Looking for a Riga travel guide that has it all. We were too. And after coming up empty handed time and time again, we’ve created our own.
Riga took us by complete surprise. The food, the history, and the inviting culture.. and the day trips.. just wait till you read about them. Riga is a place that everyone should visit!
In this Riga travel guide, we’re sharing our favorite place to eat, the best day trips from the city, and things to do within Riga that will make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale.
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Is Riga Worth Visiting?
After visiting over 40 countries, we can say that Riga is definitely worth visiting. It’s a capital city in Europe, which in some ways can be a total turnoff.
However, we found Riga felt more like a step back in time to a quaint village. It reminded us a lot of visiting Toledo, Spain.
We spent ten days visiting Riga, and while we enjoyed all ten days, we would say ten days is a bit much. Instead, a full weekend, or two full days in Riga is plenty to be able to take in the Old Town and surrounding area, as well as enjoy a day trip or spa day outside of the city!
With that said, visiting Riga and using it as a hub to explore Latvia and the other Baltic States is a great idea!
Quick Facts About Riga
Best Time To Visit Riga
Riga is located relatively far north, so the summers do not get super hot, making summer in Riga a lovely time to visit.
With that said, summers in Riga are the high season, and we always recommend traveling in the shoulder seasons, like May, September, and October.
Visiting in December, you’ll find an excellent Christmas market with prices much lower than those of Christmas markets in Western Europe.
During fall, places like Bastejkalna Park and Sigulda light up with fall foliage — so we recommend September and October for photography!
How To Get To Riga
Aside from taking a cruise to Riga, there are three main ways to get to Riga. We flew into Riga’s International Airport, but met plenty of people visiting via bus and train.
Riga International Airport
Riga’s International Airport code is RIX. This airport is relatively small with two terminals, one for arrivals from the Schengen zone, and one for arrivals outside the Schengen zone.
Budget airlines like RyanAir and LOT fly directly to Riga from multiple places around Europe.
Getting from the airport to the city center will take about thirty minutes, and can be done via Bolt (Latvia’s Uber), rental car (we recommend Discover Cars), or via bus 22 (the cheapest option).
READ MORE | Our Complete Guide to Getting From Riga Airport to the City Center
Busing From Other Baltic Capitals
Many people bus into Riga from places like Tallinn, Estonia and Vilnius, Lithuania. If visiting other Baltic capitals, getting to Riga via bus is a great option!
The main bus terminal is right on the edge of Old Town Riga, and next to the Riga Central Market, making it a very convenient location to hit the ground running!
We recommend booking your bus tickets in advance, as prices increase as the travel date gets closer. When we were looking at tickets, they were around 10 USD for one way travel, and in advance you can get them for around 7 USD instead.
Train Travel From Nearby Countries
With how cheap and convenient bus travel is to Riga, we actually would recommend taking the bus over the train.
We searched and searched for good train deals to places in Lithuania and Latvia, but found all the routes had multiple transfers and the travel times were at weird hours.
Oftentimes, train travel connecting to Riga from other countries is only offered once daily.. making it hard to plan travel!
With that said, being someone who gets carsick, I understand buses aren’t for everyone! Check train travel options ahead of time, so you can plan your trip around the weird travel dates and times for trains in Latvia.
Check the official Latvian train website for exact travel times and dates.
Top Things To Do In Riga
During our ten days in Riga, we found ourselves going back to some of the same things multiple times and found things in Riga that are unlink anything else we’ve seen.
So, while we have an entire post on things to do in Riga, this section here is just the overview of the best things to do… those jaw-dropping buildings, mouthwatering cuisine, and only in Riga experiences.
Eat At Ala
- Coordinates | 56.94608, 24.10781
- Cost | under €15 for a meal and drink
- Reservation Number | +37127796914
Honestly, we should say experience Ala because this place is more than just a restaurant. With live music every night, ribs for only €9, and a beer platter that you’ll want to write home about. You need to try this place!
We ate at Ala three different times, which breaks our rule of not returning somewhere more than once when traveling. But it really was that good. Seriously, don’t skip out on the Ala experience!
All three times we went to Ala, we didn’t have reservations; however, they are recommended, especially for groups or when visiting in the high season.
Walk Through Old Town
- Coordinates | 56.94854, 24.10604
- Cost | free
- Our Old Town Riga Guide | Grab coordinates for must see stops and locations in Old Town in this guide
Old Town Riga is where all the charm of Riga can be found. We loved just walking around Old Town and getting lost in the streets.
We found the old city walls and towers, the smallest street in Riga, and even a building with cats on top of it.
In Old Town Riga, you’ll find St. Peter’s Church with great views from above, the House of Blackheads, with a museum looking into Riga’s past, and interesting art installations offering a peek at life in Riga.
We’ve created a full guide to the stops you can’t miss in Old Town Riga that you can find here, but just walking around Old Town is lovely too!
