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Latgale

Plan your trip to Latgale

Latgale is Latvia's easternmost region, known for its rolling lake district, Orthodox and Catholic heritage, and a slower pace than Riga. The area centres on Daugavpils, Latvia's second-largest city, and includes the pilgrimage site of Aglona and hundreds of lakes ideal for summer swimming, fishing, and boating.

Getting there & around

There is no major international airport in Latgale; most travellers fly into Riga and drive roughly 3–3.5 hours southeast on the A6 to Daugavpils. Trains and long-distance buses connect Riga to Daugavpils, Rēzekne, and Krāslava, but a rental car is strongly recommended to reach lakes and rural villages. Roads are generally good, though some routes to smaller lakes are unpaved.

How long to stay

Plan for 3–4 days to see Daugavpils, Aglona, and the lake district without rushing. Add extra days if you want to fish, hike, or explore rural Latgale at a relaxed pace.

When to go

Summer (June–August) is best for warm weather, swimming, and lake activities, with July being the warmest. May and September are quieter and pleasant for sightseeing, while winters are cold and many rural attractions scale back.

Suggested itinerary

  1. Daugavpils city — Explore Daugavpils Fortress and the Mark Rothko Art Centre, then walk the old town and along the Daugava River. Sample local Latgalian cuisine in the evening.
  2. Aglona and pilgrimage sites — Visit the Aglona Basilica, one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the Baltics, and the nearby Bread Museum. Continue to Rēzekne to see the Latgale Congress House and regional culture.
  3. Lake district and Krāslava — Spend the day around the lakes near Krāslava, with swimming, boating, or a scenic drive through the Daugava Loops nature park. Stop at viewpoints over the meandering river valley.

Frequently asked questions

Is Latgale worth visiting?

Yes, if you want lakes, quiet countryside, and religious and cultural heritage away from Riga's crowds. It suits travellers interested in nature, history, and a slower pace rather than nightlife or big attractions.

How many days do you need in Latgale?

Three to four days is enough to see Daugavpils, Aglona, and the main lakes. Nature lovers or anglers may want a week.

How do you get from Riga to Daugavpils?

By car it takes about 3–3.5 hours via the A6 highway. Direct trains and buses also run between the two cities daily.

What is Aglona Basilica known for?

Aglona Basilica is a major Catholic pilgrimage site in Latvia, famous for its August 15 Assumption Day gathering that draws thousands of pilgrims. It houses a revered icon of the Virgin Mary.

What is the best time to visit the Latgale lakes?

June through August offers the warmest weather for swimming and boating, with water temperatures most comfortable in July and early August.

History

Latgale in eastern Latvia has long been a crossroads of peoples, sitting at the frontier between Baltic, Slavic, and Germanic worlds. In the medieval period it fell under the Livonian Order, but after the Livonian War it came under Polish-Lithuanian rule, which set it on a distinct path from the rest of Latvia. Centuries under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and later the Russian Empire deepened its Catholic and Old Believer heritage, unlike the largely Lutheran west. Only in the 20th century, with Latvian independence, was Latgale fully united with the other historical regions.

Culture

Latgale is often called the land of blue lakes, and its rolling, water-dotted landscape shapes a slower, deeply rooted way of life. It stands out for its Roman Catholic faith, the pilgrimage traditions of Aglona, and a rich folk heritage of ceramics, pottery, and singing that remains strongly alive. The region's multicultural mix of Latvians, Russians, Poles, and Belarusians gives its towns a warm, layered character distinct from the rest of the country.

Language

Many locals speak Latgalian, a related Baltic tongue often considered a distinct language, alongside standard Latvian and Russian. A friendly greeting is "Vasals!" in Latgalian, or "Sveiki!" in standard Latvian.

Best time to visit

Summer for the lake district, Aglona basilica pilgrimage, and warm weather.

Places to visit

Where to eat