The Karosta Prison first accommodated unfortunate guests over 100 years ago. There is something rather unsettling about the fact that the people running this Latvia prison hotel were probably alive or even experienced the Russian regime in Latvia themselves. If not them then definitely their parents. Latvia gained independence in 1989, just over 30 years ago. Now the prison where people were tortured, is a “fun” tourist experience.
The Latvia Prison Hotel Experience
It’s not that “entertaining” if you think about it, especially in the light of the Russian invation of Ukraine in 2022. However, most of us can’t help being drawn towards the macabre experience. Whenever we travel we want to get inside the local psyche and learn how they tick. And this is about as close as you’ll get to knowng what it was like to live in Latvia during the Russian occupation. The Latvia prison hotel is the only military prison open to tourists in Europe.
Visitors can stay the night in prison, on a prison bunk, be interrogated and fed prison food. If you’d rather not spend the night but would like to see the prison there are guided tours, a museum, and reenactments in the prison. The site can arrange special “extreme” nights for you as well! Riga is packed with other unusual attractions like the beautiful Honey Store.
Latvia Prison Hotel Practical Details:
Location: Liepāja, Karosta, Invalīdu iela 4,
Price: Overnight accommodation in the prison 15 Euro per person; a night in the Karosta Prison’s chief officer’s room 50 Euro.
Open Times: Excursions and Karosta prison hotel tours: June, July, and August daily 10:00-18:00, May and September daily 11:00-17:00, October and April daily 11:00-17:00, 1st November till 31st March on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 12:00 – 16:00. Prison Hotel overnight accommodation: 1st May to 30th November.
How to Book a Room in the Karosta Prison Hotel: Call +371 26369470 or write to e-mail info@karostascietums.lv to book a room in the Prison hotel.
Webiste: Karosta Prison Hotel Latvia
