Riga

Old Town Boutique Hotel

Stay inside UNESCO-listed Vecrīga, walking distance to the House of the Blackheads and Dome Cathedral.

Art Nouveau District Apartment

A quiet residential base on or near Alberta iela, surrounded by Riga's famous Art Nouveau facades.

Riverside Family Hotel

Rooms along the Daugava River with skyline views of the Old Town, near the Vanšu Bridge.

Vērmanes Garden Serviced Apartment

Kitchen-equipped suites near Riga's oldest public park, close to the main shopping streets.

Jūrmala Beach Resort

A seaside resort town about 30 minutes from central Riga, with wide sandy beaches and pine forests.

Central Market District Loft

A trendy loft near the Central Market and Central Station, good value and easy transit access.

Airport Bus 22

Bus route 22 connects Riga Airport (RIX) to the city center in about 30 minutes.

Ride-Hailing Apps (Bolt)

Bolt is widely used in Riga for reliable, metered rides door-to-door.

Tram & Trolleybus Network

Riga's historic tram and trolleybus lines cover the whole city using a rechargeable e-talons card.

Riga Card Transit & Attractions Pass

Unlimited public transport plus discounted entry to many museums and attractions on one card.

Old Town Walking

Vecrīga's cobblestone lanes are pedestrian-friendly but bumpy for strollers — pack a sturdy one.

Day-Trip Train to Jūrmala

A regional electric train reaches Jūrmala's beaches in about 30 minutes, running along the coast.

Ala Pagrabs

Ala Pagrabs is a hip, subterranean gastropub serving Latvian pub fare and a wide selection of beer in an ancient wine cellar, often hosting concerts. It boasts an excellent rating of 4.6 from 9233 reviews.

📍Peldu iela 19, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia · View on map

Italissimo

Italissimo is an Italian restaurant, boasting an impressive 4.8-star rating from 3222 reviews.

📍Baznīcas iela 27-29, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1010, Latvia · View on map

Street Fries Kitchen

Street Fries Kitchen is a restaurant with a 4.7-star rating from 3793 reviews.

📍Riharda Vāgnera iela 18-1, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia · View on map

Bon-Vivant the Belgian Beer Cafe

Bon-Vivant the Belgian Beer Cafe is a Belgian restaurant, highly rated at 4.7 from 2376 reviews.

📍Mārstaļu iela 8, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia · View on map

Kozy Eats

Kozy Eats is a laid-back vegan restaurant, highly rated at 4.8 from 1538 reviews. They craft delicious burgers, wraps, bowls, salads, coffee drinks, and desserts.

📍Blaumaņa iela 34, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1011, Latvia · View on map

Andalūzijas Suns

Andalūzijas Suns is a highly-rated cafe, boasting 4.5 stars from 2169 reviews.

📍Elizabetes iela 83, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia · View on map

Riga Zoo

One of the oldest zoos in Europe, with a wide range of animals in a green park setting.

Riga Motor Museum

An interactive collection of historic cars, including Soviet-era vehicles and racing exhibits.

Bastejkalns Park Boat Ride

Paddle boats glide along the scenic canal that circles the Old Town through this leafy park.

Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum

A large open-air village with historic farmsteads, animals and hands-on craft demonstrations.

Riga TV Tower Observation Deck

One of the tallest towers in the EU, with a glass floor section and panoramic city views.

Three Brothers & Cat House Walk

A playful architecture walk past Riga's oldest houses and the quirky cat-topped Cat House.

Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) Walk

The UNESCO-listed medieval core, packed with cobblestone lanes, guild houses and squares.

House of the Blackheads

An ornate 14th-century guild hall on Town Hall Square, rebuilt after WWII with a small museum inside.

St. Peter's Church Tower

Take the elevator up this Gothic church's tower for a panoramic view over the Old Town rooftops.

Freedom Monument

Latvia's national symbol of independence, with a changing-of-the-guard ceremony on the hour.

Latvian National Museum of Art

A grand, restored museum housing Latvia's largest collection of national art.

Art Nouveau District Walk (Alberta iela)

Europe's largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings, designed largely by Mikhail Eisenstein.

Riga Dome Cathedral

The largest medieval church in the Baltics, a Lutheran cathedral famous for its historic organ.

Nativity of Christ Cathedral

A grand Orthodox cathedral with golden domes, set in a park near Esplanade Park.

