10 Amazing Things to Do in Riga, Latvia for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Riga, Latvia

1. Visit Riga Cathedral

Riga Cathedral is the heart of Latvia's capital. It is one of the oldest and most sacred buildings in the Baltic region, and it is the structure you will see first when you arrive in the old town.

The cathedral was constructed in the 13th century as a monastery before it was transformed in the 15th century to what you see today. The cathedral was designed using a combination of Romanesque, Early Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau features that give it its unique look.

The cathedral is one of the most recognized landmarks in the city, and it is one of the first tourist attractions you should visit in Riga. The cathedral opens from 9 AM to 6 PM every day in the summer and from 10 AM to 5 PM every day in winter. The entrance fee to Riga Cathedral is 3 EUR.

2. Admire the Beauty of the House of the Black Heads

The House of the Black Heads is another stunning architectural piece you should check out in Riga. The structure is renowned for its striking facade, which combines several architectural styles and features from various periods, resulting in the incredibly beautiful pink-colored structure you see today.

The building was constructed in the 14th Century as a meeting venue and banquet hall for public events, such as concerts. The place obtained its name from the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a military guild in the 14th Century that eventually transformed into a predominantly social organization. They constructed the place for their social gatherings and events.

The House of the Black Heads is now a museum where you will be able to see some of the rooms and halls that were used for concerts and ceremonies, with all the furniture intact.

The entrance fee to the House of Black Heads is from 4 - 15 EUR, depending on how many rooms you want to see. The museum opens from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday to Sunday, so be sure to plan your visit carefully if you want to see the exhibition.

Even if you are there on the wrong day, the building is still worth a visit as you won't find anything quite like its stunning pink-colored facade.

3. Check out the viewpoint at the top of St. Peter's Church

One of my favorite places to visit is St. Peter's Church, not because of the church itself, but more so because of its stunning panoramic viewpoint at the top of the Clock Tower that one can visit.

The view from St. Peter's Church's Clock Tower is by far one of the best viewpoints in the city, and you will be able to get an unobstructed view of Riga's cityscape with all the beautiful red old roofs of Riga's Old Town on full display.

St. Peter's Church and its tower were constructed at the end of the 15th Century, but due to its height of around 130 meters, the material used to construct it back in the day (wood), and the troubled history of the area, the tower had been destroyed and renovated many times until 1967 when it was fully renovated with a metal construction.

Nowadays, the tower stands at around 123 meters in height, and you can take an elevator up to approximately 72 meters, where you will be able to enjoy an unbeatable view of Riga's skyline.

To enter St. Peter's Church and use the lift to get up to the top of the tower, you are going to have to pay around 9 EUR per person, and you can stay up there for as long as you like. The tower opens from 10 AM to 7 PM every day except Monday.

4. Walk through The Swedish Gate

The Swedish Gate is one of the last remnants of Riga's Old Wall, and it marks the beginning of the Old Town area, making it a great place for you to begin your exploration of the Old Town in Riga.

The gate got its name from the fact that it was built by the Swedish Kingdom in the late 17th century during its reign of the region after the Polish-Swedish War.

Despite several restoration works that went into maintaining Riga's Old Walls, the Swedish Gate is the only structure in Riga's Old Town that still maintains its look from the medieval time, and you can clearly see the imperfections in the structure, unlike any other tourist attraction you see in Riga.

If you are looking for a route to explore Riga's Old Town, make sure you start from the Swedish Gate and make your way along its cobblestone road to all the other tourist attractions in the city.

5. Learn the History at the Many Museums in Riga

Latvia is full of history, mostly forgotten and left out from European history books, and one of the best ways to rediscover this long-lost knowledge of Latvia is to visit all the museums in Riga.

The Latvian War Museum is a great museum to start if you wish to learn about the complex military and political history of Latvia. The place is one of the oldest and largest museums in the city, and it has garnered more than 25,400 artifacts in its collection. It is also free to enter, so be sure to drop by when you are in Riga.

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is also another great museum to visit if you are interested in Latvia's dark past during the USSR and Nazi occupation of the city.

From a reconstruction of a Gulag barrack used by the USSR to all the video materials of people who suffered through the dark period, there is no better place to learn about the Soviet-era Riga than here. The museum opens from 11 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 10 EUR per person.

6. Check out The Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument, located not too far from the old town, is also one of the most important landmarks in Riga and a great reminder of how the people of Latvia won their independence against the Soviets.

The monument was constructed in 1935 to honor the soldiers who were killed during the Latvian War of Independence in 1918. After the annexation of Latvia by the USSR after World War 2, there was a plan to demolish the monument, but no such actions were taken thanks to the Soviet sculptor, Vera Mukhina, who saw the artistic value of the monument.

Once you see the monument, you will know why no one wants to demolish it. The monument, standing tall at around 42 meters (138 ft), is a beautiful piece of art that no other monument can replicate, and it is an important landmark that lives in the hearts and souls of the locals here. Only a monster would demolish such a beautiful structure.

7. Visit The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ

Another beautiful church to visit in Riga is The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which is unlike any other church on this list, as it is an Orthodox church constructed in the Neo-Byzantine architectural style with golden domes and stunning murals and golden decor you can expect in an Orthodox church.

