News

The Valmiera Tourist Information Centre receives the “Hiker-friendly” badge

At the meeting of the “Gājējam draudzīgs” (“Hiker-friendly”) commission held in Latvia at the end of February this year, 87 companies and tourism service providers, including the Valmiera Tourist Information Centre, were awarded the “Hiker-friendly” badge. It is organized within the framework of the project “Long-distance cross-border hiking route “Mežtaka””. In total, 104 pedestrian-friendly hospitality service providers have already been awarded the badge in Latvia.

Valmiera joins the world’s biggest photo project

INSIDE OUT is the world’s biggest and all-encompassing people’s photo project, the goal of which is to change the world. From Ecuador to Nepal, from San Francisco to Palestine, and even the Arctic: people from all over the planet join the project to share their photographic portraits and stories, becoming a publicly exhibited work of art. Valmiera becomes part of this socially important and inclusive project. Large photo portraits will be set up in a special location somewhere in the town. What these will show is up to the citizens, because everyone will be able to become a work of art.

A different tourism year in Valmiera in 2020

The Valmiera Tourism Information Center (TIC), as usual, in the first quarter of the year looks back at what has been done, compiles tourism statistics at the destination and opens new pages for ideas for next year. However, this time the past year is not and cannot be considered as usual. The year 2020 has left indelible traces in the history of the world, bringing great challenges to the tourism industry. Therefore, we want to look at the past year in tourism not only through the prism of dry numbers. Every day, statistical numbers in our news feeds are a stark reminder of the new world and its changes. We looked to see the people and the stories behind them - about traveling, about emotions and new habits in our daily lives!

Have a place for a walk in the upcoming Valmiera region!

Nature recharges, awakens, balances, and is accessible to everyone! Going to nature becomes especially important at a time when we are striving to restore our well-being and replenish energy stores. In order to inspire new, lesser-known and scenic nature trails and walking places in northern Vidzeme, the Valmiera Tourism Information Center in cooperation with tourism specialists from Beverīna, Burtnieki, Kocēni, Mazsalaca, Naukšēni, Rūjiena and Strenči municipalities has gathered ideas on where to go and get nature energy in the upcoming Valmiera region! All that’s left to do is dress up warmly, bring a snack with you, a warm drink and indulge in an adventure in nature!

Visit Valmiera - the pearl of northern Latvia – on a virtual tour!

At a time when we are limited to travel and meet, Enter Gauja in cooperation with the city of Valmiera invites to get acquainted with the tourism offer of the Gauja National Park. The pearl of northern Latvia - Valmiera - will give you inspiration to travel in a virtual tour! The start of the virtual tour is planned for Sunday, February 28th, 10AM, in Enter Gauja National Park and Visit Valmiera Facebook pages.

Valmiera commits to become the European Capital of Culture

Valmiera residents are pragmatic, realistic and rational. Valmiera and the future Valmiera region are also a united and rich cultural space with strong traditions and formidable creativity. It is unique and constantly rediscovered. That is why Valmiera is determined to become a European cultural destination by developing and implementing a long-term cultural program at the European level in the newly established region. It will be available to everyone living in Valmiera region and at the same time interesting for Latvian and European residents, giving everyone the opportunity to find an important place in the program.

Valmiera Castle cultural environment center is being built

Simultaneously with the ongoing wall restoration, reconstruction of the pharmacy building ensemble and construction of the new Valmiera Castle cultural environment center building, the historians of the Museum of Valmiera, in cooperation with the authors of the exposition design project SIA “H2E” and municipal specialists, are creating the exposition of the future Valmiera Castle cultural environment center.

Let's continue to follow safety measures!

