{"id":2262,"date":"2026-05-25T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/?p=2262"},"modified":"2026-09-01T07:45:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T07:45:11","slug":"latvia-road-trip-riga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/destinations\/latvia-road-trip-riga\/","title":{"rendered":"Latvia by Car: A 3-Day Road Trip From Riga to the Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2262\" class=\"elementor elementor-2262\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36f91067 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"36f91067\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-505cc9a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"505cc9a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p><style>\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Hide Astra default post title + meta for this post \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.single-post .entry-title,\n.single-post .entry-meta,\n.single-post .ast-post-format-meta,\n.single-post .post-meta { display:none !important; }\n.single-post .entry-content { padding-top:0 !important; margin-top:0 !important; }\n.single-post .ast-article-single { padding-top:0 !important; }\n.ast-separate-container .ast-article-post,\n.ast-separate-container .ast-article-single { padding:0 !important; box-shadow:none !important; border-radius:0 !important; }\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Design tokens \u2500\u2500 *\/\n:root{\n  --htfg:#2D5A3D;--htfgl:#3A7250;--htfgd:#1a3d28;\n  --htfau:#C8A45A;--htfaul:#E8D5A0;--htfaup:#F6EED9;\n  --htfow:#F8F7F4;--htfg1:#F2F1EE;--htfg2:#E5E3DE;\n  --htfg4:#A8A49C;--htfg6:#6B6860;--htfg8:#2C2A26;--htfbk:#1A1917;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 HERO \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-hero{position:relative;background:linear-gradient(180deg,var(--htfow) 0%,#fff 100%);padding:72px 20px 56px;overflow:hidden;}\n.htf-hero::before{content:\"\";position:absolute;top:0;right:-120px;width:420px;height:420px;background:radial-gradient(circle at center,var(--htfaup) 0%,transparent 70%);z-index:0;}\n.htf-hero::after{content:\"\";position:absolute;bottom:-80px;left:-100px;width:380px;height:380px;background:radial-gradient(circle at center,rgba(45,90,61,.08) 0%,transparent 70%);z-index:0;}\n.htf-hero-inner{max-width:820px;margin:0 auto;position:relative;z-index:2;}\n.htf-breadcrumb{font-size:12px;color:var(--htfg4);letter-spacing:1.5px;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:24px;}\n.htf-breadcrumb a{color:var(--htfg4);text-decoration:none;}\n.htf-category{display:inline-block;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;color:var(--htfau);letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:20px;padding:6px 14px;border:1px solid var(--htfau);border-radius:2px;}\n.htf-hero h1{font-family:'Playfair Display',Georgia,serif;font-size:52px;font-weight:400;line-height:1.1;letter-spacing:-1px;color:var(--htfbk);margin-bottom:24px;}\n.htf-hero h1 em{color:var(--htfg);font-style:italic;}\n.htf-hero-deck{font-size:18px;color:var(--htfg6);line-height:1.7;font-weight:300;max-width:680px;margin-bottom:36px;}\n.htf-hero-meta{display:flex;gap:32px;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;padding-top:28px;border-top:1px solid var(--htfg2);font-size:13px;color:var(--htfg6);}\n.htf-meta-author{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;}\n.htf-avatar{width:44px;height:44px;border-radius:50%;background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--htfg),var(--htfgd));display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;color:#fff;font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:500;font-size:16px;}\n.htf-hero-meta strong{color:var(--htfbk);font-weight:600;display:block;font-size:14px;}\n.htf-dot{color:var(--htfg4);}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 HERO IMAGE \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-hero-img{max-width:1140px;margin:0 auto 72px;padding:0 20px;}\n.htf-hero-img-inner{aspect-ratio:21\/9;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;background:linear-gradient(160deg,#0d2018 0%,#1a3d28 40%,#2D5A3D 100%);position:relative;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}\n.htf-hero-img-inner::before{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 30% 40%,rgba(200,164,90,.22) 0%,transparent 55%),radial-gradient(ellipse at 80% 70%,rgba(200,164,90,.12) 0%,transparent 50%);}\n.htf-hero-img-inner span{position:relative;color:rgba(255,255,255,.55);font-size:13px;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:500;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 2-COL LAYOUT \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-wrap{max-width:1140px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px 80px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) 320px;gap:72px;}\n.htf-body{max-width:720px;font-size:17px;line-height:1.8;color:var(--htfg8);}\n.htf-body p{margin-bottom:24px;}\n.htf-body p strong{color:var(--htfbk);font-weight:600;}\n.htf-body h2{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:34px;font-weight:400;color:var(--htfbk);margin:56px 0 20px;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:-.3px;position:relative;padding-left:20px;}\n.htf-body h2::before{content:\"\";position:absolute;left:0;top:12px;bottom:12px;width:4px;background:var(--htfau);border-radius:2px;}\n.htf-body h3,.htf-body h4{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:21px;font-weight:500;color:var(--htfbk);margin:36px 0 14px;}\n.htf-body ul,.htf-body ol{padding-left:24px;margin-bottom:28px;}\n.htf-body li{margin-bottom:10px;}\n.htf-body a{color:var(--htfg);text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:var(--htfau);text-underline-offset:3px;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 SHORT