Latvia Panoramic Road Trip Loop
From Riga to the Gauja Valley and Rundāle Palace, then looping around the Kurzeme Coast back to Jūrmala.
Cover Latvia's main regions in one trip: two days in Riga, castles in the Gauja Valley, a Baroque palace in the south, historic towns, military ports, and the coast in the west, before returning to Jūrmala via Cape Kolka. The drive on Day 4 to change regions is relatively long. Daugavpils is excluded to avoid the enhanced security zone near the eastern border. Perfect for self-driving travelers with plenty of time who want to see the whole picture.
May to Sep is the best time; winter tires are mandatory starting Dec 1.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Riga & Explore Old Town
Riga（House of the Blackheads & Town Hall Square、St. Peter's Church、Riga Cathedral、Three Brothers & Swedish Gate）
About 15–30 minutes from the airport to the city center; do not pick up the car on Days 1 and 2, explore the Old Town on foot.
Stay: Vecrīga
Day 2 · Art Nouveau District & Central Market
Riga（Riga Central Market、Museum of the Occupation of Latvia、Freedom Monument、Art Nouveau District (Alberta iela)）
Walk from the Old Town or take a tram to the market and Art Nouveau district; the sights are all within walking distance.
Stay: Vecrīga
Day 3 · Pick Up Car & Head to Gauja Valley
Drive 53 km from Riga to Sigulda (approx. 50 minutes), then 35 km to Cēsis (approx. 35 minutes).
Stay: Cēsis
Day 4 · Cēsis Castle South to Bauska
Cēsis Castle
Explore Cēsis in the morning, bypass Riga in the afternoon, and head south to Bauska, about 190 km (approx. 2.5 hours of driving).
The castle is closed on Mondays from Oct to Apr, and open daily from May to Sep.
Stay: Bauska
Day 5 · Rundāle Palace to Kuldīga
Riga（Rundāle Palace） → Kuldīga（Pedvāle Open-Air Art Museum）
Drive from Bauska to Rundāle Palace (approx. 15 minutes), then head northwest to Kuldīga, about 180 km (approx. 2.5 hours of driving).
Stay: Kuldīga Old Town
Day 6 · Venta Rapid to Liepāja
Kuldīga（Venta Rapid、Venta Brick Bridge、Kuldīga Old Town） → Liepāja（Liepāja Beach、Seaside Park）
Explore Kuldīga on foot in the morning, then drive about 90 km to Liepāja in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour).
There are few gas stations along the route from Kuldīga to Liepāja; fill up before departure.
Stay: Liepāja City Centre
Day 7 · Karosta Military Port Ruins
Liepāja（Karosta Prison、St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral、Karosta Northern Forts、Great Amber Concert Hall）
A 10–15 minute drive from the city center to Karosta; return to the city center in the afternoon, staying in the same accommodation.
Stay: Liepāja City Centre
Day 8 · Sea Cliffs to Ventspils
Kuldīga（Jūrkalne Bluffs） → Ventspils（Ventspils Castle、Ventspils Port Promenade、Ventspils Beach）
Head north along the coast via Jūrkalne to Ventspils, about 120 km (approx. 2 hours of driving).
Stay: Old Town and City Center
Day 9 · Lighthouse Coast to Cape Kolka
Ventspils（Oviši Lighthouse、Irbene Radio Telescope (VIRAC)） → Cape Kolka
Drive east from Ventspils along the coast to Kolka on fully paved roads, about 120 km (approx. 2 hours of driving).
Guided tours of Irbene must be booked at least 3 days in advance.
Stay: Kolka
Day 10 · Jūrmala to Riga Departure
Drive south along the Gulf of Riga to Jūrmala, about 150 km (approx. 2 hours), then to the airport (approx. 30 minutes).