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Riga, Latvia’s small but beautiful capital city is not a place that springs to people’s minds when they are choosing a travel destination. Tucked away in the Baltics, it is easy to forget about or pass over. Once you visit though, Riga becomes hard to forget. On the banks of the Daugava River is a city so very beautiful, super friendly, and a little bit quirky. You can see and do a lot there in such a short space of time, making the city a fantastic place to spend a weekend or even a bit longer. Hopefully, this travel guide will help somewhat in planning a trip to a city I cannot recommend enough.
Getting Into Riga
By Air
Riga International Airport is 10km from the Old Town. The cheapest way to the city is the number 22 bus which leaves 300 meters from the arrival terminal. Tickets will cost €1.15. If you wish to take a taxi, Riga airport has taxis licensed to work at the airport which they claim guarantees safety and a transparent pricing policy. Although this is the quickest and most convenient way to travel, expect to pay for the privilege. A taxi from the airport will cost a minimum of €20.
By Bus
Riga and Latvia are located between Estonia and Lithuania. This means many people arrive by bus from one of its two neighbours. A journey from either Tallinn or Vilnius takes approximately 4 hours. All buses arriving in Riga will arrive at Riga Coach Station to the east and just a short walk from the Old Town. The two best companies to use for this journey are LuxExpress and Flixbus, both of whom have daily buses to and from Riga.
By Train
It is unlikely you will arrive in Riga by train. It is not a convenient way to travel the region. However, if you do, you will arrive at Rīga-Pasažieru, Riga Central Station. The station is located just north of the aforementioned Coach Station. Just like the coach station, it is a short and easy walk to the Old Town.
Where To Stay In Riga
Riga is a relatively small city. The sights you plan to see are likely to be within walking distance of each other. This makes it easy to find well-located accommodation. Old Town Riga sits on the bank of the Daugava River and makes the perfect location to base yourself for the entirety of your stay. You don’t need to necessarily restrict yourself to staying in this area, just stay within walking distance of it and your trip to Riga will be much easier. It is in the Old Town that you will spend most of your time.
If you are looking for a hostel then I must recommend where I stayed! Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel was one of the best I have stayed at. Small and personal with a superb atmosphere, free breakfast, and friendly staff. Cinnamon Sally is by no means a party hostel, it would be best described as a sociable one. People tend to gather in the common room early in the evening before either heading out or having a few quiet late drinks in the hostel. The staff was adamant that no noise should be made that could disturb other, sleeping guests. Conveniently located close to Old Town Riga, if you plan to stay in a hostel, Cinnamon Sally is a perfect choice.
When To Go To Riga
This section would be more aptly named ‘ When Not To Go To Riga’. Riga has quite fair weather for large parts of the year with a nicer than average summer. However, the winters can get bitterly cold. From late November to late February, expect minus temperatures and snowy conditions. For a comfortable trip and one not dictated by the weather, it is best to avoid these months. I visited during Autumn and it felt perfect. Nice, mild temperatures with the fallen leaves only add to the beauty of the city.
What To Do In Riga
Explore Old Town Riga
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Riga has one of the best-preserved and most charming historic centers in Europe. Although small in size, this area of the city is likely to be the reason you fall in love with Riga. It seems like on every street and around every corner, something stunning is waiting for you. It is filled with history, it is almost as if every building has a story to tell. Some of the must-see sights throughout Old Town Riga are;
- Riga Castle
- Riga Cathedral
- The Three Brothers
- Rozena Iela
- St. Peter’s Church
- Bremen Town Musicians
- Rigas Dome
- Latvian National Opera House
- Freedom Monument
Art Nouveau District
Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world. In fact, roughly one-third of all the buildings in the center of Riga is of Art Nouveau architecture. Visiting Riga is a fantastic opportunity to wander the streets in awe of these stunning buildings. To see the best of Art Nouveau architecture, take a walk down Albert Iela which is deemed as the most beautiful street in all of Riga.
Central Market
You are probably unaware that Riga boasts Europe’s largest market. Just like Old Town Riga, this structure was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list back in 1998. The market includes five buildings each selling its own special product – vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, and gastro products. It also has an outdoor area with stalls and the Night Market. Whilst most produce sold here will be of no use to you during a short stay, the market has more than enough food stalls that will allow you to get a taste of authentic Latvian cuisine. It is also an excellent glimpse into city life. Open every day from 07:30 to 18:00 and located just beside the train and bus station, this market is a must for anybody who visits Riga.