St. Peter's Church

A Gothic Lutheran church dating to the 13th century, one of Riga's oldest buildings.

Peitav Synagogue

Riga's only prewar synagogue to survive WWII, beautifully restored and still active.

St. Jacob's Cathedral

Riga's Roman Catholic cathedral, a modest Gothic building tucked in the Old Town.

Quiet Reflection at Bastejkalns Park

A peaceful bench along the canal park, away from the crowds of the Old Town.

Riga Tech & Startup Scene

Riga has grown into a leading Baltic tech and fintech hub, home to numerous startups.

TechHub Riga Coworking Day

A day pass at a well-known Riga innovation and coworking hub for founders and remote workers.

Riga Wood & Timber Heritage

Latvia's forestry and timber industry has deep roots, visible in the city's wooden architecture districts.

Riga Freeport & Trade Overview

One of the busiest ports on the Baltic Sea, a key trade and logistics hub for the region.

Latvian Design & Craft Studio Visit

A behind-the-scenes look at Riga's growing design, ceramics and craft studio scene.

Industry Family Experience

A craft or food-industry visit, like a Black Balsam distillery tour, that the whole family can join.

Emergency Number 112

Dial 112 for police, fire or medical emergencies anywhere in Latvia.

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital

One of Latvia's largest hospitals, with a major trauma and emergency department.

Children's Clinical University Hospital

Latvia's main pediatric hospital, with a dedicated children's emergency department.

Travel Insurance Reminder

EU citizens can use an EHIC card for public healthcare; other visitors should confirm travel insurance coverage.

Pharmacy (Aptieka) Locator

Pharmacies called 'Aptieka' are found across the city; some in the center operate 24 hours.

Non-Emergency Medical Advice Line

For non-urgent issues, a family doctor on-call line can direct visitors to the right clinic.

Jūrmala Beach Day

A wide sandy Baltic beach about 30 minutes from Riga, backed by pine forest and wooden villas.

Sigulda Bobsled Track

Ride the real Olympic-standard bobsled track in Sigulda, about an hour from Riga.

Gauja National Park Hiking

Forested trails, sandstone cliffs and medieval castles in Latvia's largest national park near Sigulda.

Riga Canal Kayaking

Rent a kayak or join a guided paddle along the city canal that encircles the Old Town.

Guided City Cycling Tour

Riga is largely flat and bike-friendly, with a guided tour covering the Old Town and riverside paths.

Seasonal Ice Skating

Outdoor ice rinks pop up in Riga's squares and parks during the winter holiday season.

Airport Fast Track

Skip the lines on arrival and departure at Riga International Airport.

Local Concierge

A local fixer to handle bookings, Latvian/Russian translation and any request during the stay.

Baby Gear Rental

Cribs, strollers and car seats delivered to your accommodation before arrival.

Laundry Pickup

Laundry collected and returned within a day.

SIM Card & WiFi Setup

A local SIM or eSIM arranged at the airport or in the city for the whole trip.

Pre-Arrival Grocery Stocking

Groceries and essentials stocked in your apartment before you land.

Best Family Months

May through September bring mild weather, long days and beach time at Jūrmala.

June Sweet Spot

June offers near-peak weather and the longest days, just before the busiest summer weeks.

Winter Cold Warning

January and February are cold with short daylight hours — plan mostly indoor activities.

Christmas Market Season

December brings a cozy Christmas market to Town Hall Square, one of Europe's oldest traditions.

Rainy Autumn Backup

September through November see more rainfall — pack layers and plan indoor backups.

Shoulder Season Value

May and September offer fewer crowds, milder prices and pleasant weather.

Cobblestone Stroller Caution

Old Town's cobblestones are charming but rough on strollers — a sturdy all-terrain model helps a lot.

Currency: Euro

Latvia uses the Euro; cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for market stalls.

Language Note

Latvian is the official language; Russian is widely spoken, and English is common in tourism areas.

Use Licensed Taxi Apps

Use Bolt or CityBee rather than hailing unlicensed cabs near tourist hotspots.

Old Town Premium Pricing

Restaurants right on Old Town squares charge a tourist premium — walk a few streets back for better value.

Kalnciema Quarter Weekend Market

A beloved weekend farmers and craft market set among restored wooden architecture, popular with locals.