Riga holidays

How to reach Riga

• Flight time: Direct flights to Riga from London typically take between 2 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours. From other major airports, flights usually involve a stopover in Europe and take around 5 hours.

• Transfer time: Riga International Airport is about 10km from the capital's centre. Bus No. 22 (40 minutes) or the Lux Express Shuttle (25 minutes) are the cheapest forms of transport. Taxis are quicker, taking roughly 20 minutes, but all times depend on traffic.

• Price: Tickets for the city bus are €2 while the shuttle costs €8, and all can be bought from the driver. A taxi to the city centre costs €20–€33 (pre-booked). Rideshare services, such as Bolt, can be cheaper.

Weather and best time to visit Riga

Timing your visit to Latvia depends on what kind of experience you’re after. Here’s a seasonal breakdown to help plan your Riga holidays:

• July to August is high season and one of the best times to visit, with warm temperatures, averaging 25°C, and long, sunny days perfect for exploring the city's outdoor attractions, attending festivals or visiting the beaches in nearby Jūrmala.

• September to November offers a quieter, more serene experience as the summer crowds dissipate. The autumn foliage is stunning in the city’s parks. Temperatures average around 10 to 15°C, with moderate rainfall.

• December to February is the time to enjoy winter sports or Christmas markets. The weather can be pretty cold, temperatures ranging from -5 to 3°C, and short days. Snow is common, adding a magical touch to the city, especially around Christmas. You’ll find fewer tourists, and Riga’s festive markets are a highlight.

• March to June sees the thawing of winter and the arrival of spring blossoms. It’s a great time to explore the city without the summer rush and engage in outdoor activities elsewhere. Temperatures range from 5 to 15°C, but some months can be rainy, especially June.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Latvian is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially in Riga and other tourist areas.

• Local habits and customs: Latvians are generally reserved but friendly, and it’s customary to greet people with a handshake. Remove your shoes when entering someone’s home. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory – 10 percent is standard in restaurants with good service.

• Health and safety: Latvia is generally safe for tourists, and tap water is fine to drink. Healthcare isn’t the best, and travel insurance is recommended. Emergency services can be reached by dialling 112.

• Currency: The currency in Latvia is the euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it’s handy to carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets.

• Getting around: While the centre of Riga is easily accessible on foot, public transport in the rest of the city includes buses, trams and trolleybuses. Single tickets cost €2 onboard or are slightly cheaper if purchased as e-tickets in advance. There are also bike rental services and a growing network of cycle paths.

• Electricity and plug types: Latvia uses the standard European two round-pin plugs (type C or F) with a voltage of 230V. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Latvia operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight saving time is observed.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers only need a valid passport to enter Latvia. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days.

Local dishes in Riga

Riga is one of the best places in the Baltics to explore the region’s food, both in the numerous local restaurants and the city’s exciting Central Market. Here’s what to look out for:

Some typical dishes

• Grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi): A traditional Latvian dish, especially popular during festive seasons, consisting of grey peas mixed with fried onions and bacon.

• Rye bread (rupjmaize): A staple in Latvian cuisine, this dense and slightly sour bread is often enjoyed with butter, cheese or honey.

• Sklandrausis: A sweet pie made from a rye crust filled with mashed carrots and potatoes, seasoned with caraway seeds.

Meat dishes

• Pork roast (cūkas cepešs): A hearty dish of slow-roasted pork, typically served with sauerkraut and potatoes.

• Blood sausage (asinsdesa): A traditional sausage made from pork blood, barley and spices, usually served with lingonberry sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Smoked fish: Particularly popular along the coast, smoked sprats and other local fish are often found in markets and restaurants.

• Herring in cream sauce: A beloved Latvian dish, this features pickled herring with a creamy dill sauce.

Street food

• Piragi: Small pastries or buns filled with bacon and onions, perfect for a quick snack on the go.

• Kiploku grauzdiņi: Garlic rye bread crisps, often served as a snack with beer.

Sweets and desserts

Latvians have a sweet tooth, and their desserts reflect a rich tradition of baking and confectionery.

• Alexander Torte: A pastry filled with raspberry or strawberry jam, named after Tsar Alexander III.

• Pīrādziņi: Small buns filled with sweet or savoury fillings, commonly enjoyed during holidays and celebrations.

Local drinks

• Riga Black Balsam: A traditional Latvian herbal liqueur known for its unique flavour and health benefits, often enjoyed neat or mixed in cocktails.

• Kvass: A refreshing, slightly fermented beverage made from rye bread, perfect for quenching your thirst on a warm day.

