25 Unforgettable Places to Go in 2026: Liepāja, Latvia

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Getting to the region will also become easier in 2026. airBaltic plans to expand its network with new destinations and increased frequencies into Riga International Airport, improving connections for U.S. travelers transiting through major European hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris. From Riga, Liepāja is a three-hour ride by train or bus (or slightly less by car) through the scenic Kurzeme region, making it a natural next stop after the capital.

A major seaport in the 19th century, Liepāja was transformed into a Soviet naval base during the Cold War, leaving behind bunkers and military buildings along the coast. Today, many of these once off-limits sites have been reimagined as museums and cultural venues that link the city’s industrial legacy to its creative present. Wictorija, a former Soviet cinema, now functions as a bar and music venue. It’s a great place for a drink and to catch emerging artists.

Don’t miss the Great Amber Concert Hall, one of Liepāja’s most architecturally striking venues and home to the city’s symphony orchestra. Performances run year-round, from classical concerts to experimental collaborations with visiting European artists, and the program is already expanding ahead of 2027.

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Then head north to Karosta, the former naval base district that once served as part of Latvia’s Soviet-era defenses. There, you can visit the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, tour the Karosta Prison Museum, or book one of the evening ghost tours that take visitors through the old cells after dark. You’ll want to fuel up before that, though, so stop by Pētertirgus Market. Housed in an Art Nouveau–era hall that’s been operating since 1910, the market’s stalls sell everything from smoked Baltic herring to rye bread, wild mushrooms, and cheeses from the Kurzeme countryside. For dinner, book a table at MO Liepāja — preferably on the terrace — and try one of the city’s best spots for seasonal Latvian cooking. The Michelin-listed restaurant has a menu that runs from tartares and carpaccios to mains like beef with truffle mash, paired with local beers and cocktails.

To stay somewhere that captures Liepāja’s maritime and cultural character, look to the Promenade Hotel. The five-star property occupies a restored 18th-century grain warehouse on the canal and sits within walking distance of the Great Amber Concert Hall and the old town.