Visa information

Latvia is a member state of the European Union and travelers have the same rules as in other EU member states. It means citizens of Malta do not require a visa for visits less than 90 days. Latvia is a signatory of the Schengen Agreement; accordingly, there is no border control for persons entering from the European Union. Learn more

Residence and work permits

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs can provide visitors useful information on residence and work permits.  Learn more

Direct flights from Malta to Riga

Direct flights from Malta to Riga are carried out by Latvian national airline airBaltic. Riga International Airport (RIX) is the largest airport in Latvia and has international connections to Estonia, Russia, Poland, and Lithuania. Learn more

Things to see in Latvia

Located at the coast of the Baltic Sea, Latvia is one of the three Baltic countries offering a wide range of tourism attractions. Latvia is famous for its beautiful rural landscape, forests, rivers and lakes, the country is also known for its rich history and sophisticated cultural heritage. The main tourist destination is the capital city of Riga and the nearby community by the sea called Jurmala. Other large towns in Latvia are Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Rēzekne and Ventspils.

The most beautiful part of the capital of Riga is the Old Town – home to beautiful old-style houses with ornaments and sculptures, churches, monuments and historical places going side by side with prestige art galleries, best of restaurants and hotels.  The central part of the Capital – Riga has been recognized by UNESCO and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its rich history and architectural styles. Learn more

Jurmala is another popular place in Latvia, offering its visitors long walks along the sandy beaches or delicious meals at the beautiful cafés and restaurants. Learn more

Latvia is divided into four different historical and cultural regions:

  •        Kurzeme is situated in western Latvia. Rich in pine forests and a thriving fishing industry make it a beautiful and Largest towns are Kuldīga, Liepāja, Saldus, Talsi, and Ventspils. Learn more
  • Vidzeme lies in the north-east of Latvia. In the south-east it is on the border of Latgale, in the south – Zemgale and in the west on the border of Riga district. In the north Vidzeme has the border with Estonia and in the east with Russia. Most exiting towns in Vidzeme are Cēsis, Valmiera and Sigulda, Learn more
  • Zemgale has the status of one of the four historical and cultural regions of Latvia. It is situated in the middle of the southern part of the Republic of Latvia. Important towns are Jelgava, the former capital of the Duchy of Courland and Semigalia, and Bauska. Learn more
  •      Latgale is situated to in the eastern part of Latvia to the south. It is the only historical region of Latvia with its own distinct language, which is still widely spoken. Important cities are Daugavpils, Jēkabpils and the capital of the region – also called the Heart of Latgale – Rēzekne. Learn more

Latvia has a comparatively untouched nature and half of its territory is covered with forests where all of its nature and wild animals can be observed.Learn more

Over one third of the 1 836-kilometer long Latvian border runs along the Baltic Sea. At the Latvian seaside you can find old fishing villages and comfortable resorts, quiet and secluded, with access to open air and nature, and diverse relaxation options. Learn more

Tourist assistance

To assist with tourists’ stay in Latvia in almost any city or town, there is a tourism information centre (TIC). There is also an official tourist information telephone line – 1188. Learn more

Climate and weather conditions

Latvia has four typical seasons – summer, autumn, winter, and spring.  Each of them is original with its own beauty, natural variety and offers different leisure and entertainment opportunities. However, the best time to travel to Latvia is from June to mid-September when it is summer. January and February are the coldest months. October and November have autumn rains and daylight is short.  Learn more

Accommodation in Latvia

Latvia offers a broad range of overnight accommodation. For those who value comfort and luxury, there are hotels available in the city of Riga and other Latvian cities and towns, while those who wish to enjoy rural calm can choose a guesthouse or campsite in the Latvian countryside.  Learn more

Currency and prices

Latvia is a member of the European Union, and the national currency of Latvia is the euro.

Travel safety

As in every EU Member State, safety in Latvia is ensured by several services that you can call 24-hours a day. In case of any emergency, call the emergency number 112 (free of charge). You can also seek help at the Tourism Police. In order to ensure a safe and pleasant trip to Latvia, please read the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the State Police. Learn more