Things to Do in Latvia in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Latvia
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Riga's Old Town looks absolutely magical under snow cover - the medieval architecture with ice formations and Christmas lights still up in early February creates postcard scenes without the December tourist crowds
- This is peak sauna season and locals actually use them properly in winter - you'll experience the authentic Latvian tradition of alternating between 90°C (194°F) heat and rolling in snow, which sounds insane but becomes addictive
- Accommodation prices drop 40-50% compared to summer months - you can stay in boutique hotels in Riga's center for 45-60 EUR per night that would cost 90-120 EUR in July
- February is when Latvians celebrate Meteņi (Shrovetide) with sledding parties and massive bonfires - it's one of the few winter festivals that tourists rarely know about, so you'll actually be celebrating alongside locals rather than performing for them
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 8:15am, sunset by 5:30pm - which means you're doing outdoor sightseeing in a 6-hour window and everything feels rushed or happens in twilight
- The cold isn't just cold, it's damp Baltic cold that penetrates layers - that -5°C (23°F) feels closer to -15°C (5°F) because of 85% humidity and wind coming off the sea, and most tourists underestimate this
- Many coastal attractions and smaller museums outside Riga operate on reduced winter hours or close entirely - Jūrmala beach resort is essentially a ghost town, and you'll find half the cafes in smaller towns shuttered until March
Best Activities in February
Riga Old Town Winter Walking Tours
February is actually ideal for exploring Riga's UNESCO-listed Old Town because the architecture looks stunning with snow coverage and ice formations on the Art Nouveau buildings. The cold keeps crowds minimal - you'll have Livu Square and the Three Brothers houses practically to yourself on weekday mornings. The medieval streets are properly maintained with salt and sand, so it's safer than you'd think. Best timing is 10am-3pm when you get maximum daylight and temperatures peak around -2°C (28°F). The Christmas Market is gone but the lights stay up until mid-February, giving you the aesthetic without the crowds.
Traditional Latvian Sauna Experiences
February is peak season for authentic pirts (Latvian sauna) experiences because this is when locals actually use them most - it's not a tourist activity, it's how Latvians survive winter. The proper ritual involves 15-20 minutes at 80-90°C (176-194°F), then either rolling in snow or jumping through ice holes in lakes, then repeating. Sounds extreme but the endorphin rush is real. Many rural guesthouses and spa complexes offer this, and some include vihta (birch branch) whisking which improves circulation. The contrast between -5°C (23°F) outside and sauna heat is what makes the experience work - you can't replicate this in summer.
Gauja National Park Winter Hiking
The Gauja Valley looks completely different under snow cover - the sandstone cliffs at Gutmanis Cave get dramatic ice formations, and the frozen Gauja River creates landscapes you won't see in guidebook photos because they're all shot in summer. February typically has stable snow coverage of 15-25 cm (6-10 inches), perfect for snowshoeing or winter hiking. Sigulda, the park's main town, is 53 km (33 miles) from Riga and makes an excellent day trip. The Turaida Castle ruins are less crowded and equally photogenic in winter. Temperatures hover around -3 to -5°C (23-27°F), cold but manageable with proper layers.
Riga Central Market Food Tours
The Central Market pavilions (UNESCO-listed former Zeppelin hangars) are heated and packed with local vendors selling winter specialties you won't find in summer - smoked fish, grey peas with bacon, blood sausage, sauerkraut variations, and fresh honey. February is when vendors have time to actually talk because tourist crowds are minimal. This is peak season for Latvian root vegetables and preserved foods that defined the cuisine before imports. The market opens at 7am and is busiest 9am-1pm on Saturdays when locals do their weekly shopping. You'll see actual Latvian food culture, not a tourist version of it.
Art Nouveau Architecture Tours
Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the world - over 800 structures, mostly along Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. February is actually ideal for photographing them because the low winter sun at 10am-2pm creates dramatic shadows on the facade details, and there's no summer foliage blocking views. The buildings look particularly striking against grey skies or with snow coverage. The Riga Art Nouveau Museum (heated, obviously) provides context before you walk the streets. Most impressive facades are within a 1.2 km (0.75 mile) radius, easily walkable in 2-3 hours with cafe breaks.
Kemeri National Park Bog Boardwalk Walks
The Great Kemeri Bog boardwalk trail is one of Latvia's most photographed spots, and February offers a completely different experience than summer - the bog is partially frozen, creating ice patterns on standing water, and the bare trees against snow create stark, minimalist landscapes. The 3.4 km (2.1 mile) boardwalk loop is maintained year-round and takes about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. The observation tower provides 360-degree views of the frozen bog landscape. It's 45 km (28 miles) west of Riga, past Jurmala. Temperature typically sits around -4°C (25°F), but the boardwalk is exposed to wind so it feels colder.
February Events & Festivals
Meteņi (Shrovetide Festival)
This is Latvia's traditional end-of-winter celebration, usually falling in late February depending on the lunar calendar (likely February 24-25 in 2026). Latvians celebrate with sledding parties, bonfire jumping, and eating specific foods like peas with bacon and pig snout. The Ethnographic Open Air Museum outside Riga hosts a public celebration with traditional games, folk music, and bonfire rituals. It's one of the few genuinely local festivals where you'll be celebrating alongside Latvian families rather than in a tourist bubble. The tradition involves sledding down hills - the longer your slide, the better your flax harvest will be (obviously symbolic now, but people still take it seriously).
Riga Restaurant Week
Typically runs for 10 days in mid-February, where participating restaurants offer fixed-price menus at 15-20 EUR for three courses. It's designed to get locals dining out during the slow winter season, which means you're getting the same deal as residents. About 50-60 restaurants participate, from traditional Latvian cuisine to modern Nordic-influenced spots. Reservations are essential during the event week because locals actually pack these places out. Worth noting that the menus are specially created for the event - not just discounted regular items.