Preili

Preiļi is the administrative center of Preiļu Municipality in eastern Latvia's Latgale region, with a population of approximately 5,800 residents. The town developed historically under the rule of the von der Borch noble family, who controlled the local estate from 1382 until the 19th century. Preiļi is widely recognized across Latvia for its dairy industry—specifically the Preiļu Siers cheese factory—and as a center for Latgalian black ceramics.

Travelers visit Preiļi primarily for the 41-hectare Preiļi Manor Park, one of Latvia's largest urban landscape parks, which features reconstructed Neo-Gothic estate buildings, canals, and ponds. The town also attracts visitors with specialized art venues, including a metal sculpture gallery, a handcrafted doll gallery, and access to the surrounding Latgalian lakeland.

Preiļi experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). Summers from June through August bring average daily high temperatures of 20°C to 23°C (68°F–73°F). Winters from December through February are cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging −3°C to −9°C (27°F–16°F). Annual precipitation averages around 650 mm, with July and August recording the highest rainfall.

By Bus

Regional bus service operates daily from Riga International Bus Terminal (Rīgas Starptautiskā autoosta) to Preiļi Bus Station (Preiļu autoosta), operated by carriers including SIA "Daugavpils autobusu parks", SIA "VTU Valmiera", and SIA "Norma-A" (Ecolines). Direct buses run 4 to 6 times daily, taking approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes. Tickets cost €8.50 to €11.50 ($9.20–$12.50 USD) one way. Direct regional buses also connect Preiļi with Daugavpils (6 daily, 1 hour, €3.20–€4.00 / $3.50–$4.35 USD) and Rēzekne (5 daily, 50 minutes, €2.80–€3.50 / $3.00–$3.80 USD).

By Train

No train service. The nearest active passenger rail station is located in Līvāni, 35 km west on the Riga–Daugavpils line operated by Vivi (Pasažieru vilciens).

By Car

From Riga (205 km west), drive east along highway A6 past Jēkabpils to Līvāni, then turn onto regional road P63 directly to Preiļi. Total driving time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. From Daugavpils (55 km south), take regional road P62 north through Aglona to Preiļi, taking about 50 minutes.

By Air

The nearest commercial airport is Riga International Airport (RIX), located 200 km west of Preiļi. Flight times to RIX are 1.5 to 2.5 hours from major Northern and Central European cities via airBaltic, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Lufthansa. From RIX, travelers reach Preiļi by rental car or by taking a city bus to Riga Bus Terminal for a connecting regional coach.

Local transit inside Preiļi consists of limited municipal bus lines operated by SIA "Daugavpils autobusu parks" connecting the town center with industrial zones and surrounding villages. Fares range from €0.70 to €1.00 ($0.75–$1.10 USD) per trip, payable in cash to the driver.

Ride-hailing apps like Bolt do not operate in Preiļi. Taxis require phone booking through local providers such as Preiļu takso (+371 29 123 456), with town trips costing €4.00 to €8.00 ($4.35–$8.70 USD). Bicycle rentals are available seasonally at the Preiļi Tourism Information Centre (Kārsavas iela 4) for approximately €10.00 ($10.90 USD) per day.

• Preiļi Manor Park and Palace (Preiļu muižas parks un pils) — Spanning 41 hectares, this landscape park features a 19th-century Neo-Gothic manor palace, horse stables, and interconnected ponds. Entrance to the park is free; interior tours of the restored palace cost €2.00–€4.00 ($2.15–$4.35 USD).

• Nester Custom Moto & Metal ART Gallery (Andreja Upīša iela 20) — A private gallery displaying custom motorcycles and metal sculptures assembled from salvaged machinery parts. Admission is €6.00 ($6.50 USD) for adults, €4.50 ($4.90 USD) for seniors, and €3.50 ($3.80 USD) for students and children.

• Puppet Kingdom (Leļļu karaļvalsts, Daugavpils iela 21) — Created by artist Vladlena, this gallery houses hundreds of handcrafted dolls displayed in detailed mini-sets. Admission is €5.00 ($5.45 USD) for adults; period costume rentals for photos cost €7.00 ($7.60 USD).

• Preiļi Museum of History and Applied Arts (Raiņa bulvāris 28) — Showcases Latgalian black ceramics, regional ethnographic items, and historical documents from the Borch family era to the modern period. Entry is €1.00 ($1.10 USD) for adults and €0.50 ($0.55 USD) for students.

• Preiļi Manor Chapel (Borhu kapela, Preiļi Park) — A circular classicist chapel constructed in 1817 for the Borch family. The interior displays reproductions of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Entry is free (open June through September).

• Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Aglonas iela 1A) — Built in 1886 in Neo-Romanesque style, this Roman Catholic church features three altars and traditional Latgale religious art. Entry is free.

• Paddling on Preiļi Park Ponds: Rent pedal boats or rowboats at the park beach area during summer for €4.00–€6.00 ($4.35–$6.50 USD) per hour to navigate the manor canal system.

• Latgalian Pottery Workshop Tours: Visit local ceramics workshops in Preiļu novads, such as the studio of potter Pēteris Ušpelis, to observe traditional wood-fired black ceramics techniques and purchase unglazed pottery.

• Countryside Cycling: Ride regional cycling route No. 33, which links Preiļi with Aglona (19 km) along paved and gravel rural roads past regional farmlands and lakes.

• Preiļi Beach Outdoor Sports: Access the public beach on the Preiļi park lake, which offers open-air volleyball courts, a swimming area, and walking paths.

• Restorāns ViAmor (Raiņa bulvāris 28) — Located within the restored ground floor of Preiļi Palace. Serves European and Latvian dishes including pork loin, duck breast, and seasonal vegetable soups. Price tier: Mid-range (€8.00–€18.00 / $8.70–$19.50 USD).
• Kafejnīca Preilene (Rēzeknes iela 15) — Bistro-style eatery serving traditional Latvian home cooking such as grey peas with bacon, schnitzel, potato pancakes, and daily lunch specials. Price tier: Budget (€5.00–€10.00 / $5.40–$10.90 USD).
• Kafejnīca Levaž (Kooperatīvā iela 1C) — Casual dining spot offering pork cutlets, fresh salads, soups, and draft Latvian beer. Price tier: Mid-range (€6.00–€14.00 / $6.50–$15.20 USD).
• Pampūkas (Preiļi Park Beach area) — Seasonal summer terrace venue known for mini pancakes, homemade ice cream, and Preiļu Cheddar cheese soup. Price tier: Budget (€3.00–€8.00 / $3.25–$8.70 USD).

• Kvass and Local Beer: Local cafes serve traditional fermented rye kvass on draft during summer, as well as Latvian beers like Valmiermuiža and Užavas.
• Coffee and Bakery Cafes: Local bakeries such as Preiļu konditoreja (Kooperatīvā iela) sell black coffee, espresso, and fresh pīrāgi (bacon pastries) for €1.00 to €3.00 ($1.10–$3.25 USD).
• Tap Water: Municipal tap water in Preiļi meets EU standards and is safe to drink.

• Budget: Viesu nams Magones (Ventspils iela 10) — Guesthouse near the town center offering basic double rooms with shared or private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and courtyard parking. Rates: €35.00–€50.00 ($38–$54 USD) per night.
• Mid-range: Hotel Preiļi / Viesnīca Preiļi (Liepājas iela 1) — Central hotel providing double rooms with private ensuite bathrooms, television, and breakfast options. Rates: €45.00–€70.00 ($49–$76 USD) per night.
• Upscale / Countryside: Viesu nams Pie Pūpola (Preiļu novads, 8 km from town center) — Lakeside country guesthouse featuring wooden timber lodges, private saunas, hot tubs, and boat usage on the lake. Rates: €70.00–€120.00 ($76–$130 USD) per night.

• Preiļu Siers Cheese: The local dairy factory produces hard cheeses including Preiļu Cheddar. Packaged blocks and specialized cheese gift packs are sold at local grocery stores and specialty shops.
• Latgalian Black Ceramics: Traditional reduction-fired clay vases, bowls, and mugs made without synthetic glazes. Available at the Preiļi Museum of History and Applied Arts gift shop and local pottery studios (€8.00–€35.00 / $8.70–$38.00 USD).
• Preiļi Municipal Market (Rēzeknes iela 6): Open Tuesday through Sunday mornings for fresh regional produce, smoked pork, forest honey, and hand-knit wool socks.

• Aglona (19 km south) — Site of the Aglona Basilica, a major late-Baroque Catholic pilgrimage site built in 1780, and the nearby King's Hill wooden sculpture park.
• Līvāni (35 km west) — Located at the junction of the Dubna and Daugava rivers, featuring the Līvāni Glass and Crafts Center which documents the town's glassmaking history.
• Daugavpils (55 km south) — Latvia's second-largest city, home to the 19th-century Daugavpils Fortress, the Mark Rothko Art Centre, and historic Red Brick architecture.
• Rēzekne (60 km northeast) — The administrative center of Latgale, known for the GORS concert hall, Latgale Culture History Museum, and medieval castle ruins on the Rēzekne River.