Enjoy the Daugava River
- Coordinates | 56.94547, 24.10534
- Cost | free or €11 for boat cruise
- Guided Tour Recommendation | Book Your Daugava River Cruise
Our accommodation was across the river from Old Town Riga, so we got to enjoy the Daugava River every day going in and out of the city.
River cruises are offered seasonally, and this one even has drinks and food on board.
Don’t want to cruise the river, no problem. There are walking paths along the shoreline. We recommend the path by the library as this offers a great view of Old Town Riga from across the river!
Visit The Art Nouveau Museum and Buildings
- Coordinates | 56.95955, 24.10844
- Cost | free or €9 for museum entrance
- Guided Tour Recommendation | Join this 2 hour walking tour to learn about the buildings and architecture
The Art Nouveau District of Riga is located just beyond the Old Town borders, but is an area not to be missed.
We walked to this area of Riga in hopes of visiting the museum, however, the museum was closed when we arrived.
Even with the closure, the area is beautiful. The architecture of the buildings in the Art Nouveau District is unreal!
Day Trips From Riga
While we were in Riga we took two different day trips from the city. We took both trips via train, but if you have an International Driver’s Permit or a license from the UK or EU, we recommend renting a car and doing these day trips instead. That way you have more time to stop and really take in these areas.
Book your rental car ahead of time and save… don’t worry, there’s free cancellation if plans change!
Kemeri National Park
- Coordinates | 56.9027031, 23.4544004
- Cost | €2.8 train ride each way, entrance free
- Guided Tour Recommendation | A sunset tour with transportation with a beach stop
- Travel Guide | Our Complete Day Trip Guide To Kemeri National Park
Kemeri National Park is an absolute must visit in Riga. No Riga travel guide would be complete without suggesting a trip to Keremi.
The national park is unlike any other national park we’ve been to, and the hiking is so easy.
The must do hike in Kemeri National Park is the Great Kemeri Bog Walk. This walk takes about an hour to complete and is a flat boardwalk through the bog.
If you have a car, visiting the bog at sunrise produces amazing photos with the early morning mist coming off the water. If you’re like us and visit via train, we suggest going just a few hours before sunset.
The walk to the start of the bog is an hour from the train station, then you’ll spend an hour on the actual bog walk, and an hour return to the train.
Be sure to read our full guide for more tips and need to know information for visiting Kemeri National Park.
Sigulda Castle & Hiking
- Coordinates | 57.1532004, 24.8548990
- Cost | €4 round trip train fare
- Guided Tour Recommendation | This tour includes castle tickets and tickets to the bobsled tracks
- Sigulda Travel Guide | Our Complete Day Trip Guide to Sigulda
Sigulda is an outdoor lover’s paradise! From ziplining to hiking, rafting, and the chance to visit multiple castles, Sigulda has it all.
Oh, did I mention, Sigulda also has an Olympic bobsled track that you can actually go down yourself! It was closed when we visited (like most things in early April), but talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
We recommend hiking from the train station to the Turaida Castle. Along the way you’ll see other castle ruins, the beautiful river, a historic grotto, and get a serious stair workout in.
Once at the castle, grab a coffee from the vending machine espresso maker, and then enjoy the castle before hopping on the bus back to the train station.
When we visited, we packed Latvian cheese and meats from the Riga Central Market and enjoyed a picnic along the river halfway through the hike.
Where To Eat And Drink In Riga
Riga’s food scene took us by complete surprise! Most of the food we had was amazing and cheap enough to eat every day without breaking the bank.
If you haven’t caught on yet, we loved Ala, and underground pub in Old Town Riga offering delicous local delicacies, a huge beer selection, and live music every night.
We also recommend eating at a LIDO. Not all LIDOs are equal, though, and we specifically recommend LIDO Vērmanītis. They have a larger selection of food and a lot of seating!
The Riga Central Market is something we found many people recommending, but the gastro scene there is overpriced and underwhelming, so we’d say skip it for a meal, but enjoy these snacks there instead.
READ MORE | What To Eat In Riga And Where To Find It
READ MORE | What’s Worth Eating & What To Pass On At The Riga Central Market
Where To Stay In Riga
We booked our trip to Riga very last minute. We’re talking four days in advance AND on a holiday weekend at the start of Easter break. This meant that most accommodation in our price range was accounted for, forcing us to stay outside of Old Town and across the Daugava River.
However, this was a huge blessing. We got a more local experience in Riga, were able to walk across the river daily for exploring, and had a full kitchen, allowing us to cook meals at home.
With that said, we recommend staying in Old Town. There are some incredible locations at really affordable prices!
Staying in Old Town
Staying in Old Town allows you to be at the heart of all the charm of Riga. Old Town is where Riga comes to life and it’s where you’ll fall in love. We recommend the Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel.
It’s perfectly located near the main bus terminal and train station, the Riga Central Market is close by, and the rooms are so cute and homey!
Staying in Art Nouveau District
If you’re looking for a more historic stay in Riga, and aren’t so into the nightlife and business that Old Town Riga can bring, we recommend staying in the Art Nouveau District.
Here you’ll find more upscale accommodation, with a price tag to match, but you’ll also find buildings with intricate details you won’t find elsewhere.
