Things to Do in Latvia in July
July weather, activities, events & insider tips
July Weather in Latvia
Is July Right for You?
Advantages
- White Nights afterglow - July still catches the tail end of Latvia's extended daylight, with sunset around 10pm and lingering twilight until nearly midnight. You can pack an absurd amount into each day without feeling rushed, and evening strolls through Old Riga at 9:30pm in broad daylight feel genuinely magical.
- Peak beach season without Mediterranean crowds - The Baltic hits its warmest temperatures (18-21°C or 64-70°F) in July, and locals flood to Jūrmala and the Kurzeme coast. Yes, it's cooler than the Med, but the pine-backed beaches are stunning and you'll pay a fraction of what you'd spend in Croatia or Greece.
- Festival season in full swing - July is when Latvia's summer festival calendar explodes. Positivus Festival (Latvia's biggest music event) typically happens in mid-July, plus countless smaller folk festivals, outdoor concerts, and cultural events that locals actually attend, not just tourist-focused productions.
- Countryside accessibility peaks - Latvia's rural areas and national parks are at their most accessible in July. Roads are fully clear, hiking trails are dry, farm stays are operational, and you can actually explore Gauja National Park or Latgale's lake district without mud or limited services that plague shoulder seasons.
Considerations
- Accommodation prices spike and availability tightens - July is peak season, particularly in Riga and Jūrmala. Expect hotel prices 30-40% higher than May or September, and popular guesthouses in Sigulda or Cēsis book out 4-6 weeks ahead. Budget travelers will feel the squeeze.
- Unpredictable rain can disrupt outdoor plans - Those 10 rainy days aren't gentle drizzles. Baltic weather systems bring proper downpours that can last 2-3 hours and genuinely mess up beach days or hiking plans. You'll want indoor backup options, and the humidity afterward makes everything feel sticky.
- Tourist crowds concentrate in obvious spots - While Latvia never gets overwhelming crowds like Western Europe, July sees noticeable congestion in Riga's Old Town, Turaida Castle, and Jūrmala's main beach areas. The crowds are manageable but definitely present, especially when cruise ships dock in Riga.
Best Activities in July
Baltic Sea beach days in Jūrmala and Kurzeme coast
July is the only month where Baltic swimming feels genuinely pleasant rather than an endurance test. Water temperatures reach 18-21°C (64-70°F), and the long daylight hours mean you can hit the beach at 6pm and still have four hours of sunshine. Jūrmala's 33 km (20.5 miles) of white sand beaches backed by pine forests are stunning, though the main Majori area gets packed on weekends. Locals escape to quieter stretches like Dzintari or venture to Kurzeme's wild beaches near Kolka or Ventspils. The humidity makes the beach particularly appealing as a cooling escape.
Gauja National Park hiking and castle exploration
Latvia's premier national park is at its most accessible in July with dry trails and full facility operations. The Gauja River valley offers dramatic sandstone cliffs, medieval castle ruins (Turaida, Sigulda, Cēsis), and well-marked hiking trails through dense forests. The 4.3 km (2.7 miles) Līgatne Nature Trail and the trails around Sigulda are particularly rewarding. July's warmth makes the forested paths comfortable, though humidity can be noticeable on steep sections. Early morning hikes (7-9am) beat both heat and tour groups at popular spots like Turaida Castle.
Riga Art Nouveau architecture walking tours
Riga has the world's highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings, and July's extended daylight makes evening architecture walks particularly rewarding. The Alberta iela district showcases the most elaborate facades, with intricate details best appreciated in the soft evening light around 7-9pm when the harsh midday sun and tour groups have dispersed. The humidity actually enhances the experience as you duck into cafes and museums for cooling breaks. This is ideal for those inevitable rainy afternoons when outdoor plans fail.
Traditional Latvian midsummer farm experiences
While Jāņi (midsummer) happens in late June, many rural farms and cultural centers continue midsummer-themed programs through July for tourists. These include traditional cheese-making workshops, folk singing, wreath-weaving, and authentic Latvian meals featuring seasonal produce. The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum near Riga runs programs throughout July, but more authentic experiences happen at working farms in Vidzeme and Latgale regions. July's weather makes countryside exploration pleasant, and you'll see Latvia that 90% of tourists miss.
Riga Central Market and local food exploration
July brings peak produce season to Riga's massive Central Market, housed in repurposed Zeppelin hangars. You'll find wild berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), new potatoes, fresh dill, and smoked fish at their seasonal best. The market operates year-round but July's abundance is notable, and locals shop here seriously rather than for tourism. The covered pavilions provide excellent rainy-day shelter while still feeling authentically Latvian. This is where you understand Latvian food culture beyond restaurant menus.
Cēsis medieval town and brewery exploration
This small medieval town 90 km (56 miles) northeast of Riga offers one of Latvia's best-preserved castle complexes and the country's oldest brewery still in operation. July means the castle grounds host outdoor concerts and medieval festivals, while the brewery's garden becomes prime evening territory. The town is small enough to explore in half a day but charming enough to warrant an overnight stay. It's significantly less touristy than Riga while offering genuine historical substance.
July Events & Festivals
Positivus Festival
Latvia's largest music festival typically happens in mid-July in Salacgrīva on the Baltic coast. It draws 30,000+ attendees for international and Baltic indie, electronic, and alternative acts. The festival has a reputation for excellent organization, beautiful seaside setting, and a distinctly Baltic vibe rather than generic European festival atmosphere. Three-day camping passes or day tickets available, and it's genuinely worth planning your July visit around if the lineup appeals to you.
Riga Opera Festival
Throughout July, the Latvian National Opera runs its summer festival featuring both classic and contemporary productions. Performances happen in the stunning 1863 opera house in central Riga, and ticket prices (15-60 EUR) are remarkably reasonable compared to Western European opera houses. The quality is legitimate, not tourist-focused programming, and evening performances fit perfectly with July's late sunsets.
Summer Sound outdoor concert series
Free outdoor concerts happen throughout July in Riga's parks and public spaces, featuring everything from classical to jazz to folk. Mežaparks (Forest Park) and Vērmanes Garden host regular evening performances. These are genuinely attended by locals, not staged for tourists, and capture Riga's summer social life. Check event listings when you arrive as schedules vary year to year.