ANSWER \/ TLDR \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-tldr{background:var(--htfg1);border-left:4px solid var(--htfau);border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;padding:24px 28px;margin:36px 0;}\n.htf-tldr-label{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfau);margin-bottom:10px;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 TOC \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-toc{background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--htfg2);border-radius:6px;padding:24px 28px;margin:36px 0;}\n.htf-toc-label{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfg4);margin-bottom:12px;}\n.htf-toc ol{padding-left:18px;margin:0;}\n.htf-toc li{margin-bottom:6px;font-size:15px;}\n.htf-toc a{color:var(--htfg);text-decoration:none;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 PROMPT BLOCKS \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-prompt{background:var(--htfg1);border-radius:6px;padding:20px 24px;margin:20px 0;}\n.htf-prompt-title{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.5px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfg4);margin-bottom:8px;}\n.htf-prompt blockquote{margin:0;font-size:15.5px;color:var(--htfg6);line-height:1.7;font-style:normal;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 PULL QUOTE \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-pull{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:24px;color:var(--htfg);line-height:1.4;border-left:3px solid var(--htfau);padding-left:24px;margin:40px 0;font-style:italic;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 CALLOUT \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-callout{background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--htfgd),var(--htfg));border-radius:8px;padding:32px 36px;margin:48px 0;color:#fff;}\n.htf-callout-tag{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfaul);margin-bottom:10px;}\n.htf-callout h3{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:400;margin:0 0 12px;color:#fff;}\n.htf-callout p{font-size:15px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.82);margin:0 0 18px;line-height:1.6;}\n.htf-callout a{color:var(--htfaul);font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;font-size:14px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(200,164,90,.4);padding-bottom:2px;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 NEWSLETTER \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-nl{background:var(--htfg1);border-radius:8px;padding:40px 36px;margin:56px 0;text-align:center;}\n.htf-nl-icon{font-size:32px;margin-bottom:12px;}\n.htf-nl h3{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:400;color:var(--htfbk);margin:0 0 10px;}\n.htf-nl p{font-size:15px;color:var(--htfg6);margin:0 0 24px;}\n.htf-nl form{display:flex;gap:10px;max-width:440px;margin:0 auto;}\n.htf-nl input[type=email]{flex:1;padding:12px 16px;border:1px solid var(--htfg2);border-radius:4px;font-size:15px;background:#fff;color:var(--htfbk);}\n.htf-nl button{background:var(--htfg);color:#fff;border:none;padding:12px 22px;border-radius:4px;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;white-space:nowrap;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 FAQ \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-faq{margin-top:48px;}\n.htf-faq details{border-bottom:1px solid var(--htfg2);padding:18px 0;}\n.htf-faq summary{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:18px;color:var(--htfbk);cursor:pointer;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;font-weight:500;}\n.htf-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;}\n.htf-faq summary::after{content:\"+\";color:var(--htfau);font-size:22px;font-weight:300;transition:transform .2s;}\n.htf-faq details[open] summary::after{transform:rotate(45deg);}\n.htf-faq p{margin-top:14px;font-size:15.5px;color:var(--htfg6);line-height:1.7;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 PHOTO PLACEHOLDER \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-photo-ph{background:#F8F7F4;border:1px dashed #C8A45A;border-radius:6px;padding:40px 20px;text-align:center;margin:36px 0;font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;font-size:14px;color:#A8A49C;letter-spacing:.5px;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 BIO \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-bio{display:flex;gap:20px;background:var(--htfg1);border-radius:8px;padding:28px;margin-top:56px;align-items:flex-start;}\n.htf-bio-avatar{width:56px;height:56px;min-width:56px;border-radius:50%;background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--htfg),var(--htfgd));display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;color:#fff;font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:500;font-size:20px;}\n.htf-bio-tag{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfg4);margin-bottom:4px;}\n.htf-bio h4{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:500;color:var(--htfbk);margin:0 0 8px;}\n.htf-bio p{font-size:14px;color:var(--htfg6);line-height:1.6;margin:0 0 10px;}\n.htf-bio a{color:var(--htfg);font-size:14px;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 SIDEBAR \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-sidebar{}\n.htf-sidebar-sticky{position:sticky;top:32px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:24px;}\n.htf-sb{background:var(--htfg1);border-radius:8px;padding:24px;}\n.htf-sb-label{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfg4);margin-bottom:14px;}\n.htf-sb-toc ol{padding-left:18px;margin:0;}\n.htf-sb-toc li{margin-bottom:7px;font-size:14px;}\n.htf-sb-toc a{color:var(--htfg);text-decoration:none;}\n.htf-sb-share{display:flex;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;}\n.htf-sb-share a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:36px;height:36px;border:1px solid