Varakļāni City
Eastern Latvian town with historic manor and market
Set around a manor park, Varakļāni draws visitors for stately walkways, the restored palace and quiet country roads-good for photography, local festivals and sampling Latgalian pastries at village cafés.
Varakļāni at a Glance#
Costs: $40 per day - inexpensive small-town prices for accommodation, food and local attractions.
Safety: Safe and tranquil - low crime and quiet streets; standard rural awareness recommended at night.
Best Time: May-September - warm months ideal for exploring the palace park, countryside and local festivals.
Why Visit Varakļāni?#
In eastern Latvia’s Latgale region, Varakļāni attracts visitors drawn to manor-house history and quiet nature. The elegant Varakļāni Palace and its park provide a window into regional history, while surrounding peatlands and forests are popular with birdwatchers and walkers. Ceramic workshops keep Latgalian pottery traditions alive, and simple local cafés serve rye bread, smoked fish and other countryside fare that reflects rural Latvian life.
Best Things to Do in Varakļāni#
Varakļāni Bucket List#
Varakļāni Palace - Elegant 19th-century palace set within a landscaped park, featuring exhibitions.
Varakļāni Church - Modest parish church with stained-glass windows and active local congregation.
Varakļāni Nature Park - Trails through mixed forests and lakes, ideal for gentle nature walks.
Local beekeeping farm - Small apiary tours and honey tasting from traditional Varakļāni beekeepers.
Ancient hillfort remains - Quiet archaeological site with earthworks and panoramic views over surrounding fields.
Cultural House library and events - Cozy cultural centre hosting concerts, exhibitions, and regional history displays.
Best Time to Visit Varakļāni#
Varakļāni is best visited from late spring through early autumn when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor activities. Winters are cold and quiet, offering a peaceful, off-season vibe.
December - February
-12°C to 0°C (10°F to 32°F)
Cold and peaceful with frosty mornings - a quiet time for local walks, though many outdoor attractions are subdued.
March - May & September - November
-2°C to 16°C (28°F to 61°F)
Fresh, changeable weather that rewards flexible plans - ideal for exploring parishes, countryside and fewer crowds.
June - August
14°C to 24°C (57°F to 75°F)
Pleasant and mild with long daylight; perfect for lakeside outings, cycling and local festivals without oppressive heat.
Varakļāni'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 (680 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (45 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 (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°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 (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (68 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 77 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (76 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 (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Varakļāni#
Varakļāni (Varakļāni Municipality) is best reached from Riga International Airport with a long-distance bus or train to Rēzekne or Daugavpils, followed by a regional bus or taxi for the short final leg. There are no regular commercial flights directly to the town.
Riga International Airport (RIX): Riga is the main airport serving Varakļāni (Varakčāni/Varakļāni area). From Riga, take a long-distance bus or train to Rēzekne (about 3-4 hours, fares commonly €8-€18), then a shorter regional bus or taxi to Varakļāni (typically under 1.5 hours, about €3-€8).
Vilnius Airport (VNO): Vilnius is an alternative for some arrivals; from VNO travel to Vilnius city and then catch a cross-border bus to Daugavpils or Rēzekne (3-4+ hours including transfer), then a regional connection to Varakļāni.
Train: The nearest main rail connections are at Rēzekne and Daugavpils; Latvian Railways operate services from Riga. Trains to those towns take about 3-4 hours from Riga. The final mile to Varakļāni is by regional bus or taxi.
Bus: Intercity buses from Riga to Rēzekne/Daugavpils are frequent and economical; from those hubs catch regional buses to Varakļāni. Check local timetables - services can be limited on weekends.
How to Get Around Varakļāni#
Varakļāni is a small municipality best accessed by bus or car from Riga via regional hubs; trains get you to the bigger towns, but the last connection is almost always by road.
- Intercity buses (€3-€18) - Buses link Riga with regional centres such as Rēzekne and Daugavpils; from there you use local buses to reach Varakļāni. Timetables are denser on weekdays; buy tickets at stations or from drivers.
- Trains (€5-€20) - Trains take you to larger nearby railheads (Rēzekne, Daugavpils). They are comfortable for the main leg but usually require a bus/taxi for the final connection to Varakļāni.
- Taxi / Private transfer (€30-€120) - Private transfers are useful for early/late arrivals or groups; they save time compared with transfers that require multiple changes, though at a higher cost.
- Car hire (€30-€80/day) - Hiring a car from Riga or nearby towns is convenient for exploring rural eastern Latvia and gives access to smaller villages without frequent bus links. Roads are generally good but expect narrower local roads.
- Cycling (€0 / rental varies) - Rural roads around Varakļāni are calm and fine for cycling in good weather, though distances between services can be long - plan water and supplies accordingly.
- Walking - The town itself is compact and best experienced on foot for short trips to shops and local sights.
Shopping in Varakļāni#
Shopping is basic: small local shops, a pharmacy and occasional market stalls. There are no large shopping centres nearby; for more variety head to Rēzekne.
Nightlife in Varakļāni#
Nightlife is very limited - a couple of cafés or bars and community events rather than late-night venues. Evenings tend to be low-key and local.
