Jāņi Day

📣 Traveler notes

Latvia, a Baltic state, offers a mix of cultural and natural attractions. Key sites include the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Riga, a 500km unspoiled coastline, and regional spots such as Liepāja (beach and former military area), Kuldīga (Europe's widest waterfall), and Cēsis (medieval castle ruins). Extensive forests offer nature exploration.

• For event information and ticketing, consult local websites like bilesuparadize.lv.
• Major annual celebrations include New Year's Eve (Dec 31 - Jan 1) and Easter (Lieldienas) in April, featuring various local traditions.
• The summer solstice celebration (Vasaras saulgrieži) is a significant traditional event, often held in popular locations such as Sigulda.
• Latvians are generally reserved; maintain personal space, as direct conversation initiation with strangers is uncommon. Avoid public displays of strong emotion or inquiry into personal topics (e.g., salary, politics, religion). Littering is illegal. Local courtesy includes holding doors and allowing others to board public transport first. Be sensitive to local history regarding the Soviet occupation. Note that the swastika symbol, when used as a pagan ornament in folklore, does not relate to Nazi Germany.