var(--htfg2);border-radius:4px;color:var(--htfg6);font-size:13px;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;}\n.htf-sb-svc h4{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:17px;font-weight:500;color:var(--htfbk);margin:0 0 8px;}\n.htf-sb-svc p{font-size:13.5px;color:var(--htfg6);margin:0 0 14px;line-height:1.5;}\n.htf-btn{display:inline-block;background:var(--htfg);color:#fff !important;text-decoration:none !important;padding:10px 18px;border-radius:4px;font-size:13px;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 RELATED \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.htf-related{max-width:1140px;margin:0 auto 80px;padding:0 20px;}\n.htf-related-label{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfg4);margin-bottom:8px;}\n.htf-related h3{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:28px;font-weight:400;color:var(--htfbk);margin:0 0 28px;}\n.htf-related-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:24px;}\n.htf-card{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;background:var(--htfg1);border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;display:flex;flex-direction:column;}\n.htf-card-img{aspect-ratio:16\/9;background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--htfgd),var(--htfg));}\n.htf-card-body{padding:20px;}\n.htf-card-tag{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--htfau);margin-bottom:8px;}\n.htf-card h4{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:400;color:var(--htfbk);margin:0 0 8px;line-height:1.3;}\n.htf-card p{font-size:13.5px;color:var(--htfg6);margin:0;line-height:1.5;}\n\n@media(max-width:900px){\n  .htf-wrap{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:40px;}\n  .htf-sidebar{display:none;}\n  .htf-related-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n}\n@media(max-width:600px){\n  .htf-hero h1{font-size:38px;}\n  .htf-nl form{flex-direction:column;}\n  .htf-pull{font-size:20px;padding:30px 10px;}\n}\n<\/style><\/p>\n<!-- HERO --><header class=\"htf-hero\">\n<div class=\"htf-hero-inner\">\n<div class=\"htf-breadcrumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/\">Home<\/a> \u00a0\/\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/category\/destinations\/\">Destinations<\/a><\/div>\n<span class=\"htf-category\">Destinations \u00b7 Baltic<\/span>\n<h1>Latvia by Car: A <em>3-Day Road Trip<\/em> From Riga to the Coast<\/h1>\n<p class=\"htf-hero-deck\">We drove Latvia\u2019s Baltic coast from Riga to J\u016brmala and beyond \u2014 here\u2019s exactly what worked, what to skip, and why this under-the-radar road trip belongs on your Baltic itinerary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"htf-hero-meta\">\n<div class=\"htf-meta-author\">\n<div class=\"htf-avatar\">J&amp;A<\/div>\n<div><strong>Joona &amp; Alla<\/strong>Rovaniemi, Finland<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<span class=\"htf-dot\">\u00b7<\/span> May 25, 2026 <span class=\"htf-dot\">\u00b7<\/span> 11 min read <span class=\"htf-dot\">\u00b7<\/span>Updated for 2026<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3173 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Latvia Hungrytravelfamily\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/87C9AB99-A1FC-474A-9AD3-C6BB9AEADF36-1320x1650.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header><!-- ARTICLE + SIDEBAR -->\n<div class=\"htf-wrap\"><!-- BODY -->\n<article class=\"htf-body\">\n<p>We drove into Latvia on a bright June afternoon, crossing from Estonia after a morning in Tallinn. Riga was only three hours south, but the road felt like a slow reveal \u2014 pine forests giving way to rolling fields, a few sleepy market towns, then suddenly the terracotta rooftops of the Old Town rising ahead. We had three days and a rental car. It turned out to be exactly enough.<\/p>\n<p>Latvia is the kind of Baltic destination that still rewards you for showing up before the crowds do. The Latvia road trip we ended up taking \u2014 Riga for the first night, then down the coast to J\u016brmala and the Kemeri bogs, then east toward Sigulda and back \u2014 gave us more variety per kilometre than almost anywhere else we\u2019ve driven in the Nordics and Baltics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"htf-tldr\">\n<div class=\"htf-tldr-label\">Short answer<\/div>\n<p>A <strong>Latvia road trip<\/strong> is very doable in 3 days from Riga. Drive day 1 into the city, day 2 along the Baltic coast to J\u016brmala and Kemeri National Park, day 3 through the Gauja River valley to Sigulda and back. Expect <strong>250\u2013350\u00a0km total<\/strong>, easy roads, and surprisingly affordable fuel and accommodation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-toc\">\n<div class=\"htf-toc-label\">In this guide<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">Is Latvia worth a road trip?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">The 3-day Latvia route, step by step<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">Road trip quick-reference checklist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">Driving tips and practical warnings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">How Latvia compares to Estonia and Lithuania<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">Mistakes we made on the Latvia road trip<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\">A final word from Rovaniemi<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s1\">Is Latvia worth a Latvia road trip in 2026?<\/h2>\n<!-- BODY PHOTO PLACEHOLDER 2 -->\n<p>Yes \u2014 and more than most travellers expect. Latvia sits in a sweet spot between the slightly more touristed Estonia to the north and the underrated Lithuania to the south. Riga alone is one of the most beautiful capital cities we\u2019ve seen anywhere in Europe: a UNESCO Old Town, the largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, and a central market built inside five repurposed zeppelin hangars. That last detail alone should tell you something about the city\u2019s character.