Take A Trip out to Cesis
If visiting Old Town Riga leaves you craving even more medieval architecture then a trip to Cesis is a must. This small town which is about 2 hours from the capital is an excellent little getaway from the city. Cesis is full of charm and a place that can make for an enjoyable albeit short visit. There isn’t a whole lot to do here but Cesis Castle can be worth the trip alone. This beautiful, historic complex will certainly be the star of your visit. Beyond this, Cesis is simply an enjoyable place to walk, relax and enjoy. If you are looking for lunch or a cafe here, check out Vinetas un Allas Karumlade, it is delicious!!
Paul Stradins Museum of the History of Medicine
This fascinating museum is a little away from the norm. One of the largest medical museums in the world, the museum shows the development of medicine and pharmacology from ancient times. It was a fascinating visit, even for someone that has zero knowledge of what the meaning was behind some of the exhibitions. On show are many of the instruments used by doctors and surgeons in the past, some of which will make you grimace at the pain they must have caused.
Visit the National Park
The Gauja National Park is only a 1-hour bus ride away, bordering the small town of Sigulda. If you find yourself with spare time and a feeling like you want to escape the city, this is the place to go. Visit any of the viewpoints there and be met with breathtaking views. If you have your walking shoes on then delve deeper into the forest and get a little off the beaten track, you will be rewarded for doing so with some amazing scenery.
If spending a whole day trekking through the forest is not your thing then bear in mind that Cesis and Sigulda are on the same bus route. You could undertake the 2-hour journey to Cesis, enjoy the town before travelling one hour back to Sigulda. This is a great option if your time is limited. Buses leave regularly from Riga Central Bus Station and the three buses in total will cost you less than €5.
Some More Things To Do in Riga
- Drink Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian drink
- Spend some time by the seaside at Jurmala
- See The Corner House, known as the headquarters of the Soviet KGB in Latvia from 1940 to 1941 and from 1944 to 1991
- Visit the Riga Motor Museum, the biggest antique vehicle museum in the Baltic countries
- Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum, learn about the horrors that occurred during World War II in Riga
Where To Eat in Riga
Folkklubs Alla Pagrabs
This restaurant was high on my places to visit upon arrival and a recommendation from my hostel only confirmed my thinking that this was the place to go for excellent food in Riga. You will find this bustling bistro in an old wine cellar packed with locals. All of them are there to eat fantastic Latvian pub fare, drink lots of beer and listen to live music. My dish of choice here was the traditional Latvian meatballs (which were incredible) but it was such a tough choice deciding from the many options available. Folkklubs has such good food at an excellent price, you may find yourself dining here more than once.
Lido
This buffet-style restaurant chain is a budget-friendly favourite amongst locals. Serving up very typical, cheap Latvian food, any of the multiple Lido restaurants dotted around Riga make for an excellent place to sample not only the local cuisine but also a glimpse at day-to-day local life. The food at Lido is not going to win any rewards but there are always many options to choose from for a reliable lunch or dinner.
Big Bad Bagels
With their bagels baked in-house and fresh, delicious high-quality ingredients, this bagel shop is worth leaving the local cuisine behind. With multiple different types of bagels to choose from as well as at least 25 specially designed combinations of ingredients, you are certainly spoilt for choice. Be sure to check out their fresh smoothies during your visit, they are so refreshing. Big Bad Bagels is just a short walk from the Art Nouveau district, which makes it a convenient place to grab breakfast before exploring the architecture there.
Apsara Tea House
Located in the middle of Vermanes Park, this wonderfully designed, quaint cafe is the perfect place to grab some coffee and cake whilst watching the world go by. Riga is full of great little cafes and bakeries but few have the charm and picturesque location that Apsara has.
Riga was never a place I yearned to visit. In fact, the entire reason I went there was by chance. I wanted to visit both Tallinn and Poland and Latvia just so happened to be in the middle of the two. My expectations upon arrival weren’t particularly high, I didn’t know what to expect. These expectations were quickly surpassed though as Riga became one of my favourite cities in Europe. A wonderful place with beautiful architecture, my only regret was I wished I had more time in both Riga and Latvia. Riga might not be an obvious choice when planning a trip but trust me, give it the chance and you will be so glad that you visited. I know I was, and Riga is a place I will certainly return to.
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