Is Riga worth visiting? Is Riga safe? And everything else you need to know

Are you planning a trip to Eastern Europe and wondering is Riga worth visiting? In this guide I go through absolutely everything you need to know before you go. Plus I also answer all the important questions like is Riga safe, and is Riga expensive to help you decide if you should visit.

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Before I answer the question ‘Is Riga worth visiting’ here is some background

Located on the Baltic Sea, Riga is the capital of Latvia. It is also the largest city in the Baltics, and is home to over 600,000 inhabitants. It’s known for its tumultuous history, old cobbled streets, and some of the best comfort food in the Baltics.

Is Riga expensive?

A common question that people tend to ask is, Is Riga expensive? Honestly, before I visited I had this idea that it would be super cheap, and to a degree it is. I mean compared to Paris or London it certainly is. But it’s not as cheap as people tend to think Eastern Europe is. Long gone are the days of €1 beers and cheap hotels. Or at least in Riga anyway. If you head away from the city you are bound to find things are a lot less expensive.

For a trip to Riga I would recommend budgeting around €50-€80 per day per person not including accommodation. This will get you 2 meals a day, some alcoholic beverages, and cover the cost of sightseeing as well. Accommodation can be cheap, particularly if you stay at hostels, or decide to book an apartment over a hotel. For 4 nights I paid around €300 for an apartment in Riga’s Old Town. Compared to some other European capitals that is a real bargain. You can also get an apartment a lot cheaper, I just decided to opt for something a little fancier.

Do I need cash in Riga?

Riga uses the Euro, so keep this in mind if you are brining cash with you. I actually didn’t bring any cash with me to Riga, and just paid for everything via my bank card.

What language do they speak in Riga?

The official language in Riga is Latvian. Many people in Riga are also fluent in russian, so you may see names in both Latvian and Cyrillic. A lot of the younger generation in Latvia speak English as well, and you won’t have any issues communicating if you are English speaking in Riga.

Is Riga easy to get to?

Ryanair operate a number of flights from Riga to the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as a good number of other European cities.

Once you have landed in Riga getting to the city centre or the old town is relatively easy. You can either get the 22 bus, which will take about half an hour to get you into town. It’s incredibly cheap and costs around €1.50.

Alternatively, the option I went with was to get a taxi. Uber’s are not available in Riga, so you should pre-download the Bolt app instead. It will only cost about €10 to get into town, which is a suitable option especially if you are travelling with lots of luggage.

How long should I spend in Riga?

You might be wondering how long you will need to explore Riga. Personally I would say, 2-3 days in Riga is enough. It isn’t a very large city, and in terms of tourist activities you can get through the key attractions in about 2 days.

Is Riga safe?

In my experience Riga is a very safe city. As a female traveller I felt safe walking around in the Old Town, even late at night. Petty theft, like pickpocketing is common though, but you get this in any capital city. If you take precautions, and have your wits about you, then you should be fine.

Is Riga worth visiting compared to other European cities?

If you are wondering Is Riga worth visiting compared to other European capitals, I would say yes. It’s not a large city, so you won’t have as much to do as say London or Paris, but you will still be busy. There is a lot of culture and history here, so it makes for a much more authentic European experience.

Can I use public transport in Riga?

You can use public transport in Riga. It’s cheap and efficient. But if you are staying in the old town you probably won’t need it at all. The old town is close to all the main tourist attractions, as well as so many wonderful bars and restaurants.

The other thing to keep in mind here is that Bolt’s are pretty cheap. For instance coming from the airport you will only be looking to pay around €10. Of course the 22 bus at €1.50 is a lot cheaper, so if you are going for a budget holiday then public transport is a good option.

For more information on public transport in Riga this website is pretty handy.

What is there to do in Riga

A big part of deciding if Riga is worth visiting, is based on what there is to do when visiting. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting Riga.

Explore the Old Town

Riga’s Old Town is one of the highlights of the city. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with charming cobbled streets, and some pretty impressive architecture. The Old Town is well preserved and you can spend a lot of time here just wandering around.

Visit the Central Market

For something a little quirky you should make the time to visit the Central Market in Riga. It’s located in one of 5 former German Zeppelin hangars. Here they sell everything from Latvian souvenirs to fresh fish. This is a great place to go if you are after some fruit and veg, particularly if you are staying in an apartment and want to cook for yourself. Even if you don’t buy anything it is worth walking around. I mean how often do you get to say that you explored a former Zeppelin hangar?

St Peter’s Church

Churches are staples particularly when visiting European cities. So St Peter’s Church in Riga is no exception. The Church itself is nice, but I wouldn’t say it was anything special. The real beauty however is when you make your way up the tower for unrivalled views of the city. I went up just before sunset and it was well worth it.

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Latvia has had a tumultuous history. It has been occupied by the Nazi’s and the USSR within short periods of time. If you want to learn more about Latvia’s history and occupation this museum is a must. Entry is €8 and you probably need at least a good 2 hours to explore the museum.

