Wander Riga Old Town
This UNESCO-listed medieval old town, built on centuries of Hanseatic trading wealth, is a maze of colourful merchant houses, cobbled streets and historic churches.
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Riga Travel Guide.
A practical introduction to Riga, including why to visit, what to see, where to stay, local food and how to plan a break in this colourful Baltic capital of Hanseatic trade and Art Nouveau architecture.
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Riga at a glance
Riga was one of the great trading powers of the Hanseatic League, and its colourful medieval old town still reflects that wealth today. The city also holds the world’s finest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, alongside deep amber trading heritage and a layered modern history as part of the Soviet Union until Latvia’s independence in 1991.
Latvia · Riga Region
Perfect for
Art Nouveau architecture, a medieval old town, amber shopping and layered modern history
Recommended stay
2–3 days
Trip type
City break • Art Nouveau • Hanseatic History • Amber Trade
Don't miss
Riga Old Town, the Art Nouveau district and the Central Market
MapMagnet Picks
These are the Riga experiences we think most first-time visitors should prioritise. They give you a strong feel for the city without going into the deeper curated detail that will come later in the full MapMagnet Riga Guide.
Explore the Art Nouveau District
Riga holds the world’s finest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, with the buildings along Alberta iela among the most ornate examples anywhere.
Browse the Central Market
Housed in a series of former Zeppelin hangars, this vast market is one of the largest and most atmospheric in Europe, offering fresh produce and local specialities.
Why visit Riga?
Riga offers a genuine trifecta few cities can match: a beautifully preserved Hanseatic old town, the world’s densest and finest collection of Art Nouveau architecture, and a modern history layered with real significance, from Soviet occupation to Latvia’s hard-won independence. Add a centuries-old amber trading tradition, and Riga offers depth well beyond its reputation as merely a pretty Baltic capital.
Our take
We think Riga rewards visitors who look up as much as they look around. The old town’s medieval streets are wonderful at ground level, but the Art Nouveau district specifically demands you notice the ornate detail above the shopfronts. Pair an afternoon there with time at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and you get both the beauty and the substance of the city.
What to See in Riga
Riga’s sights combine a colourful Hanseatic old town, the world’s finest Art Nouveau architecture and a genuine amber trading tradition. These are the places we would recommend starting with on a first visit.
Riga Old Town
This UNESCO-listed medieval old town, built on centuries of Hanseatic trading wealth, combines cobbled streets, colourful merchant houses and historic churches in a genuinely walkable area.
House of the Blackheads
This ornately decorated guild hall, rebuilt after wartime destruction, is one of Riga Old Town’s most striking buildings and a symbol of the city’s trading heritage.
St Peter’s Church
This Gothic church offers a climbable spire with the best panoramic views over Riga’s Old Town and the Daugava River.
Art Nouveau District
The buildings along Alberta iela and surrounding streets represent the world’s finest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, with ornate facades unlike anywhere else.
Riga Central Market
Housed in a series of former Zeppelin hangars, this vast market is one of the largest in Europe and a genuine slice of daily Riga life.
What to Do in Riga
Riga’s trading heritage and layered modern history mean much of the best of the city happens through its markets, architecture and museums. These are the experiences we think every first-time visitor should consider.
Follow the Art Nouveau Trail
Walking the streets around Alberta iela, taking real time to notice the ornate facades, is one of the most rewarding ways to spend an afternoon in Riga.
Visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
This significant museum documents Latvia’s Soviet and Nazi occupations, offering essential context for understanding the country’s modern history.
Shop for Amber
Riga has been central to the Baltic amber trade for centuries, and the Old Town’s galleries offer the best selection to see and buy it.
Explore the Central Market’s Zeppelin Hangars
Beyond a quick walk-through, each of the market’s former airship hangars specialises in different produce, worth exploring properly.
Walk Along the Daugava River
This riverside walk offers views back toward the Old Town skyline and a relaxed break from the busier historic streets.
Where to Stay in Riga
Riga is compact enough that most central neighbourhoods keep you within walking distance of the main sights. The right base mainly depends on whether you prioritise the old town or the Art Nouveau district.
Old Town (Vecrīga)
Staying in the Old Town puts the House of the Blackheads, St Peter’s Church and the Central Market all within easy walking distance, making it the best base for a first visit.
Art Nouveau District (Quiet Centre)
Staying among the ornate Art Nouveau buildings offers a quieter, more elegant base a short walk from the Old Town.
Central Market Area
A practical, local base close to the market and train station, with easy access into the Old Town.
Āgenskalns
This charming residential district across the river offers a quieter, more local feel, with wooden architecture and green space.
Near the Train Station
A practical base for arriving with luggage or planning day trips to Jūrmala or Sigulda.
What to Eat in Riga
Riga’s food culture reflects Latvia’s farming and Baltic Sea traditions, with hearty, rustic staples at its core. These are some of the dishes and specialities worth looking out for during your visit.
Rupjmaize (Rye Bread)
This dense, dark sourdough rye bread is a genuine Latvian staple, central to daily meals and even used in desserts across the country.
Pelēkie Zirņi
This traditional dish of grey peas cooked with bacon and onions is a hearty Latvian winter staple, especially popular around Christmas.
Riga Black Balsam
This dark, herbal liqueur, produced in Riga since the 18th century, is a genuine Latvian specialty, often mixed with coffee or blackcurrant juice.
