Latvia: Top drone-friendly spots — valleys, castles and the Baltic coast
Latvia is a fantastic country for drone enthusiasts. With vast forests, winding rivers, medieval fortresses and long sandy beaches, it offers plenty of diverse landscapes to capture from above. Here are 10 of the best places to fly your drone in Latvia, each with short explanations on why they’re special and whether they’re:
1. Gauja National Park & Turaida Castle
✅ Drone-friendly outside protected core areas
- This is Latvia’s most famous natural region, where the Gauja River cuts through rolling hills dotted with castles.
- Especially great in summer when the trees are lush and the views stretch for miles.
- Avoid protected core zones inside the park — around the edges, flights are typically fine under general drone rules.
2. Kemeri Bog & Boardwalk Trails
✅ Very drone-friendly
- Early morning mist, tiny lakes and the winding wooden paths make for dreamlike top-down shots.
- As long as you fly higher above the trails and avoid directly over people, it’s a calm, safe area.
3. Sigulda bobsleigh track & castle grounds
✅ Ideal for FPV and varied elevation flights
- Natural hills combined with historic ruins give you opportunities for dramatic fly-throughs.
- A spot loved by Latvian adventure seekers and drone pilots alike.
4. Saulkrasti coastline
✅ Classic Baltic beach flying
- The forest meets the sea in long elegant curves, perfect on bright summer days or calm evenings.
- Plenty of space to take off and land without crowds.
5. Lake Alūksne & Pilssala Island
✅ Calm spot, great for cinematic shots
- An island fortress sits in the middle of the lake, creating symmetrical, peaceful compositions.
- Early mornings often give you beautiful mist rising from the water.
6. Liepāja Karosta & sea fortress ruins
✅ For more dramatic shots
- Old concrete sea forts half-sunk into the Baltic waves give a mysterious, moody feel.
- Great for contrast-heavy photos and adventurous FPV flights.
7. Jūrmala beaches
✅ Long stretches of golden sand
- Just 30 minutes from Riga, Jūrmala offers endless sandy beach views bordered by pine forests.
- Best at golden hour for warm color tones.
8. Rundāle Palace & Baroque gardens
⚠️ Flying directly overhead requires permission
- The palace itself and the gardens look spectacular from above, forming perfect geometric patterns.
- You can often fly in nearby fields or edges for wide views, but directly above the palace needs a permit.
9. Cēsis Castle & town park
✅ Good for medium-height flights
- Medieval ruins surrounded by lush parkland.
- Ideal for balanced shots that combine history with green nature.
10. Kuldīga waterfall & historic brick bridge
✅ Drone-friendly, just avoid crowds
- Europe’s widest waterfall, paired with the classic red brick bridge, creates iconic footage.
- Best visited in the morning or evening when fewer people are around.
Tips & Safety Guidelines for Flying in Latvia - Whether you’re a beginner or experienced drone pilot, here are the essential things to know before you fly:
🔎 Check the eUARV map –
LGS provides a free, real-time tool showing “no-fly” and restricted zones in Latvia.
🔗 Drones – airspace.lv
🧾 Registration & Training Required –
If your drone weighs 250 g or more, or you plan to fly above 120 m, you’ll need the appropriate category certificate.
Register and train through the CAA portal, using your Latvian eID or «vienotā pieslēgšanās».
🔗 CAA homepageProtected Areas Need Permission –
Flying over national parks, castles, and military zones without prior authorization is not allowed. Always check local rules before take-off.
📏 Key Rules to Follow:
Max altitude: 120 meters
Maintain visual line of sight
Stay safe distance from people, buildings & infrastructure
🔗 EU Open Category rules
Drone Location Map – Explore & Plan Your Flights!
Want a visual map that includes Latvia’s top drone spots plus active no-fly zones? These tools can help:
Official eUARV map
🔗 airspace.lv/drones
Community-based drone maps
Try platforms like Drone-Spot, where creators share verified, beautiful flying locations worldwide:
🔗 drone-spot.tech
Bonus ideas from neighbors
- In Lithuania: Take your drone to the edges of the Curonian Spit for sweeping dune views, or film the fairytale Trakai Castle surrounded by water.
In Estonia: Try the flooded forests of Soomaa in spring or capture the calm patterns of Viru Bog at sunrise
