Travel to Riga: our tips and recommendations

A weekend in Riga… Do you have an original destination idea that you haven’t found yet? In this article we give you our tips on how to make the most of your stay in Riga, Latvia.

Since Latvia joined the Euro, the country has undergone a complete transformation, opening itself up to international cooperation and striving to show the best of itself.

In 2014, Riga was even the European Capital of Culture, a year dedicated to diversity, thus catapulting the Latvian capital to the forefront of the cultural scene. We had no idea what this city had in store for us, but it turned out that in the end it was a wonderful discovery—the ideal for a weekend, nothing more... 

Both relaxing and pleasant, Riga is also «human-sized» and authentic. Still, it has some assets to charm visitors who set out to discover it. Here are some ideas of things to see and do in Riga, Latvia, during a weekend.

Strolling through the streets of the old town: Vecriga

That’s the first thing to do when you arrive in Riga! The historic German-influenced center is filled with charming and traditional alleys with colorful half-timbered houses, which contrast with the Art Nouveau-style buildings listed as World Heritage Sites.

We loved strolling and getting lost in this big labyrinth… At the end of a small alley we saw beautiful churches, large sunny squares surrounded by bars and restaurants, where street musicians perform. You have understood, the atmosphere of the old town is lively day and night, even though the contact with the locals remains quite cold after all…

You have the option of taking a city tour by Segway or on the hop-on hop-off bus; these are two good alternatives to do at the beginning of your stay to learn how to navigate the city and visit it at the same time.

Here are some must-see places in Riga:

• The Liberty Monument erected in 1935
• Rue Elisabetes and its buildings in Art Nouveau style
• The Presidential Palace of Riga
• The Cathedral of the Dome and the Orthodox Cathedral
• Saint Peter's Church and the 360° panoramic view from its bell tower
• The cathedral square «Doma Laukums» where many bars and restaurants are located
• The resting parks that surround the old town
• The food market located in former hangars dating from the Second World War, where dirigibles were stored. Avoid the traditional market located around it; it has no interest whatsoever…

Go to the site of the Riga tourism office for additional information (in English only…)

The famous white sand beach

Jurmala! Note this name: it’s the name of a beach that stretches for miles of white sand beyond Riga, about a quarter of an hour by train away. You’ll be able to discover small wooden houses that make this town a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as beautiful properties belonging to the upper class.

You’re looking for a little V.I.P. spot to enjoy the beautiful sunshine, to put sand between your toes, Riga has everything you need on the Jurmala beach. The perfect opportunity to change scenery and enjoy the sea air for an afternoon!

In a slightly different style, you can opt for the fishermen's houses and a magnificent spot for a sunset in Kipsala, an island in the heart of the Daugava River.

Admire the sunset from a panoramic bar

Head to the top floor of the Radisson Blu, renowned for its panoramic view of Riga. We recommend you visit a little before sunset to enjoy the spectacle while sipping a signature cocktail made with Black Balsam, of course!

Visit the Soviet Aviation Museum at Riga Airport

It was really by chance that we stumbled upon this Soviet aviation museum! While we were returning to the airport to catch our flight to Nice, just before arriving at the terminal we spotted an old helicopter and a fighter jet behind a fence with barbed wire.

Logically, the entrance costs 6 euros, but by chatting with the guard and getting on his good side, we were able to get in for free! Once we got inside, we felt like we were in the midst of the Cold War with these fighter jets, attack helicopters, and old missiles lying on the ground—in short, a completely original discovery!  

We stayed there for about twenty minutes then we rushed to the airport so as not to miss your flight. Go ahead, you won’t be disappointed, it will be the unusual part of your weekend in Riga

Accommodation in Riga?

The city has a good hotel capacity and there’s no doubt that you’ll find your perfect place for a weekend in Riga; there’s something for everyone and every budget. As for us, we stayed at the Mercure Centre, a 4-star hotel with excellent value for money, and as the name suggests, it’s ideally located right in the city center!

The service is impeccable, the rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated in an elegant and contemporary style, the bedding is superb (as usual), and the hotel even has a gym, a jacuzzi, a sauna and a hammam, accessible for free to hotel guests. You can also have lunch or dinner at the hotel restaurant ’ The Traveller « which offers very good cuisine with flavors from around the world! A big hit for the Japanese cuisine 🙂

Price of Mercure Centre Riga Starting from 65€ / night

How to get there?

If you want to go to Riga for the weekend, obviously the best option is to fly, but if the city is a stop on a tour in Europe, then you can choose, depending on your departure city, to get there by bus or train as well. The Riga train station serves many destinations nearby. To find the best prices, feel free to take a look at one of our travel sites. flight comparison tool, You will find the solution that best suits your needs there.

Have a nice weekend in Riga!

Our accommodation deals for a trip to Riga

• We offer you 10% discount on your first booking on the site Booking.com by clicking here
• We offer you 25 euros on your first booking on the site Airbnb.com by clicking here
  (To take advantage of this, create a new account with a different email address and another credit card)

Click here for more ideas for activities to do in Riga