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Latvia travel health
Is tap water safe in Latvia, what is the emergency number, how do pharmacies work, and what should a visitor know for their health?
General orientation for a healthy traveller, not medical or official travel advice. Confirm emergency numbers and water status with an official source before you travel.
Emergency number
In an emergency in Latvia, dial 112. The EU-wide number 112 also works and connects you to police, fire and ambulance, often with English-speaking operators.
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink in Riga and other cities; it may taste of chlorine. Staying properly hydrated matters even more when you are travelling, walking more than usual or in a hot climate — but the water has to be safe first.
Pharmacies
A pharmacy is an "aptieka". Riga has 24-hour pharmacies near the centre. Bring enough of any regular medicine for the whole trip in its original packaging, plus a small kit for headaches, upset stomach and blisters.
Food worth trying
Grey peas with bacon, rye bread, and smoked fish from the coast. Eating what the locals eat, freshly prepared, is usually both the tastiest and the safest choice.
Good to know
As across the Baltics, use tick protection in forests and meadows from spring to autumn.
On longer east–west trips, ease jet lag by shifting toward the new time before you leave, chasing morning daylight at your destination, and going easy on alcohol and caffeine in the air. The body clock resets at roughly an hour a day.
Other countries
Estonia
From spring to autumn use tick protection in forests and long grass — tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme are present in the Baltics.
Finland
Ticks are common in summer in the south and on the Åland islands. In winter, dress in layers against genuine cold.
Lithuania
Tick-borne encephalitis is present; a vaccine exists if you plan a lot of time outdoors.
Sweden
Summer sun in the far north lasts almost all night — bring an eye mask for sleep. Ticks are present in the south.
Norway
Weather in the mountains and fjords turns fast even in summer — carry a windproof layer for any hike.
Germany
Pharmacies are the gatekeeper for many medicines — even some painkillers are behind the counter.
Source: Emergency number and tap-water status from widely published travel-health guidance; confirm officially before travel. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency number in Latvia?
Dial 112. 112 also reaches the emergency services across the EU.
Can I drink the tap water in Latvia?
Tap water is safe to drink in Riga and other cities; it may taste of chlorine.
How do pharmacies work in Latvia?
A pharmacy is an "aptieka". Riga has 24-hour pharmacies near the centre.
Keep your routine on the road
TempoLife tracks sleep, food and movement so a trip does not undo your habits.