Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Riga?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Riga?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Riga, Latvia? Most people spend two to four days in Riga during their visit. After all, the vibrant city will let you take advantage of the local nightlife, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
Riga is the capital of Latvia and its a cultural city with a lot to offer visitors. The city has a beautiful old town with lively squares and many cozy restaurants. There's also an active nightlife scene.
Do you have one or two days to visit Riga? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Riga?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the vibrant city of Riga, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to take advantage of the local nightlife, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Riga
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Riga, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 2 countries! Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace and Bauska castle ($156)
- Group Day trip to Rundale Palace, Hill of Crosses & Bauska Castle ($145)
- Group Tour: Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace & Bauska Castle ($150)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience ($37)
- Pub Crawl in Riga ($35)
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl ($57)
Riga is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Riga?
Riga isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. A weekend is probably not enough. You'd feel rushed to see the main attractions of Riga such as the great nightlife along with the terrific museums and landmarks. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more than just a 2 day trip. Most travelers schedule two to four days to fully experience this city. Nevertheless, if a weekend is all you can spare, we have some suggestions for your weekend getaway to Riga below.
Riga
How to spend 2 days in Riga
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Riga will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming architecture. The city is less touristy than many places in Europe so you can usually avoid the large crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk. During the evening you'll find the area turns into an entertainment district with many clubs and bars.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Riga Old Town Walking Tour ($162)
- Riga Old Town Walking Tour in a Small Group ($22)
- Best Of Riga Walking Tour: Old Town ($29)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Latvian food tasting tour at Riga Central market ($52)
- Latvian Beer Tasting ($64)
- Riga Wine Tasting Session ($109)
The public transit in Riga is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Riga, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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