fun city that is for sure
great job! but I suggest showing the country on the map next time!
i have debated putting somethig like that in the beginning of the episodes. Like on the side a globe rotatng and showing where it is
@@woltersworld great idea!
Nice!! Thank you
You are very welcome
@@woltersworld hope to cross paths one day!! Your videos always make me want to visit the spots you vlog about... thank you sir!
Hi am from Latvia 🇱🇻
Hello
I tell you where Latvia is , it’s in the European Union ! I’m a Brit gutted that we are attempting to leave Europe ! Whilst I accept the result , it really is nuts I hope one day the UK will want to rejoin the EU .
goes to Lido , most expensive bistro in country, and complains about restaurant prices 😁😁😁
Lido most expensive bistro? What the hell are you smoking
@@tastoms well , it is expecive and it is not cafe/restaurant , and calling it a tavern is kind of wrong.
Hahaha 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Lido is expensive??? It's the easiest and cheapest way to experience basics of Latvian cuisine. It won't be 100% authentic (but close to it), but it is definitely not expensive.
@@valacarno it is good food. but it is hardly cheap. it is not even average priced.
And yes , IMO , it is expecive , for a bistro.
Why do Americans dislike trains?
Buses are uncomfortable with narrow leg room , no loos restrictive movement etc and some people get car sick.
Ghost disappeared that truck...😜
What were you trying say?
Best videos!
I'm moving there
Pedro O'Farrill it’s nice to see foreigners living in latvia
Between Germany and Poland.... ??
My suggestion is that you take ANOTHER look at the map and the go... 😉
Some misinformation here. I have visited all three Baltic countries and Latvia is definitely not the cheapest. Lithuania is more affordable if you come to visit as a tourist. Also I disagree with ranking Latvia third. From what we saw Riga is the most beautiful capital in the Baltics, certainly the biggest, with beautiful old town and stunning Art Nouveau centre outside the old town. Tallinn is second and Vilnius third. But each to their own, of course..
Come to Lithuania, Vilnius! :)
Those videos are coming next month :)
I am Latvian!!!!
Beware of the winter there. It was -19 degrees celsius when I visited, haha!
It is ok for Latvia. Every year (end of January or February) is one week when temperature is approx - 20/-25 degrees Celsius.
you just happened to visit during that period during January-February (10 days or so) when it's like that. Usually autumn, winter and spring just has a lot of rain and slushy snow, sometimes -4/-6
I really disagree that Vilnius is better than Riga, all the old towns in Riga, Tallin and Vilnius look the same, have the same vibe and history, but sorry Lithuanians, i really don't believe that Vilnius is better than Riga. It was really mean to say that!
I would like to come to latvia for graduation
I'm from Latvia
If you to Latvia go to vilāńi
Is Latvia best for civil engineering master's and did we get any part time jobs plz help me to study there
I stopped counting the, "and stuff like that" comments at 189000.
#LatvianSquad
un pieminekļa!!!
Es mīlu Latviju, es mīlu Latviju
Hi mark. Do you need a Visa to visit russia from Latvia via train?
Yes
What is " stuff like that"?
Video about Latvia, Filmed in Lithuania
Any indians 🙋♂️🙋♂️
Kad viņš Liepāju izrunāja kā Lipaju man bija tāds:who?
Even i can make a video like this. Go to little towns and then make videos, not at the border with lithuania
Taxi goes wrong way.Get a navigator..lol
I am Latvian hi.
Hello
Hi here from sigulda
How can you afford to travel so much?
Nice 👍👍👍👍👍🙋♂️
a tip on how to act with the locals
Latvians are very blunt
but also sincere
if you act like an ass, they'll tell you
if they say that they like you
you know they mean it from the bottom of their heart
and they expect the same from you
don't be afraid to say as is
cuz latvians really dislike people who ''act nice''
Its coldd snowing 😂😂 latviešiii kur esat
Es esmu Latviete viņš ir neparedz!
Lv grupa
I live in latvia
im from Latvia
How haven't you become as well known as Rock Steves? It's a shame.
I ask myself the same question :)
Apparently Rick was difficult to spell at that time; thank you for getting it.
Couldn't you get time on the PBS? Isn't that the point of public broadcasting? You already have enough footage to do 23-25 minute shows.
It's probably safe to say that most of us would agree it wouldn't hurt... Rick has a brick and mortar travel agency now, and (although Rick is the sole reason for my travel bug) you offer a different family oriented spin on the same old travel shows (Rick, if you ever see this I still love you).
@@NeverMetTheGuy Thank you. We have interviewed with a couple production companies but we never made the final cut apparently. Maybe one day.
Latvia Gang
👇
👇
👇
Do us all a favor and eat some cyanide chocolates
Good info. I think its 3 sisters, and not brothers 🙂
It's 3 brothers. 3 sisters are in Tallinn. I live in Riga, so i know ;)
@@shljopa Correct. 🙂
Oooh so thats why everybody knows where is estonia or lithuania but never gives a shit about latvia
malieks visi ir Latvieši kas skatās
Tas vrbt tapēc kad reti kad kāds izveido video par mūsu valsti. Jo lielākā daļa iedzīvotāju nemaz nezin kad pastāv tāda Latvija 😅
Gacha_PlayZ yup
ja,esi no Latvijas uzspied like
who is latvian here nu tad sveiciens jums