Preiļi City
City in Preiņu novads, Latvia
A manor park anchors town life here; people visit for the 19th‑century palace and landscaped grounds, boating on nearby lakes, folk festivals and regional handicrafts sold at the market square.
Preiļi at a Glance#
Costs: $55-$90 per day - cheap daily costs; basic guesthouses and local eateries.
Safety: Generally safe - quiet small-town safety; usual city precautions apply.
Best Time: June-August - warmest weather and local festivals.
Why Visit Preiļi?#
Set in Latvia’s Latgale region, Preiči draws visitors with its elegant Preiļi Palace and the surrounding English-style Preiļi Park, plus a compact town center of wooden architecture. Folk traditions and Latgalian pottery are still practiced here, showing a local craft culture that complements seasonal markets and choral gatherings. Quiet lanes and riverside paths make the place feel restful yet culturally rich.
Best Things to Do in Preiļi#
Preiļi Bucket List#
Preiļu Palace (Preiļu muiža) - Stroll Preiļu Palace and landscaped park with historic manor house and ponds.
Preiļi Regional Museum - Discover local history and ethnography at Preiļi Regional Museum’s varied exhibits.
Preiļi Park Arboretum - Wander Preiļi park’s arboretum pathways among mature trees and historic follies.
Saints Peter and Paul Church (Preiļi) - Admire frescoes and local parish life inside Preiļi’s Saints Peter and Paul parish church.
Preiļi craft market (seasonal) - Browse the seasonal Preiļi craft market for traditional Latgalian ceramics and handicrafts.
Preiļi manor garden follies - Discover tucked-away garden follies and ponds within the manor park near the palace.
Aglona Basilica - Make a pilgrimage to Aglona Basilica, Latvia’s major Catholic shrine about 30 kilometers away.
Daugavpils and the Mark Rothko Centre - Visit Daugavpils for the Mark Rothko Centre and fortress museums, roughly one hour away.
Best Time to Visit Preiļi#
Best time to visit Preiči is summer when short, pleasant days and long daylight make exploring lakes and forests enjoyable. Winters are cold and snowy, so those seeking mild weather should aim for June-August.
December - February
-6 - 0°C (21 - 32°F)
Snowy, crisp winters give Preiči a quiet, Nordic feel; great if you like stark landscapes and fewer tourists, but expect freezing temperatures.
March - May
0 - 12°C (32 - 54°F)
Slowly warming weather, budding trees and muddy trails - lively enough for countryside walks but still chilly some mornings and evenings.
June - August
15 - 23°C (59 - 73°F)
Short, pleasant summers are the town at its friendliest - comfortable temperatures, long daylight, ideal for lakeside afternoons and exploring nearby forests.
Preiļi's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (667 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 79 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Preiļi#
Preiļi (Preiči) is primarily reached from Riga Airport by regional bus or car; the town has limited rail service and stronger coach connections to regional centres. Buses are the most reliable and frequent public‑transport option for visitors arriving from Riga or Daugavpils.
Riga International (RIX): Riga is the main international gateway for eastern Latvia. From Riga Airport you can reach Preiļi by bus or car: express/regional buses from Riga coach stations to Preiļi take about 2.5-3 hours with fares typically around €8-€15. Taxis or private transfers from Riga Airport to Preiļi are possible but considerably more expensive (roughly €80-€120 and ~2.5-3 hours).
Daugavpils (no regular scheduled international flights): Daugavpils has an airfield but very limited scheduled service; most international arrivals use Riga. For local arrivals via charter or private flight you would transfer by road (around 1-1.5 hours) into Preiļi.
Train: Preiļi has a railway station on local lines, but rail frequencies are limited compared with buses. Regional trains can connect to larger hubs such as Rēzekne or Daugavpils; fares are low (a few euros) but check Latvian Railways (PV) timetables for seasonal services.
Bus: The easiest public‑transport option is coach or regional bus from Riga (or Daugavpils). Companies such as Ecolines/Lux Express and local carriers run routes; a typical Riga-Preiļi bus costs about €8-€15 and takes roughly 2.5-3 hours.
How to Get Around Preiļi#
Public buses are the practical way into Preiļi from Riga or Daugavpils; trains exist but run less often. For flexibility, a rental car or private transfer is convenient - otherwise rely on buses and local taxis.
- Regional bus / coach (€8-€15) - Buses are the main public‑transport lifeline for Preiļi, with regular services to Riga, Daugavpils and neighbouring towns. Coaches offer direct, comfortable journeys; buy tickets online or at the station. Buses are generally punctual and cost‑effective for longer daytime journeys.
- Train (€2-€8) - Preiļi has a local rail stop but services are less frequent than buses. Trains are cheap (only a few euros) and useful if times match your plans, but expect slower journeys and potential transfers at larger junctions. Check Latvijas dzelzceļš (Latvian Railways) for up‑to‑date schedules.
- Taxi / private transfer (€80-€120 (Riga→Preiļi)) - Taxis or private transfers from Riga are the fastest door‑to‑door option and useful for groups or luggage. Expect a multi‑hour drive and prices that reflect distance; agree a fixed fare in advance. Local taxis are commonly available in town for short trips.
- Car hire (€30-€70/day) - Hiring a car at Riga Airport gives flexibility to explore Latgale and surrounding countryside. Roads are generally good; navigation is straightforward and parking in Preiļi is easy. Winter driving may require care and winter tyres are recommended.
- Walking - Preiļi town centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with parks and local cultural sites within walking distance. Walking is the best way to move between shops, cafés and the municipal centre.
Shopping in Preiļi#
Shopping in Preiļi is modest and practical: small grocery stores, pharmacies and local shops serve residents and visitors. You’ll find some local produce and modest handicrafts in market stalls at times, but don’t expect a wide selection of tourist boutiques. For specialist shopping or a bigger market, travel to larger towns in the region.
Nightlife in Preiļi#
Nightlife in Preiļi is limited. Evenings centre on cafés, a few neighbourhood pubs and community cultural events rather than bars or clubs. Seasonal festivals and cultural-house performances provide the most lively night-time options. If you want late-night entertainment, plan a trip to a regional centre where there are more restaurants and bars.
