Travel Guide of Riga in Latvia by Influencers and Travelers
Riga is the capital of Latvia and is home to 627,487 inhabitants, which is a third of Latvia's population. Being significantly larger than other cities of Latvia, Riga is the country's primate city.
The Best Things to Do and Visit in Riga
TRAVELERS TOP 10 :
1 - Riga Cathedral
Riga Cathedral formally The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary, is the Evangelical Lutheran cathedral in Riga, Latvia. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Riga.
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2 - St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church is a Lutheran church in Riga, the capital of Latvia, dedicated to Saint Peter. It is a parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.
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3 - Shore Excursions in Riga
Experience the best that Riga can offer on this cultural and food tasting tour! Explore and discover Old Riga, Art Nouveau and Central Market - three "must see" districts in Riga during one tour. Together with a lovely local guide you will be able to immerse in the local culture, try real Latvian food, learn more about history and rich cultural heritage of Latvia, explore the best sights and enjoy stories about what makes Riga so unique and special. It will be a small-group tour where each tourist would be treated like a dear guest. You will be very warmly welcomed!
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4 - Vecrīga
Vecrīga is the historical center and a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia, located in the Central District on the east side of Daugava River. Vecrīga is famous for its old churches and cathedrals, such as Riga Cathedral and St. Peter's Church.
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5 - Vanšu Bridge
The Vanšu Bridge in Riga is a cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Daugava river in Riga, the capital of Latvia. Its name literally means Cable-stayed bridge and is also sometimes translated as Shroud Bridge. 595 meters in length, it is one of five bridges crossing the Daugava in Riga and passes over Ķīpsala island.
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6 - Hot Air Balloon Rides in Riga
Unique sightseeing experience, breathtaking journey into the clouds, provided by certificated company and experienced pilots. Like no other, Amber Balloons is a flight operator, certified by Civil Aviation Agency to serve commercial flights. It is a guarantee of legacy of high quality service.
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7 - Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is a museum and historic educational institution located in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1993 to exhibit artifacts, archive documents, and educate the public about the 51-year period in the 20th century when Latvia was successively occupied by the USSR in 1940–1941, then by Nazi Germany in 1941–1944, and then again by the USSR in 1944–1991.
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8 - Riga International Airport
8 km away
Riga International Airport is the international airport of Riga, the capital of Latvia, and the largest airport in the Baltic states with direct flights to 76 destinations as of November 2019.
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9 - Castle Tours in Riga
One of the best choice for those who want to save time, money and have full of impressions sightseeing tour - excursion from Riga to Vilnius. Highlights of the tour are Rundale palace, Bauska Castle and The Hill of Crosses.
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10 - Teika
Teika is a neighbourhood in the Vidzeme Suburb of Riga, the capital of Latvia. Teika is the only neighbourhood in Riga which was planned and partly built in 1920s and 1930s during interwar Latvia.
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11 - Kurzeme District
7 km away
Kurzeme District is one of six administrative districts of Riga, the capital of Latvia. Kurzeme is the Latvian name for Courland, a historical and cultural region of Latvia.
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12 - Mountain Bike Tours in Riga
When planning for your stag weekend, do not ever forget to include this in your list of activities. Riga’s Beer Biking is very popular for its potential to combine regular sightseeing tour while drinking a refreshing beer at the same time. There is no reason why you will not take pleasure with the beautiful city of Riga while beer biking. On your stag weekend, do not pick out common routes to see the metropolis. Make sure your stag weekend is totally amazing and unique from any other vacation you ever had. Riga's Beer Bike is an incredible possibility to do it. This is probably the only place in the world where you can drink, drive and absorb the beauty and old – time splendor of Riga during the day.
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13 - Mežciems
7 km away
Mežciems is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. It is located in the eastern part of the city in the Vidzeme Suburb. The name is literally translated from Latvian as forest village. Mežciems is encircled by the Šmerlis and Jugla Forests. Lake Gaiļezers is located at the northern part of the neighbourhood.
