Riga is the financial, creative, and cultural centre ofLatvia. It is the capital and the largest city in Latvia, it is also the second largest city in theBaltic States after theLithuanian capitalVilnius. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of Daugava, Riga has a population of approximately 640,000 inhabitants, or 1/3 of the population of Latvia. The city was part of many empires throughout history, each of which has left its mark on the city. It is famous for Art Nouveau and wooden architecture. Riga's historical centre is listed as aUNESCO World Heritage site.
There are many administrative districts in Riga. However, almost all tourist attractions, historic buildings and hotels are contained within the borders of the relatively small and walkableCentra rajons district, which is made up of Vecrīga (the old town) and Centrs (the modern-day business district). However if you have already seen the more famous attractions in the city centre, the outer districts do have their own draws too.
| Vecrīga The old town, entirely listed as aworld heritage site, is the primary draw for visitors and many of the city's most prominent sights are here. The car-free streets and alleys are lined with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. The impressive central market lies just south of the old town. |
| Centrs Centrs, encircling the old town and extending northeast, is the commercial centre of Riga, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, parks and boulevards. It is also a place to go to for nightlife and hotels; the high-rise Hotel Latvija (which doubles as a landmark) with its Skyline bar on the top floor offers both. |
| Outer East Bank Further out on the eastern bank, you have an opportunity to see some more rural attractions including Mežaparks district with the Latvian Song and Dance Festival open air stage, and the city’s zoo. It also includes the district of Maskavas forštate with Jewish heritage. |
| Pārdaugava The West Bank of Daugava offers nice parks and beaches, 18th- and 19th-century wooden architecture in Agenskalns, the mountain-shaped building of the National Library of Latvia, and a railway museum. The TV tower on Zaķusala island is the tallest tower in the European Union. Riga International Airport lies just outside the city limits. |
On both sides of the mouth of Daugava river, the Gulf of Riga offers extensive sandy seaside beaches, which can be reached by city bus or train. Anude beach can be found a 15-minute walk out of Vecāķi.
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Riga is famous for itsworld heritage-listed old town (Vecrīga) and city centre (Centrs), in which over 800 buildings — a third of all buildings — are of the Art Nouveau (aka Jugendstil) style of architecture and thus Riga is one of the best destinations to see this architectural style. Chiefly built in the first years of the 20th century, many of Riga's Art Nouveau buildings were created by ethnic Latvian architects unlike earlier buildings in the city . The Art Nouveau style involves intricate building facades, with carvings of flowers and mythological creatures, and ornate doorways and windows.
A considerable part of the old town was either destroyed by fire or destroyed by the Germans in World War II but many old buildings were also spared. The old town was a draw of the city during the Soviet times and it received protected status in 1967. The damaged parts, most notably the House of the Blackheads, were restored in the late 1990s, mainly to make Riga more attractive as a tourist destination. Another thing that attracts visitors, especially young adults, is the lively nightlife and discount airlines that offer cheap flights to/from much of Europe.
Riga is bisected by the river Daugava. Old (medieval) town is in the centre of the city on the east side of the river. It is surrounded by a ring of 19th– to early 20th-century architecture including the Art Nouveau buildings described above, followed by a mix of private 2-floor house districts (many also pre-World War II) and Soviet-era 5-18 floor apartment districts. Especially near railway lines, they are interspersed with industrial plants from different eras, including some from the Imperial Russian era.
Riga was founded in 1201 by Albert of Bremen as a port city and a base to conquer and convert the native Livonians to Christianity, a goal that was achieved in 1206 after a battle in Turaida during the Northern Crusades. Riga developed as the major trade hub of the area during the peak of the Hanseatic League in the 13th to the 15th centuries and was ruled by the Archbishop of Riga. The Reformation reached Riga in 1522, which ended the Archbishops' power. In 1621, Riga became part of the Kingdom of Sweden, although it maintained a great deal of autonomy. In 1710, an invasion by Peter the Great of Russia ended Swedish rule and cemented Russian influence on the city.
Latvia declared its independence on November 18, 1918. It was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. Riga served as the capital of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Germans have inhabited the city since its establishment by Albert, and throughout most of its history, Germans were the elite while Latvians remained a lower class. The Germans' position as the elite continued through the Imperial period of Riga, visible in some of the architecture of the city. The Germans were forcibly evicted after the Nazi occupation of 1941-44.
The official language of Latvia isLatvian; however, in Riga, the majority of the population speaks both Latvian andRussian, and ethnic Russians form slightly more than a third of the city's population. English is widely spoken by younger people and by people in the tourism industry.German is also commonly spoken by tour guides.
