I’ve recently returned from a long weekend in Riga, Latvia and absolutely enjoyed every minute of my time there. With its old town charm, art nouveau architecture and unique local experiences — from daily live music at Concerto Piccolo to a canal boat trip aboard the charming Darling, there’s something for everyone.
Getting Into Riga from the airport: Public Transport and Taxi Tips
Riga International Airport (RIX) is located just 10 km from the city centre, making it one of the easiest European airports to navigate for a city break. Whether you prefer the convenience of a Bolt taxi or using public transport, getting into the city centre couldn’t be simpler.
Bolt, the local version of Uber, is the most popular way to travel from Riga Airport to the city centre with a journey time of around 20 minutes. Exit the arrivals hall and follow “Car Sharing BOLT” signs to the designated pick-up area. Cost between €10-€12 depending on time and traffic.
Public Transport: Riga’s public transport is efficient and easy to use. Take Bus 22 from the airport to the city centre near the Central Market, journey time around 30 minutes. Purchase tickets from the Narvesen kiosk in the arrivals hall or use the Rīgas Satiksme app. Single tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 90 minutes allowing for a change of transport if required.
Where to stay in Riga
We stayed at TRIBE Riga City Centre, a stylish four-star hotel located in the heart of Riga’s Art Nouveau district, just a short walk from the city’s elegant architecture, boutiques, and cafés. Designed for modern travellers, Tribe Riga blends contemporary comfort with local charm — offering spacious, thoughtfully designed rooms, a relaxing spa and wellness area, and a delicious breakfast buffet featuring fresh local ingredients.
Read on to discover my recommendations for the best things to see and do on a Riga city break. Its a beautiful city with beautiful architecture, high class museums and a great food scene.
Stroll through Riga’s Art Nouveau district
Riga is often called the Art Nouveau capital of Europe, boasting over 800 buildings in this elegant style. We strolled along Alberta and Elizabetes avenues where we admired elaborate façades adorned with intricate faces, flowers, and motifs in stucco and stone.
Whilst exploring this district I recommend popping into the Art Nouveau Centre which is housed in a stunning 1903 building designed by Mikhail Eisenstein who was one of Riga’s most celebrated architects. Inside, we toured the impeccably restored apartment complete with period furnishings and decorative details that revealed the daily life and artistic spirit of Riga’s golden age. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or not I highly recommend exploring the Art Nouveau district as it offers an enchanting journey through one of Europe’s most beautifully preserved architectural styles. Art Nouveau Centre
Stroll through Riga’s Old Town
Riga’s Old Town (Vecrīga) is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure that feels like stepping into a storybook. We wandered along narrow cobbled streets, passing pastel coloured merchant houses. Here we discovered the city’s most iconic landmarks in Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings along winding passageways that led us to charming squares and ornate churches.
Climb St. Peter’s Church Tower
St. Peter’s Church (Svētā Pētera baznīca) is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and is particularly famous for its slender Gothic spire dominating the old town skyline. After taking a look around the church take a trip up to the observation platform for dramatic city views. Visitors only need to walk up two flights of steps from ground level as the viewing area is accessed by a lift so there is little huffing and puffing required. The observation platform is 72m high with standard tickets costing €4. St. Peter’s Church
Take a tour of the House of the Blackheads
A guided tour of the House of the Blackheads in Riga’s Town Hall Square is one of the city’s most memorable cultural experiences. This Gothic architectural gem, originally built in the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads dazzles with its ornate façade and lavish interiors showcasing Riga’s rich mercantile history. During the tour, we explored the grand banqueting halls, historic cellars and interactive exhibits that helped to bring medieval Riga to life. This included a fascinating coin-minting demonstration where we were able to strike our own souvenir coins.
To complete our visit we enjoyed a tasting of Riga Black Balsam, which is Latvia’s famous herbal liqueur. Sipping our drinks in the elegant surroundings of the banqueting hall certainly captured the spirit of old Riga for us both. Perfect for history lovers and culture seekers, the House of the Blackheads tour combines stunning architecture and local craftsmanship making it a must-see attraction in Riga’s Old Town. House of the Blackheads
Concerto Piccolo – A classical music delight at Riga Cathedral
Riga Cathedral, stands at the heart of Old Riga and is one of the city’s most important historical and architectural landmarks. Built in the early 13th century, it combines Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque styles creating a truly majestic atmosphere. The cathedral is world famous for its grand pipe organ which is one of the largest in Europe, noted for its rich, resonant tones and incredible craftsmanship.