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond Riga, the countryside opens up quickly. The Baltic coastline is flat, sandy, and almost entirely uncrowded outside high summer weekends. J\u016brmala \u2014 a string of wooden beach villas and spa hotels 25\u00a0km west of Riga \u2014 has a faded glamour that feels quietly European in a way that\u2019s hard to describe until you\u2019re there. Kemeri National Park just beyond it has a bog boardwalk that genuinely rivals anything we\u2019ve walked in Finland. And the Gauja River valley, Latvia\u2019s answer to a national park, has sandstone cliffs, medieval castle ruins, and one of Europe\u2019s few functioning cable cars across a gorge.<\/p>\n<h4>Why now is a good time to visit<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Still affordable:<\/strong> Latvia remains one of the better-value destinations in the EU. Fuel, accommodation, and restaurants cost noticeably less than Scandinavia or Western Europe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Baltic tourism is growing:<\/strong> Tallinn and Vilnius are getting more attention, but Riga and the Latvian coast are still behind the curve \u2014 which means you\u2019ll have the bog boardwalks and Sigulda castle viewpoints mostly to yourself.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Summer is peak season:<\/strong> June and July are ideal \u2014 long days, warm enough to swim in the Baltic, and the wooden architecture in J\u016brmala looks best in afternoon light.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No special requirements:<\/strong> EU\/Schengen entry, same driving rules as the rest of Europe, euro currency, good road infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"s2\">The 3-day Latvia road trip route, step by step<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve driven this loop twice now \u2014 once in June, once in September. The June version was warmer and greener; September had better light for photography and quieter roads. Both worked well. Here\u2019s the route we\u2019d recommend to anyone with three days and a car.<\/p>\n<h4>Day 1 \u2014 Arrive Riga, explore the city on foot<\/h4>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">Day 1 plan<\/div>\n<blockquote>Arrive Riga by early afternoon. Park near the Old Town or use a hotel with parking (most charge \u20ac5\u201312\/night). Walk the Old Town for 2\u20133 hours: Town Hall Square, St. Peter\u2019s Church tower for the rooftop view, the narrow medieval lanes of the Livu Quarter. Then cross the bridge to the Art Nouveau district \u2014 Alberta iela is the most photogenic street. Evening: dinner in the Central Market area or along Berga Bazars. Sleep in Riga.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">Where to stay in Riga<\/div>\n<blockquote>We stayed at a mid-range hotel in the quiet neighbourhood just east of the Old Town. Rates run \u20ac60\u2013110\/night for a solid double room. Airbnb is also well-priced in the Art Nouveau quarter. Avoid the cheapest options on Booking.com near the bus station \u2014 the neighbourhood is fine but you lose the walkability that makes Riga so enjoyable.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Day 2 \u2014 J\u016brmala, Kemeri bog, and the Baltic coast<\/h4>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">Day 2 plan<\/div>\n<blockquote>Drive west from Riga toward J\u016brmala (25\u00a0km, 30 minutes). Walk the main wooden villa street \u2014 Jomas iela \u2014 for coffee and a look at the architecture. Then drive to J\u016brmala beach for a swim if conditions allow. After lunch, head to Kemeri National Park: the Great Kemeri Bog boardwalk is 3.4\u00a0km long, takes about 90 minutes, and leads through open bog landscape with a wooden observation tower halfway along. Return to Riga or stay overnight near J\u016brmala.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">Kemeri bog practical note<\/div>\n<blockquote>The Kemeri boardwalk car park fills up by 10\u00a0am on summer weekends. Arrive before 9\u00a0am or after 4\u00a0pm for easy parking. The trail is flat and accessible year-round, but bring insect repellent from June onward \u2014 the bog breeds mosquitoes enthusiastically.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Day 3 \u2014 Gauja National Park, Sigulda, and back to Riga<\/h4>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">Day 3 plan<\/div>\n<blockquote>Drive northeast from Riga toward Sigulda (50\u00a0km, 50 minutes). Take the cable car across the Gauja gorge for \u20ac4 each way \u2014 genuinely spectacular. Walk to Turaida Castle for a view over the valley. Drive to Cesis, Latvia\u2019s most charming small town, for lunch in the medieval town square. Return to Riga by late afternoon for a flight or onward drive north to Estonia or south to Lithuania.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s3\">Latvia road trip quick-reference checklist<\/h2>\n<!-- BODY PHOTO PLACEHOLDER 3 -->\n<p>Before you turn the key, make sure you\u2019ve ticked these off. This is the list we wish someone had handed us before our first Baltic road trip.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Car hire:<\/strong> book in advance for summer. Riga Airport has all major companies; city-centre pick-up is also available. Automatic transmissions are less common \u2014 specify if you need one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fuel:<\/strong> petrol is cheaper in Latvia than in Finland, Sweden, or Germany. Fill up in Riga before heading to J\u016brmala; stations are easy to find but fewer along the bog road.