Things to Do in Riga
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Riga, Latvia, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Riga. Ornate buildings everywhere, try to look impressed, the Baltic city holding one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere on the continent, sitting on a wide, calm river, with a central market housed partly in repurposed First World War airship hangars. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Riga: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the wander. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Riga's Art Nouveau Architecture
Riga's old town is renowned for its collection of buildings in the Art Nouveau style, particularly along Alberta Street and the surrounding quarter, ornate facades with sculpted faces, floral motifs, and dramatic curved lines cover buildings across several central streets.
The Art Nouveau Museum, housed in a genuine period building, covers the style's history and local development in more depth, worth combining a museum visit with a self-guided walk to see the buildings in context.
Best time Morning for the best light on the facades
Address Alberta Street and surrounding quarter, Riga
The Daugava River
Riga sits on the Daugava River, close to the Baltic Sea, worth a walk along the embankment, particularly in the evening when the old town's skyline lights up against the water.
Boat tours on the river are available if you'd rather see the city from the water, a good, relaxed way to appreciate the old town's skyline and the river's scale from a different angle.
Best time Evening
Address Daugava riverfront, Riga
Riga Central Market
Riga's central market is housed partly in repurposed German airship hangars from the First World War, one of the largest markets in Europe, worth a proper browse through the different pavilions, each historically dedicated to a specific type of produce.
It's a good, affordable place for lunch too, several food stalls offer local Latvian specialties alongside the fresh produce, worth an unhurried visit rather than a rushed pass-through.
Hours Daily, roughly 7am–6pm
Address Riga Central Market, Riga
Best time to visit Riga
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without winter's genuine cold.
Riga's Art Nouveau district and Central Market work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the warmer months if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Riga
Central Riga, including the old town and Art Nouveau district, is walkable. Trams cover destinations further out.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Riga worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly for the Art Nouveau architecture, one of the largest collections anywhere, and the Central Market's unusual airship-hangar setting adds real character.
- How many days do you need in Riga?
- Two to three days covers the old town, the Art Nouveau district, and the Central Market comfortably.
- Is Riga expensive?
- No, generally affordable, among the cheaper capitals in Europe for food, drinks, and accommodation.
- What is Riga famous for?
- Its collection of Art Nouveau architecture, one of the largest anywhere, sitting on the Daugava River, and its Central Market, partly housed in repurposed First World War airship hangars.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
