We recently spent ten days visiting Riga, Latvia, and as first-timers, we didn’t know anything about Riga. While it was a lovely experience visiting Riga without any knowledge of the city, some things are good to know ahead of time!
When we booked our trip to Riga, it was simply because I had never been to that area of the world, and the flights were some of the cheapest when flying with our cat. Our last-minute trip to Riga left us wanting to book a return trip… it really is a beautiful city!
Whether you’re visiting Riga on a hen party, are there to dive into Latvia’s history, or are simply looking for a cheap place to travel in Europe, this guide is for you!
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Things To Know When Visiting Riga, Latvia
1. How Many Days Do You Need In Riga?
We overheard multiple conversations of people saying something along the lines of, “I got in this morning and walked around and saw everything, not sure what I’m going to do tomorrow.”
And while sure, I can see that, as Old Town Riga is quite small, there’s so much more to see nearby Riga.
We would recommend two full days in Riga. One to enjoy Riga’s Old Town and surrounding area, and a second day to take an easy day trip from Riga to places like Kemeri National Park or Sigulda.
With that said, if you’re tight on a schedule and want to visit neighboring places like Estonia, you certainly can experience much of Riga in just one day.
2. Can I Use My Card In Riga?
Yes, most places in Riga accept credit card payment and even have contactless payment options.
Be sure you have a travel credit card, (here’s what we recommend) to avoid foreign transaction fees.
With that said, if you’re shopping at the Riga Central Market, having cash on hand is necessary for the smaller stalls.
Latvia uses euros for payment, and we found having coins on us was really handy for small local places.
3. Figuring Out Riga’s Public Transportation
We’ve traveled to over 40 countries and have never run into the public transportation problem we did while visiting Riga. There are two options for purchasing public transportation tickets in Riga: Rīgas Satiksme and Mobilly.
The Rigas Satiksme app only allows those with a Baltic phone number to use the app. This means only the numbers of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Mobilly allows those with phone numbers from the EU, EEA, UK, Switzerland, or Ukraine to purchase tickets.
As you can imagine, this makes things complicated for a lot of travelers. You can purchase tickets from kiosks (the airport has one), but kiosks are few and far between.
Keep in mind, using public transport isn’t really necessary. You can take bus 22 from the airport into town by purchasing a ticket at the kiosk at the airport, and then everything in Riga is walkable, with Old Town not having public transport anyway.
READ MORE | How to Get From Riga Airport to The City Center
Bolt is the taxi system used in Riga — we pre-scheduled a pickup at 3:30 AM for our airport transfer costing less than 15 Euro.
4. Is Riga Safe?
While Riga is considered a safe place to travel, pickpocketing does occur, particularly around the Riga Central Market.
Taking simple precautions like watching your drinks, keeping your belongings close by, and ensuring windows are closed when leaving accommodation helps prevent crime.
5. Some Venues Don’t Allow Hen & Stag Parties
We had no idea that Riga was a huge bachelor and bachelorette party destination until we saw loads of them when out in the city. We quickly learned that not all places allow these parties at their restaurants and bars.
It’s easy to see why when you witness the energy some groups bring to the city!
While this doesn’t affect most people, if you’re going to Riga for a hen or stag party, keep this in mind when making reservations!
6. Latvia Gained Independence In 1991
Latvia gained its independence in 1991, making it a relatively young nation. And, while Riga has made huge strides and is modernized in so many ways, there are still bits of Riga that are reminders of the past.
You’ll find a great historic look at the city at the House of Blackheads, where you can walk through the outdoor museum and learn about Latvia’s history.
Grab Your Tickets Here | The House of Blackheads Tickets and Tour
Walking through Riga, you’ll find an incredible mix of old and new, modern and crumbling buildings, and a look into Latvia’s history.
7. English Is Widely Spoken
With eSIMs offering internet access in Latvia and plenty of translation apps online, we weren’t concerned with a language barrier. However, we hardly used Google translate in Latvia.
There were times where we needed to translate menus and signs, however, for the most part things were written in Latvian and English and most people spoke English too.
It’s nice to learn a couple of Latvian phrases like “paldies” or “thank you” pronounced paul dee es, and “sveiki” or “hello”, pronounced svay-key.
8. IDP’s Are Necessary For Car Rentals
Don’t make the same mistake we made — get an International Driver’s Permit if you plan on renting a car in Riga!
We had big plans of renting a car in Riga to explore more of the countryside and go to the other Baltic States. However, after booking our rental car, we learned that as U.S. drivers, we needed an International Driver’s Permit.
It isn’t hard to get, but you do have to arrange it before leaving your home country.
Check your IDP requirements here. Keep in mind, the U.S. Embassy website says it’s not technically required, but we had multiple rental agencies say we had to have it!
9. Where You Stay Matters When Visiting Riga
If you’re reading this post, you already are way more prepared for a trip to Riga than we were. We booked our tickets about a week in advance, and literally researched nothing.
With that said, our accommodation options were few and far between, and we ended up staying across the water from Old Town.
Honestly, we liked this area! It’s more of a local feel, and the walk across the bridge to Old Town Riga (where many of the things to do in Riga are located) is beautiful at all times of day! The walk into town across the bridge also makes it feel like you’re not in a big city.
If you stay in the more common area, closer to Riga’s city center, you’ll have to walk through areas of town that definitely feel more “city-like,” taking away from the quaintness Riga can offer.
Our Recommended Stays in Riga
10. Visiting Riga Is Affordable & Cute!
While Riga is a capital in Europe, it’s one of the more affordable capitals and cities in Europe. It’s located outside of Western Europe, making it much more affordable as a European destination!
But don’t underestimate Riga. While it’s located outside of Western Europe and in the Baltic States, it is still full of that European charm.. just not with the high European prices!
Our Experience Visiting Riga
Riga genuinely caught us off guard — in the best possible way. We arrived with no expectations and left already planning a return trip.
For a city that so many people write off as a quick overnight stop, it has a lot more to offer than most give it credit for.
Whether you’re heading there for a weekend or, like us, stumbling into ten days without a plan, Riga has a way of winning you over. The food, the architecture, the affordability, the people — it all adds up to something quietly special.
If you’re starting to plan your trip, your next stop is our guide to what to eat in Riga — because if there’s one thing we really didn’t see coming, it was just how good the food scene is.
→ READ NEXT | What to Eat in At The Central Market in Riga, Latvia
Visiting Riga? You May Find These Helpful!
If you’re planning your trip to Riga we suggest having a look at some of the following posts.
READ MORE | Things to do in Riga That Are Worth Your Time
LEARN MORE | Your Complete Travel Guide To Riga, Latvia
BOOKING FLIGHTS | Your Budget Flight Hacks and Tips
