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Latgale
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Latgale travel combines Latvia’s lake country, Catholic heritage, Daugavpils culture, rural landscapes and distinctive Latgalian traditions.

Latgale occupies the eastern corner of Latvia, a region of forests, rolling farmland and an exceptional concentration of lakes. Its towns and villages lie close to the borders with Russia and Belarus, and its cultural character reflects centuries of contact between Baltic, Slavic and Catholic traditions. Daugavpils, the largest city, is the region’s industrial and cultural centre, while Rēzekne, often described as the heart of Latgale, provides an important base for exploring the surrounding countryside.
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The landscape changes gradually across the region. Around Rāzna National Park, Lake Rāzna forms the centrepiece of a broad, wooded area with sandy roads, small settlements and walking opportunities. Further south, the Daugava valley and the countryside around Krāslava offer wooded slopes and river scenery, while Ludza, one of Latvia’s oldest towns, rises beside a chain of lakes in the north-east. Latgale’s dispersed geography rewards visitors who allow time for short detours rather than attempting to cover every sight in a single day.
Faith is unusually visible in the region. Aglona Basilica is Latvia’s most important Catholic pilgrimage site, drawing large crowds for the Feast of the Assumption in August, while village churches and roadside crosses reflect the enduring influence of Latgale’s Catholic tradition. Orthodox and Old Believer communities also form part of the region’s religious landscape, particularly in and around Daugavpils and the lakes district. Latgalian, a historic variety of the Latvian language, remains an important marker of regional identity and is encountered in cultural events, literature and local museums.
Latgale’s history can be read in its fortifications, sacred buildings and town plans. Daugavpils Fortress is a major nineteenth-century military complex, and the city is also associated with the abstract artist Mark Rothko, whose family came from the area. Rēzekne combines a developing cultural scene with hilltop castle ruins, while Ludza preserves a compact historic setting around its medieval castle site. In the countryside, manor houses, wooden churches and traditional farmsteads reveal a less monumental but equally distinctive heritage.
Food and drink are closely connected with rural life. Potatoes, buckwheat, pork, mushrooms, berries and freshwater fish feature prominently, alongside dark bread, filled pastries and home-produced preserves. Local breweries and traditional spirit-making are part of Latgale’s culinary culture, although visitors should buy alcohol only from legitimate producers. The region suits travellers interested in quiet roads, cultural history, lake landscapes and encounters with a Latvia that feels markedly different from the country’s Baltic coast and capital.

When is the best time to visit Latgale?

Best: June–August · 22–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-140
February035
March540
April1245
May1955
June (best)2265
July (best)2370
August (best)2265
September1660
October1055
November450
December145

Getting to and around Latgale

How to get there

The most practical international gateway is Riga International Airport, outside Latgale, followed by a train, coach or hire car journey east. Daugavpils and Rēzekne are connected with Riga by rail and long-distance road services, while regional roads link them with Aglona, Krāslava and Ludza. Daugavpils is also accessible by international rail services, though routes and border arrangements can change, so check current conditions before travelling. There is no major international airport within Latgale.

Transportation

Rail is useful between Riga, Daugavpils and Rēzekne, and buses connect the principal towns with smaller settlements. A car gives greater flexibility for reaching Lake Rāzna, Aglona’s surrounding countryside, rural churches and lakeside villages, but minor roads may be slow in winter or after heavy rain. Walking and cycling work well around individual towns and protected landscapes, while taxis are mainly concentrated in larger urban centres. Check local transport information before planning a day around an infrequent rural service.

Top city travel guides in Latgale

The cities of Latgale, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Latgale

Latgale’s attractions combine religious heritage, fortified architecture, museums and extensive lake-country landscapes. Daugavpils provides the region’s strongest urban programme, centred on the vast Daugavpils Fortress, the Mark Rothko Art Centre and museums that explore local history and culture. Rēzekne offers a more compact cultural experience, with the Latgales vēstniecība GORS concert hall, a regional museum and the remains of its medieval castle on a hill above the town. Aglona Basilica is both a place of pilgrimage and an important architectural landmark, particularly during the August Feast of the Assumption. Around Lake Rāzna, Rāzna National Park offers forests, wetlands, villages and opportunities for walking, cycling, boating and nature observation. Ludza combines a small historic town with castle ruins and lakeside views, while Krāslava is a gateway to the Daugava valley and its wooded scenery. Rural churches, manor sites, craft workshops, local museums and traditional farms add depth to journeys between the larger centres. The region is best experienced as a sequence of varied stops rather than a checklist of isolated monuments.

