Riga: 9 Tips & Information for the Latvian Capital

Planning a trip to Riga, the largest metropolis in the Baltics, but not sure what to expect? In this guide, we provide our top tips and information for Riga so that you’re fully prepared.
You’ll find out which Latvian specialties await you, the best ways to get around the city, where to stay, and many other useful insights to make the most of your time in the Latvian capital.

1. THE BEST TIME TO VISIT RIGA

If you’re not deterred by a cold winter, you can visit Riga year-round, as each season has its own unique charm.
The summer months, with average temperatures of 20°C to 25°C, offer ideal conditions for a city break combined with a beach holiday on the Baltic Sea.

The cooler or colder months from October to May are particularly appealing for travelers seeking lower prices for flights and accommodations, along with fewer tourists around them.

We visited Riga in March and enjoyed spring-like temperatures of around 10°C thanks to sunny days. However, nights were still quite frosty at -4°C.

2. THE IDEAL DURATION FOR A TRIP TO RIGA

The ideal length of stay in Riga, like the best time to visit, depends greatly on your personal interests and preferences.
If you want to explore both the city’s famous sights and the beaches in the surrounding areas, you should plan on spending about two to three days.
If you’re sticking solely to the city, one to two days should be sufficient.

We spent three days in Riga in total—just the right amount of time for us. This allowed us to explore the city’s major attractions at a relaxed pace and to spend some time by the Baltic Sea. You can read about everything we experienced in those three days in our guide: Latvia: 12 Attractions in Riga.

3. THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

In Latvia, Latvian is spoken. However, the majority of the population speaks at least one foreign language in addition to Latvian.
The most common are English, Russian, and, among the older population, even some German.

4. THE TIME DIFFERENCE

The time difference is +1 hour compared to Central European Time (CET).

5. FOOD & DRINK

Traditional Latvian cuisine is hearty, featuring flavors and ingredients similar to those found in Northern and Central European cooking traditions.
Typical dishes are based on meat, potatoes, cabbage, and mushrooms. But don’t worry—Riga’s many restaurants offer more than just hearty dishes.
There’s a wide selection of regional and seasonal ingredients used to create delicious meals.

Thanks to the proximity to the Baltic Sea, fish, particularly herring and trout, is often on the menu along with meat.
Latvians often season their dishes with dill and caraway, giving many dishes a unique flavor.

What Lindt chocolate is to Switzerland, Laima is to Latvia. These sweet treats, whether pralines, cookies, or chocolate bars, are available in small specialty stores or supermarkets.
If you’re looking for a fitting souvenir from Latvia, Laima products are a perfect choice. They offer not only an authentic taste of Latvia but also a delightful memory of your trip.

Besides beer, “Black Balsam” holds a special place as Latvia’s national drink.
This traditional herbal liqueur is made from herbs, flowers, oils, and berries, with a robust 45% alcohol content. Latvians drink it either straight or as an afternoon addition to coffee.

6. GETTING AROUND IN RIGA

Would you like to explore Riga on foot? No problem, as that’s the best way to discover the city center. For trips outside the Old Town, you can use the public bus.
Tickets are available from ticket machines or directly from the driver.

To reach the Baltic Sea beaches, the train is your best option. Depending on the route, tickets cost between $1.40 and $7.20 per person and can be purchased from ticket machines at the station. The tickets are issued as simple receipts with a QR code that the conductor scans.
The most popular route from Riga to Majori (Jūrmala) takes about 35 minutes and costs $1.40 per person.

For a convenient yet individual way to get around, you can rent an e-scooter through the Bolt app and zip around the city!

7. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Riga offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit every taste and budget, including hotels, holiday rentals, apartments, hostels, and private rooms.
You’re sure to find something on well-known booking platforms like booking.com or Airbnb.

We were particularly pleased with our modern accommodation at the Rixwell Konventa Seta Design Hotel located right in the Old Town.
The central location was ideal for our sightseeing schedule, making our stay in Riga all the more enjoyable.

8. ARRIVAL & ENTRY

Several airlines, including AirBaltic, Lufthansa, and Ryanair, operate direct flights to Riga International Airport (Starptautiskā lidosta Rīga, RIX) from major cities and regional airports worldwide. For travelers outside Europe, connecting flights are available through hubs like Frankfurt, London, or Istanbul.

We recommend using platforms like skyscanner.com to search and compare the best flights and connections for your trip.

The flight duration to Riga varies depending on your departure location, but direct flights from many European cities typically take 1.5 to 3 hours, while longer journeys from other continents may require 6 to 12 hours with layovers.

For entry into Latvia, ensure that your passport or equivalent travel document is valid for the duration of your stay. Many nationalities, including citizens from the European Union, the United States, Canada, and Australia, can enter Latvia visa-free for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). For other nationalities, please check your visa requirements in advance.

For further travel advice, visit the official website of Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs or your home country’s travel advisory service.

Once you’ve arrived at Latvia’s largest airport, you have several options for reaching the city center or your accommodation.
The cheapest option is the approximately 30-minute ride on the public bus. Bus lines 22 and 222 (minibus) operate every 10 to 15 minutes to downtown.
Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines for $1.15 per person or directly from the bus driver for $2 per person. The bus stop is located behind Parking Lot P1.

Alternatively, you can use Bolt or take a taxi (often through Bolt as well).
Depending on the destination in the center, the trip costs around $9 to $12, and you’ll be dropped off directly at your accommodation.

9. CURRENCY & PRICES

Since January 1, 2014, the Euro (EUR) has been the official currency in Latvia, eliminating the need for currency exchange for travelers from Eurozone countries.
For visitors from outside the Eurozone, currency exchange services and ATMs are widely available throughout Riga.
Debit and credit cards are accepted in most places, including restaurants, hotels, and shops. However, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller vendors or in rural areas.

Prices in Latvia are generally lower than in many Western European countries, especially for groceries, dining out, accommodations, fuel, and tobacco products.
However, certain items, such as drugstore products, clothing, and electronic devices, may be comparatively more expensive.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com‍
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com‍
• Discover the best accommodations‍
• The best Travel Guides for Riga
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Riga

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.