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14 - Pļavnieki
6 km away
Pļavnieki is a Riga neighbourhood situated to the right of the river Daugava. Territory of the Pļavnieki for many centuries was used as agricultural land and was added to Riga only in 1974.
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15 - Ice Skating in Riga
Have you ever wanted to experience the exciting and challenging sport of Curling? On your stag weekend, this is one day time activity you should not miss. This is a wonderful to bond with your mates as you slide a curling stone on ice while they frantically sweep it the right position. You will definitely have the time of your life with great amounts of laughter and shouting! This may not be a world’s popular sport but this is definitely one of the most widely held winter sports especially in Northern Europe.
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16 - Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
11 km away
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is an open-air museum located just outside Riga, the capital of Latvia, on the lightly wooded shores of Jugla Lake.
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17 - Rītabuļļi
11 km away
Buļļi or Rītabuļļi is a neighbourhood of Riga, the capital of Latvia. The Western area is known as Vakarbuļļi. The boundaries of the Buļļi neighborhood are the Riga city border, the Gulf of Riga, the trail leading to the Gulf of Riga, Dzintara Street, an imaginary parallel line to Roņu Street, Buļļupe.
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18 - Mangaļsala
14 km away
Mangaļsala is a neighbourhood of Northern District in Riga, the capital of Latvia. It is located on the right bank of Daugava River, on the coast of the Gulf of Riga.
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19 - Lielupe
14 km away
The Lielupe is a river in central Latvia. Its length is 119 km. The surface area of its drainage basin is 17,600 km². The average fall of the Lielupe is about and its average flow is 106 m³/s, although a maximum of 1380 m³/s has been reached during floods.
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20 - Bulduri
16 km away
Bulduri is a residential area and neighbourhood of the city of Jūrmala, Latvia. The Bulduri railway station was established in 1877. During the era of Imperial Russia, Bulduri was known to western visitors as Bilderlingshof and in Latvian as Bilderliņi
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21 - Olaine parish
18 km away
Olaine parish is an administrative unit of the Olaine Municipality, Latvia.
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22 - Salaspils
18 km away
Salaspils is a town in Latvia, the administrative centre of Salaspils Municipality. The town is situated on the northern bank of the Daugava river, 18 kilometers to the south-east of the city of Riga.
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23 - Cenas Tirelis
18 km away
The Cenas tīrelis is a bog located in the municipalities of Marupe, Babite and Olaine, approximately 30 kilometers west of Riga, Latvia. It is a Natura 2000 protected site and one of Latvia's 261 nature reserves. It was formed 5000 years ago. The bog has a total size of 6,000 ha, mostly occupied by the nature reserve and an active peat extraction site.
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24 - Babīte parish
21 km away
Babīte Parish is an administrative unit of Babīte Municipality, Latvia.
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25 - Carnikava
23 km away
Carnikava is a village and the center of Carnikava Municipality, Latvia, located 25 km north from Riga at the mouth of the Gauja River. Carnikava had 4689 residents as of January 2020. The village was first mentioned in Livonian Chronicle of Henry in 1211 as a summoning place of Livonian troops.
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Disover the best Instagram Spots around Riga here
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Pictures and Stories of Riga from Influencers
20 pictures of Riga from Kristaps Ungurs, Daiga Ellaby, Mareks Steins and other travelers
- Please consider crediting my photos to the link found in my bio! :-) ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Mike Swigunski | ©Unsplash
- Sunday evening above Riga old town from birdview perspective. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Ernests Vaga | ©Unsplash
- Spring vibes in Latvia during sunsets. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Daniela Izotenko | ©Unsplash
- Flighting above the Baltic Sea. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Matheus Frade | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Riga ?
Travel to Riga if you like:
🏕️ Camping 🐾 Wildlife 🌉 Bridge 🏞️ Watercourse 🏖️ Beach 🏞️ LakeHow to visit Riga ?
To get to Riga, you can fly into Riga International Airport (RIX), which offers direct flights from several European cities, such as London, Amsterdam, and Berlin. From the airport, you can take a taxi, public bus, or shuttle service to the city center, which is approximately 10 kilometers away.