Many flights to/from Riga are operated byAir Baltic,Ryanair, andWizz Air.
There are designated areas in the airport where smoking is allowed.
Getting there and away:
There are international bus connections to anywhere in Europe, including frequent service toTallinn andTartu inEstonia, andVilnius andKaunas inLithuania.56.94524.11472Riga's main bus station is just outside the old town. As of October 2023 there is substantial road and tramway construction underway around the bus station. Expect traffic snarls throughout most of the day. Pedestrian access is limited and may require stairs or negotiating un-even terrain.
AS Pasazieru vilciens (meaning "Passenger Trains Company") operates service to many cities in Latvia, including the suburbs of Riga. You can book tickets online via the Latvian Railways site up to 45 days in advance, but tickets must be collected from a station in Latvia.
A daily train runs from Lithuania, reservations compulsory. It leavesVilnius at 07:00, stops atSiauliai, Joniškis andJelgava, and reaches Riga at 11:04.
You can reach Riga from Estonia by transferring to a southbound Lithuanian train atValga. The Estonian train departsTallinn at 10:25 andTartu at 12:54, arriving at Valga at 13:54. The Lithuanian train departs Valga at 14:11 and reaches Riga at 16:37. The Lithuanian train then continues south from Riga to Vilnius.
Riga has good road connections with Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. Riga is on theVia Baltica and ~300 km from Tallinn and Vilnius. In the city centre, you have to pay afee for public parking[dead link] which varies depending from distance to the centre.
56.95988924.09764Andrejosta Marina.Andrejosta - small gulf in the right side of Daugava, where the Riga channel meets Daugava river. Located at walking distance from the old town of Riga where the most of touristic attractions are located. 150 berths.
56.95319424.0865745City Yacht Club (Pilsētas Jahtklubs).City Yacht Club is located in Ķīpsala – an island on the left bank of the Daugava river, connected to Riga city centre and Pārdaugava by the Shroud Bridge. Ķīpsala is only 3 km from the Riga Old City where all tourism services are available. Behind the Pier there is a shopping centre. 200 berths.
Vecrīga mainly comprises rounded cobblestone streets that may be hard to walk on if you are not wearing proper shoes. Outside of Vecrīga, most streets are paved with asphalt, although some smaller streets may be unpaved. Sidewalks are predominantly concrete everywhere. Vecrīga is best explored on foot. Due to the neglected drainage system, the streets may be flooded during heavy downpours.
The city-ownedRigas Satiksme company operates thetrams (street-cars),buses, andtrolleybuses. They all use the same e-ticket system callede-talons. A single fare of €1.50 covers any amount of rides on any route independent of the distance and is valid for 90 minutes. For routes, timetables and live traffic see Rigas Satiksme's official route planner[1].
Single fares are €1.50 for bus/tram/trolleybus/ trips if purchased in advance. The most convenient app that accepts foreign phone numbers isMobilly, because it not only allows you to purchase local tickets, but also tickets for remote trains and buses in the same place. You can top-up your app wallet with credit or pay the "missing" amount directly (every transaction is minimum €3, but presumably you'll need a return ticket at some point). Do not forget to activate the ticket by scanning the vehicle QR code. Otherwise, ane-talons card can be purchased from a ticket office, vending machine, press kiosk,Narvesen shop, app or other location listed on the Rigas Satiksme website. These electronic tickets are for one time charge only, without deposit. You pay the number of rides that you want on them (even if it is just one ride), and discard after using up all rides. Unlimited 24-hour ride card costs €5.00, 3-day card costs €8, and 5-day card costs €10. The cards all are activated by using the yellow device in the vehicles. You must activate all cards every time that you enter a vehicle. On some Latvian public holidays (January 1st, May 4th, June 23rd and 24th, November 18th, December 31st) Riga public transport is free.
Tram lines are numbered 1–11; bus lines are numbered 1-55; trolley bus lines are numbered 1–27. Night buses are numbered N1, N4 and N6 and they only operate on Friday and Saturday nights. While the numbers are similar, the routes are completely different - i.e. bus #2 is totally different from trolleybus #2. Tram numbers on stops are identified by "Tr", buses (not trolleybuses) by "A". Stops are marked by a blue rectangular sign with a stylized white image of the vehicle and lists the numbers that stop there. Timetables and stops of the route are also usually posted at stops and are fairly accurate. Bus routes are marked "A", but tram and trolley bus routes are marked "T" on timetables, except tram timetables should have red background for the "T" letter and trolley bus—yellow. The vehicles include an LCD screen with next stop information.
