Riga, the capital of Latvia, is nestled on the Baltic Sea’s shores where the Daugava River meets the Gulf of Riga. Founded in 1201, this vibrant city seamlessly blends medieval charm with modern influences.
Stroll through Riga’s UNESCO-listed Old Town to admire its colorful Art Nouveau architecture and cobblestone streets. The city’s rich history is reflected in its lively markets, museums, and diverse food scene.
Riga’s dynamic culture, lively festivals, and welcoming locals make it a wonderful destination for travelers. It’s an ideal blend of history, beauty, and contemporary life awaiting your discovery.
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Location
Baltic region, Northern Europe
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Religion
Lutheran Christianity
Population
614,618
Language
Latvian, Russian, English
Electricity
230V, 50Hz, Type C/F plugs
Time zone
UTCEET (UTC+2)
Country code
+371
Internet access
Broadband, 4G, 5G widely available, fast, affordable
Climate
Humid continental, cold winters, mild summers
Language:
Latvian
hello
goodbye
yes
no
how much
please
thank you
excuse me
Riga is easily reached by air, with Riga International Airport offering direct flights to many major European cities. The airport is just 10 km from the city center and connected by regular buses and taxis, making arrival simple year-round.
Travelers can also reach Riga by bus from neighboring countries like Estonia and Lithuania, thanks to frequent and comfortable international coach services. Rail connections are available, but trains primarily link Riga with nearby Baltic destinations rather than Western Europe.
During the warmer months, ferries operate between Riga and Stockholm, providing a scenic and relaxed travel option. Winter weather can sometimes affect ferry and road travel, so it’s wise to check seasonal schedules and conditions before planning your trip.
Riga has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters (December to February) are cold and dark, often bringing snow and temperatures just below freezing. Spring is cool but pleasant as the city comes to life with blooming parks.
Summers in Riga (June to August) are mild and warm, with average highs around 20–23°C (68–73°F). This is the best time to visit, as days are long and lively festivals fill the city. Autumn is usually rainy and windy—late September to November is best avoided if you dislike wet, chilly weather.
Riga’s cuisine blends Baltic, Russian, and European influences. Try traditional dishes like grey peas with bacon, rye bread, smoked fish, and potato pancakes. Don’t miss Latvian specialties such as piragi (filled pastries) and delicacies like Alexanders Torte. For drinks, sample local craft beer or Riga Black Balsam, a unique herbal liqueur.
Top restaurants include Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs for local cuisine and atmosphere, or 3 Pavāru Restorāns (3 Chefs Restaurant) for modern Latvian fare. MiiT offers excellent vegetarian options, while Rocket Bean provides top coffee. Bars like The Red Fox Bar are great for cocktails.
A 5–10% tip is customary, though most places don’t include service charge. Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available, especially in cafés. Reservations are recommended during weekends and busy tourist seasons.
For visitors who love being close to the main sights, Riga’s Old Town (Vecrīga) offers charming accommodations like the Grand Poet Hotel and Neiburgs Hotel, both known for comfort and character. Many travelers book their stays conveniently through Hotels.com, which lists excellent options from luxury boutique hotels to international chains.
Budget travelers will find well-rated hostels, such as Cinnamon Sally and Naughty Squirrel, in the city center. For a quieter retreat, consider staying in the Art Nouveau District or nearby Jurmala for resort-style beachfront hotels. Booking early on Hotels.com is smart, especially in summer or during festivals, to get the best rates and availability.
Begin your journey in Riga by exploring its charming Old Town, soaking in the medieval atmosphere, and familiarizing yourself with the city’s rich historical heritage.
Wander the cobbled streets of Riga’s historic Old Town, admiring colorful facades and charming squares. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is perfect for photo opportunities and orienting yourself in the city’s medieval heart.
Ascend the tower of St. Peter’s Church for an iconic panoramic view of Riga’s skyline. Don’t miss the church’s fascinating Gothic and Baroque architecture and its insightful history exhibits.
Visit the Three Brothers, Riga’s oldest residential buildings, to see unique medieval architecture and learn about the city’s early urban development through the Latvian Museum of Architecture housed within.
From Riga: Hill of Crosses & Jelgava Highlights
• A well-paced full-day experience This tour is designed to feel balanced and unhurried, allowing time to experience each place rather than rushing through highlights. • Guided insight and personal time at the Hill of Crosses Learn the history and symbolism of this powerful site with your guide, followed by free time to explore independently. Guests may also visit the nearby Franciscan monastery and chapel. • Jelgava as a meaningful second destination The experience continues in Jelgava with guided visits to key sights, including the riverside promenade, the Orthodox Cathedral, and Jelgava Palace (viewed from the outside). • Thoughtfully organized shared tour This is a shared tour with a clear structure and careful planning, ensuring smooth timing and guest comfort. • A subtle local touch to conclude the day The experience concludes with a small local element many travelers don’t expect, offering an authentic way to round off the journey.