The Corner House (KGB Museum)

The Corner House was once the headquarters of the KGB in Latvia. If you do one museum in Latvia let it be this one. There are parts of the museum that you can enter for free, but the tour is the highlight. You will learn all about the KGB and the political prisoners they tortured and even killed in this unassuming building. It’s very sobering, and doing the tour will help you understand why you see so many Ukrainian flags flying around Riga. Make sure you book your tour in advance to avoid missing out.

Riga Castle

Founded in 1330 Riga Castle is a medieval fortress located on the banks of the River Daugava. It is currently home to the Latvian National Museum of history. For €5 you can explore some of the exhibits and marvel at the architecture.

Nativity of Christ Cathedral

The Nativity of Christ Cathedral is the largest Orthadox Cathedral in the Baltics. I didn’t go inside because I have mixed feelings about Orthadox Cathedral’s due to the intertwined history of the russian orthadox church. That being said, it is incredibly beautiful and worth seeing from the outside at least.

Is Riga worth visiting for solo travellers?

As a solo traveller I can definitely say that Riga is a good place to travel by yourself. Not only is it easy to get around, but it’s also really safe. There are lots of things to see and do particularly around the old town that will keep you busy.

You can join a number of tours or just walk around and people watch. Whatever you decide to do Riga really is a good option for solo travellers.

Is Riga worth visiting for couples?

If you are planning a couples city break Riga is a great option. There is something so romantic about walking around the old town and taking in all the sights and sounds.

It’s also a great place for food and drink, so you won’t be short of date night ideas in the city.

My top tip, if you are wanting to do something extra romantic is to make your way up the viewing tower of St Peter’s Church at sunset.

Is Riga worth visiting for families?

Riga is also a great place to visit if you are travelling as a family. There are a number of wonderful parks to keep the kids entertained, as well as attractions like the Riga Zoo, and several museums.

Is Riga worth visiting for foodies?

Riga is the capital comfort food, at least in my book. If you love stodgy food like pork knuckles or potato pancakes Riga is a great place to go. Do your research when you get there though, and try and avoid the tourist traps particularly in the old town.

Is Riga worth visiting for the nightlife?

I found that the nightlife in Riga was incredibly diverse. The old town for example is home to a number of clubs, bars, and event venues that cater to a wide range of tastes. You have a lot of traditional bars, modern nightclubs, and pretty much everything else in between.

One thing I will say though, is Riga is wonderful if you are a beer fan. I don’t think I have been to another European city that offer so much range when it comes to beers. There are some great beer places in the old town like, 2 more Beers, or the Armoury bar.

If you are visiting for the nightlife alone you probably want to go over the summer months, as it does get a little quiet in the winter.

Is Riga worth visiting for history buffs?

If you consider yourself a bit of a history buff then Riga is a great place to visit. Latvia on the whole has had a tumultuous history and you can go to places like the Museum of the occupation of Latvia, and the KGB museum to learn all about it.

If you want to go even further back places like Riga Castle, offer an insight into the history of the city pre wars and occupation.

Is Riga worth visiting in the summer?

Summer in Riga is peak travel season. This means that hotels fill up, and tourists flock to the city . It also means that things can be a little more expensive.

Temperatures in the summer average between 11 and 24 degrees Celsius. Which is around 51 – 75 Fahrenheit. These temperatures can be mild, but you do get some humid and hot days in between.

Is Riga worth visiting in the winter?

Winter in Riga is known for being cold and at times bitter. Temperatures range between -6 and 1 degree celsius, or 21 and 33 Fahrenheit. You need to make sure that you dress appropriately especially as there can be a lot of snow.

On the plus side, hotels are a lot cheaper as there are fewer tourists. I actually visited in the winter, and found it to be pretty decent. Bars and restaurants are still busy but nowhere near as busy as the summer months. And I got a really good deal on my accommodation. So if you are wanting to avoid the crowds and cosy up in a bar, winter in Riga might be a good option.

What to pack when visiting Riga?

What you need to pack for Riga will of course be dependant on the time of year that you visit. However here are some must haves whenever you visit.

• Good walking shoes. This is particularly important for walking around the old town with all those cobbled streets.
• Layers. No matter what time of year you visit you should pack layered clothing that is easy to build upon. Riga overall is pretty relaxed and you don’t need to go over the top when it comes to dressing. In my experience comfort over fashion is a must.
• Be prepared for rain, snow and sunshine, depending on the time of year you are visiting and pack accordingly.

What should I know before visiting Riga?

Here are some top tips if you are planning to visit Riga:

• Pack according to the weather. It sounds obvious but I want to stress that Riga gets cold in the winter and surprisingly warm in the summer. Make sure you dress appropriately, especially in the winter months.
• If you visit during off season accommodation is a lot cheaper, but you run the risk of some of the restaurants being closed. It’s also a lot quieter which is great if you want a relaxed holiday, but not if you are looking to go out and party.
• Book any restaurants you really want to go to in advance, especially in the summer months.

So is Riga worth visiting?

If you are wanting to enjoy a city break, that isn’t overcrowded with tourists and is authentic and charming then Riga is for you. It’s packed full of culture, history and some wonderful food. In my opinion Riga is the perfect place for a short city break, especially if you are looking for something that is slightly off the beaten track.