Latgale, the land of the blue lakes

• No Normunds Bolužs
• 23. novembris, 2023.24. janvāris, 2024.
• 3 komentāru

Oh, Latgale, my dear Latgale! Oh, how we love this place you’ve never heard of! The way we love the people, or the lack of people, rather, because we all love having it all to ourselves! Latgale is a region in Latvia known for having the most lakes. It’s often referred to as the “Land of the Blue Lakes” due to its abundance of freshwater bodies. Lakes like Razna, Lubans, Dagda, and many others contribute to Latgale being recognized for its high concentration of lakes within Latvia. And it isn’t filled with tourists! And the unspoiled nature is unmatched in Europe! Dive in to the experience you never knew you needed!

1. Lake Razna

The second largest lake in Latgale and the whole of Latvia as the two of the biggest lakes are situated in Latgale. Visit the the lake of Rāzna to experience authentic latgalian nature and stay in one of the cute guesthouses around the lake.

List of other places to stay around lake Rāzna (click to be redirected).

• Recreational complex “Ezerkrasti”
• Guesthouse PĪLĀDZIS
• Guesthouse Svilpaunieki
• Guesthouse “Osmany”
• Guesthouse “Pērle”
• Camping “Selena”

What else to do around lake of Rāzna?

Visit Manor of Lūznava

Take Instagram-esque photos around Manor of Lūznava, a 19th century Latgalian hidden art nouveau gem, which is also home to concerts, a mesmerising park, a chapel, art exhibitions, and various other types of events (click on the picture to be redirected and find out more).

Visit Nature Education Centre “Rāzna”

And learn how Latvia protects its plants and animal species of Rāzna. You can also take parts in various workshops in this educational centre and learn about nature-friendly farming.

Climb the sightseeing tower of The Great Linden Hill

The Great Linden Hill (Lielais Liepu kalns) is the biggest hill in Latgale and has the highest sightseeing tower in Latvia (34m).

Board a cute, little sailing yacht called “Buru Guru”

And enjoy a two to four hour ride filled with mesmerising sights of Rāzna in the heart of Latgale.

If you’re feeling energetic and adventurous, go for a tree top obstacle course “Rāznas priedes”

2. Čertoka ezers / Velnezers (The Lake of the Devil)

The next lake on this list is none other but Velnezers. This mysterious, green-water lake is located just 12 km from Aglona and probably has the most mythical, serene atmosphere out of all places in Latgale. Shoot some beautiful pictures, inhale the atmosphere and may be even pick up some wild flowers on your way back.

3. Cirišs

Cirišs probably doesn’t have much to offer comparing to other lakes in terms of its sheer beauty, however, it’s located right next to Aglonas Bazilika and that alone makes it worth a visit.

Basilica of the Assumption, Aglona is one of the most important Catholic spiritual centres in Latvia and the only Basilica in the country. We could call it one of the holiest places in Latvia and it certainly feels so. If religion isn’t your cup of tea, it’s located in between two lakes, lake of Cirišs and lake of Aglona.

Gaze over the body of water of Cirišs during the sunset and catch the mesmerizing one of a kind sunrise from this glamping tent in “Malvīne”.

4. Alūksnes ezers

Rent a bicycle, ride it around Lake of Aluksne on a warmer summer evening for picturesque, calm and preserved Latvian nature and make the most of this Northeastern corner of Latgale. Just under 50 km from Russian border.

5. Viļakas ezers

Not far from Alūksne and even closer to Russia, Viļakas ezers is a mesmerizing, calm lake with a 144m long pantoon bridge stretching over it.

Take a hike on the Stompaki swamp path and visit the monument of Stompaki. In February 1945, Latvia’s largest national partisan camp was established on the islands of the Stompaku swamp, which people began to call the islands of the Stompaku swamp. Located 2 km from the Balvu – Viļaka highway this is a military heritage sight commemorating Latvian nationalist partisans who were fighting for the freedom of Latvia during WWII.

6. Ludzas Mazais Ezers (The small lake of Ludza)

Located in a small town of Ludza, this small lake of Ludza also has a bridge you can walk on and because Ludza is situated between 5 lakes you can easily reach all of them and the fact that Ludza is the oldest town in Latvia makes it worth to visit all on its own.

While you’re in Ludza make sure to also come by these ruins of a castle which date back to at least 1433 and have a Latgalian stonehenge experience.

This was just a small fraction of what Latgale has to offer, make sure to explore other lakes, towns and attractions in Latgale on our website! Good luck finding your next adventure in Latgale and immersing yourself in this hidden, yet magnificent part of the world.