If you want to see one last unique piece of architecture in Riga, do not forget to visit this cathedral. The opening hours are from 7 AM to 6:30 PM every day, and it is free for anyone to enter.

8. Spend Half a Day at Cesis Castle

One of the day trips you can do from Riga is to visit Cesis Castle, a medieval castle located 2 hours north of Riga, and easily reachable by a local bus or train.

The Cesis Castle is a castle complex constructed in the 13th Century, and it is considered to be one of the most formidable fortresses in Livonia, a medieval name for the areas that covered modern-day Latvia and parts of Estonia.

Today, Cesis Castle is an open-air museum where you will find several old medieval ruins scattered all over a park that you can stroll around. There is also a museum and an exhibition house where you will be able to learn more about Cesis and why it played a great role in shaping the culture of Latvia we see today.

There is also a Castle Tower that offers a great view of Cecil Castle from afar, which you can climb. Additionally, you can also participate in one of the many medieval activities organized by the castle for tourists.

There is quite a lot to see in the castle, as well as the town itself, so be sure to spare around half a day for the place. The Cecil Castle's operating hours are between 10 AM - 6 PM every day except Monday, and the entrance fee is around 8 EUR per person. This fee will include access to the old medieval castle, the new castle with a museum, an exhibition hall, and the Lademaher tower.

To get from Riga to Cesis Castle, you will have to catch one of the buses from Riga's SAO and you should be able to find a bus going to Cesis. The bus to Cesis runs every hour starting at 8:05 AM until 9:30 PM. The journey should take about 2 hours and costs 4.25 EUR. Be sure to check out the official Cesis bus schedule here.

For those of you who are looking for a more convenient way to visit Cesis Castle, you can also go on a full-day private tour that will take you to Cesis Castle, as well as other medieval castles scattered around Latvia that you won't be able to visit without your own vehicle.

It is an easy and comfortable way to see all the beautiful medieval castles Latvia has to offer in a short period of time. For more day trips you can take, click on the link below:

Book A Medieval Castle Day Trip from Riga

9. Stroll Around Riga Central Market

For a nice place to stroll around and go people-watching in Riga, you just can't beat the Riga Central Market, where locals often congregate. But the way to really dive deep into the locals' culture here is to go on a walking tour at the Riga Central Market.

There are many walking tours you can join in Riga that will take you on a food-tasting tour in Riga Central Market while explaining what life is actually like for the local population here, which I highly recommend.

Riga Central Market is open from 7:30 AM until 6 PM every day. If you want to learn more about the locals and how they were able to make their local cuisine so delicious, I highly recommend you go with this Riga Food Walking Tour.

10. Try the Local Cuisine at Lido Restaurant

Talking about delicious local cuisine, if you are looking for a nice local restaurant to try in Riga, I highly recommend LIDO Alus sēta.

LIDO Alus sēta is located within the Old Town in this old-tavern-looking hall full of medieval decor, and they have a buffet of local food you can choose from at a reasonable price.

In the evening, they also have local musicians playing old-school songs that go surprisingly well with the setting, the food, and the beers they serve there. If you are looking for a fun place to try local cuisine in the evening, this is the place to be. The restaurant opens from 12 PM to 10 PM every day.

11. Extra: Go For a Beer at Alķīmiķis

Last but not least, if you are looking for a more modern and hip place to go for a beer with friends, Alķīmiķis brewpub is where you should be. My Latvian friend took me to the place, and we had a great catch-up over delicious craft beers and burgers.

If you are looking for a place where all the cool kids hang out in Riga, be sure to drop by Alķīmiķis before you leave. The brewpub opens from 12 PM to 12 AM every day except on weekends.

When to Visit Riga, Latvia?

The best time to visit Riga, Latvia is from June to August when the weather is nice and warm, making it great for exploring the outdoors.

This period is considered to be the high season, but since the Baltic countries don't get as many tourists as other places in Europe, you do not have to worry about big crowds ruining your trip.

Other months outside of the peak season can be extremely cold in the Baltic countries, and many of the tourist attractions you might want to visit might not be open, so I highly recommend you stick with the summer months when planning a trip here.

How to Get to Riga, Latvia?

To get to Riga, you will have to either fly into its international airport or you can catch one of the many buses that run between other cities in Europe via Lithuania from Western Europe or Estonia from Northern Europe.

To find a flight to Riga, you are going to have to search for flights that fly into Riga International Airport (RIX).

From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Riga, but you can still fly into the city via one of the many transit flights that pass through cities like Munich (Lufthansa), British Airlines (London), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) from big cities in the US like New York, Boston, and Miami.

From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Riga. You can also choose low-cost airlines like Wizz and RyanAir, which often offer direct flights from major cities around Europe for as low as 10 USD.

From Asia, your only option is to fly into Riga via transit flights through big European cities like Frankfurt and Amsterdam, which can take anywhere from 17 to more than 24 hours, including transit time.

It's not ideal, but this is the only way to do it from Asia. A better way would be to visit Riga as part of your larger Europe trip, which is exactly what I did to make the long flight worthwhile.