Honest tour of Riga with the best private guide in town
Honest tour of must-sees with the best* private guide of Riga Every city has it's good, bad and the ugly, and there's always the option of highlighting just one side of the coin. On this tour we try our hardest to stay as honest and objective as possible, not loosing the perspective of a local at the same time. 4-5 hours, including a coffee break, might seem long, but a half day tour like that is the shortest possible time to cover all the most important sights that Riga's heart has to offer without a rush. Still - depending on your desire or availability, it can be longer or shorter as well - you can decide during the tour. It's customisable as well, so if you'd like to drop a thing from the itinerary or add something different (eg, central market), the guide will be happy to adjust. We don't take tours more than 5 times a week, so the tour would stay fresh and the guide wouldn't become a machine of spouting facts and figures. * as described by his mother and some of his friends.
From $156 USD
Best of Latvia, Jurmala, Kemeri N Park, Kuldiga City, Food & More
Enjoy & discover Latvian most beautiful gems in a one day tour. A combination of Latvian experiences that one would otherwise search to find separately. You will visit Jurmala, most prestigious beach in the Baltics, where in Soviet times, the highest elite came to enjoy Vacations & Impress yourself with the Art nouveau wooden buildings. Walk on Boardwalk placed in a bog In Kemeri National park & enjoy its nature. After this, you will be drive to Kuldiga, an ancient city protected by UNESCO world heritage, where you will see the widest waterfall in Europe & the longest arch brick transport bridge in Europe, built in 1874. Also, here you will have a delicious Latvian lunch & a drink. Then, you will get drive to Ragaciems, through a beautiful forest road, reaching an amazing white sandy Beach, surrounded by forest; All this, in a one day tour, perfect for travellers looking for a great outdoor experience & stories. Our goal is to ensure an authentic & memorable experience for you!
From $200 USD
Riga Private Photoshoot Tour
"Discover Old Riga" is a spontaneous photo walk activity that will show you around the beautiful Old Town of Riga, during a 90 min. waking tour along the most emblematic spots. Using its medieval streets and historical buildings as unique creative backgrounds, you will have a professional photoshoot taken along the way, while learning stories and interesting facts about Riga's fascinating medieval past. The resulting pictures will be edited and sent to your email within 3 working days. Overall, an exciting activity for couples, families, groups of friends or solo travellers who want to experience Riga in the most unique way!
From $169 USD
Ķemeri Great Bog Discovery With Optional Sunrise & Jūrmala Visit
Take a guided morning walk on the famous Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk. Dive into the breathtaking scenery of untouched raised bog habitats as you leisurely walk along the sturdy wooden boardwalk. Explore the enchanting Great Ķemeri Bog throughout the year, from vibrant blooms in spring to lush greenery in summer, golden hues in autumn, and tranquil beauty in winter. Have a wonderful time, learning about the area while enjoying the outdoors. Amazed by the unique and expansive raised bog landscape? You definitely will be. Now, for the cherry on top! Before returning to your hotel or going to Jūrmala Town (if you choose this option), have a glimpse of the famous Ķemeri natural swamp forests. On your way learn about Latvian nature, culture, and traditions from our professional local guide, and enjoy our special and fun improv-travel approach.
From $139 USD
Hike In Gauja National Park - Up And Down The Switzerland Of Latvia
What is waiting for you on this hike? Impressive sandstone outcrops and the biggest cave in the Baltics – Gutman Cave. Ancient historical sites, like Sigulda Brother of Swords castle ruins and Krimulda manor. A well-established trail along the Gauja River. A bit of climbing on the steep river banks to see the primeval Gauja River valley. And… a lot of fresh air!
From $139 USD
Relax Massage, Tantra Therapy in Riga, Latvia
I offer a unique and relaxing, tantric massage for both men and women. Come to my private massage studio, relax and unwind.
From $181 USD
Sunrise at the Hill of Crosses - 2 countries in 1 day
Visit one of the most popular sites in Lithuania! Visited by Pope John Paul II, this place has become an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. But please don't be intimidated by the fact that it is a religious site - everyone is welcome to visit this unique site - just as long as you respect the place and crosses that carry different stories with them! You will have a guided tour of the place - hear the story behind it, how it all started! We'll point out some traditional Lithuanian crosses, explain some symbols that can be seen there and give you overall information about the country, culture and its history. After the guided tour you will have free time to explore the place by yourselves - take some beautiful photos and just to take it all in as it really is breathtaking! Going there for the sunrise time will allow you to enjoy the place with no tourists around. And save a lot of time as you will be back in Riga by noon if not earlier!
From $151 USD
Guided Ebike Tour on Forest Roads and Trails Near Riga
Have fun and change from busy urban environment to beautiful nature, just on the edge of Riga. Go with ease on ebike motor assisted cycling on forest trails and roads. We will start our trip from Fire watch tower, where you can see beautifull panoramic views of surrounding forests, meadows and highest buildings of Riga. Our journey will take place in an area surrounded by long dune ridges, which are about 10 kilometers long and 0.4 to 1.5 kilometers wide. Local residents call this strip of dunes "Sahara of Riga". Unlike the Sahara dunes, the Riga dunes are covered with planted pine forests. These dunes are a natural monument of Latvia. We will go all the way to Jūrmala's White Dune, which is a large sand dune on the shore of Lielupe and is one of the most beautiful protected natural objects in Jūrmala. We will conclude our trip at our starting point.
From $97 USD
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