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Best landmarks in Latgale

Daugavpils Fortress is Latgale’s most imposing built landmark: a nineteenth-century defensive complex laid out across a vast area, with gates, ramparts and military buildings that reveal the strategic importance of the Daugava corridor. The city’s Church Hill, where several Christian denominations stand close together, reflects its layered religious history. Aglona Basilica is the region’s most significant sacred landmark and one of Latvia’s principal Catholic pilgrimage destinations, recognised for its white façade, twin towers and enduring devotional role. In Rēzekne, the hilltop remains of the medieval castle overlook the modern town and symbolise the city’s long frontier history. Ludza Castle Hill provides another evocative setting above the lakes, while the town’s traditional streets preserve the scale of an old regional centre. Lake Rāzna, often called the Sea of Latgale, is the region’s defining natural landmark, surrounded by the forests and open landscapes of Rāzna National Park. The Daugava valley around Krāslava adds a contrasting landmark landscape of wooded banks, prominent viewpoints and historic settlement patterns.

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Explore Latgale on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Latgale

Latgalian food reflects a cool continental climate and a strong rural tradition, with potatoes, buckwheat, pork, mushrooms, berries, cottage cheese and dark bread appearing frequently on local menus. Freshwater fish from the region’s lakes and rivers may feature seasonally, while filled pastries, pancakes and baked dishes provide practical countryside fare. Daugavpils and Rēzekne have the broadest choice of restaurants, cafés and bakeries, ranging from Latvian cooking to Ukrainian, Polish, Russian and contemporary European influences. Outside the cities, look for guesthouses, farm-based kitchens, market stalls and modest roadside cafés rather than an extensive restaurant circuit. Latgale is also associated with small-scale brewing and traditional spirit-making; regional drinks are best sampled through licensed producers or established hospitality businesses. Farmers’ markets and food events can be good places to find preserves, honey, herbal products and locally made bread, although opening patterns vary with the season.

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Best bars in Latgale

Evening life in Latgale is concentrated in Daugavpils and Rēzekne, with smaller towns generally relying on traditional pubs, hotel bars, cafés and restaurants. Daugavpils has the widest selection of places for a casual drink, live music or a late meal, while Rēzekne’s cultural calendar and GORS concert hall can provide a more performance-led evening. In rural districts, nightlife is quieter and often centres on a guesthouse, local celebration or community event rather than dedicated clubs. Breweries and bars may offer regional beers, and traditional drinks can appear in local hospitality settings, but visitors should use licensed establishments and drink responsibly. Summer brings more outdoor seating and occasional cultural programming, whereas winter evenings are more likely to revolve around restaurants, concerts and intimate bars.

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Best nightclubs in Latgale

Evening life in Latgale is concentrated in Daugavpils and Rēzekne, with smaller towns generally relying on traditional pubs, hotel bars, cafés and restaurants. Daugavpils has the widest selection of places for a casual drink, live music or a late meal, while Rēzekne’s cultural calendar and GORS concert hall can provide a more performance-led evening. In rural districts, nightlife is quieter and often centres on a guesthouse, local celebration or community event rather than dedicated clubs. Breweries and bars may offer regional beers, and traditional drinks can appear in local hospitality settings, but visitors should use licensed establishments and drink responsibly. Summer brings more outdoor seating and occasional cultural programming, whereas winter evenings are more likely to revolve around restaurants, concerts and intimate bars.

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Best shops in Latgale

Shopping in Latgale is strongest in the market towns and larger urban centres rather than in dedicated luxury districts. Daugavpils and Rēzekne have conventional high streets, supermarkets, specialist food shops and independent retailers, while Ludza, Krāslava and smaller towns offer a slower market-town experience. Look for farmers’ market produce such as honey, berries, preserves, mushrooms, bread and smoked foods, with availability changing through the year. Regional craft traditions may be represented by woven textiles, pottery, woodwork, woven belts and Latgalian-themed gifts, although stock varies considerably between shops and cultural centres. Museum shops and craft workshops can be more reliable places to find locally made items than general souvenir stalls. Visitors seeking food gifts should check labelling and customs rules before taking dairy, meat or homemade products across international borders, particularly when continuing towards Belarus or other countries outside the European Union.