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vignette \/ tolls:<\/strong> Latvia has no motorway vignette and no regular tolls. Some city parking in Riga requires a paid zone disc \u2014 your rental company will explain or it\u2019s available at petrol stations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Speed limits:<\/strong> 50\u00a0km\/h in town, 90\u00a0km\/h on open roads, 110\u00a0km\/h on motorways. Speed cameras are present and active.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Currency:<\/strong> Latvia uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted in Riga; carry some cash for smaller cafes, parking, and Kemeri car park.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phone\/data:<\/strong> EU roaming applies for EU SIM cards. If you\u2019re coming from outside the EU, an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly covers Latvia at good rates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Offline maps:<\/strong> download Latvia on Google Maps or Maps.me before you leave Riga. The bog and forest roads have patchy signal.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Entry:<\/strong> Schengen \u2014 EU\/EEA passport holders walk through. Non-EU travellers check current visa requirements; ETIAS launches in 2026 for US\/UK\/Canadian visitors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"htf-nl\">\n<div class=\"htf-nl-icon\">\u2709<\/div>\n<h3>Letters from Rovaniemi<\/h3>\n<p>Baltic road-trip routes, Nordic discoveries, and practical travel guides \u2014 straight from Lapland to your inbox.<\/p>\n<form><input type=\"email\" placeholder=\"your@email.com\" aria-label=\"Email address\" \/> <button type=\"submit\">Subscribe<\/button><\/form><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s4\">Driving tips and practical warnings for the Latvia road trip<\/h2>\n<p>Latvia is an easy country to drive in. The roads are decent, signage is in Latvian and English, and drivers are generally calm compared to, say, central Paris or Rome. That said, a few things caught us off guard.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Road quality varies:<\/strong> Riga\u2019s ring road and the main A1\/A2 arteries are smooth. Side roads toward smaller coastal villages or deep into Gauja National Park can have rough sections \u2014 a standard hatchback handles them fine, but you\u2019ll feel the potholes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wildlife crossings:<\/strong> deer and wild boar are active at dawn and dusk, especially in forested Gauja valley stretches. Scan the road shoulders in low-light conditions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parking in Old Riga:<\/strong> drive into the Old Town only to drop luggage. The streets are narrow, one-way, and heavily controlled. Use the P&amp;R lots on the east bank of the Daugava River or the covered car park near the Central Market.<\/li>\n<li><strong>J\u016brmala access fee:<\/strong> in summer, vehicles entering J\u016brmala by car pay a small environmental fee at the entry gate (\u20ac2\u20133 per car). It\u2019s cash or card, but the queues on Friday evenings can add 15\u201320 minutes \u2014 go early or arrive after 7\u00a0pm.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Night driving:<\/strong> Latvia requires headlights on at all times, day or night. Your rental car will have DRL; just make sure you know where the manual lights are too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"htf-callout\">\n<div class=\"htf-callout-tag\">Related read<\/div>\n<h3>Baltic Summer Road Trip: Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius in 7 Days<\/h3>\n<p>If you have a full week, the three Baltic capitals make a brilliant combined road trip. Here\u2019s the route we\u2019d take \u2014 from the ferry in Tallinn to the amber coast of Lithuania.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/destinations\/baltic-summer-road-trip\/\">Read the guide \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s5\">How Latvia compares to Estonia and Lithuania for a road trip<\/h2>\n<!-- BODY PHOTO PLACEHOLDER 4 -->\n<p>We\u2019ve driven all three Baltic countries. Each has a distinct character, and Latvia sits between the others in more ways than geography alone.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Latvia vs Estonia:<\/strong> Tallinn is more famous and more visited, but Riga is a larger, richer city with more neighbourhoods to explore. Estonia\u2019s countryside is flatter and its coastline less developed; Latvia has more variety in a smaller driving loop. Estonia tends to be slightly pricier.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Latvia vs Lithuania:<\/strong> Vilnius has a Baroque old town that rivals anything in Central Europe. Lithuania is slightly larger and takes more time to explore by car. Latvia wins on coastline \u2014 J\u016brmala and the Cape Kolka peninsula are genuinely special. Lithuania wins on ancient history and the Curonian Spit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Latvia for a first Baltic trip:<\/strong> if you only have three days and one country, Latvia is our pick. Riga is the strongest capital, the driving loop is compact and varied, and you get city + coast + nature in a single trip without covering huge distances.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Latvia for a returning visitor:<\/strong> skip Riga\u2019s Old Town centre and head straight to Cape Kolka, the Slitere National Park, or the Abava River valley. These are places most tourists never reach \u2014 and some of the most beautiful driving we\u2019ve done in the whole Baltic region.