Smoked Fish
Latvia’s Baltic Sea coastline produces excellent smoked fish, widely available at the Central Market and traditional restaurants.
Piparkūkas
These spiced gingerbread-style cookies are a beloved Latvian treat, especially popular around the winter holidays.
Best Day Trips from Riga
Riga’s position on the Baltic coast makes it an excellent base for reaching beach resorts and dramatic Latvian countryside. These are four we would consider first if you have extra time.
Jūrmala
This elegant Baltic beach resort, with its long sandy beach and historic wooden villas, is a genuinely easy and popular day trip from Riga by train.
Sigulda
Known as Latvia’s Switzerland, this town sits within Gauja National Park, offering castles, caves and dramatic river valley scenery.
Rundāle Palace
This magnificent baroque palace, often called the Versailles of Latvia, offers opulent rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Cēsis
This charming medieval town features a striking castle ruin and a well-preserved historic centre, a relaxed alternative day trip.
Kemeri National Park
This nearby national park offers a striking bog boardwalk trail through a genuinely unique wetland landscape.
Getting Around Riga
Riga’s Old Town and Art Nouveau district are both compact and walkable, with trams and buses useful for reaching outer neighbourhoods and the train station.
Airport to city centre
Riga International Airport is around 10 km from the centre, with a bus taking around 30 minutes.
Walking
The Old Town and Art Nouveau district are both compact and pedestrian-friendly, with most major sights within easy walking distance.
Trams and buses
Riga’s tram and bus network is efficient and covers the wider city, including Āgenskalns and outer neighbourhoods.
Train connections
Riga’s train station has connections to Jūrmala and Sigulda, making these popular day trips genuinely easy without a car.
Car for the countryside
A car is genuinely useful for exploring Rundāle Palace or the wider Latvian countryside at your own pace.
Buses for further day trips
Regional buses connect Riga to Cēsis and other towns beyond the rail network, useful for those without a car.
MapMagnet tip
Explore the Old Town and Art Nouveau district on foot, and use the train for day trips to Jūrmala or Sigulda. A car becomes genuinely useful only if you want to properly explore Rundāle Palace or the wider countryside.
Best Time to Visit Riga
Riga’s Baltic climate means the season you choose has a real impact on your trip, from beach weather to festive Christmas markets.
Spring
A quiet, pleasant time to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds around the Old Town’s major sights.
Summer
The busiest season and the best time for Jūrmala beach, with long daylight hours drawing visitors to both the city and the coast.
Autumn
A quieter, atmospheric season with fewer crowds, though cooler temperatures make beach trips less appealing.
Winter
Cold but festive, with a charming Christmas market filling the Old Town’s Town Hall Square in December.
MapMagnet tip
For the best balance of weather and manageable crowds, aim for May, June or September. If beaches and the Jūrmala atmosphere are the priority, July and August are worth the extra crowds.
Know Before You Go
A few practical Riga tips can make your trip smoother. These are the things we would want to know before arriving.
Card payments are widely accepted
Most restaurants, shops and attractions in Riga take cards, though it is worth carrying some cash for smaller stalls at the Central Market.
Buy amber from reputable sellers
Genuine Baltic amber varies widely in price and quality, so buy from established galleries rather than street vendors if authenticity matters to you.
Wear comfortable shoes
The Old Town’s cobbled streets look better than they feel underfoot on a long day of sightseeing.
Approach the Occupation Museum thoughtfully
This museum covers serious, significant history, and is best visited with time to reflect rather than rushed between other sights.
Jūrmala is genuinely easy by train
The train to Jūrmala takes around 30 minutes and is one of the easiest, most rewarding half-day trips from Riga.
MapMagnet tip
Balance your itinerary between Riga’s beautiful architecture and its more difficult modern history. A visit that only takes in the colourful streets misses much of what makes the city genuinely significant.
Suggested Itineraries for Riga
If we were visiting Riga for the first time, this is how we would spend our time. These simple itineraries are designed to help you experience the city without over-planning every hour.
Riga Highlights
A compact route focused on the Old Town and Art Nouveau architecture.
Morning
Riga Old Town and the House of the Blackheads
Lunch
Traditional Latvian food near Town Hall Square
Afternoon
The Art Nouveau District
Evening
Riverside walk and dinner in the Old Town
The balanced city break
A two-day plan mixing the historic Old Town with Riga’s modern history and architecture.
Day 1
Old Town, St Peter’s Church and Central Market
Day 2
Art Nouveau District and the Museum of the Occupation
Evening
Black Balsam and dinner in the Old Town
Riga and the Latvian Coast
A slower trip with time for the city’s highlights plus day trips into the surrounding coast and countryside.
Day 1
Old Town, House of the Blackheads and Central Market
Day 2
Art Nouveau District and the Occupation Museum
Day 3
Day trip to Jūrmala
Day 4
Day trip to Sigulda and Gauja National Park
Day 5
Day trip to Rundāle Palace or Cēsis
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Similar destinations
Explore other destinations with the same Hanseatic trading heritage, layered Soviet-era history or beautifully preserved Baltic old town.
Vilnius
Lithuania’s own Baltic capital, sharing Riga’s regional identity and layered Soviet-era history within a similarly historic old town.
Tallinn
A fellow beautifully preserved Hanseatic old town with a near-identical historical arc, from medieval trading power to confident modern independence.
Gdansk
A sibling city in the Baltic amber trade, sharing Riga’s colourful Hanseatic merchant houses and old-town character.
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