Things to Do in Latvia in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Latvia
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Riga's Old Town looks absolutely magical under snow, with far fewer tourists than summer - you'll actually get photos of Town Hall Square without crowds. Hotel prices drop 40-50% compared to peak summer rates.
- This is peak sauna season, and Latvians take their sauna culture seriously in winter. Traditional smoke saunas followed by ice swimming in the Baltic or forest lakes is when this tradition makes actual sense, not just tourist theater.
- January is when you'll find the most authentic Latvian food experiences - grey peas with bacon, sauerkraut dishes, blood sausage, and warming soups are everywhere. Winter markets still operate through mid-January selling local produce and crafts.
- The Baltic Sea occasionally freezes along the coast, creating otherworldly ice formations at Jurmala beach. When conditions align (typically late January), you can walk on frozen sections - something impossible to experience any other time of year.
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 8:45am, sunset by 4:30pm. That's roughly 7.5 hours of weak daylight, and it's often overcast anyway. If seasonal affective disorder is something you deal with, January in Latvia will test you.
- The cold isn't dry Scandinavian cold - it's damp, penetrating cold at 85% humidity that goes straight through your clothes. Wind chill off the Baltic can make -5°C (23°F) feel like -15°C (5°F). You'll need serious winter gear, not just a regular winter coat.
- Many coastal attractions and smaller museums operate on reduced winter hours or close entirely. Some restaurants outside Riga's center shut down for the season. Always call ahead - Google hours are frequently wrong in winter months.
Best Activities in January
Riga Old Town Winter Walking Tours
January is actually ideal for exploring Riga's medieval center - the snow softens the cobblestones, Christmas lights often stay up through mid-January, and you'll have the narrow streets mostly to yourself. The cold keeps tours shorter and more focused. Art Nouveau district looks particularly striking against grey winter skies. Best time is 10am-2pm when you get maximum daylight. The architecture photographs beautifully in flat winter light without harsh shadows.
Traditional Latvian Sauna Experiences
This is THE season for authentic sauna culture, not the tourist version you get in summer. Latvians have been doing winter sauna followed by ice swimming for centuries - it's a genuine cultural practice in January, not a gimmick. The contrast between 90°C (194°F) sauna heat and jumping into 2°C (36°F) water is intense but addictive. Many rural guesthouses offer private sauna houses with lake or river access. The ritual typically takes 2-3 hours with multiple sauna rounds, birch branch whisking, and warm herbal tea between sessions.
Gauja National Park Winter Hiking
Latvia's largest national park transforms completely in January - the Gauja River valley covered in snow, frozen waterfalls at Ligatne, and the sandstone cliffs dusted white. The Gutmanis Cave (largest cave in Baltics) is accessible year-round and looks dramatic with ice formations. Trails around Sigulda and Turaida Castle are well-maintained even in winter. You'll need proper winter hiking boots - trails can be icy. The castle ruins are less crowded, and you can actually explore at your own pace. Plan for 4-6 hours including transport from Riga (about 1 hour each way, 53 km or 33 miles).
Riga Central Market Food Tours
January is when you'll find the most authentic Latvian winter foods at Europe's largest market (housed in old Zeppelin hangars). This is grey peas season, smoked fish season, sauerkraut season - the foods Latvians actually eat in winter. The market is fully enclosed and heated, making it perfect for cold days. Local vendors are less rushed in winter and more willing to offer samples and chat. You'll see seasonal items like frozen cranberries, smoked eel, and house-made blood sausage that aren't as prominent in summer. Plan 2-3 hours to properly explore all five pavilions.
Jurmala Beach Winter Walks
Jurmala in January is completely different from the summer beach resort scene - and actually more interesting. The 33 km (20.5 mile) white sand beach is deserted, the Baltic Sea creates dramatic ice formations along the shore, and the wooden Art Nouveau beach houses look hauntingly beautiful in winter light. When it's cold enough (late January typically), parts of the sea freeze and you can walk on ice shelves - surreal experience. The town itself is quiet but several cafes stay open. Best on sunny days when temperature is around -2°C to -5°C (28°F to 23°F). Takes 30-40 minutes by train from Riga, costs 2-3 EUR.
Latvian National Opera Performances
January is prime opera and ballet season in Riga, and the National Opera house is a stunning 1863 building worth visiting regardless of the performance. Ticket prices are shockingly affordable compared to Western Europe - good seats for 20-40 EUR, premium for 50-70 EUR. The season runs September through June, so January has full programming. Latvians dress up for opera (not black-tie formal, but smart casual minimum). Performances typically start at 7pm, run 2.5-3 hours with intermission. The building itself is heated and gorgeous - a perfect indoor activity for dark, cold January evenings.
January Events & Festivals
Staro Riga Light Festival
Riga's Old Town transforms into an outdoor light art gallery for four nights in mid-January. Buildings, streets, and squares feature light installations from international artists. Completely free to attend, and the cold weather actually enhances the experience - the light reflects beautifully off snow and ice. Expect crowds on Friday and Saturday evenings, but weeknights are manageable. Bring a thermos of hot tea and plan to spend 2-3 hours walking the installation route through Old Town.