Riga

Art Nouveau, Old Town, Baltic Soul

Riga welcomes visitors with wide sidewalks, tree-lined streets and a mix of old stone buildings alongside modern glass towers. The city center features Art Nouveau facades painted in pastel colors, while the riverfront offers views over bridges and historic quays. Public parks provide quiet spots for walking or sitting by the water. Markets sell local food like rye breads and smoked fish, letting travelers taste regional flavors. Buses and trams move efficiently between neighborhoods, making it simple to explore museums, galleries and cafes without a car.

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City in Latvia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.5

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

3/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, though less so with older locals. Most menus and signs in the center are in English, making it easy for visitors to get around.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Riga Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

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Read how our scores work

Strong in architecture and cultural city life. Explore art nouveau streets, visit historic churches and museums, enjoy cafés and markets and walk lively old town squares.

Place score

6.7

Best at:

Walkable

Spotless

Architecture

Art

Rivers

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

Latvia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widespread, even for small amounts. Cash is less commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited and may result in fines.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in public areas and near entrances.

Independence Day (November)	National celebrations and closures.
Midsummer Day (June)	Festivals and bonfires.
Christmas (December)	Markets and closures.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Yandex Go, Forus
Other:	Latvia is known for its beautiful nature and Art Nouveau architecture in Riga.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Riga, Latvia

🌨️

Jan

🌨️

Feb

❄️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌥️

Oct

☁️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	May, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Midsummer (Līgo and Jāņi), June 23 to 24: locals leave the city, many shops and restaurants close

Baltic beaches at Jūrmala are best late June to August; water stays cold even in summer

Christmas market in the Old Town runs late November to early January

Don't miss

🚶‍♂️ Explore the historic cobblestone streets of Riga Old Town
⛪ Climb St. Peter’s Church tower for panoramic city views
🛒 Visit Riga Central Market, housed in former Zeppelin hangars
🏛️ Admire Riga’s stunning Art Nouveau architecture on Alberta Street
🏰 See the House of the Blackheads, a grand medieval landmark
🌳 Relax at Bastejkalna Park around the Freedom Monument

You've been here?

Why travel to Riga?

Riga is a dream for anyone who loves architecture, history and culture. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is a maze of Gothic spires, pastel houses and quirky statues, while the city center boasts one of the world’s richest collections of Art Nouveau buildings. Foodies will love the bustling Central Market, set in old Zeppelin hangars and the city’s mix of cozy cafés and Michelin Guide restaurants. Riga’s music and art scenes are thriving, with everything from opera to indie gigs and pop-up galleries. The city is compact and walkable, but weather can be unpredictable – winters are cold and dark and summer storms can roll in quickly. Some areas outside the center are less polished and petty theft can occur in crowded spots. Still, Riga’s charm, affordability and creative spirit make it a fantastic Baltic base.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
2 St. Peter's Church
3 The Latvian National Museum of Art
4 Riga Cathedral
5 Latvian National Opera
6 Freedom Monument
7 Riga Motor Museum
8 Three Brothers
9 Pullman Riga Old Town
10 National Library of Latvia

🎡Places for activities

1 Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
2 ZOO

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Victory Park
2 Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia
3 Mežaparks
4 City Canal
5 Kronvalda parks
6 Ķengaraga promenāde
7 Legend Beach
8 Ķīpsala
9 Lucavsala
10 Wöhrmann Garden
11 Mazā Daugava

🛍️Shopping

1 Central Market
2 Galerija Centrs
3 Stockmann
4 Stockmann
5 MyFitness Galleria Riga
6 Sky and more
7 Berga bazārs
8 Galerija Rīga
9 Domina Shopping

🎈Events

Riga City Festival
Summer Solstice (Jāņi) Celebrations
Riga Opera Festival
Christmas Market
Riga Marathon
Latvia Song and Dance Festival (every 5 years)
Riga International Film Festival
Riga Jazz Stage
Latvian Independence Day Celebrations
Riga Street Food Festival
Latvian Song and Dance Festival
RITMI Jazz Festival
Staro Riga Light Festival
Riga Restaurant Week
Museum Night
Līgo Midsummer Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stay in Old Town; most highlights are walkable.
Spend time in the Art Nouveau district; façades are the real open-air museum here.
Visit Riga Central Market hungry; it’s huge, lively and great for local snacks.
For panoramic views, go up St. Peter’s Church tower, then stroll the Daugava riverfront at dusk.

How to travel to Riga

Riga International Airport connects the city to over 100 destinations and is just 20 minutes from the center by bus or taxi. Direct trains and buses link Riga to Tallinn, Vilnius and other Baltic cities. The main train and bus stations are centrally located, making onward travel simple.

Access summary

From Riga Airport (RIX): City bus 22 or taxi, about 20–30 minutes.
From Vilnius: Direct buses to Riga coach station, roughly 4–5 hours.
From Stockholm: Overnight ferries to Riga Passenger Port, then short tram/bus ride.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Riga

Riga offers everything from boutique hotels in the Old Town to modern apartments and budget hostels. The Old Town and city center are most convenient for sightseeing, but quieter neighborhoods like Āgenskalns offer local charm. Book ahead during festivals or summer weekends.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Bellevue Park Hotel Riga

8.9

Rixwell Old Riga Palace

8.6

Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel

8.8

Wellton Centrum Hotel and Spa

Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel

9.0

Rixwell Elefant Hotel

8.7

Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA

8.6

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Riga

Riga’s city center and Old Town are best explored on foot – most sights are close together. Trams, buses and trolleybuses cover the wider city and are cheap and efficient. Bike rentals are popular in warmer months and taxis or rideshares are easy to find. The city is mostly flat, making walking and cycling pleasant.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-23 %

Daily expenses in Riga are around 23% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£44	£108	£297
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£113
🍝 Food per day	£23	£56	£169
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£16

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10
🍟 Fast food combo	£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8
☕ Cappuccino	£3
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£39
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Riga is generally safe, but pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas like markets and public transport. Take standard precautions, especially at night and in less busy neighborhoods.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Emergency services are reliable. Bring any personal medication, as some pharmacies close early on weekends.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, shops and public transport are accessible, but cobblestones and some older buildings in Old Town may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Buses and trams are generally wheelchair-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and of high quality. Public fountains are available in parks and near major attractions. Carry a reusable bottle to stay hydrated, especially in summer.

Packing recommendations for Riga

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🚰

Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

type F plug

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Stockholm

Tallinn

Helsinki

Saint Petersburg

Vilnius

Jūrmala

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Summary:	Cold and dark, snow and frost
Temperature:	-5 – -1 °C
Water temp.:	2 °C
Snow:	8 cm (Light snow, often)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Coldest month, snow and ice
Temperature:	-4 – -1 °C
Water temp.:	1 °C
Snow:	7 cm (Frequent light snow)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Cold and grey, snow melting
Temperature:	-2 – 3 °C
Water temp.:	1 °C
Snow:	6 cm (Frequent light snow)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Cool and changeable, days getting longer
Temperature:	3 – 9 °C
Water temp.:	3 °C
Rain:	19 mm (Frequent, very light rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and fresh, terraces opening
Temperature:	8 – 15 °C
Water temp.:	5 °C
Rain:	29 mm (Frequent light drizzle)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists