You don’t always have to travel far from Riga to enjoy the golden autumn. In the capital and the surrounding area, you can find beautiful parks, woodlands, lakeshores and vantage points that are perfect for both a short afternoon stroll and a family day out.

The autumn atmosphere can be particularly well enjoyed in Ķemeri Spa Park, with its historic bridges and footpaths, as well as around Lake Kaņieris, where you can watch birds and take in the expansive wetland landscapes. Such an outing allows children to explore nature without having to plan long journeys.

In Kurzeme, the golden autumn blends with coastal landscapes, historic manor parks, lakes and picturesque small towns. Particularly beautiful autumn walks can be enjoyed in the Kuldīga area, where the Venta Rapids, the old town and viewing points form a scenic route. The areas around Saldus, Talsi and Ventspils also have no shortage of parks, viewing towers and interesting natural attractions.

For families with children, Kurzeme offers the chance to combine enjoying the colours of autumn with relaxation by the sea, short walks and visits to cultural and historical sites. In a single day, you can choose several nearby destinations, such as a park, a viewing tower and a natural or historical attraction.

In Zemgale, you can combine enjoying the golden autumn with visits to historic towns, parks and natural attractions. Although the region is often associated with vast plains, it also boasts scenic river valleys, woodland parks, hill forts and vantage points.

Tērvete Nature Park is particularly suitable for families with children, where an autumn walk can be complemented by fairy-tale characters and educational activities. In Jelgava, meanwhile, you can visit Pasta Island or the viewing tower in the Lielupe floodplain meadows, whilst in the Dobele and Vilce areas, an autumn outing can be complemented by exploring historical and natural attractions.

Vidzeme is one of the most popular destinations for autumn foliage in Latvia. The ancient Gauja Valley stands out in particular, where colourful forests, steep slopes, sandstone cliffs and historic castles create stunning autumnal landscapes. Sigulda, Cēsis, Līgatne and the surroundings of Gauja National Park offer a wide range of opportunities for both short walks and full-day excursions.

The autumn colours can be admired from Paradīzes Hill, Ķeizarskats, Zilākalns and other vantage points. Families with children will also enjoy walks in Cēsis Castle Park, Alūksne Manor Park or by the sandstone cliffs. Meanwhile, for those wishing to discover less-visited spots, the Veclaicene hills, the Valmiera area and the parks in Vidzeme’s small towns are ideal.

In Latgale, the golden autumn is particularly beautiful in the hilly landscapes, where lakes glisten and river valleys wind their way through the colourful forests. From the viewing towers, you can take in sweeping views of vast forest tracts, the hills around Rāzna and the bends of the Daugava. An autumn outing can be complemented by visits to castle ruins, manor parks and historic towns.

Families will find both the scenic viewpoints and short walks in the parks and by the lakes particularly enjoyable. For example, in the vicinity of Rēzekne and the Augšdaugava district, you can combine enjoying nature with learning about local history, whilst in the Ludza and Krāslava areas, the autumnal landscapes are complemented by ancient castles, hill forts and panoramic views of the lakes.

Dzūkija, in southern Lithuania, is known for its vast forests, lakes and the landscapes of the Nemunas River valley. In autumn, these places become particularly beautiful, as the varied colours of the forests highlight the meandering rivers and the undulating landscape.

One of the most beautiful autumn panoramas can be seen from the Merķine observation tower, from which you can view the confluence of the Nemunas and Merķa rivers. Meanwhile, the area around Lake Meteļi is ideal for a more peaceful family outing, offering views of the water, meadows and scenes of autumn bird migration. Dzūkija is ideal for those wishing to discover Lithuania’s natural beauty away from the major cities.

The Aukštaitija region of Lithuania is rich in lakes, forests and picturesque river valleys, making autumn a particularly good time to explore it. From observation towers and elevated viewing platforms, you can take in sweeping views where colourful forests alternate with lakes and small towns.

Interesting destinations for a family outing include Anykščiai Regional Park with its treetop walkway, the Kirkilas observation tower by the karst sinkhole lakes, and the Žaras Lake Viewing Circle. These places offer the chance to enjoy Lithuania’s autumn landscapes from an unusual vantage point and to combine a walk with learning about nature.

Samogitia, in the western part of Lithuania, offers a variety of natural landscapes featuring river valleys, hills, forests and historic sites. In autumn, the riverbanks and wooded slopes are particularly beautiful and can be admired from the observation towers.

The Pagramanta observation tower offers views of the landscape of the protected nature reserve and the confluence of rivers, whilst the Jurakalna observation tower offers views of the Venta River valley and the surrounding hill forts. These places are ideal for a family outing, combining beautiful natural scenery with short walks and an introduction to Lithuania’s cultural history.

In the heart of Northern Estonia, the golden autumn can be enjoyed in vast forests, around marshes and in hilly natural areas. The region is ideal for families wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore Estonia’s forest landscapes.

The observation towers at Simisalu and Valgehobuse offer the chance to view the surrounding forests from above and take in the changing autumn colours in a sweeping panorama. A visit to the observation tower can be combined with a walk in the nearby nature reserve, choosing a route suitable for the children’s ages and the weather conditions.

In autumn, Western Estonia beckons with its vast coastal plains, reed beds, wetlands and birdwatching spots. Here, the golden autumn landscapes differ from Latvia’s hilly forests — the open natural areas, bodies of water and birds seen during the autumn migration create a special atmosphere.

The area around Matsalu National Park is ideal for families interested in nature watching and leisurely walks. From the Penijõe birdwatching tower, you can look out over vast reed beds and discover the natural diversity of the coastal wetlands. If you’re heading in this direction, it’s advisable to take a pair of binoculars with you and set aside some time for peaceful nature watching.