From the windblown dunes of Jūrmala to the cobbled lanes of Riga Old Town, Latvia smells of salt, pine resin and fresh-baked rye. Sunlight filters through birch groves in Gauja National Park, turning amber pieces warm and honeyed in the palm; at Riga Central Market every stall hums with the crusty tang of laukmaize and the smoke of Baltic fish.

Markets here move at a human pace: woodcarvers in Cēsis chip out spoons while weavers in Kurzeme compare heddles and patterns, and the midsummer Līgo fires fill the air with hay and wildflower scent. If you’re hunting for keepsakes that tell a story,

Latvia’s mix of folk motifs, linen, birch and amber is unmistakable — and great for finding truly local Latvia souvenirs. Here’s what to buy in Latvia to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Baltic Amber Jewelry

Why pick this up:
Amber is the sun-bleached jewel of the Baltic coast and a tactile memory of Latvia’s shoreline; pieces range from raw nuggets to polished pendants that warm against your skin. Wearing amber is like carrying a slice of the Jūrmala surf and pine-scented cliffs with you.

What to look for:
Seek pieces with natural inclusions, slight cloudiness and warm hues from honey to deep cognac; ask for untreated amber rather than plastic imitations. Reputable stalls in Riga and museum shops will provide provenance or a certificate for larger pieces.

Price bracket (2025):
€15–€250

Where to find it:
Riga Old Town jewelers, Kalnciema Quarter weekend market, museum shops and Jurmala seaside boutiques.

2. Lielvārde Belt (Weaving Belts)

Why pick this up:
The Lielvārde belt carries ancient Latvian symbols woven into its bands and acts as both a decorative sash and a cultural talisman passed down through generations. It’s wearable history that reflects folk mythology and regional identity.

What to look for:
Look for dense, hand-woven patterns with clear red-and-white motifs and natural wool or linen threads; machine-printed knockoffs have flat, repeat patterns. Sellers from Lielvārde or certified craft cooperatives will explain the motifs’ meanings.

Price bracket (2025):
€25–€150

Where to find it:
Folk craft fairs, Kalnciema Quarter, craft workshops in Lielvārde and museum gift shops.

3. Hand-Knit Mittens & Wool Socks

Why pick this up:
Latvian knitting features bold geometric patterns and thick wool that keeps you warm through damp Baltic winters—these are practical keepsakes with regional stitches and stories. They conjure peat fires, skating ponds and village kitchens.

What to look for:
Choose natural, undyed or naturally dyed wool with tight, even stitches and reinforced thumbs; look for regional patterns from Latgale or Vidzeme. Handmade tags or conversations with the maker are a good sign of authenticity.

Price bracket (2025):
€12–€60

Where to find it:
Riga Central Market craft stalls, Cēsis artisan markets, weekend bazaars and local knitters’ booths.

4. Riga Black Balsam

Why pick this up:
Riga Black Balsam is a bittersweet herbal liqueur made from roots, berries and botanicals distilled in the heart of Riga—an iconic, medicinal-tasting digestif. It’s a spirit rooted in apothecary traditions and makes a distinctive souvenir for cocktail lovers.

What to look for:
Buy bottles with the official Riga Black Balsam label and seal; limited-edition flavored versions (e.g., cherry or honey) are signed and numbered. Duty-free shops and official distillery outlets guarantee authenticity.

Price bracket (2025):
€8–€40

Where to find it:
Duty-free at Riga Airport, specialty liquor stores in Riga and souvenir shops in the Old Town.

5. Latgale Ceramics

Why pick this up:
The red-clay pottery of Latgale has deep, earthen glazes and simple, soulful shapes that reflect rural kitchens and folk tableware. Each piece feels rooted in the loamy soil and kiln traditions of eastern Latvia.

What to look for:
Look for the deep, warm red clay, hand-thrown marks and traditional glazing; small imperfections often indicate handmade origin. Ceramics stamped with a studio mark or coming from Latgale workshops are preferable to mass-produced trinkets.

Price bracket (2025):
€15–€120

Where to find it:
Latgale villages, artisan stalls at Kalnciema Quarter, Cēsis craft fairs and museum craft shops.

6. Smoked Baltic Sprats (Tinned Fish)

Why pick this up:
Smoked sprats are a salty, oily Baltic classic—small tins capture the smoky, oceanic flavour of Latvia and make a uniquely local pantry gift. They’re a culinary emblem of Riga’s fish-smoking traditions and coastal markets.

What to look for:
Choose vacuum-sealed tins with clear dates and origin labels; look for sprats smoked in Latvia rather than imported varieties. Pack them in checked luggage if allowed by airline rules, or keep in carry-ons if sealed and permitted.

Price bracket (2025):
€2.50–€8 per tin

Where to find it:
Riga Central Market, supermarkets, specialty food stalls and airport gourmet shops.

7. Flax & Linen Textiles

Why pick this up:
Latvia’s long flax-growing history produces crisp, durable linens—tablecloths, tea towels and shirts that soften beautifully with use and hold traditional embroidery motifs. Linen is a breathable, tactile souvenir of rural Latvian life.

What to look for:
Look for uneven weave, natural flax tones or subtle hand-stitched embroidery; pure linen will feel slightly coarse at first then soften. Check labels for “100% linen” and ask about sourcing from Kurzeme or Zemgale.

Price bracket (2025):
€12–€90

Where to find it:
Kalnciema Quarter, artisan linen workshops, Riga Old Town boutiques and museum shops.

