Latvia blends medieval charm with Art Nouveau splendor in the heart of the Baltics. From the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Riga to pristine beaches along the Baltic Sea, this compact country offers rich history, vibrant culture, and unspoiled nature.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Jurmala Beach
Latvia's most popular beach resort with 23km of white sand on the Gulf of Riga. Shallow warm water safe for young children, playgrounds, beach cafes, and the charming wooden villa town of Jurmala to explore.
Duration: Full day
Gauja National Park and Turaida Castle
Explore Latvia's oldest national park featuring a fairytale red-brick medieval castle, Latvia's largest cave (Gutman's Cave), and forested hiking trails. The cable car across the Gauja valley is thrilling for all ages.
Duration: Full day
Riga Zoo (Rīgas Zoodārzs)
The oldest zoo in the Baltics with 3,000+ animals in naturalistic enclosures. Popular with young children. Located in Mežaparks (Forest Park) area of Riga with a mini railway through the zoo grounds.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Over 100 historic rural buildings in a lakeside forest setting. Children love exploring farmsteads, watching craft demonstrations, and feeding animals in summer. One of the most family-friendly experiences in Latvia.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Riga Motor Museum (Rīgas Motormuzejs)
World-class automotive museum with a remarkable collection from Soviet limousines to racing cars. Interactive displays and the impressive collection of Soviet-era vehicles including Stalin's armored ZIL fascinate older children and adults alike.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Sigulda Bobsled Track Wheeled Bob Ride
The only bobsled track in the Baltics offers wheeled bob rides for non-athletes reaching up to 80 km/h. Minimum age 14 for solo ride, younger children can ride with an adult. Combined with Sigulda forest adventure park.
Duration: Half day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Dodo Hotel
Modern hotel in Centrs with spacious family rooms, contemporary design, and excellent central location. Often cited as Latvia's best value hotel offering consistent quality similar to a Premier Inn.
Family features: Family rooms, cots available, laundry service, adjacent parking
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
Popular riverside hotel with comprehensive spa and pool facilities that older children enjoy. Walking distance to Old Town and Central Market. Good for a mix of sightseeing and relaxation.
Family features: Pool, sauna, family rooms, riverside location, cots available
Radisson Blu Latvija
Modern high-rise hotel in central Riga with panoramic views, comprehensive facilities, and reliable international standards. Family rooms available and the skyline bar is memorable for older children.
Family features: Family rooms, pool, spa, central location, kids welcome at breakfast
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Lido Atpūtas Centrs (Krasta iela 76) is the ideal family restaurant — self-service Latvian buffet with separate children's section, playground, and something for every taste at very reasonable prices
Most Riga restaurants welcome families with children — high chairs are standard and children's menus available at casual restaurants
Pelmeni (dumplings) at Pelmeni XL are universally popular with children at €4-5/portion
The Riga Central Market's food stalls let children choose from an exciting array of foods — excellent for picky eaters
Breakfast buffets at mid-range hotels are excellent value in Latvia — typically €8-12/adult, children often free or half price
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Riga's public trams and buses have low-floor access with space for pushchairs — the network is stroller-friendly throughout the city
Most Latvian museums offer free admission for children under 18 or heavily discounted child tickets
The Jurmala beach train (€2 adults, €1 children) is an easy family day trip with shallow, warm Gulf water in summer
Pack warm layers even in summer — Baltic evenings cool down quickly and children get cold faster than adults