To find a cheap flight to Riga, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so that you can compare and pick the best one.

How to Get Around Riga, Latvia?

By Walk: Riga's tourist attractions are all located within the confines of its old town, and you should be able to walk to most of the tourist attractions I listed here, except Cesis, which is a bus ride away.

By Intercity Bus: For attractions that are further away, like Cesis, you can easily catch an intercity bus that often runs between these places every hour, every day, starting at 8:05 AM until 9:30 PM at Riga SAO.

By Train: You can also take a train from Riga to places like Cesis, but you will have fewer options when it comes to time. There is only one train that leaves from Riga Railway Station to Cesis at 6:46 AM. I find the bus to be much more comfortable and easier to plan though.

By Tours: If you want to travel further in a short period of time, going with an organized tour is also a great option too. There are several tours and day trips you can do in Riga that will allow you to go as far as Lithuania and back, if you want. You can find tours in Riga to join with the link below.

Book Day Trips from Riga

How Many Days To Spend in Riga, Latvia?

Two full days should be enough to see everything Riga has to offer while having around half a day to relax and enjoy all the delicious local cuisine in Riga. Below is a rough itinerary of things to do in Riga for 2 days.

Day 1: Visit all the tourist attractions within Riga, such as Riga Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate, the Freedom Monument, etc., and spend the evening in the old town trying local cuisine.

Day 2: Visit Cesis Castle for half a day and then spend the rest of your second day exploring museums or the craft beer scene in Riga.

How Much Money Do I Need For Riga, Latvia?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Riga, Latvia, as follows:

Accommodation: For 3 nights in Riga, you can expect to pay around 48 USD (40.54 EUR) for accommodations.

Food: Food costs about 9 EUR on average per meal, so for 2 days, you can expect to pay around 54 EUR per person for food.

Transportation: For transportation, you will only need to buy a round-trip bus ticket to Cesis, which should cost around 9 EUR, and that is it for transportation.

Activities: For activities, you will have to pay the entrance fee to Cecis Castle (8 EUR), take a lift up St. Peter's Church (9 EUR), visit the Museum of the Occupation (10 EUR), and explore the House of the Black Heads (4 EUR). So, in total, you will pay around 31 EUR for activities in Riga.

Total budget for 2 days in Riga: 134.54 EUR (159.29 USD)

Is it Safe in Riga, Latvia?

Latvia is generally quite safe, especially when compared to bigger cities like Paris and Barcelona. Petty thefts can still happen, but they are not as prevalent as in Western Europe.

That said, it is always a good idea to take precautions and be aware of your belongings and surroundings when you are traveling. Petty thefts, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, still happen in big cities like Riga, especially in crowded areas. So, don't forget to keep your belongings near you when you are out and about at all times.

Also, many have reported about unruly, drunken locals at night terrorizing tourists, so I would recommend that you avoid going to sketchy clubs and bars at night. The ones in the old town should be alright, though.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Latvia?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Riga, Latvia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Riga, Latvia:

There are 3 major carriers in Latvia: LMT, Tele2, and Bite. All of them offer pretty similar coverage, but the most popular one is LMT Karte, which has over 90% 4G/LTE coverage.

With LMT Karte, you can buy a SIM card starter kit for around 1.5-3 EUR, and then you can easily purchase data packages from their shops and stores throughout the country.

Regular data plans for LMT Karte can cost between 0.5 EUR and 24.89 EUR, depending on the duration and data capacity you desire. For instance, a 7-day package with unlimited data (capped at 1.38 GB) costs around 3 EUR, while a 30-day package with unlimited data (capped at 11.48 GB) costs 24.89 EUR.

If you are coming from Lithuania, the other two carriers, Tele2 and Bite, might be better options. In 2019, these two companies signed a network sharing agreement with their Lithuanian counterparts. Therefore, if you already have a sim card from Tele2 in Lithuania, it should be able to work in Latvia as well.

For more information about Latvia's local SIM card: Latvia's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Riga, Latvia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Riga, Latvia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for the Baltic Countries and its Neighbors

I hope you found this Baltic travel guide useful. If you want to read more about the Baltic Countries and their neighbors, here are a selection of articles you might like:

• For a complete itinerary for the Baltic Countries, check out: One Week Itinerary for the Baltic Countries.
• Planning a trip to Vilnius, Lithuania and looking for awesome things to do? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• Tallinn is one of the prettiest cities in the Baltics and a must-visit for those who love medieval architecture and colorful traditional houses. Here is the 10 Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia.
• Helsinki is a great place to travel to from Estonia. If you are heading that way, be sure to visit our 9 Best Things To Do In Helsinki as well.
• Stockholm is a beautiful city with a ton of things to do and places to see that can be quite overwhelming. Here's a travel guide and 3-day itinerary on things to do in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Poland is also a great country to visit after Lithuania. If you are heading south, make sure to check out our 2-week backpacking itinerary for Poland.
• Are you traveling to Sweden as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• You can also watch my Baltic Countries travel video here: "Go with the Baltic Flow" travel video.
• To see all the articles about Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, visit Lithuania Travel Guide page, Latvia Travel Guide page, and Estonia Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.