8. Birchwood Kitchenware & Sauna Whisks

Why pick this up:
Birch is central to Latvian craft and sauna culture—wooden spoons, bowls and pirts (sauna) whisks bring forest fragrance into your home. These items are practical, handmade and steeped in the country’s pirts traditions.

What to look for:
Prefer smooth, unfinished birch with visible grain and hand-carved edges; for pirts whisks choose fresh birch tied with linen and stored dry. Avoid mass-manufactured plastic alternatives and seek items from known woodcarvers.

Price bracket (2025):
€8–€60

Where to find it:
Woodcraft stalls at Cēsis and Kuldīga markets, Kalnciema Quarter, and craft cooperatives across Vidzeme.

9. Jāņi Cheese (Caraway Cheese)

Why pick this up:
This traditional cheese, often made for the Midsummer Jāņi festival, is rich, slightly tangy and studded with caraway—an edible souvenir that evokes summer meadows and bonfires. It’s an essential taste of Latvian celebration.

What to look for:
Buy vacuum-packed or well-labelled cheese for travel; ask sellers about pasteurization and ingredients, especially if returning to countries with strict dairy rules. Seasonal versions may be freshest around June but artisanal shops sell variants year-round.

Price bracket (2025):
€4–€18

Where to find it:
Farmers’ markets, Riga Central Market dairy stalls and specialty food stores.

10. Local Honey & Berry Preserves

Why pick this up:
Latvian honey—often from buckwheat or mixed wildflowers—and cloudberry or lingonberry jams carry the taste of bogs and meadow blooms and make transportable, tasteful gifts. They capture seasonal landscapes in a jar.

What to look for:
Choose jars with beekeeper or producer labels, single-origin honey or small-batch preserves; cloudy or crystallized honey is natural and indicates minimal processing. Check EU labeling for origin if you need provenance.

Price bracket (2025):
€5–€30

Where to find it:
Riga Central Market, regional farmers’ markets, weekend bazaars and artisanal food festivals.

11. Folk Art Prints & Miniature Kokle

Why pick this up:
Prints of Art Nouveau facades in Riga, folk motifs and tiny kokle (traditional Latvian zither) replicas are lightweight, decorative reminders of Latvia’s visual and musical heritage. They’re ideal for framing or display without heavy packing.

What to look for:
Choose prints from local artists or limited editions; miniature kokles should be hand-crafted wood with tuned strings if intended as a playable keepsake. Museum shops and art fairs often sell artist-signed pieces.

Price bracket (2025):
€8–€90

Where to find it:
Latvian National Museum of Art shop, Riga Old Town galleries, Kuldīga and Cēsis artisan markets.

Tip: Pack fragile amber and ceramics in clothing-lined carry-on or padded wraps, and keep food receipts handy for customs ✈️

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Latvian shopping often takes place in lively open-air markets and seasonal weekend bazaars where artisans sell directly from stalls – Rīga Centrāltirgus (Riga Central Market) and the Kalnciema Quarter market are two of the most famous. The craft scene is shaped by regional traditions (Latgale pottery, Kurzeme linen, Lielvārde weaving) and seasonal fairs tied to agricultural rhythms and festivals like Jāņi.

Bargaining isn’t aggressive in most Latvian markets – prices at organized markets and specialty shops are usually fixed, though you might politely haggle at flea markets or with independent artisans.

Expect a respectful atmosphere: sellers will happily explain materials and provenance, and artisan villages around Cēsis and Kuldīga often host weekend maker markets showcasing traditional techniques.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

For amber: look for natural inclusions, slight imperfections and ask for provenance or a certificate for larger pieces; genuine Baltic amber has a warm, resinous smell and can feel warm to the touch.

For textiles and belts: check for uneven hand-weave, natural fibers (linen, wool) and traditional motifs; hand-stitched hems and maker labels indicate authenticity.

For ceramics and woodwork: look for tool marks, studio stamps or signatures and natural glazes or finishes characteristic of Latgale or Vidzeme artisans.

For food items: check labels for producer names, production dates and vacuum-sealing; small-batch honey, preserves and cheeses often carry a farm or cooperative name—avoid suspiciously uniform packaging that suggests mass import.

Where to Shop in Latvia

• Rīga Centrāltirgus (Riga Central Market) — vast food halls and craft stalls.
• Kalnciema Quarter weekend market — contemporary crafts and traditional makers.
• Riga Old Town — galleries, jewellers and museum shops.
• Jurmala promenade and beach boutiques — amber and seaside crafts.
• Cēsis and Kuldīga markets — regional artisans and woodcarvers.
• Latvian National Museum of Art and Riga Art Nouveau Museum shops — quality prints and design pieces.
• Riga International Airport duty-free and gift shops for spirits and packaged foods.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Latvia expensive?
A: Prices vary—markets and weekend bazaars offer affordable handcrafts, while museum-quality amber or bespoke Lielvārde belts can be pricier; expect mid-range costs for genuine artisan pieces.

Q: Is bargaining common in Latvia?
A: Not generally in fixed-price shops and modern markets; polite bargaining may work at flea markets or with individual artisans, but most vendors price items fairly from the outset.

Q: How do I know if food souvenirs will pass customs?
A: Within the EU, most packaged honey, preserves and sealed cheeses are fine; travelers from outside the EU should check their country’s import rules and keep receipts and producer labels to speed customs checks.

Explore Latvia’s markets and makers for authentic finds—Latvia souvenirs tell stories of sea, forest and festival.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author 

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!