With the increasing spread of Covid-19 in Latvia, it has been decided to extend the current safety measures until 25 January. These measures apply both to on-site sales with a specific list of the essential goods and to the educational process. The curfew hours have also been extended, meaning that a curfew will be in force on all weekends until 25 January during the night hours from 22.00 to 5.00. At the same time, in order to mitigate the economic effects of the Covid-19 crisis, the government has conceptually agreed to extend the availability of support mechanisms (the ministries are still working on a detailed legal framework). These decisions were made on 7 January during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Government conceptually agrees on the New Year’s Eve curfew

On Tuesday, 29 December, a joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Crisis Management Council was held, assessing the impact of the current security measures and restrictions on the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Latvian society. Unfortunately, it has been concluded that due to face-to-face meetings of people, the spread of Covid-19 is still too high for the healthcare system to continue to provide full treatment to all patients.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Passenger services to and from the United Kingdom will be suspended from December 21

In coordination with other EU Member States aiming to protect the public from the spread of the new coronavirus type in Latvia, the Cabinet of Ministers decided today to suspend passenger traffic through airports, ports, as well as by bus from and to the United Kingdom from 21 December to 1 January 2021.

During the holiday season, a period of silence must be observed, reducing contact and refraining from joint celebrations and visits to points of sale

Conscientious actions of every resident of Latvia and the avoidance of face-to-face contact with people outside their household will be crucial in the joint fight against Covid-19 during the holiday season at the end of the year. As Christmas Eve is approaching, the number of infected people exceeds 1,000 per day, reducing access to medical treatment and losing more and more lives in the fight against Covid-19.

The emergency situation has been extended until 11 January, introducing stricter safety measures and restrictions

In order to achieve more targeted limitation of Covid-19 and fight against the threat posed by the virus to the health and life of the Latvian population, stricter and more precise safety measures are being introduced until 11 January. They aim to work together to create conditions in which the virus cannot spread. This means that at the end of 2020, efforts must be made to dedicate the holiday period for a united but at the same time individual fight against the virus. Additionally to safety measures aid to the economic operators and working population will be provided. At the same time, the government is consistently working on the availability of the vaccine.

State of emergency to be declared in Latvia on 9 November

In view of the epidemiological assessments of the growing risks of spread of the COVID-19 virus, a national state of emergency will be declared in Latvia, to be in effect between 9 November and 6 December, to introduce strict medical safety measures, while ensuring compliance with the basic rights of the country’s residents, and enabling them to access essential services.

Hybrid buses unveiled in Valmiera

Major changes to Valmiera’s public transport system – at a press conference on 15 October, nine new diesel-electric hybrid buses were unveiled, which will welcome passengers at the end of October.

A new biofuel boiler house has been opened in Valmiera, Latvia – CO2 emissions will decrease by 10,000 tonnes

By investing 5.148 million euros, including 1.66 million euros in co-financing from the European Union Cohesion Fund, the new biofuel boiler house of JSC Valmieras Enerģija was opened in Valmiera. The biofuel boiler house will not only facilitate the city of Valmiera’s independence from fossil fuels as far as energy resources as concerned, because over 90% of the volume generated by the company will be produced from renewable energy resources, but will also enable a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. In the long run, it is strategically important for Valmiera City Council to ensure the welfare of residents and care for the environment, and the construction of an energy efficient biofuel boiler house is an important step towards this goal.

A New Institution will be Founded in Valmiera - the Bertāns Valmiera Basketball School

On Thursday 10 September, at a meeting of the Valmiera City Council, deputies decided to support the founding of the Bertāns Valmiera Basketball School. At a press conference held in the presence of NBA and Latvia national basketball team star Dāvis Bertāns, VALMIERA GLASS VIA Basketball Club General Manager Miks Balodis and Valmiera City Council Chairman Jānis Baiks, media representatives were informed about the goals of involving the Bertāns brothers in Valmiera’s youth basketball system.

As of 12 October, travellers to Latvia must complete an electronic questionnaire

As of 12 October, all travellers to Latvia must complete an electronic questionnaire on the website covidpass.lv.

The biggest event for entrepreneurs “Vidzeme Entrepreneurs’ days 2020”!

The Vidzeme regional branch of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK), the largest business association in Latvia, together with the Valmiera city municipality is organizing the “Vidzeme Entrepreneurs’ days 2020”, held in Valmiera on September 18th from 10am until 6pm and on September 19th from 8:30am until 4pm.

Valmiera City Festival

This is your flight ticket for my 737th birthday party. We can't meet in large crowds in this unusual year, so I'll be very happy if you choose several destinations with me and get involved in organizing the festival yourself as well. Various surprises have been prepared - in Valmiera we will open musical airfields, boil mousses, jump around, watch balloons and be in the air together. Takeoff on July 24th.