The beaches are stunning

Number two among things to know about Latvia is the beach. Latvia's coastline is more than 300 miles (500 kilometers) long, with some of Europe's most beautiful beaches. The Baltic coast is lined with secluded white sand beaches and hauntingly beautiful pine forests. Jrmala, a seaside town 30 minutes from Riga, is famous for its beautiful beaches and a unique architectural blend of 19th-century wooden houses. Kurzeme is a coastal region on Latvia's west coast about three hours' drive from Riga. During the Soviet era, the coast was a heavily guarded border, mostly off-limits to development, leaving Latvia with miles of breathtaking natural beauty along the isolated and rugged coastline.

A few coastal towns dot the coastline, the most notable being the 1.8mi (3km) Liepja Seaside Park, a Blue Flag beach and one of Latvia's largest forested parks. The Jurkalne Bluffs, a series of rounded cliffs, is 12.45 miles (20 kilometers) up the coast from the quaint fishing village of Pvilosta. Jurkalne (which translates to "Sea Mountain") is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Latvian coast, with the steepest coast in the country. Because of the strong winds and high dunes, the small town of Jurkalne attracts paragliders and kite surfers, but the long stretch of beach is often deserted.