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost comparison:<\/strong> Latvia is marginally cheaper than Estonia and roughly on par with Lithuania. All three are significantly more affordable than Scandinavia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"htf-pull\">Latvia rewards you for going slightly beyond the obvious. Most tourists see Riga; the ones who rent a car and keep driving find something genuinely special.<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-callout\">\n<div class=\"htf-callout-tag\">Also worth reading<\/div>\n<h3>J\u016brmala Beach Guide: Latvia\u2019s 25km Baltic Coast<\/h3>\n<p>Everything you need to know about the wooden villa beach town just outside Riga \u2014 including the best stretch of sand, when to go, and what the train from Riga is actually like.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/destinations\/jurmala-beach-guide\/\">Read the guide \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s6\">Mistakes we made on the Latvia road trip<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Arriving in Riga with no parking plan.<\/strong> We drove straight into the Old Town, got stuck in a narrow one-way system, and spent 25 minutes finding our way out. Use the P&amp;R lots on the east bank and walk across the bridge \u2014 it\u2019s a nicer arrival anyway.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Underestimating Kemeri on a summer weekend.<\/strong> We arrived at 11\u00a0am on a Saturday and the car park was full. We found street parking a kilometre away and walked in, but it added time we hadn\u2019t planned for. Arrive early or go on a weekday.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Not buying cash before J\u016brmala.<\/strong> The entry fee kiosk took cards, but the small ice cream and snack kiosks on the beach only took cash. Minor, but annoying when you\u2019re standing in the sun.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Booking only two nights.<\/strong> On our first trip we had two nights in Riga and one night near J\u016brmala. We ran out of time before seeing the Gauja valley. Three nights (or four if you can manage it) is the right number for this route.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Skipping Cesis.<\/strong> We drove past it on the way back from Sigulda on the first trip because we thought it would be just another small town. It isn\u2019t \u2014 it has a beautifully preserved medieval centre and some of the best coffee we had in the whole Baltic region. Go.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Not downloading offline maps for the bog road.<\/strong> Mobile signal disappears in Kemeri. We had a half-downloaded map and spent five minutes in a car park trying to cache the route. Download the whole country the night before.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"s7\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"htf-faq\"><details>\n<summary>Is a Latvia road trip doable in 3 days?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, comfortably. The Riga \u2013 J\u016brmala \u2013 Kemeri \u2013 Sigulda loop covers 250\u2013350\u00a0km and gives you city, coast, and nature without any long driving days. Four days is even better if you want to add Cape Kolka or a slower pace in Riga.<\/p>\n<\/details><details>\n<summary>Do I need an international driving licence for Latvia?<\/summary>\n<p>EU licence holders do not need an IDP. Drivers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia may need an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence \u2014 check with your car rental company at booking, as requirements can vary by insurer.<\/p>\n<\/details><details>\n<summary>What is the best time of year for a Latvia road trip?<\/summary>\n<p>June and July are ideal: long days, warm enough to swim, and J\u016brmala\u2019s wooden villas look best in summer light. September is excellent for photography and quieter roads. Avoid November\u2013February unless you specifically want a winter landscape \u2014 the days are very short and the coast is bleak.<\/p>\n<\/details><details>\n<summary>Is driving in Latvia safe?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes \u2014 Latvia has improved its road safety record significantly over the past decade. Roads are well-marked and drivers are generally calm. The main risks are wildlife crossings at dusk in forested areas and occasional potholes on minor rural roads. Drive at posted limits and you\u2019ll have no problems.<\/p>\n<\/details><details>\n<summary>Can I drive from Riga to Tallinn or Vilnius on the same trip?<\/summary>\n<p>Absolutely. Tallinn is about 310\u00a0km north (3.5 hours), Vilnius is 300\u00a0km south (3\u20133.5 hours). Many visitors combine all three Baltic capitals in a week-long road trip. The roads between them are straightforward \u2014 flat, well-marked, and easy driving.<\/p>\n<\/details><details>\n<summary>Is Latvia expensive for a road trip?<\/summary>\n<p>Not by European standards. Fuel is cheaper than in Scandinavia or Western Europe. A mid-range hotel in Riga runs \u20ac60\u2013100\/night. Meals in sit-down restaurants average \u20ac10\u201318 per person for a main course. J\u016brmala entry is \u20ac2\u20133 per car. The Kemeri boardwalk and Sigulda cable car are the main paid activities \u2014 both under \u20ac10 per person. A 3-day road trip for two, including car hire, should come in well under \u20ac600 total outside of flights.<\/p>\n<\/details><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s8\">A final word from Rovaniemi<\/h2>\n<p>We live in a part of the world where the landscapes are vast and the distances between interesting places can be long. Latvia feels like the opposite: a compact country where every hour of driving delivers something new, and where a long weekend is genuinely enough to feel like you\u2019ve understood a place.