Riga in a Day

 

Can you see Riga in a day?

Short answer yes! While Riga has a lot to offer and you can take great day trips to the Hill of crosses or other places, Riga itself is not super big and for tourists who mostly want to walk around Old Town and the areas around it, it’s fairly easy to see Riga in a day.

You might want to add extra time when visiting museums or heading to one of Rigas beaches though.

How to get to Riga?

Riga has a small airport but you can also get there by train or bus if travelling from the surrounding countries.

Getting to & from Riga from the airport: Bus 22 costs 1,81€ one-way (can be purchased by the bus driver [link]) and takes you to Old Town within 30min.

The main train station and bus stops are both in the city center.

How does public transport work in Riga?

If you’re just there for a day I personally think that everything is easily accessible by foot and you would just need to get the single ticket to go to or from the airport (if this is the transport method you choose) however alternatively you may purchase

• A 90min ticket for 1,50€

• A 24h ticket for 5€

• A 3-day ticket for 8€

The easiest way to buy tickets for public transport is in one of the countless Narvesen kiosks you will see but some of the supermarkets (Rimi, MaXima) or the post offices carry them as well.

For up-to-date prices please check here

Is Riga a walkable city?

Absolutely! If you’re just there for a day you will most-likely just want to see the main attractions and Riga is super easy to discover just by walking around.

What are the must-sees in Riga for a day trip?

1. St. Peter’s

2. Three Brothers (read up on the history if you like - it’s a cool story!)

3. Cat House (you will see lots of cat related souvenirs - this house is the reason for it)

4. House of the Black Heads

5. Powder Tower

6. Elizabeth Street

7. The Freedom Monument

Where we stayed in Riga?

Since Riga is the biggest city in the Baltic states you also have a wider selection however since we fly there over Easter I didn't know if or how much will be open and if the vegetarian selections were good or not meaning my non negotiables were 1) located centrally (but short distance to the airport as we only stayed a day and a half) and 2) own or shared kitchen in case I need to buy things in the supermarket on Saturday (between Good Friday and Easter Monday).

So we stayed with the Lighthouse hotel & hostel Riga.

While the location was great (in the city center, walking minutes away from Riga Old Town, 30 min away from the airport by bus), the biggest downside was the isolation. We had great weather - 25 degrees in April and only sunshine! But sadly most of the buildings there are older meaning they leave warmth and coldness in through the walls and air condition doesn't seem to be common forcing us to keep the window open to keep some air fluctuation. Even when it was closed and because it was well located it was very loud.

It fit the purpose for the short time we were there but if you plan to stay longer, I wouldn't recommend it.

What to eat in Riga?

Typical food for Latvian include:

• Cold Beetroot Soup

• Smoked Fish

• Potato Pancakes

As a vegetarian with a partner who eats meat, I can recommend the following restaurants & cafés we visited:

1. Cruffins - by far the best small cafe with delicious baked goods! It’s a little harder to  find since it’s in a side street but well worth it!

2. Big Bad Bagels - Be quick! It’s great for breakfast and has lots of options including vegetarian and vegan but it’s busy! Seats are limited but it’s worth the wait or you simply take it with. If you like peanuts definitely try the Go Nuts smoothie too!

3. Čili Pizza Barona ielā - This is more of a fast food place than the rest but still good especially if you travel to Riga with your family or a menu with a wide variety. Since I love falafels (and there are lots of falafel places in Riga!!) I simply went for a falafel pita and I would go back and eat the same when in Riga. This one was 5min away from the accommodation and after a day of travelling this just hit the right spot

4. Algenskalns Market - for fresh fruit and local goods; the usual in those open market spaces

Side note: We went to Street Pizza outside the Holy Trinity Church as well but the pizzas had a super thin base and were hard to eat even with fork & knife. It’s an option but I wouldn’t recommend it.

How much should you budget for you stay in Riga (in 2025)?

Transport:

Food: 5-15€ p.P. per meal (= snack to main dish)

Drinks: 5€ p.P. per drink (= bottled drink, coffee, pint of beer)

Accommodation: 30-70€ p.P. (none-shared accommodation)

Souvenir: 5-15€ per item

Does it make sense to see Riga in a day?

Absolutely! While you can see the main sight-seeings within a day in Riga (even during Easter!), just make sure to either plan ahead if you want to see any museums/ indoor sightseeings, as they were closed when we went (due to Easter)