Valka

Valka is a town in northern Latvia, on the border with Estonia. Valka and the Estonian town Valga are twins, separated by the Estonian/Latvian border but using the slogan "One Town, Two Countries". With 6,000 people, it is one of the smallest cities in Latvia, but Valga has another 13,000 residents.

Understand
Valka and the Estonian town of Valga are actually one town, with the border running through it. The border was marked out in 1920 by an international jury headed by British Colonel Tallents. After the expansion of Schengen Agreement to Latvia and Estonia in 2007 all the border crossing-points and fences were removed.

The town lies 160 km from Riga, the capital.

The history is essentially identical to that of Valga.

Get in
The train station in Valga, Estonia, and buses connect Valka to Riga several times a day. See 1188.lv for up-to-date bus and train schedules, route planner and prices.

By car
There are roads from Valmiera (50 km) and Riga (160 km), and also from Smiltene (44 km). The main highway from Riga crosses the border and goes to Estonia's second largest city Tartu (85 km).

Get around
There are buses serving the town but the best way is going by foot or bicycle.

Do
There is nothing much to do in Valka, however, it's a must to visit the Estonian side once you are here. As the local government is consistently trying to develop their town, the new International Studies Centre of University of Latvia will be located in Valka with the aim to attract foreigners. Still a lot of work must be done to make Valka interesting for tourists.

Eat
In the centre of Valka, other places than the following cannot be found. It is said that in the northern part of the city there is a couple of cafeterias, but it's easier and safer to go for food to the Estonian side, where the choice is more interesting.



Connect

 * The area code for the town is 47.

Go next

 * Seda - Founded in 1953 in an uninhabited area, it still embodies the pomp of Communist and Stalinist architecture. Nearby a vast peat bog man-made nature area can be found, and is not to be missed. These occurrences are historically tied to each other.
 * Smiltene – Features a manor, some castle ruins, and a watch tower over the surrounding area. Not very interesting, but quite cosy and slightly larger than Valka, and not far from the Pskov highway.
 * Valmiera – Features the only professional theatre in the region, castle ruins, a medieval church, a famous brewery, and is the start of the Gauja National Park.
 * Valga – A stone's throw away and the gateway to South Estonia. The latter inhibits the beautiful Sangaste Castle, the winter sports and nature centre Otepää, the Seto ethnicity in its far southeast, the intellectual hub and university town of Tartu, the picturesque and folk-focused Viljandi, as well as the centre of Estonian wine production, Põltsamaa. Hiking, skiing, fishing, clubbing, folk music, and beaches – South Estonia leaves nothing left to be desired.