• Latvian beer: Latvia has a strong beer culture, with many local breweries offering a wide range of beers. Try Aldaris or Valmiermuiža for a taste of local brews.

Best things to do in Riga

Latvia’s capital, Riga, is the most exciting city in the Baltics, filled with history, ornate architecture, plenty of culture, and a lively nightlife and eating-out scene. Here's a rundown of the best things to do on holidays to Riga:

Viewpoints and panoramas

• St Peter’s Church: The tower of this Gothic church has some of the best panoramic views of Riga’s Old Town and the Daugava River.

• Radisson Blu Skyline Bar: Head to the 26th floor of this hotel to enjoy Riga’s skyline. It’s a great spot to unwind with a drink, especially at sunset.

The best districts

• Old Town (Vecrīga): Explore the narrow cobblestone streets, medieval buildings and vibrant squares of Riga’s Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss Riga Cathedral and the House of the Blackheads.

• Art Nouveau District: Wander through Alberta Street and the surrounding area to see some of the world’s finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture. The intricate facades and stunning details are a photographer’s dream.

• Central Market: Located in five old Zeppelin hangars, this bustling food market is the largest in Europe. Offering a taste of local life with fresh produce, meats, cheeses and traditional Latvian items, it’s a must for food lovers.

Parks and gardens

• Bastejkalna Park, Riga: A picturesque park with a canal and bridges, sculptures and plenty of green spaces for a relaxing stroll.

• Vermanes Garden: This is one of Riga’s oldest public gardens and is perfect for a leisurely walk. It has beautiful flower beds, fountains and ample space for a picnic.

Historical monuments

• Riga Castle: Located on the riverside, this medieval castle is now the residence of the President of Latvia.

• Freedom Monument, Riga: An iconic national symbol commemorating Latvia’s independence and freedom.

• House of the Blackheads: This beautifully restored building dates back to the 14th century and was originally built for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried merchants.

Day trips in the area

• Jūrmala: A short train ride west of Riga, this seaside town is one of the most famous resorts in the Baltics, with clean, sandy beaches, charming wooden villas and good spa facilities.

• Sigulda: Sometimes referred to as “Little Switzerland”, Sigulda is 1 hour from Riga and home to the Gauja National Park – one of the most spectacular places in Latvia – as well as Turaida Castle and Gutmanis Cave, making this a great destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

• Cēsis: Surrounded by nature, Cēsis is one of Latvia's major centres for year-round outdoor activities, with numerous cycling and hiking trails, including the Baltic Forest Trail which stretches from the Polish– Lithuanian border to Tallinn in Estonia.

• Rundāle Palace: Often called the Versailles of Latvia, this stunning Baroque palace is a masterpiece of architecture with vast gardens.

Activities for families in Riga

Riga offers a variety of activities to keep both kids and adults entertained. Here are some great family-friendly options:

• Museums: The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum just outside Riga provides a hands-on experience of traditional Latvian rural life, while the wide-ranging exhibits at the Museum of the History of Rīga and Navigation offer the best historical collection in the Baltics.

• Theme parks and adventure: The large Tarzāns Adventure Park in Sigulda offers zip lines, rope courses and other fun outdoor activities suitable for all ages.

Free things to do in Riga

Riga has plenty of free events and activities that let you enjoy the city without spending a fortune. Here are some top picks:

• Free events: Riga’s cultural calendar is packed with free events, open-air concerts, festivals, Christmas markets and traditional celebrations like the Midsummer Solstice (Jāņi).

• Nature walks: Enjoy Riga’s parks and green spaces, like Bastejkalna Park and Vermanes Garden, which are free to enter and perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Wellness in Riga

• Spas and thermal baths: Jurmala is renowned for its spa resorts, offering a range of treatments, including mud baths and massages. Inside the city, ESPA Riga is a popular choice for a luxurious spa experience.

• Traditional body care: At traditional Latvian saunas, known as pirts, you can indulge in a variety of treatments that are good for mind and body, using natural ingredients like salt, honey, plants, herbs and birch whisks!

Nature and outdoor activities

• National parks: The stunning landscapes of Gauja National Park, Latvia’s largest and oldest national park, offer hiking, cycling and canoeing, while Kemeri National Park provides wonderful wetlands and bird-watching.

• Watersports: Latvia has masses of rivers and lakes providing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and multi-day trips. The Baltic Sea coast is ideal for windsurfing and kiteboarding.

• Winter sports: In winter, Latvia transforms into a playground for skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. Sigulda is a popular destination, offering slopes for all levels; bobsleighing is even offered year-round on concrete or snow tracks.