Trams are generally the fastest public transportation apart from trains. Although they are on the street level and the rails are not physically separated from the rest of the traffic, in all but the busiest rush hours they have the right of way.
SIXT Latvia[dead link] operates self-service bicycle rentals at bicycle stands across the city. The service is available to both residents and guests of Riga. You must have a mobile phone to register, but registration is free. The bikes have 3 speeds and lights, but no helmets. The advertised price on the website is €0.90 per 30 minutes, with a maximum of €9 per day. However, the effective amount charged seems to be €0.99 (Oct 2017) per half hour (the first minute of a subsequent half hour counts as a full 30 minutes).
Alternatively, ask your hotel if they provide bicycle rental.
Downtown Rīga has a lot of cobblestone streets, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Bike lanes and paths exist but are not always marked clearly. On main roads, you may occasionally end up finding yourself on the wrong side of a guardrail.
From April to September a good way to go short distances is by electric scooter, which are abundant on city streets. DownloadBolt,Citybee orTuul apps to use them. As with bicycles, be careful when driving cobblestone streets. If you are 17 years of age or under, you need protective gear. It is illegal for two or more people to ride electric scooter. Price starts from €0.70 for an ultra short ride.
The best way to hire a taxi is to use theBolt,Yandex Go,Panda Taxi orRed Cab mobile app, which allow you to see the rates being charged, time to pickup, enter the destination, and pay with the credit card that is linked to your account.
If you hail a random taxi on the street, be aware that the taxi may not follow the most direct route and may use a meter rate that will significantly overcharge you.
It is not advisable to get around Riga by car unless you need to move things around. The street infrastructure has the same capacity as when it was planned, and traffic congestions are the norm during working hours, which is most of the day. Traffic can be extremely slow, especially on the bridges.
It can be difficult to find a parking spot in Riga during working hours. In the very centre and the old town of Riga and on the Ķīpsala islandparking services require a fee in certain streets[dead link]. In the old town this can be up to €8/hour.
There are several car rental offices at the Riga airport and in other parts of the town. You can even rent a cheap Soviet-style car.
Driving drunk is considered a serious law violation. Besides high fines and a seized driving license you can easily end up serving 10-15 days in an administrative arrest. Maximum alcohol contents in the blood must not exceed 0.05 g/dL. There are plenty of police patrols and it is very common to be stopped for an alcohol test.
It is common in Riga to use carsharing apps. There are almost always some cars available near the center. The price is based on distance and time, but as a rule of thumb, it is usually about 30-40% cheaper than a taxi. Hourly / daily and even monthly packages are available. Download and register onBolt,Citybee,Fiqsy apps before you arrive (driving license must be uploaded and approved). There is even a Tesla carsharing app available - checkOX Drive app.
Boat service is available from May to September from/toJūrmala. The boats stop in Riga stop near the Stone Bridge (Akmens Tilts), which is right next to the House of Blackheads/Riga Tourist Information Centre, in the old town. The trip costs €15-20 and takes 2½ hours -- it is much slower and more expensive than train service.
For tourists, the most interesting districts are Vecrīga (the UNESCO-listed Old Town) and the area around the nearbyFreedom Monument, which do double duty as the setting of Riga's foremost historic sites and the centre of its burgeoning nightlife. In Vecrīga, the two main clusters of historic sites lie just a few blocks from each other:Town Hall Square, which contains the striking 13th-centuryHouse of Blackheads, the Town Hall (built in 2003 as a down-to-the-last-detail copy of the 17th-century original), andRiga Cathedral and the square surrounding it. There you'll also find important museums such as theNational History Museum of Latvia (inRiga Castle) and theMuseum of the Occupation of Latvia, as well as remnants of the Medieval-era city fortifications popping up here and there.
Further out from Vecrīga is Riga's modern-day downtown (Centrs). Aside from the aforementioned Freedom Monument, architecture buffs flock here to admire the beautifully preserved Art Nouveau row houses onAlberta iela and other nearby streets — one of the densest clusters of architecture of that style in the world — as well as still more museums, such as Latvia'sNational Museum of Art.
However, there are places worth visiting outside the city centre. Some other old and well-preserved urban districts that are relatively unvisited by tourists include Agenskalns and Tornakalns, just over the Stone bridge. Further out, the residential areas on the periphery of town are largely made up of gray apartment blocks built in the typically Soviet style. These areas are nearly identical to those all overEastern Europe. However, they do give an idea of how the vast majority of the people in Riga live and of the history of the area.
