Riga

Travel Guide

St. Peter\'s Church featuring a city and landscape views
Old Town showing markets, street scenes and heritage architecture
Photo provided by Latvian Tourism / Leons Balodis
Photo provided by Latvian Tourism / nars Plinta
Photo provided by Latvian Tourism / Vita Balckare
Featuring historical architecture and parks, this city is also famed for its festivals and music.

Riga is the capital of Latvia, a Baltic country in Northern Europe. The Daugava River splits the city in two, and much of what you’ll want to see is on the river’s eastern banks. Go to the Old Town and explore the medieval streets of this World Heritage Site. At its core is Ratslaukums, the Town Hall Square. The area’s twisting lanes lead to main city attractions, including the House of Blackheads and the Museum of the Occupation. At St. Peter’s Church, ride the elevator to the top of the tower for spectacular views of the city. Admire the baroque and Gothic buildings at Dome Square, where you can enjoy a meal or drink at outdoor cafés and bars. From Dome Square, it’s a short walk to Livu Square, which comes alive in summer as the host to a beer garden and live outdoor entertainment. In winter, kids will love the ice skating rink here. Continue to Bastejkalns Park, a tranquil green space with a canal running through it. It also has the Freedom Monument, which commemorates the soldiers that fought during the Latvian War of Independence. Music plays a key role in Riga’s arts scene. Don’t miss an opera or ballet performance at the Latvian National Opera. The RITMI Festival is an annual jazz festival, with previous performers including Bobby Darin and Robert Glasper. Riga’s cuisine is influenced by German, Polish and Russian flavors. Sample big plates of piragi, the East European dumpling, or pork, cabbage and potato-inspired dishes. At the Central Market you‘ll find cheap fruit and vegetables, and local delicacies such as smoked eel. The market opened in 1930 and takes place in converted Zeppelin aircraft hangars.The city is ideal for walking as the streets are flat. There is also a cheap public transport system, with trams, buses and trolleys stopping close to all the major sights.

Where to stay in Riga

Old Town showing heritage architecture and street scenes

Old Town Riga

4.5/5(158 area reviews)

Old Town Riga is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Cathedral Square or Riga Cathedral.

Old Town Riga
Latvian Art Museum which includes a statue or sculpture

Centrs

4.5/5(91 area reviews)

Centrs is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Latvian Art Museum and Cathedral of Christ's Nativity while in the area.

Centrs
Low prospective of the railway bridge in Riga, capitol of Latvia. Shooted during the sunrise, the river was frozen and colours of the sky are reflecting on the snow

#riga
#latvia
#longexposure
#travelphotography

Zemgale Suburb

4/5(13 area reviews)

Unique features of Zemgale Suburb include the historic sites and river views. Make a stop by National Library of Latvia or SPICE while you're exploring the area.

Zemgale Suburb
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Agenskalns

4/5(12 area reviews)

Unique features of Agenskalns include the river views and historic sites. Make a stop by Golden Bowling Center or Uzvaras Park while you're exploring the area.

Agenskalns
Riga Central Market showing shopping and interior views

Maskavas Forstate

Historic sites, bars, and shopping highlight some of the noteworthy features of Maskavas Forstate. Make a stop by Riga Central Market or Latvian Academy of Sciences while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Maskavas Forstate
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Avoti

Visitors to Avoti appreciate its historic sites. A visit to Galleria Riga Shopping Center and Cathedral of Christ's Nativity might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

Avoti
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
5 out of 5
11. Novembra Krastmala, 33, Riga
$83 nightly
The price is $96 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$96 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Riga. Enjoy a full-service spa, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Great hotel. Very clean and modern. Staff was friendly and helpful. I stayed for over a month for a work trip and was very comfortable the whole time. I only wish they had some kind of loyalty program. Since I stay long-term overseas a lot, that would definitely make me more likely to do it ..."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga
Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga
4.5 out of 5
55 Elizabetes Street, Riga
$110 nightly
The price is $125 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$125 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Riga. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"The hotel was nice and rooms were a good size with comfortable beds. However, on floor 2 you can be near some clubs that can make it difficult to sleep on the weekend."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga
Opera Hotel
Opera Hotel
4 out of 5
33 Raina Blvd, Riga
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$72 nightly
The price is $83 total per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
$83 total
Jul 15 - Jul 16
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Riga. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Origo Shopping Centre and Latvian National ...
8/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"good location to old town a nd all amenities good sized room and under floor heating in bathroom an extra luxury"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Opera Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
aparthotel Amella
aparthotel Amella
4.5 out of 5
Emilijas Benjaminas Iela 8, Riga
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Riga. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Latvian Academy of Sciences ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (64 reviews)
"Excellent property, responsive and helpful reception. 10 min walk from the town centre. Well fitted apartment."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

aparthotel Amella
Apart Hotel Riga
Apart Hotel Riga
2 out of 5
196 Brivibas iela, Riga
Stay at this aparthotel in Riga. Enjoy free WiFi and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Domina Shopping Center and Olympic Sports Centre are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (10 reviews)

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2025

Apart Hotel Riga
Revelton Suites Riga
Revelton Suites Riga
3.5 out of 5
59 Kaleju iela, Riga
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Riga. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Riga Film Museum and St John's Church are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (63 reviews)
"Lovely apartment in Old Riga town, close to everything! The staff were so helpful. Room clean and well presented. You get used to the spiral staircase! (We were on the 3rd floor.) I'd definitely recomment the apartment. Be careful with parking though. The nearest car park looks like a bomb site and ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Revelton Suites Riga
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Riga

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
103
5 - Excellent 66%
4 - Good
45
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Old town is an interesting place to see museums, churches, shops, cobble streets etc.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Cheap city to visit. It still retains some of its old medievil charm as well as some soviet feel. The food market near the city is HUGE. I want to come back and stay a few months when i retire.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Go to Uncle Vanyas for dinner.Everything was within walking distance.Christmas Market as well as the general market,were great to visit.So much to see and a week is not enough.We loved Latvia.Europes best kept secret!

5/5 - Excellent

Luann

Fabulous old town; definitely a gem of Europe.

5/5 - Excellent

Jeff

Friendly, but during weekends there are a lot of people from Russia. All were friendly.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This is my second trip to Riga this year and I love Latvia & her people. The city is lovely, great food, lovely parks, opera, museums and spas.

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