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Latgale essentials

Currency and Payment
Latgale uses the euro, with the currency code EUR, like the rest of Latvia. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and larger attractions in Daugavpils and Rēzekne. Cash remains useful at small rural cafés, market stalls, guesthouses and some local transport points, particularly outside the main towns. Keep some smaller notes and coins, and do not assume that every remote business accepts contactless payment.
Safety
Latgale is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary precautions are sensible in busy transport areas and around parked cars. Rural travellers should take care on poorly lit roads, watch for uneven surfaces at historic sites and allow for winter snow and ice. Follow marked guidance around lakes, wetlands and forest paths, use recognised bathing areas where available, and check conditions before boating or walking. The region’s eastern border zones may have specific access or photography restrictions, so obey signs and official instructions.
Emergency Situations
In Latvia, call 112 for urgent police, fire or ambulance assistance; the number is valid throughout Latgale and the rest of the country. Ambulance services can also be reached on 113 and police on 110. Give the operator a precise location, using a town name, road, attraction or map position, as rural addresses may be difficult to identify. For outdoor incidents, remain on a marked route where possible and ask accommodation staff or local authorities for help with the nearest medical facility.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly and behave quietly when entering Aglona Basilica or other churches, especially during services and pilgrimages. Ask before photographing people, religious ceremonies or private property, and follow signs at military and border-related sites. In villages and nature reserves, stay on permitted paths, take litter away and avoid disturbing wildlife. Latvian is the official language, but Russian is widely heard in parts of Latgale; use a polite greeting and do not assume that every resident prefers one language. Tipping is discretionary rather than compulsory, with modest rounding common in cafés and restaurants.
Local Tips
Use Daugavpils or Rēzekne as contrasting bases: the former is stronger on urban, industrial and artistic heritage, while the latter is well placed for central Latgale and Rāzna National Park. Aglona is especially atmospheric outside major pilgrimage dates, when the basilica and surrounding landscape can be explored more quietly. In summer, combine rural sightseeing with time beside the region’s lakes, but expect fewer services in small settlements. Local museums and cultural centres are valuable places to learn about Latgalian language, crafts and everyday history.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloSveiki[svey-kee]
GoodbyeUz redzēšanos[ooz reh-dzay-sha-nos]
YesJā[yah]
NoNē[nay]
Please/You're welcomeLūdzu[lood-zoo]
Thank youPaldies[pahl-dees]
Excuse me/SorryAtvainojiet[aht-vai-noh-yet]
How are you?Kā tev klājas?[kah tev klah-yas]
Fine. And you?Labi. Un tu?[lah-bee. oon too]
Do you speak English?Vai tu runā angliski?[vai too roo-nah ahn-glis-kee]
I don't understandEs nesaprotu[es neh-sah-proh-too]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseEs gribētu redzēt ēdienkarti, lūdzu[es gree-bah-too reh-dzayt eh-dee-en-kar-tee, lood-zoo]
I don't eat meatEs neēdu gaļu[es neh-eh-doo gah-loo]
Cheers!Priekā![pree-kah]
I would like to pay, pleaseEs gribētu samaksāt, lūdzu[es gree-bah-too sah-mahk-saht, lood-zoo]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Palīdziet![pahl-eed-zee-et]
Go away!Ej prom![ay prohm]
Call the Police!Izsauciet policiju![eez-sow-tsi-et poh-lee-tsee-yoo]
Call a doctor!Izsauciet ārstu![eez-sow-tsi-et ahr-stoo]
I'm lostEs esmu apmaldījies[es es-moo ahp-mahl-dee-yes]
I'm illEs esmu slims[es es-moo sleems]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Es gribētu nopirkt...[es gree-bah-too noh-peerkt]
I'm just lookingEs tikai skatos[es tee-kai skah-tos]
How much is it?Cik tas maksā?[tsik tahs mahk-sah]
That's too expensiveTas ir pārāk dārgs[tahs eer pah-rahk dahrgs]
Can you lower the price?Vai tu vari pazemināt cenu?[vai too vah-ree pah-zeh-mee-naht tsay-nu]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Cik ir pulkstenis?[tsik eer poolk-steh-nis]
It's one o'clockIr pulkstens viens[eer poolk-stehns vyens]
Half past (10)Pusstundas (10)[puhs-stoondahs (deh-smit)]
MorningRīts[reetz]
AfternoonPēcpusdiena[payt-pus-dee-nah]
EveningVakars[vah-kahrs]
YesterdayVakar[vah-kahr]
TodayŠodien[shoh-dee-en]
TomorrowRīt[reet]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kur ir...?[koor eer]
What's the address?Kāda ir adrese?[kah-dah eer ah-dreh-seh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Vai tu vari parādīt (uz kartes)?[vai too vah-ree pah-rah-deet (ooz kar-tehs)]
When's the next (bus)?Kad ir nākamais (autobuss)?[kahd eer nah-kah-mice (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Biļete (uz ....)[bee-lyeh-teh (ooz)]

History of Latgale

Early Settlement and Latgalian Identity

The territory of present-day Latgale has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with lakes, rivers and fertile areas supporting farming, fishing and trade. Early communities associated with the Latgalians formed part of the eastern Baltic cultural world. Their language and traditions developed alongside contact with neighbouring Baltic and Slavic peoples. Although later political borders repeatedly changed, a distinct Latgalian cultural identity endured, expressed today through language, religious practice, folklore, music and regional food traditions.

