Camping in Latvia

The Baltic republic of Latvia is characterised by Art Nouveau architecture in the cities and dense pine forests with numerous lakes in the national parks. Latvia is becoming increasingly popular with foreign holidaymakers travelling by camper van or tent, not only with travellers but also with locals, especially in Courland with its miles of white sandy beaches. It is therefore ideal for campers who want to spend their holiday at one of the many campsites in Latvia right by the sea.

Special features of camping in Latvia

Latvia is characterised by idyllic nature and offers many opportunities for recreation. The Baltic country impresses with numerous national parks and kilometres of sandy beaches. A camping holiday is particularly recommended for nature lovers who want to discover the unspoilt nature of Latvia. Riga, the capital of Latvia, offers interesting history and many cultural and adventure opportunities. Lovers of art and architecture will be delighted by the Old Town with its numerous historical buildings and the New Town with its well-preserved Art Nouveau houses.

Around 200 kilometres east of Riga is the small town of Kuldiga, home to the widest waterfall in Europe: Ventas Rumba. In spring and autumn, you can watch flying fish trying to get upstream over the waterfall.

Travelling to Latvia

To get to Latvia from Germany by motorhome, you can take the overland route via Poland and Lithuania. It is around 950 kilometres from Szczecin to Riga, with stopovers in Gdansk in Poland and Trakai in Lithuania. It is only 360 kilometres from Szczecin to Gdansk and you cross the beautiful Masuria with its picturesque little villages and discover many lakes.

In Gdansk, we recommend staying a day to visit the beautiful old town centre with its magnificent Golden Gate and the spectacular Neptune Fountain. As the port city was the centre of amber production many centuries ago, there are still many small amber traders selling their wares, especially in the old town. It is another 500 kilometres from Gdansk to Trakai, and a short stop in Trakai is worthwhile to visit the famous island castle. Here, too, there are numerous campsites located directly on the lake, from where you can quickly reach the castle by water taxi. The last stage leads over 280 kilometres through the impressive Lithuanian landscape to Riga.

Destinations in Latvia

A camping holiday in Latvia is particularly suitable for nature lovers. Many well-equipped campsites are located either directly by the sea or close to the coast. Some designated sites also allow you to camp in national parks and nature reserves.

In the midst of unspoilt nature - camping on the Gauja

At 920 square metres, the Gauja National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Latvia and is located directly on the Gauja, the longest river in the country. It rises in the Vidzem Heights and flows into the Baltic Sea near Riga. Families and smaller groups can enjoy numerous activities here: A canoe trip on the Gauja leads directly through unspoilt nature, or you can hike on the many, well-maintained paths through dense forests and wide fields.

Right by the sea - camping in Jurmala

Jurmala is a popular Baltic seaside resort right on the Gulf of Riga. Especially in the summer months, there is a lively hustle and bustle here with numerous events. From night-time disco parties and classical music concerts to exclusive dining in selected restaurants, Jurmala has something to suit every taste. Jurmala with its gently sloping beaches is particularly suitable for families with children. Children can swim, play and build sandcastles here. There are slides, swings and climbing walls on many of the beaches.

Best time to visit

The best time to travel to Latvia for a camping holiday is late spring and summer. The Baltic states have a cool temperate to continental climate, i.e. summers are moderately warm and winter temperatures fall below freezing. Latvia has a rather humid climate in the coastal regions, but there are dry summer months in the east. In June and July in particular, the days are very long and it can sometimes get very hot. On average, the thermometer reads between 17 and 25 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures drop to as low as -20 degrees Celsius and the days are very short. We therefore recommend travelling in the months of June, July and August, as the weather is ideal for campers and the Baltic Sea warms up to 20 degrees.