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Riga, the capital of Latvia, has a charm I haven’t found in other Eastern European capitals. It sits on the Daugava River and mixes a medieval Old Town with Art Nouveau streets, good food and fun pubs. It’s also less travelled than many European capitals, so it’s a great place to avoid the big crowds.
I spent two days in Riga in August 2023 with a friend, plus a day at the beach in Jurmala. Here are the best things to do in Riga, what’s worth paying for, and what the trip actually costs.
How many days do you need in Riga?
Two days is enough for the Old Town and the main sights, which is exactly what we did. Add a third day for a day trip to Jurmala or Sigulda. If you’re doing a Baltic tour, two to three days in each capital works well.
Getting from Riga airport to the city centre
We took bus 22, and it’s the cheapest way in. The ride takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. A ticket costs €1.50 if you buy it in advance (ticket machines at the airport, Narvesen shops, or the Mobilly app), or €1.81 from the driver. After the last bus there’s a night bus, N22, every hour.
If you’d rather not wait, a taxi or Bolt takes 15 to 25 minutes and costs around €10 to €25.
Things to do in Riga
1. Get lost in Riga’s Old Town (Vecrīga)
Start in the heart of Riga’s Old Town (Vecrīga), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lose yourself in a maze of cobblestone streets lined with colourful buildings, cafés and little shops. Walk past Riga Cathedral, a beautiful example of medieval architecture, and just soak up the atmosphere. Most of what’s on this list is within a few minutes’ walk.
2. Go inside the House of the Blackheads
Walking around the Old Town, one building will definitely catch your eye: the House of the Blackheads. The Blackheads were a medieval guild, founded in the 14th century, for unmarried German merchants in Riga. The house was destroyed in WWII and rebuilt, reopening in 1999.
We went inside. Entry is €10 (or €12 with a coffee), and it’s open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, though it sometimes closes early or for events, so check before you go.
3. Take the lift up the National Library (free)
The National Library is just across the main bridge from the Old Town. Entry is free, and there are interesting exhibitions on the ground floor. Take the lift up to the 11th floor for a beautiful view of the Old Town without paying a cent.
4. St Peter’s Church
St Peter’s spire is the one you’ll see on every Riga postcard. We only saw it from outside, but if you want a bird’s-eye view, the ticket (€9) includes the church and the lift up the tower. It’s closed on Mondays.
5. The Three Brothers
These three old houses are like Riga’s own Three Musketeers: they’ve stood side by side for centuries. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, they’re among the oldest surviving stone houses in Riga. Legend says they were built by three brothers, hence the name. Today they house the Museum of Architecture.
6. The Freedom Monument
The Freedom Monument stands tall in the centre of Riga, honouring those who fought for Latvia’s independence. It’s a powerful symbol and a good spot to stop and think about Latvia’s history. It’s free and right between the Old Town and the newer city.
7. The Latvian Academy of Sciences
This Soviet-era tower (locals call it “Stalin’s birthday cake”) has an observation deck called Panorama Riga, 65 metres up, which is known for its sunsets. We saw it from outside; going up is a paid ticket, so check the current price on the Panorama Riga website.
8. Take a day trip to Jurmala
Make time for a day trip from Riga to Jurmala, the seaside resort 30 minutes away by train for €1.50. We rented bikes, ate a picnic on the beach and cycled back along the sand at sunset. It’s worth it if the sun is out.
Best views in Riga: which one to pick
| View | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| National Library, 11th floor | Free | Our pick: free, with a great Old Town view |
| St Peter’s Church tower | €9 ($10) | Classic view over the Old Town rooftops, closed Mondays |
| Panorama Riga (Academy of Sciences) | Paid | Best for sunset |
Where to eat in Riga
Restaurants in the Old Town are pricey, the classic tourist-centre markup. For cheaper meals, walk a few streets out of the Old Town, where prices drop quickly.
What to try: the pink soup. It’s called aukstā zupa, a cold beetroot soup made with kefir, and it’s bright pink. It’s a Latvian summer classic, and it’s the one dish from Riga I still remember: the colour, if not the name. Order it if you’re there in the warm months.
How much does a trip to Riga cost?
Our trip was two days in Riga plus a day in Jurmala, staying in a hostel close to the Old Town (I don’t remember the exact price, but see the averages below). Prices in euros, with dollars at about €1 = $1.12 (October 2026).
| What | € | $ |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 22 from the airport (advance ticket) | €1.50 | $1.70 |
| House of the Blackheads | €10 | $11 |
| National Library and its view | Free | Free |
| Old Town walk, Freedom Monument, Three Brothers (outside) | Free | Free |
| Return train to Jurmala | €3 | $3.40 |
Is Riga expensive? Not by Western European standards. Travel cost site Budget Your Trip puts the average at about $113 (€100) a day per person, including about $36 (€32) for food, and an average hotel at around $58 (€52) a night. A hostel bed averages about $19 (€17). Skip Old Town restaurants and stick to free views, and you can do it for a lot less.
Is Riga safe for a solo female traveller?
Riga is a walkable city and an easy one to start with. The Old Town is compact and busy until late in summer, and you can walk almost everywhere. The usual city common sense applies: watch your bag in crowded spots and on the bus from the airport, be careful with very cheap drinks offers from strangers in Old Town bars, and use Bolt rather than unofficial taxis at night.
Where to stay in Riga
We stayed at The House Hostel. Its best feature is the location: close to the Old Town, so we walked everywhere.
Mid-range: Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel, on a quiet Old Town street, within walking distance of all the main sights.
Splurge: Radisson Hotel Old Town Riga, in the heart of the Old Town, with modern rooms and a great breakfast.
Riga FAQ
How many days in Riga is enough? Two days for the city, three if you add a day trip to Jurmala.
Is Riga expensive? No. It’s cheaper than most Western European capitals, especially if you avoid Old Town restaurants.
How do I get from Riga airport to the Old Town? Bus 22 (about 40 minutes, €1.50 with an advance ticket) or a taxi or Bolt (15 to 25 minutes, €10 to €25).
What’s the best free thing to do in Riga? Walking the Old Town and the free view from the 11th floor of the National Library.
Is Riga worth visiting? Yes, especially if you want a European capital with character, fewer crowds and lower prices.
For more ways to keep a trip cheap, see my budget travel tips for Europe.
