Latvia’s charming capital Riga is truly one of Europe’s hidden gems and best kept secrets. If you’re looking for a short city break, winter holiday in the snow, or an adventure into a cheaper, less explored part of Europe – look no further.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting, and why Riga should be next on your travel list.
Why pick Riga?
A beautiful, walkable historic city centre, expertly preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – it’s perfect to wander and explore at your own pace. The unique ‘Art Nouveau’ style architecture is unlike much you’d find across the rest of Europe. It’s easy to take a gentle wander and get lost in the atmosphere and colour of the city, and there are plenty of boutique shops for either souvenirs or trying out the local cuisine.
How to get there?
If you arrive by flying into Riga International Airport, you can hop straight on a bus straight into the centre of town. There’s no complicated travel ‘faff’, so you can be off your plane and into the centre in less than an hour. Then once at Riga bus station, you’ll find yourself right in the hustle and bustle of the city, an easy access point to your next spot.
One of the bonuses for Riga, for European travellers, is how easy and cheap flights can get. Riga boasts an impressive Christmas market, so the winter season is sure to hike the price slightly – but it’s still a standout cheaper alternative. My trip was on a whim, at the start of January – the flights and accommodation were still budget-friendly.
What to see?
Around Christmas and New Year is a perfect time to just wander around the narrow streets – you’ll see Christmas trees and decorations around almost every corner. You may even be lucky enough, as I was, for some snow. Riga was supposedly recorded as the first ever place to decorate a Christmas tree, in the market square, back in 1510!
The ‘House of Black Heads’ is incredible, a fascinatingly unique style of architecture. You’ll find a number of impressive cathedrals across the city, for example Riga cathedral sits just outside the main centre heading towards the Daugava River. Most of the main sites stand within walking distance of each other. You’ll find Riga is an incredibly walkable city – and I’m sure that’s even more the case if you aren’t trekking through a few inches of snow!
The famous ‘Three Brothers’ is another popular spot – three medieval buildings separately built years apart from each other, and together represent the oldest medieval dwelling in the city. The contrast in colours and styles is fascinating. In a world becoming plain, minimalist, and lacking in colour – Riga is the antithesis.
Riga Central Market is one of the biggest indoor markets in Europe, and certainly worth a visit. Inside you can find stalls selling a variety of foods, from fruit to cheeses and meats – so perfect to grab a taste of Latvia. On the topic of food, I’d suggest trying out a place called Lido. It’s cheaper, buffet style food, but recommended as more of a home cooked style of traditional Latvian food, so perfect for a more authentic experience.
Bonus – Tallinn, Estonia.
If you’ve got a few more days to spare, the similarly picturesque capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is just a short bus ride away. I had three days in Riga, then three in Tallinn, which felt like the perfect combination. Even go further, and continue your trip to Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, for the ultimate journey through the Baltics.
Read my blog about Tallinn for more detail!