Riga Tour Guide
Riga Old Town spires across the calm Daugava River at pink sunset
Riga Old Town spires across the calm Daugava River at pink sunset

Latvia · Riga, capital on the Daugava River

Riga's UNESCO Old Town and Art Nouveau Quiet Centre

Where to stay, the best tours and realistic itineraries — everything you need to book Riga with confidence.

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  • 38 places to stay
  • 25 tours & experiences
  • 57 guides

Riga, Latvia's capital, sits on the Daugava River. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, between the river and a ring of parks and canals, holds the House of Blackheads and St Peter's Church. About a 10-minute walk away, the Quiet Centre has Art Nouveau facades such as 4a Strēlnieku Street, plus the Art Nouveau Museum. Riga Central Market, beside the rail and bus stations, has produce halls and a food court. Bus 22 reaches the Old Town from the airport in about 40 minutes.

Good to know

  • Bus 22 from the airport to the Old Town
  • Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Validate your ticket on every ride
  • Train to Jūrmala's Majori in about 30 min

Where to stay

Where to stay and explore

Old Town (Vecrīga)

First-time visitors and short stays

The historic centre and main visitor area. By day it's for wandering, sightseeing and café terraces; in the evening it becomes the city's social hub. Bus 22 from the airport stops nearby, for example at Grēcinieku iela.

Which area suits you?

Quiet Centre (Art Nouveau district)

Architecture lovers

Just beyond the boulevard ring, about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. Calmer streets of Art Nouveau facades, including 4a Strēlnieku Street and the Art Nouveau Museum.

Which area suits you?

Central Market area

Arrivals, departures and food

By the river next to Riga Central Station and the International Bus Terminal, a few hundred metres from the Old Town. The market halls are on the doorstep.

Which area suits you?

Āgenskalns

A local feel

A quiet, green area on the west bank of the Daugava with many 19th- and early 20th-century wooden houses. Home to the Kalnciema Quarter and its market.

Which area suits you?

Jūrmala

A beach day trip

A separate beach resort strung along a rail line with 14 stops from Priedaine to Ķemeri. Majori is the centre and has a tourist information centre, about 30 minutes from Riga by train.

Which area suits you?
Empty Jūrmala beach with pine dunes under a pastel dawn sky

Where to stay

Top-rated places to stay

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Pastel Art Nouveau facades with a blossoming tree on Alberta Street

Tours & experiences

Popular tours & experiences

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Riga Guide - Experiences, Tours & Things to Do

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★ 4.9 · 123 reviews

Free Walking Tour Riga

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Novatours , SIA, Turisma operators

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★ 4.1 · 213 reviews

Rigabycanal - Boat Tours & Canal Cruises

Boat tour agency · Rīga

★ 4.4 · 422 reviews

🚗 Car hire

Car hire in Riga

Compare car hire in Riga from all major pickup points. Honest advice on who needs a car, where to collect it, driving tips and insurance basics.

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Things to do in Riga

When to go

  1. Summer

    The time to pair the city with Jūrmala's beaches, reached by train from Riga in 20–50 minutes depending on the stop. Check weather and national holiday dates before you book.

  2. Rest of the year

    Riga's main sights work in any season: the Central Market's indoor halls, the Art Nouveau Museum and the Old Town's churches and guild houses. Day trips to Sigulda and Cēsis run on the Riga–Valga train.

Weather

Weather in Riga

Weather by month →

Riga weather by month

Riga weather by month
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
High / Low (°C)
-3°
-7°
-2°
-8°
2°
-4°
9°
1°
16°
7°
19°
11°
22°
14°
21°
14°
16°
9°
9°
4°
4°
1°
0°
-4°
Rain (mm)
59
48
46
48
51
76
82
80
59
78
74
63

Average daily high and low (°C) and monthly rainfall (mm) · Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no) · Climate averages: NASA POWER

Tips that save time and money

  • Validate your Rīgas satiksme ticket every time you board, even with a 24-hour, 3-day or 5-day ticket.
  • Bus 22 is the only route where you can buy a ticket from the driver, and only by bank card.
  • Buy tickets at Narvesen kiosks, ticket machines or in the Mobilly and Timey apps before you travel.
  • For Jūrmala, buy your train ticket at the station counter, which is cheaper than paying the conductor on board.
  • City passes such as Riga Pass are sold by private companies, so compare what each includes before buying.

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