Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Riga?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 historical 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Riga?
For many visitors, three days in Riga would be just the right amount of time. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly two to four days in the historical city to check out the amazing nightlife and terrific museums and landmarks. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
Shopping in Riga is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.
Riga is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city's unique architecture is notable for its wooden buildings, which give the city an interesting historical style.
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)
Is 4 days enough time in Riga?
Four days is more than enough time to see everything that Riga has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to four days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the nightlife, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Riga
How to spend 4 days in Riga
Having 4 days in Riga will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Riga is Riga St. Peter's Church, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Riga?
Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Riga. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Riga as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 5 days in Riga
With 5 days in Riga, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Riga is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. As the capital of Latvia, it is a cultural city with many museums and activities.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private grand Riga city tour ($139)
- Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat with Audioguide ($15)
- Riga: Sunset or Night Boat Tour with Welcome Drink (apx. 1 h) ($17)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Riga.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Riga, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.