TheRiga Pass, which costs€16-26, has discounts for museums and some tourist attractions.
The tourist office, inside the House of Blackheads, offers guided tours and free pamphlets, complete with detailed descriptions of many buildings, for independent walks. These walks cover the old town, the nearby city centre sights, and the Art Nouveau district. It's easy to do each of these in around an hour, or linger and read every detail in the booklet. In the absence of any signs or plaques around the city, the booklet gives you an insight to what you are seeing.
Many private companies offer organized tours of Riga. Options include bike tours, Segway tours, pub crawls, hop-on-hop-off bus tours, walking tours, free tours, and tours focused on a certain aspect of Riga - away from the touristy old town.
If you're interested inclassical culture, head to the National Opera in the Old Town to enjoy opera or ballet or to the Koncertzāle Ave Sol a little further north. The city has several pleasant parks, notably around the city canal and further north into Centrs. Another interesting park is Mežaparks in the north of the city with beautiful old villas and Riga's zoo.
It's also possible to do a boat ride on the canal, making a tour around the old town on the Daugava river. Start point is near the Freedom Monument.
Also, check out the nearby sights of theRiga region, some of which allow for a good day trip from Riga due to the frequent and comprehensive travel options of the region.
Riga and its surroundings are popular destinations for adrenaline sports, which can be booked online, from most hostels and hotels, or from any local travel agent. The activities generally include transfers to/from your accommodation and all necessary supplies. Popular activities include bobsledding, AK-47 shooting (€40), bungee jumping from a cable car, scenic flights, canoeing, kayaking, go-karting, golfing, paintball, drift biking, husky dog sledding (€40), indoor skydiving (€60), laser tag in an old factory (€50) and driving a 4x4 off-road.
Riga had a significant Jewish population during theRussian Empire period and therefore has a significant Jewish legacy.
Usually remembered as a period of pity and shame (depends on who you ask though), Latvia was part of USSR for almost 50 years and was twice occupied by Soviets (in 1940 and 1944). This period is characterized by mass building of cheap and brutalist residential "sleeper" districts (to accommodate large influx of immigrants from "brotherly" Soviet republics), as well as some remarkable Stalinist style architecture. Some places worth attention are:
Russian Language School of Baltic International Academy Scam
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Buy items like amber and wool mittens and socks in the central market or throughout Vecrīga in little stands. You might haggle and get good prices for souvenirs.
During the Christmas season there is a smallChristmas market in the main square of old town which offers lots of festive fare and hot wine.
Like in other cities around the world, you can findshopping malls in the suburbs along most major thoroughfares. While not attractions in themselves, they may come in handy especially if you get around by car; you can buy things you need on your trip, some Latvian specialties to bring home or have a quick meal there.
Riga, as the most vibrant and cosmopolitan city of the Baltics, offers countless opportunities to sample both local cuisine and international favorites.Latvian food can be hearty, using a lot of potato, cabbage, beef, pork and fish. A diversity of foreign cuisines is also available — sushi restaurants in particular are in vogue.
The most central districts Vecriga and Centrs are the places to go for the widest selection of restaurants, though there are certainly also places to eat elsewhere in the city. There are a couple of local restaurant chains that have eateries in many different parts of Riga:
The Vecriga district has seen a rise in tourist trap restaurants. It is advisable to scrutinise and memorize the price and size of the advertised offer against what is actually being served.
Bar scams in Latvia Latvia is home to a number of fraud/extortion scams in bars, run by the local mobs.A common scam, which targets men, begins by having someone randomly coax you into a bar. Upon buying a drink, you will be presented with a bill for as much as €100. If you can't pay with cash, the bar will take credit cards – or you might be forced to withdraw money from their handy ATM. If you ask, you will even be presented with a menu and the €100 price listed. If you refuse to pay, the exit door will most likely be blocked by a large bouncer. The trick to avoiding this scam is not to enter a bar recommended to you by someone on the street. A variation of this scam occurs when someone you meet on a dating app, such as Tinder, suggests meeting at one of these bars – or takes you there after first meeting at a more reputable place. The trick here is to check the online reviews of any establishment a stranger invites you to. Below is a list of bars/clubs in Riga known to conduct these scams (as of September 2025). Many are strip bars or locations of prostitution rings. These shady establishments change their names often to escape lists like these and continue extorting unwitting travelers, so use your judgment when entering a bar.
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Black coffee in Latvia is traditionally served unfiltered and quite strong in small cups. If you are used to filtered coffee, you may want to have a "white coffee" (with either milk, whipped milk or cream), or you want to have a glass of water on the side. Coffee "to go" has become increasingly popular, and many of the coffee chains offer coffee served in paper cups with lids.
