Affordable wellness and luxury: Latvia’s spa traditions

Wellness tourism is thriving across the world as travellers look for experiences that allow them to slow down, disconnect from daily stress, and reconnect with themselves. Latvia, with its pristine nature, deep-rooted wellness traditions, and affordability, is fast emerging as one of Europe’s most authentic and restorative destinations.

In Latvia, the art of wellness is far from a modern invention. The nation’s sauna, or pirts, tradition is a cornerstone of local culture, dating back to the 19th century when nearly every farmstead had its own bathhouse. More than just a place to wash, these bathhouses have long been spaces of renewal, purification, and connection.

Latvians continue to take their saunas seriously — as both a ritual and a form of therapy. A typical session involves heating the air to around 86°C and creating steam by pouring water over hot stones. Participants are then encouraged to cool off in a nearby pond or under a cold shower, stimulating circulation and strengthening the body. A defining element of the pirts experience is the gentle “swatting” with bundles of birch, oak, or juniper twigs, which combine massage, aromatherapy, and exfoliation in one deeply revitalising ritual.

To discover this cultural heritage, visitors can head to the open-air Sauna Museum, which houses around twenty functional saunas from various regions and time periods. Open all year round, the museum even allows guests to try them out, making it the perfect introduction to Latvia’s time-honoured wellness traditions.

Nature-infused wellness experiences

Beyond its famous bathhouses, Latvia offers an inspiring mix of nature-based spa experiences that merge local ingredients with international wellness practices. At the Silene Resort & SPA, guests are invited to immerse themselves in nature’s harmony. Nestled within the scenic Silene Nature Park, the resort’s treatments draw on the healing gifts of the Latvian landscape: vitamin-rich berries, aromatic herbs, essential oils, and mineral-laden blue clays sourced from Lake Sila. Visitors can indulge in herbal teas, sauna rituals, and a range of rejuvenating body and facial treatments designed to restore both physical and mental balance.

This strong connection between nature and wellbeing also defines Ziedlejas wellness resort, where guests experience the meditative calm of the Latvian countryside. The resort’s guided sauna sessions, led by experienced masters, combine ancient wisdom with mindfulness to help visitors reconnect with themselves and their surroundings.

Urban luxury with a Baltic twist

For those who prefer to combine spa indulgence with urban sophistication, Riga offers world-class facilities without the price tag often associated with luxury wellness. ESPA Riga, one of the Baltics’ largest five-star day spa centres, blends aromatherapy, thalassotherapy, and phytotherapy into bespoke treatments inspired by both ancient and modern healing traditions. Visitors can enjoy two pool and sauna areas, a thermal suite, and an active leisure zone for a complete wellness escape in the heart of the capital.

Nearby, the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga provides a seamless fusion of heritage and modern comfort. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building overlooking the Latvian National Opera, the hotel’s spa menu includes signature experiences such as the Amber Healing Journey and the Latvian Pirts Suite Journey, which celebrate the country’s native traditions. Guests can also indulge in the hotel’s elegant Afternoon Tea Ceremony, a sensory experience featuring freshly baked scones, delicate sandwiches, and exquisite pastries, or dine at Stage22 Bar & Restaurant, recognised as Latvia’s Best Hotel Restaurant in 2024 and featured in the Michelin Guide 2025.

Affordable luxury, authentic connection

What makes Latvia stand out on the global wellness map is its unique combination of authenticity and accessibility. Whether soaking in beer baths, relaxing under starlit skies in outdoor tubs, or exploring centuries-old sauna rituals, visitors discover that true luxury lies not in excess but in experience.