We recommend staying at the AC Art Nouveau Marriott. The location is perfect, and the views are great!
Staying Across Daugava River
If you want to experience more of a local stay, there are many accommodations across the Daugava River offering full apartments to book. This is a great option for people traveling in groups of more than two.
We always love an apartment stay for longer trips because then we can make food during our stay instead of going out for every meal. While we wouldn’t recommend where we stayed in Riga, we can recommend this apartment instead.
Riga Travel Tips & Safety
Public Transport Tips
At the airport we were tempted to buy a public transport pass for our ten days in Riga. They sell them at the bus ticket kiosk, and the prices are really low.
However, we waited to see if we really need one, and even after ten days in the city, and staying on the other side of the river as the main area of Riga, we found we could get around without a public transit pass.
Instead, get a ticket to and from the airport and walk around the city to take it all in.
Purchasing Train and Bus Tickets
The train system in Latvia can be extremely confusing, and in our experience the people at both the train ticket counter and bus ticket counter were not helpful. They all acted like we were bothering them by asking to buy tickets.
Instead of dealing with the icky feeling we experienced, head straight to the ticket office just past the Smaržo, Origo laudromat in the mall. This is where people were the most friendly and helpful!
Pickpocketing In Riga
We explored both the touristy places in Riga and places outside the main tourist zone. And everywhere we went in Riga we felt safe.
Be aware, pickpocketing is a thing in Riga. It is specifically something to watch for when visiting the Riga Central Market.
Tipping in Riga
We come from a very tip-heavy culture in the United States. One that we honestly don’t like or agree with. So when we travel, we’re very aware of the tipping culture in places we visit.
In Riga, tipping is not common. In some of the more touristy areas, you’ll be asked to tip, but it’s not expected or done very often.
Quick Riga Itineraries
While we spent ten days in Riga, we’re well aware that most people don’t. So instead of creating a ten day itinerary, we’ve grabbed the best of the ten days and created 1-3 day itineraries below.
Be sure to click through to the full itinerary post for the day you’re interested in. You’ll find more details, coordinates, and costs involved in each detailed itinerary.
1 Day in Riga Itinerary
READ MORE | Our Full Detailed Guide of the One Day Itinerary Below
- Coffee and a light breakfast at Riga Central Market
- Wander through Old Town Riga to Art District
- Visit Art Nouveau Museum and Buildings
- Light lunch at Lido
- Wander through Old Town towards train station
- Sunset at Kemeri National Park
- Late Dinner at Ala
2 Days in Riga Itinerary
READ MORE | Our Detailed 2 Day Riga Itinerary
Day One
- Coffee and a light breakfast at Moltto Coffee
- Take a free walking tour in Riga
- Lunch at LIDO Vērmanītis
- Visit the Art District
- Sunset from St. Peter’s Church Tower
- Dinner at Ala
Day Two
- Coffee and breakfast at Riga Central Market
- Self guided photo tour through Old Town
- Early lunch at Spinati un Sviests
- Visit Jurmala Beach
- Sunset at Kemeri National Park
- Late Dinner at Ala
3 Days in Riga Itinerary
READ MORE | Find Our Complete Detailed 3 Day Riga Itinerary Here
Day One
- Coffee and a light breakfast at Moltto Coffee
- Take a free walking tour in Riga
- Lunch at LIDO Vērmanītis
- Visit the Art District
- Sunset from St. Peter’s Church Tower
- Dinner at Ala
Day Two
- Coffee and breakfast at Riga Central Market
- Self guided photo tour through Old Town
- Early lunch at Spinati un Sviests
- Visit Jurmala Beach
- Sunset at Kemeri National Park
- Late Dinner at Ala
Day Three
- Coffee and breakfast at Rocket Bean
- Day trip to Sigulda and Cesis
- Evening boat tour
- Dinner at Ala (yes, it’s that good)
Riga FAQs
What language is spoken in Riga?
While the national language of Riga is Latvian, most people speak English too. While shopping at the Riga Central Market at the smaller shops, we ran into people not speaking English, but still were able to communicate with them just fine.
What’s the weather like in Riga?
Riga is further north than you might expect, and as such, it doesn’t really get hot there. The temperatures in Riga range between -5°C in winter to 17°C in summer. October through March are the rainy months, and keep in mind, with the Baltic Sea breeze, the temperature can feel much colder than expected — it was freezing for us in April!
What currency is accepted?
Latvia uses the Euro, and cards are widely accepted as well. When shopping from more local retailers – especially in the market – you’ll find cash is the preferred or only way to pay.
What are popular day trips from Riga?
For those looking for outdoor adventures, Sigulda.
Beach time? Jūrmala.
An unreal national park? The bog walk at Kemeri National Park.
Castles and a medieval feel? Cēsis.
What’s Next?
Riga took us by complete surprise, and we hope it takes you by surprise too. Seriously, don’t miss out on Ala. It was our favorite experience in Riga, and be sure to check out our other guides on Riga below.
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