A visit to the cathedral is incomplete without attending a Concerto Piccolo — a short daytime organ performance that fills the cathedral’s vast interior with breathtaking music. These mini concerts offer a unique glimpse into Riga’s deep musical heritage, allowing visitors to experience centuries of tradition in one of Latvia’s most beautiful settings. Whether you’re exploring Riga for a day or spending a weekend in the city, the 20 minute Concerto Piccolo is an unmissable cultural experience and a highlight of a visit to Riga’s Old Town. Tickets €10. Concerto Piccolo
Delve into books at the National Library of Latvia
Visiting the National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a memorable experience. The library is located just across the river and around a 15 minute walk from the old town. Upon entering the striking glass building, we easily obtained visitor tickets at the information desk located near the main entrance. The ticket permits access to all public areas of the library. Once inside, one of the first sights to admire is the impressive Book Wall, a towering installation made up of donated books that symbolizes the nation’s literary heritage.
After exploring the lower floors and exhibitions we took the glass lift up to the 11th-floor viewing platform which offers breathtaking views over the Daugava River and the old town of Riga. The combination of literary history, modern design, and stunning scenery makes the National Library of Latvia a must-see cultural landmark. National Library of Latvia
See Riga from the water on the old wooden boat Darling
One of the most magical ways to experience Riga is from its canals. Hop aboard the old wooden boat Darling for a peaceful canal cruise that glides through parks, under stone bridges and out onto the Daugava River. We passed landmarks like the Freedom Monument, Bastejkalna Park, and Riga Castle — all from the perspective of the water. It’s was the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring. Riga By Canal
Taste Latvia’s regional specialities in Riga’s Central Market Halls
The Riga Central Market Halls are a vibrant highlight of the city and a must-visit for food lovers exploring Old Riga. Housed in enormous converted Zeppelin hangars, the market offers a colourful array of fresh local produce, smoked fish, artisan cheese and traditional Latvian specialties. We took a gourmet food tour which is the perfect way to experience Riga like a local — guided tastings allowed us to sample local dishes, learn about the city’s culinary tradition and meet passionate stallholders who bring Latvia’s flavours to life.
From handmade rye bread and sweet pastries to the famous Riga Black Balsam and locally cured meats, the market is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re a foodie or just curious about Latvian cuisine, a visit to Riga’s Central Market Halls offers an authentic and delicious introduction. Riga Central Market Halls
Experience Riga’s Café Culture
Parunāsim Kafe’teeka
Between sightseeing stops, we took time to experience Riga’s cafe culture. Riga is a haven for coffee and chocolate lovers, and a visit wouldn’t be complete without popping into Riga’s most romantic cafe, the Parunāsim Kafe’teeka. It’s renowned for its coffee and decadent honey cake which is a sweet Latvian specialty layered with fragrant honey and cream.
Black Magic Cafe
For chocolate aficionados, Black Magic Café offers an indulgent experience offering handmade chocolates with Riga’s signature Black Balsam, Latvia’s iconic herbal liqueur. This former chemist’s shop combines a cosy atmospheres with authentic local flavours.
Slightly further afield:
Júrmala: Riga’s seaside resort
If you have time to spare, I suggest hopping on a train to the Latvian seaside. Within 30 minutes we found ourselves in the heart of the charming seaside town of Jürmala. Return tickets from Riga to Majori are just €4 and from there it’s just a five minute walk to the attractive tree lined high street of Jürmala where inviting shops, cosy cafés, and local boutiques await.
Don’t miss the striking Russian Orthodox Church and the iconic Jūrmala Globe at the far end of the high street. From there, signposts lead the way to a looped trail along the beachside boardwalk where you can breathe in the fresh sea air and pop into one if the beachside cafes for a coffee before returning to the station.
Spend a day in Sigulda
A day trip to Sigulda is one of the best ways to enjoy Latvia’s natural beauty and history. The scenic journey train takes about an hour, bringing you to a picturesque town set in the Gauja River Valley. We started the day by exploring the Sigulda Castle ruins and ‘new’ castle which overlook the river offering wonderful views of the surrounding hills.
Don’t miss a ride on the Sigulda cable car, gliding high above the Gauja River that connects both sides of the valley. This was the perfect end to our day in Sigulda before taking the evening train back to Riga. For a more detailed guide to Sigulda you can read my follow-up post coming soon.
Well, there you have it, lots of ideas for an enchanting weekend break to Riga. We adored our time in the Latvian capital and I’m sure you will too!
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During our stay we were guests of Latvia Travel and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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