<\/p>\n<p>Riga surprised us more than almost any other capital we\u2019ve visited \u2014 and we came in with high expectations after reading about the Art Nouveau architecture. The Central Market alone, five enormous zeppelin hangars turned into an indoor food market, is worth the drive. But the real revelation was everything beyond the city: the wooden beach villas at J\u016brmala, the still bog water at Kemeri, the sandstone cliffs dropping into the Gauja River at Sigulda. Latvia is a road trip destination that more people should know about, and we suspect that by the time most people find out, it will have lost a little of the quietness that makes it so good right now.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re in the Baltics, rent a car. If you\u2019re doing a Nordic road trip and coming south through Estonia, keep going. Latvia is waiting, and it\u2019s very much worth the detour.<\/p>\n<!-- BODY PHOTO PLACEHOLDER 5 -->\n<div class=\"htf-bio\">\n<div class=\"htf-bio-avatar\">J&amp;A<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"htf-bio-tag\">Written by<\/div>\n<h4>Joona &amp; Alla<\/h4>\n<p>A Finnish-Ukrainian couple living in Rovaniemi, Finland. Joona is a marketing professional in Lapland tourism; Alla is an AI Engineer. Together we\u2019ve visited 25 countries and share honest, locally-grounded travel writing from our home in the Arctic.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/about-us\/\">Read our full story \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<!-- SIDEBAR -->\n<aside class=\"htf-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"htf-sidebar-sticky\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb htf-sb-toc\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb-label\">Contents<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">Is Latvia worth it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">3-day route<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">Road trip checklist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">Driving tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">Latvia vs Estonia &amp; Lithuania<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">Mistakes we made<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\">Final word<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-sb\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb-label\">Share this story<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-sb-share\"><a title=\"Pinterest\" href=\"#\">Pin<\/a> <a title=\"Facebook\" href=\"#\">f<\/a> <a title=\"X \/ Twitter\" href=\"#\">X<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-sb htf-sb-svc\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb-label\">Work with us<\/div>\n<h4>AI-assisted content for travel brands<\/h4>\n<p>Joona &amp; Alla help travel brands write destination content that both humans and AI love.<\/p>\n<a class=\"htf-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/collaborations\/\">See our services<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is a Latvia road trip doable in 3 days?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, comfortably. The Riga\u2013J\u016brmala\u2013Kemeri\u2013Sigulda loop covers 250\u2013350 km and gives you city, coast, and nature without any long driving days. Four days is even better if you want to add Cape Kolka or a slower pace in Riga.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do I need an international driving licence for Latvia?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"EU licence holders do not need an IDP. Drivers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia may need an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence \u2014 check with your car rental company at booking.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the best time of year for a Latvia road trip?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"June and July are ideal: long days, warm enough to swim, and J\u016brmala's wooden villas look best in summer light. September is excellent for photography and quieter roads.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is driving in Latvia safe?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Roads are well-marked and drivers are generally calm. The main risks are wildlife crossings at dusk in forested areas and occasional potholes on minor rural roads.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I drive from Riga to Tallinn or Vilnius on the same trip?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Absolutely. Tallinn is about 310 km north (3.5 hours), Vilnius is 300 km south (3\u20133.5 hours). Many visitors combine all three Baltic capitals in a week-long road trip.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is Latvia expensive for a road trip?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Not by European standards. A 3-day road trip for two, including car hire, should come in well under \u20ac600 total outside of flights. Fuel, food, and accommodation are all noticeably cheaper than Scandinavia or Western Europe.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n\n<!