This is a 2-day Riga itinerary.
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I LOVE a weekend trip! Although I’d love to spend a little more time in new places, when you’ve got a 9-5, you’ve gotta work with what you got. Fortunately, the UK offers plenty of flights to a variety of destinations! I literally just got back from a solo weekend in Riga and I need to tell you about it immediately. It had been on my radar for a while, one of those European cities you keep meaning to visit and then somehow never do.
A little while ago a Latvian told me I shouldn’t visit Riga because there was nothing to do. I beg to differ. You arrive expecting a pretty Baltic city break and you get this cute, storybook place: medieval cobblestone streets that have been walked for over 800 years, the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, a market housed in actual WWI Zeppelin hangars and a fascinating, complicated history that spans German, Swedish, Russian and Soviet occupation. Oh, and apparently they invented the Christmas tree here in 1510. There’s a plaque in Town Hall Square to prove it!
It’s also extremely doable as a weekend trip from London with direct flights and an easy city centre. Here’s my Riga itinerary with exactly how I’d spend two days there:
Quick Guide to Riga
- Where to stay: Old Town for walkability; Daugava River area for views
- Getting there: Direct flights from London to Riga International Airport (RIX); around 3 hours
- Getting around: Old Town is very walkable; trams and buses for further afield
- Currency: Euro
- Language: Latvian — but English is widely spoken especially in the centre
- Best time to visit: May to September for the best weather; December for Christmas markets
- Don’t miss: The Central Market, Alberta Street Art Nouveau, a free walking tour and honey cake — everywhere, always
Day 1: Old Town, Art Nouveau and a Very Good Pub
Morning: Old Town (Vecrīga)
Start in the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and honestly one of the most charming historic centres I’ve wandered around. Cobblestone streets, Gothic spires, pastel-coloured buildings and that particular atmosphere of a small European capital.
Key sights to hit in the morning:
Riga Cathedral is the largest medieval church in the Baltics, dating back to 1211, worth going inside for the sheer scale of it. The House of the Blackheads is the most photographed building in the city for good reason, an ornate Gothic-Renaissance building with a genuinely fascinating history. St Peter’s Church has a tower you can climb for panoramic views over the city; worth the effort especially on a clear day.
My biggest recommendation for the morning though: sign up for a free walking tour. I took the Guru walking tour with a guide called Toms and it was genuinely excellent! About two hours, hugely informative and he gave great local recommendations afterwards. Free walking tours are tip-based (typically 10€-50€ depending on how much you enjoyed it) and they’re one of my favourite things about travelling in Europe. You also tend to meet good people. When I did one in Budapest I met a lovely Russian traveller and we ended up going out for dinner and drinks that evening.
Lunch: Riga Central Market
Make your way to Riga Central Market for lunch. It’s one of Europe’s largest and most authentic markets and it’s housed in five repurposed German Zeppelin hangars from WWI, which is both bizarre and brilliant. You can sample Latvian dishes like grey peas, smoked fish and fresh pastries and the whole place is a fantastic immersion in everyday Riga life.
Alternatively, if you want a sit-down lunch, Milda is part of the Michelin guide and surprisingly affordable. I had the cottage cheese potato dumplings and they were delicious! My only regret was that they left me no room for the traditional rye bread pudding. I have no idea if it was remotely like it, but sounded like the rye bread ice cream in Iceland that blew my mind, it was so delicious!
For afternoon coffee: Parunāsim does one of the best honey cakes in the city. You’ll be having a lot of honey cake this weekend. Just accept it.
Afternoon: Art Nouveau District
Head to Alberta Street for Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture. Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the world with around a third of all buildings in the city featuring this style and Alberta Street is the epicentre of it. The façades are extraordinary: whimsical, intricate, almost surreal. Consider visiting the Art Nouveau Museum to get the full story behind the style’s history and its impact on Riga.
Evening: Dinner and Drinks
For dinner, Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs is a cosy underground pub serving hearty traditional Latvian cuisine alongside local beers and live folk music. It’s exactly as characterful as it sounds and a brilliant way to end your first day.
After dinner, walk along the Daugava River for a peaceful view of the city lights or, if you’ve got the energy, join a local pub crawl to see a different side of Riga’s nightlife. The city has a surprisingly vibrant after-dark scene.
Day 2: Parks, Soviet History and a Market
Morning: Rocket Bean, Kronvalda Park and the Museum of Art
Start the day a little slower. Rocket Bean Roastery opens at 10am and is worth waiting for. Great coffee, good breakfast and nice atmosphere if you don’t get the hotel breakfast (I LOVE a hotel breakfast! In fact, it’s my top criteria when choosing a hotel…no joke).
From there, take a walk through Kronvalda Park, a lovely green space with tree-lined paths, ponds and historic bridges. It’s peaceful and a good way to ease into the day before more sightseeing.
Just a couple of blocks from the park is the Latvian National Museum of Art, which is worth an hour or so. Works spanning from the 18th century through to modern Latvian art and the building itself is a beautiful piece of architecture.