The Medieval Livonian Frontier

During the medieval period, eastern Latvia became part of the political and religious landscape shaped by the Livonian Confederation and the expansion of Christianity. Fortified settlements and churches appeared along important routes, while local communities encountered German-speaking religious and secular elites. Ludza’s medieval castle site is a visible reminder of the region’s strategic position. Latgale stood on a frontier where political authority was less stable than in western Latvia, and its location helped give the region a layered cultural character.

Latgale under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

From the sixteenth century, Latgale was incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and became known as Polish Livonia or Inflanty. Catholic institutions expanded, and the region’s religious profile grew distinct from the predominantly Lutheran areas farther west in Latvia. The Jesuit presence and the development of Catholic pilgrimage traditions contributed to the importance of Aglona. Polish, German, Jewish, Russian and Baltic communities all participated in the economic and cultural life of Latgale’s towns.

Russian Imperial Rule and Catholic Continuity

After the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the late eighteenth century, Latgale became part of the Russian Empire. Imperial administration altered political and economic structures, while new roads and railways gradually connected towns such as Daugavpils and Rēzekne to wider markets. Despite pressure towards cultural and linguistic uniformity, Catholic practice remained influential. Latgale’s written traditions also developed under different conditions from those of western Latvia, helping to preserve a separate regional literary and cultural identity.

The Latgale Congress and Latvian Statehood

In 1917, the Latgale Congress in Rēzekne became a decisive moment in modern regional history. Delegates supported the political unity of Latgale with the other Latvian regions while seeking recognition of its cultural and religious particularities. After the First World War and the Latvian War of Independence, Latgale formed part of the independent Republic of Latvia. The period encouraged education, publishing and civic development in Latgalian and Latvian, although the region remained economically less developed than the country’s western districts.

War, Occupation and Soviet Transformation

Latgale suffered heavily during the twentieth century’s wars and occupations. The Second World War brought military destruction, displacement and the near-annihilation of Jewish communities that had long been part of towns such as Daugavpils, Rēzekne and Ludza. Under Soviet rule, industrialisation expanded in Daugavpils and other centres, while collectivised agriculture reshaped the countryside. Immigration from other parts of the Soviet Union changed the region’s population, and Russian became widely used in urban life.

Latgale in Contemporary Latvia

Since Latvia restored independence in 1991, Latgale has balanced economic challenges with renewed interest in regional heritage. Daugavpils Fortress has been conserved as a major cultural site, Aglona remains a national pilgrimage centre, and museums, festivals and language initiatives support Latgalian identity. The region’s proximity to Belarus and Russia gives it continuing geopolitical importance, while its lakes, forests, religious heritage and distinctive traditions increasingly shape cultural and nature-based tourism.

Latgale in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Latgale, Latvia

Discover Latgale with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more. Plan your perfect trip effortlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Explore Latgale like never before with Evendo, your comprehensive and free app-based travel guide. Discover top attractions, local tips, and easily book your experiences.

  • Comprehensive history of Latgale
  • Essential travel tips for visiting Latgale
  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips to experience Latgale like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Latgale, the hidden gem of Latvia! With Evendo, your journey through this picturesque region becomes effortless and unforgettable. Imagine strolling through the charming streets of Daugavpils, exploring the historical Daugavpils Fortress, or enjoying the serene beauty of Lake Razna. Evendo is here to ensure you don't miss a single highlight. Our app offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Latgale.

Foodies will love discovering local culinary delights at renowned restaurants like Gubernators in Daugavpils or Svente Manor. If you're a history buff, don't miss the Aglona Basilica or the Ludza Castle ruins. Evendo provides rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, making it easy to plan and organize your trip.

With Evendo, you can book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app, eliminating the need to search multiple platforms. Additional features include a comprehensive history of Latgale, essential travel tips, and a 'Near Me' function to easily find nearby attractions. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free to use, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs.

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