Latvia
Riga
Old Town markets and Europe's densest Art Nouveau district; 2 nights. We have mapped 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 bar or café here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 9
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Late Nov – Dec
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- July
4 See · 1 Do · 1 Drink · 2 Shop · 1 Stay
Tallinn & Riga
from our route notes
22°C / 72°F avg high
-2°C / 28°F avg high
about 82 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Riga
9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
4 sights worth building a day around across Vecrīga and Centrs. 2 of them are free.
Photo: AleWi · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeTown Hall Square
Square where an octagonal plaque marks Riga's claim to the first decorated Christmas tree, set up in 1510.
Tip The plaque is set into the cobbles in front of the House of the Blackheads.
Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0SeeHouse of the Blackheads
Ornate Dutch Renaissance guild house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, rebuilt in 1999 after wartime destruction.
Photo: Rīgas pašvaldības aģentūra “Rīgas investīciju un tūrisma aģentūra” · CC BY 4.0SeeAlberta iela
Street of Art Nouveau apartment blocks from 1901 to 1908, many by Mikhail Eisenstein, with masks, lions and sphinxes.
Photo: JIP · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeRiga Art Nouveau Museum
Restored 1903 apartment at Alberta iela 12 with original furniture and a painted spiral staircase.
Tip Look up from the bottom of the staircase before going in.
Do
1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Vecrīga.
Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0DoSt Peter's Church
Gothic church whose 123 m spire has a lift to a viewing gallery over the Old Town and the Daugava.
Tip Go up on a clear afternoon before the 4 p.m. dusk.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Riga in Vecrīga.
Photo: Turaids · CC BY-SA 4.0DrinkBlack Magic
Dark wood cafe-bar on Kaļķu iela pouring Riga Black Balsam cocktails, with handmade chocolates.
Shop
Markets and shops worth the detour across Vecrīga and Maskavas forštate.
Photo: AleWi · CC BY-SA 4.0ShopRiga Christmas Market
Red-and-white striped stalls and a tall tree on Dome Square, beside Riga Cathedral, selling mittens, honey and hot food.
Tip Warm up with Black Balsam mixed into hot blackcurrant juice.
Photo: Michael Kuhn · CC BY 4.0ShopRiga Central Market
Market in five former Zeppelin hangars by the river, with halls for fish, meat, dairy and smoked foods.
Tip Buy smoked fish and rye bread for a picnic on the train or bus.
Stay
1 place to stay we would book in Vecrīga.
Photo: Jorge Láscar · CC BY 2.0
How to fit Riga into a trip
Riga is stop 2 of 2 on our Tallinn & Riga route. Follow it as-is or lift Riga into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 2
Tallinn & Riga
Two medieval squares, two first Christmas trees
- Trip length
- 5 days
- Best season
- Late Nov – Dec
- Pace
- easy
- Before: Tallinn
Getting here and onward
- Tallinn to RigaTallinn is about 279 km / 173 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Riga month by month
Average daily highs run from -2°C / 28°F in January to 22°C / 72°F in July. July is the wettest month, with about 82 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan-2° / 28°F average high
- Feb-2° / 28°F average high
- Mar2° / 36°F average high
- Apr10° / 49°F average high
- May16° / 61°F average high
- Jun19° / 67°F average high
- Jul22° / 72°F average high
- Aug21° / 70°F average high
- Sep17° / 62°F average high
- Oct10° / 49°F average high
- Nov4° / 39°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec0° / 32°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Riga weather and the best time to visit →
Near Riga
2 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Riga questions, answered
How many days do you need in Riga?
Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Riga. On our Tallinn & Riga route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 7 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Riga best known for?
Old Town markets and Europe's densest Art Nouveau district; 2 nights. Standouts on our list: Town Hall Square (Square where an octagonal plaque marks Riga's claim to the first decorated Christmas tree, set up in 1510); House of the Blackheads (Ornate Dutch Renaissance guild house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, rebuilt in 1999 after wartime destruction); Alberta iela (Street of Art Nouveau apartment blocks from 1901 to 1908, many by Mikhail Eisenstein, with masks, lions and sphinxes).
When is the best time to visit Riga?
Our Tallinn & Riga route is best Late Nov – Dec. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (22°C / 72°F), the coolest in January (-2°C / 28°F) and the most rain in July (about 82 mm).
What are the best things to do in Riga?
Start with Town Hall Square, House of the Blackheads, St Peter's Church, Alberta iela and Riga Art Nouveau Museum. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 bar or café, 2 shops and 1 place to stay.
What is near Riga?
The closest destinations in our guides are Tallinn (about 279 km / 173 mi) and Helsinki (about 361 km / 225 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Riga with your crew
Open the Tallinn & Riga route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.