Lunch: LIDO or Bezē Bakery
LIDO Vermanitis is nearby and great for budget-friendly local food. Cafeteria style, unpretentious and genuinely good. If you’d prefer something lighter, Bezē Bakery does excellent light bites and reportedly the best honey cake in town. Yes, more honey cake. No, I’m not sorry.
Afternoon: Soviet History and a Local Market
The Latvian Academy of Sciences Skydeck, nicknamed “Stalin’s Birthday Cake” for its Soviet wedding-cake architecture, offers a 360-degree view of Riga from the top. It’s a unique way to see the city and the Soviet history angle makes it more interesting than your average observation deck.
On weekends, the Kalnciema Quarter hosts an open-air market with local crafts, food and live music. It’s a great spot for picking up souvenirs and experiencing a more community-focused side of Riga that feels a long way from the tourist trail.
From here you’re about a 20-minute bus ride from the airport, perfectly placed to catch an evening flight back to London.
Where to Stay in Riga
Budget
Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel: 15-30€ per night. Centrally located near the Old Town and train station, with a warm atmosphere and helpful staff. Dorms and private rooms available, shared kitchen and free Wi-Fi. Great for solo travellers.
Blue Bird Hostel: 15-35€ per night (private rooms from 100€+). Close to Old Town, with communal spaces, free coffee and tea and a social atmosphere ideal for meeting people and exploring the nightlife.
Mid-Range
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel: 60–100€ per night. Along the Daugava River with modern rooms, great views and an excellent spa with sauna and pool. Walking distance to the Old Town.
Eurostarts Metropole: 90–120€ per night. This is where I stayed, just by the Old Town and walking distance to the Central Market. Comfortable, elegant and breakfast was included with lots of variety including local potato cakes and smoked fish. Very friendly staff and I’d happily stay again. If you want to book a recommended hotel, this is the one!
Luxury
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga: from 200€ per night. Five-star hotel in the heart of Riga, opposite the Latvian National Opera. Full-service spa, rooftop bar and excellent dining.
Pullman Riga Old Town: 140–2202 per night. A 17th-century building with modern luxury inside. Plush rooms, fitness centre, indoor pool and exceptional service.
Is Riga Worth Visiting for a Weekend?
Absolutely. It’s affordable, easy to get to from London, genuinely beautiful and endlessly interesting once you start scratching the surface. Two days is enough to get a real feel for the city and more than enough to eat your body weight in honey cake.
If you end up loving Latvia, you can actually live there as a digital nomad! I’ve written about that and other digital nomad visas in Europe here.
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Afternoon
Visit the Latvian Academy of Sciences Skydeck: Known as “Stalin’s Birthday Cake,” this Soviet-era building offers a 360-degree view of Riga from the top. It’s a unique way to see the city from above and learn about its Soviet history.
Kalnciema Quarter: On weekends, the Kalnciema Quarter hosts an open-air market with local crafts, food and music. It’s a great spot for souvenirs and experiencing Latvian community life.
You’ll be a 20-min bus ride away from the airport ready to catch the 8:25pm back to London Heathrow or the 9:20pm to Stansted.
Where to Stay
Budget
Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel
- Price Range: 15–30€ per night
- Description: Known for its warm atmosphere and helpful staff, Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel is centrally located near Riga’s Old Town and the train station. The hostel offers both dorms and private rooms, a shared kitchen, and free Wi-Fi, making it ideal for solo travelers and backpackers.
- Price Range: 15–35€ per night
- Description: Situated close to Old Town attractions, this hostel offers dorm-style rooms with communal spaces, free coffee and tea. Great for travellers looking to meet people and explore Riga’s nightlife. Private rooms also available (100€+)
Mid-Range:
- Price Range: 60–100€ per night
- Description: Located along the Daugava River, this hotel offers comfortable rooms with modern decor and great views. The hotel also has an excellent spa with a sauna and pool, ideal for a relaxing stay. It’s within walking distance of Old Town, making it convenient for sightseeing.
- Price Range: 70–120€ per night
- Description: Where I stayed during my weekend in Riga! Just by the Old Town and walking distance to the Central Market. This hotel offers a balance of comfort and elegance. Breakfast was included and it was pretty decent – lots of variety including local delicacies such as potato cakes and smoked fish. Very friendly staff!
Luxury:
- Price Range: 200€+ per night
- Description: A 5-star hotel located in the heart of Riga, this luxury option is opposite the Latvian National Opera. The Grand Hotel Kempinski offers luxurious rooms, a full-service spa, a rooftop bar, and exquisite dining options. Perfect for travelers seeking elegance and convenience.
- Price Range: 140–220€ per night
- Description: Situated in a 17th-century building, this hotel combines historical charm with modern luxury. It’s close to Riga’s landmarks, with plush rooms, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. Known for its exceptional service, it’s an excellent choice for travelers looking to splurge.
This post showed you a 2-day Riga itinerary to help you make the most of your time in the Latvian capital!
And if you enjoyed Latvia, did you know you can live there as a digital nomad?
This was a 2-day Riga itinerary.