-- HTF-RELATED-POSTS-V1 -->\n\n<style>\n.htf-related-wrap{max-width:1100px;margin:-20px auto 30px;padding:0 20px;font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;}\n.htf-related-wrap .htf-related-eyebrow{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:3px;font-size:12px;color:#C8A45A;font-weight:600;text-align:center;margin:0 0 10px;}\n.htf-related-wrap h2.htf-related-title{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:600;font-size:32px;color:#2D5A3D;text-align:center;margin:0 0 8px;line-height:1.2;}\n.htf-related-wrap .htf-related-sub{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:#5b6b62;text-align:center;margin:0 0 32px;font-style:italic;}\n.htf-related-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:24px;}\n.htf-related-card{background:#fff;border:1px solid #eee6d8;border-radius:6px;overflow:hidden;transition:transform .25s ease,box-shadow .25s ease;display:flex;flex-direction:column;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;}\n.htf-related-card:hover{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 12px 28px rgba(45,90,61,.12);border-color:#C8A45A;}\n.htf-related-thumb{aspect-ratio:16\/10;background:#f3efe4 center\/cover no-repeat;display:block;}\n.htf-related-body{padding:18px 20px 22px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1;}\n.htf-related-cat{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:2px;font-size:10px;color:#C8A45A;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:8px;}\n.htf-related-h{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:600;font-size:18px;line-height:1.35;color:#2D5A3D;margin:0 0 12px;}\n.htf-related-card:hover .htf-related-h{color:#1c3d28;}\n.htf-related-read{margin-top:auto;font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-weight:600;color:#2D5A3D;letter-spacing:.5px;}\n.htf-related-read::after{content:\" \u2192\";color:#C8A45A;transition:transform .2s ease;display:inline-block;}\n.htf-related-card:hover .htf-related-read::after{transform:translateX(4px);}\n.htf-related-skeleton{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#f3efe4 25%,#ede5d2 50%,#f3efe4 75%);background-size:200% 100%;animation:htfshim 1.4s infinite;}\n@keyframes htfshim{0%{background-position:200% 0;}100%{background-position:-200% 0;}}\n@media(max-width:860px){.htf-related-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:18px;}.htf-related-wrap h2.htf-related-title{font-size:26px;}}\n<\/style>\n<section class=\"htf-related-wrap\" id=\"htf-related-posts\" data-htf-current-id=\"2262\">\n  <p class=\"htf-related-eyebrow\">More stories from the Hungrytravelfamily<\/p>\n  <h2 class=\"htf-related-title\">Keep reading<\/h2>\n  <p class=\"htf-related-sub\">You may also like to read these.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"htf-related-grid\" id=\"htf-related-grid\">\n    <a class=\"htf-related-card\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"htf-related-thumb htf-related-skeleton\"><\/span><div class=\"htf-related-body\"><span class=\"htf-related-cat\">&nbsp;<\/span><h3 class=\"htf-related-h\">Loading\u2026<\/h3><span class=\"htf-related-read\">Read<\/span><\/div><\/a>\n    <a class=\"htf-related-card\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"htf-related-thumb htf-related-skeleton\"><\/span><div class=\"htf-related-body\"><span class=\"htf-related-cat\">&nbsp;<\/span><h3 class=\"htf-related-h\">Loading\u2026<\/h3><span class=\"htf-related-read\">Read<\/span><\/div><\/a>\n    <a class=\"htf-related-card\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"htf-related-thumb htf-related-skeleton\"><\/span><div class=\"htf-related-body\"><span class=\"htf-related-cat\">&nbsp;<\/span><h3 class=\"htf-related-h\">Loading\u2026<\/h3><span class=\"htf-related-read\">Read<\/span><\/div><\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<script>\n(function(){\n  var root=document.getElementById('htf-related-posts');\n  if(!root) return;\n  var grid=document.getElementById('htf-related-grid');\n  var currentId=parseInt(root.getAttribute('data-htf-current-id'),10)||0;\n  var api='\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts?_embed=wp:featuredmedia,wp:term&per_page=100&_fields=id,link,title,featured_media,_links,_embedded';\n  fetch(api).then(function(r){return r.json();}).then(function(posts){\n    if(!Array.isArray(posts)||!posts.length){root.style.display='none';return;}\n    posts=posts.filter(function(p){return p.id!==currentId && (p._embedded && p._embedded['wp:featuredmedia'] && p._embedded['wp:featuredmedia'][0] && p._embedded['wp:featuredmedia'][0].source_url);});\n    if(posts.length<3){root.style.display='none';return;}\n    \/\/ Shuffle (Fisher-Yates) and take 3\n    for(var i=posts.length-1;i>0;i--){var j=Math.floor(Math.random()*(i+1));var t=posts[i];posts[i]=posts[j];posts[j]=t;}\n    var pick=posts.slice(0,3);\n    grid.innerHTML=pick.map(function(p){\n      var media=p._embedded['wp:featuredmedia'][0];\n      var img=(media.media_details&&media.media_details.sizes&&(media.media_details.sizes.medium_large||media.media_details.sizes.large||media.media_details.sizes.medium))||{source_url:media.source_url};\n      var cat='';\n      try{ var terms=p._embedded['wp:term']; if(terms&&terms[0]&&terms[0][0]) cat=terms[0][0].name||''; }catch(e){}\n      var title=(p.title&&p.title.rendered)||'';\n      return '<a class=\"htf-related-card\" href=\"'+p.link+'\">'+\n             '<span class=\"htf-related-thumb\" style=\"background-image:url(\\''+img.source_url+'\\')\"><\/span>'+\n             '<div class=\"htf-related-body\">'+\n             '<span class=\"htf-related-cat\">'+(cat||'Travel')+'<\/span>'+\n             '<h3 class=\"htf-related-h\">'+title+'<\/h3>'+\n             '<span class=\"htf-related-read\">Read the story<\/span>'+\n             '<\/div><\/a>';\n    }).join('');\n  }).catch(function(){root.style.display='none';});\n})();\n<\/script>\n\n<!-- \/HTF-RELATED-POSTS-V1 -->\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home \u00a0\/\u00a0 Destinations Destinations \u00b7 Baltic Latvia by Car: A 3-Day Road Trip From Riga to the Coast We drove [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3173,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,1341,1342],"tags":[118,756,117,755,116],"class_list":["post-2262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-latvia","category-riga","tag-baltic-road-trip","tag-jurmala","tag-latvia","tag-latvia-road-trip","tag-riga"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2262"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8228,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2262\/revisions\/8228"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}