When planning your trip, it's a good idea to book certain attractions in advance. The Latvian National Opera and Ballet is a popular cultural institution, so securing tickets early is recommended. Additionally, the Riga Motor Museum, which houses an impressive collection of vintage cars, including those once owned by Soviet leaders, can be booked online to avoid queues.
The costs of visiting Riga are relatively low compared to other European cities. Accommodation, food, and transportation are generally affordable, making it an attractive destination for budget travelers. However, be prepared to pay entrance fees for some attractions, such as museums and historic sites.
There are numerous activities to enjoy in Riga. Stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, marveling at its medieval architecture, including the iconic House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral. For art enthusiasts, the Art Nouveau district showcases some of the finest examples of this architectural style in the world. If you're visiting during the colder months, consider ice-skating at the picturesque outdoor rink in the city center.
For an authentic Latvian dining experience, head to Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs, a lively underground tavern offering traditional dishes and live music. Alternatively, enjoy a modern twist on Latvian cuisine at 3 Pavāru Restorāns, where innovative dishes are prepared by renowned local chefs. For a quick bite, try the Central Market, where you can sample a variety of local delicacies.
Riga offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets. For a luxurious stay, consider the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, located in the heart of the city. Mid-range travelers may opt for Neiburgs Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel situated in the Old Town. Budget-conscious visitors can choose from numerous hostels, such as the centrally-located Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel.
Off the beaten path:
For a unique and lesser-known experience, visit the Salaspils Memorial Ensemble, located approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Riga. This poignant memorial commemorates the victims of the Salaspils concentration camp during World War II. The site features striking sculptures, symbolic landscaping, and a haunting atmosphere that serves as a powerful reminder of the past. To reach Salaspils, you can take a train from Riga Central Station or rent a car for a short drive.
Learn More about Riga
Riga is the charming capital of Latvia, a small European country overlooking the picturesque Baltic Sea.
Beautiful unspoiled nature, a rich architectural heritage, white sandy beaches and local cuisine for gourmets make Riga an ideal destination for a short European getaway or even an extended vacation.
Take a stroll through this beautiful part of the city: narrow streets, charming houses dating back to the 16-18th centuries. Visit the beautiful squares of the Old Town: the Cathedral Square with its impressive dome and the Livu Square with a multitude of open-air restaurants (in summer). Old Riga is called Vecrīga (on the eastern bank of the Daugava River).
The center of Riga is located within the city's canal belt and the Daugava River. Enjoy a relaxing ride on one of the tourist boats that will take you around the old town or rent a pedal boat to explore the city's canals on your own.
Riga is internationally famous for its beautiful art nouveau district, which is located a bit away from the old town.
Head to Alberta Street, look up and you'll see some of the most beautiful art nouveau buildings in Europe. Other art nouveau buildings are located on the nearby Elizabetes, Dzirnavu and Antonijas streets.
You can also visit the Gutmanis Cave. The walls of this cave are covered with engraved or painted writings dating from the 16th century. A legend says that the water inside has healing powers.
So, if you are tired of walking around, or just want to recover from your hangover, go see if the legend is true...
Finally, you can also go to the seaside resort of Jurmala. Jurmala is only a half hour drive from the city center and offers long sandy beaches, gourmet restaurants and the lively atmosphere of a seaside resort.
It is called the Latvian summer capital and is famous for its beautiful historical wooden architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Riga
In Riga, therefore in Latvia, the language spoken is Latvian.
But many also speak Russian.
Since 2014, the currency used in Riga is the euro.
To get to Riga, simply land at the city's airport.
From there you can easily get around by public transport or car.
Where to Stay in Riga
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More Travel spots to explore around Riga
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Riga
Architecture spots 🏞️ Lake spots Landscape spots Natural landscape spots Body of water spots 🌲 Ecoregion spots 🌉 Bridge spots 🏞️ Watercourse spots 🏖️ Beach spots Coastal and oceanic landforms spots Monument spots 🐾 Wildlife spots 🏕️ Camping spots 🏰 Pagoda spots 🗼 Landmark spotsTravel map of Riga
Explore popular touristic places around Riga