Daugavpils

Latvia's second-largest city, home to a vast 19th-century tsarist fortress and the Mark Rothko Art Centre celebrating the painter born here. Its multicultural streets, red-brick industrial heritage and riverside setting make it the natural hub of the region.

Things to do

• Daugavpils Fortress — Explore the vast early 19th-century tsarist fortress, one of the best-preserved of its kind in Europe, with ramparts, gates and a living residential district inside.
• Mark Rothko Art Centre — See original works by the abstract expressionist born in Daugavpils, housed in a restored fortress arsenal building.
• Church Hill (Baznīckalns) — Walk between four grand churches of different denominations standing side by side, a striking symbol of the city's religious diversity.
• Vienības Nams and central square — Admire the interwar Unity House and stroll the pedestrian Rīgas iela lined with art nouveau and red-brick architecture.
• Latgale Zoo — Visit Latvia's only tropical-focused zoo, known for its collection of reptiles and exotic animals.
• Daugava riverside walk — Follow the embankment along the Daugava River for open views and a relaxed sense of the city's setting.
• Shot glass and lead shot factory tour — Tour the historic Daugavpils lead shot tower, one of the last working shot factories in the world.

Food to try

• Latgalian kļocki — Hearty potato dumplings often served with sour cream or bacon, a staple of the region's rustic cooking.
• Silķe ar kartupeļiem — Salted herring with boiled potatoes, onion and sour cream, a beloved everyday dish in this borderland city.
• Šmakovka — Traditional Latgalian home-distilled moonshine, now legally produced and offered as a local specialty to sample.
• Grey peas with bacon — A classic Latvian dish of grey peas fried with onion and speck, filling and widely available.
• Rye bread and kvass — Dark sourdough rye bread and the fermented bread drink kvass reflect the everyday tastes of the region.

Local customs & good to know

• Many languages are spoken — Russian is widely used alongside Latvian here, and locals appreciate a simple Latvian greeting like 'labdien'.
• Respect the multicultural heritage — The city blends Latvian, Russian, Polish, Belarusian and Jewish histories, reflected in its churches and neighbourhoods.
• Allow time for the fortress — The fortress is a large inhabited district, so plan a couple of hours and wear comfortable shoes to explore it properly.

Nearby

• Krāslava — 39 km
• Aglona Basilica — 41 km
• Aglona — 41 km
• Daugava Bends Nature Park — 45 km