Riga is a major nightlife destination for tourists and bars here are often open later than those in other European cities. On average, bars in Vecrīga will charge €2-3 per beer and bars outside of Vecrīga will charge €1.50-2 per beer. A specialty liquor isRiga Balsam, which is an acquired taste.
Riga is known for a sparkling nightlife. There is a difference in style between 'Russian' clubs and 'Latvian' clubs.
Hotels and hostels in general offer free WiFi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards.
Unsurprisingly the largest concentration of hotels are in and around Vecrīga. For budget accommodation, head to the eastern half of the old town and the surroundings of the railway station. Upscale hotels are to be found in the core of Vecrīga and around the Esplanade Park in Centrs.
Riga is generally safe if you know how to take the basic precautions. Riga's old town is extremely safe at all times, as are the city's major thoroughfares. On the other hand, certain areas in the city's western parts have had their share of crime since the fall of the USSR.
Many Latvians will tell you that any Russian-speaking neighbourhood is rife with crime and violence. While this may be blown out of proportion due to historical tensions, poorer parts of Riga with significant Russian populations do need to be avoided after dark.
Alcohol consumption in Riga is high and bar fights are relatively common. It is wise to be level-headed and not escalate a situation. See the info box in theRiga#Drink section regarding common bar scams in Riga.
Many details can also be found here:https://www.embassypages.com/latvia
Canada,20/22 Baznicas St 6F,☏+371 67813945,fax:+371 67813960,riga@international.gc.ca. 
Denmark,Pils iela 11,☏+371 67 226 210,fax:+371 67 820 234,rixamb@um.dk. 
Finland,Kalpaka bulvaris 1, LV-1605 Riga,☏+371-6707 8800,fax:+371-6707 8814,sanomat.rii@formin.fi.M-F 08:30-12:00, 13:00-16:30. 
56.95401324.1095131Georgia,Raina bulvaris 3-19, LV -1050 Riga,☏+371 7225812,fax:+371 7225812,riga.emb@mfa.gov.ge.M-F 08:00-17:00. 
Germany,Raina Bulvaris 13,☏+371 67085100,fax:+ 371 67085149,info@riga.diplo.de. 
Greece,Elizabetes str. 11, Appt. 5,☏+371 6735-6345,+371 2009-3089 (Emergencies),fax:+371 6735-6351,greekemb-riga@mfa.gr.09:00-17:00. 
Ireland,Alberta iela 13,☏+371 6703-9370,+371 6703-9370 (Emergencies),fax:+371 6703 9371.(updated Jun 2025)
Italy,Teatra iela 9,☏+371 6721-6069,fax:+371 6721 6084,consolare.riga@esteri.it. 
Japan,Vesetas iela 7,☏+371 6781-2001,+371 6781-2002,fax:+371 6781-2004. 
Norway,Kaļķu ielā 15,☏+371 67814100,fax:+371 67814108,emb.riga@mfa.no. 
Spain,Elizabetes iela 11 3,☏+371 6732-0281,fax:+371 6732 5005,emb.riga@maec.es. 
Sweden,Andreja Pumpura iela 8,☏+371 6768 6600,ambassaden.riga@gov.se. 
Russia(Посольство Российской Федерации),Antonijas 2,☏+371 67332151,fax:+371 67830209,rusembas@ml.lv. 
Ukraine,Kalpaka bulvaris 3,☏+371 6724 3082,fax:+371 6732 5583,emb_lv@mfa.gov.ua. 
United Kingdom,J.Alunana iela 5,☏+371 6777 4700,fax:+371 6777 4707,britishembassy.riga@fco.gov.uk.M-Th 08:30-17:00, F 08:30-13:30. 
United States,Samnera Velsa iela 1,☏+371 6703 6200,fax:+371 6782 0047,askconsular-riga@state.gov.(updated Mar 2018)The Baltic states are compact and virtually all of the region is within 300 km of Riga, at least as the crow flies. All of Latvia and a large part of what Estonia and Lithuania has to offer is doable as a daytrip if you have a car. However, larger cities listed below do have several days' worth of attractions.
| Routes through Riga |
| Ventspils← | W  E | →Rēzekne→Moscow |
| Tallinn←Saulkrasti← | N  S | →Bauska→Kaunas |
| Kaliningrad←Jelgava← | SW  NE | →Sigulda→Pskov |
| Thiscity travel guide toRigahasguide status. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions and travel details.Please contribute and help us make it astar! |
