Compare Riga city breaks

The Baltic bombshell boasts one of the largest Art Nouveau neighbourhoods in the world, with hundreds of buildings in the unique architectural style. Stroll through the winding lanes of the old town and you’ll find ancient churches, kooky theatres, and buildings topped with Gothic spires.

Its buildings aren’t the only place to see evidence of Riga’s cultural clout. A former European Capital of Culture, the city’s impressive museums range from the Latvian Museum of Art to the sobering Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. After delving into Riga’s absorbing history – which includes time under both Soviet and Nazi rule – pay a visit to the triumphant Freedom Monument.

For a taste of Riga’s transformation, look no further than its inventive dining scene. Restaurants offer everything from trendy experimental twists on classics to traditional cosy neighbourhood bistros serving Latvian fare such as wild catfish and cherry-heavy deserts. See the source of the impressive plates at the vast Central Market. Wander the stalls and try the freshest local delicacies or take some home to cook up yourself.

After your meal, see the city come alive in its pubs and clubs. Stag and hen parties flock to Riga for its cheap drinks as well as its wealth of swanky cocktail bars and craft beer pubs. When it’s closing time, move on to a bar playing live blues or rock or a hip club in a converted warehouse.

There’s no bad time for a Riga city break. The Latvian capital buzzes year-round, so you can choose from sunny summers, golden autumns, or Christmas card-style snowy winters.

If you’re looking for a cheap city break deal, try spring or autumn. From May (highs of 16C), the weather improves, and the explosion of wildflowers in the countryside surrounding Riga make it the perfect time to explore.

Riga’s nightlife is legendary whatever the weather. Bars and pubs will welcome you in the sun or snow, but if you want to experience beach parties and festivals, summer is the best time. Highs are 21C and 20C in July and August, respectively. But this is also the most popular time to visit the city, so book in advance if you want a bargain.

In winter, freezing temperatures and snow are common, but you can bag a deal if you don’t mind the cold.

Many visit Riga for its famous, wallet-friendly nightlife. But there’s more to the city than its bars. You can admire renowned architecture, stroll in a charming park, or discover Riga’s history through its most important monument.

Architecture

Riga’s 800 Art Nouveau buildings make it the city with the highest concentration of the architectural style on the planet. Stroll down Elizabetes Street to spot ornamental cherubs, vine tendrils, and flower stalks decorating building facades.

The UNESCO-listed medieval old town has charming cobbled streets and winding alleyways. Built in 1334, the House of the Blackheads concert and exhibition hall is one of Riga’s landmark buildings. It is also said to be the site of the first ever Christmas tree.

Central Market

One of the largest and most visited markets in Eastern Europe, the Riga Central Market welcomes around 100,000 shoppers every day. In its five World War I Zeppelin hangars, you can shop for fish and fresh produce. Browse the stalls selling local favourites, including smoked eels, dark rye breads, and hemp paste.

Or head straight to the trendy communal dining area to taste local craft beers, traditional dumpling dishes, and international favourites.

Nightlife

Riga has become a popular spot for stag weekends due to its flourishing beer scene and cheap prices, and you can expect to see up to 30 local beers on tap in specialist craft pubs and microbreweries.

It’s not all about how much beer you can drink, though. You’ll also find quirky bars inside converted factories and Baroque monuments. At classy cocktail bars on hotel rooftops, the drinks come with sweeping city views.

Freedom Monument

Nicknamed Milda, a common girl’s name in Latvia, the Riga Freedom Monument stands more than 40m (131ft) tall in the square connecting old and central Riga. Built in 1935 and financed by public donations, it represents Latvia’s struggle for independence.

There are 56 sculptures on the monument, including a half-man, half-bear figure. At the top, a copper Liberty holding three stars represents the three cultural regions of Latvia. There is an hourly changing of the guards between 9am and 6pm.

Bastejkalna Park

Next to the Freedom Monument, Bastejkalna Park runs along both sides of the Pilsētas Canal, which was once the city’s moat. During the warmer months, take a boat trip or wander along the walkways, stopping at Bastion Hill, the Latvian National Opera, and University of Latvia buildings.

Keep an eye out for ducks, swans, and beavers in the canal as you cross the wrought-iron bridges. Cafes around the park are ideal for a coffee-and-cake stop.

For families

The historic centre of Riga is a convenient spot to stay if you have kids in tow. It’s close to all major sights, as well as restaurants serving local delicacies and international kid-friendly favourites. Bastejkalna Park is also nearby, so kids can feed the ducks or build a snowman – whatever the weather dictates.

For green spaces, try Mežaparks, a 20-minute drive north of the centre. Meaning “forest park”, this family-focused area has delightful cafes, the Riga Zoo, and the park itself. Explore by bike or rollerblade or just let the kids loose in the adventure park.

For travellers on a budget

Looking for a cheap city break? Focus your search on Teika, a quiet residential neighbourhood with plenty of cheap hostels and self-catering rentals. Nearby, you have lots of restaurants and supermarkets, if you want to cook in your own apartment.

The old town also caters to budget travellers, with low-cost hotels, backpacker dorm rooms and rental apartments available. Here, you’ll be able to walk to all major attractions, saving money on public transport. You’ll also be in the nightlife hub, so you can spend the extra euros on another drink, instead of a taxi home at the end of the night.

For food and drink

On the left bank of the Daugava River, Āgenskalns is a neighbourhood best known for its 19th-century wooden houses and popular weekend market. With a more a local scene than the Central Market, it has fresh baked goods, smoked meats and fish, and wild mushrooms and berries to cook or take home.

Another great spot if you like your food is Miera iela, which translates to Peace Street. This is Riga’s hipster hangout, where you’ll find the Laima Chocolate Museum. Restaurants in this neighbourhood serve up modern takes on traditional fare, and bars have locally brewed beer and homemade apple wine.

For nightlife

You’ll find the best nightlife in the compact old town. Ideal for a pub crawl along cobblestoned streets, it is the main hangout for the groups that travel to Riga for a good night or two. You can try something different in a traditional folk bar, before heading to Irish pubs and dance clubs open ‘til the early hours.

For a more local vibe (but just as much fun), Briāna iela is north of the old town and has craft breweries and cocktail bars. You’ll also find clubs specialising in hip-hop, hard-rock bars with live music, and 24-hour diners.

For culture

If history and architecture is your thing, the old town is the central hub for cultural attractions, art galleries, and museums. The National History Museum of Latvia and the Latvian War Museum are on either side of the canal dividing the old and new parts of town. There are plenty of places to stay here, from apartments to international hotel chains.

On the other side of the river is the waterfront National Library of Latvia and historic neighbourhood of Āgenskalns, which offers a different perspective of the city. Stay in a boutique hotel or a guesthouse on a tree-lined residential street.