A WEEKEND TRAVEL GUIDE TO RIGA, LATVIA
I spent the weekend gallivanting around Riga, Latvia. A place I never thought I’d step foot in! For those of you planning a trip to Riga, here’s a little spoiler alert: Riga is way cooler than you might think!
I didn’t have very high expectations of Riga because I had never heard of it until I moved to Lithuania. Can you believe Riga is over 11,500miles/18400km away from Hawaii?! No wonder I’ve never heard of it before! But after spending three days there, I am completely in awe of this underrated, magical city.
Riga is the capital of Latvia and is also the country’s largest city making it home to over 600,000 people! Latvia is a north-eastern European country that shares borders with Lithuania, Belarus, Russia, and Estonia. Riga sits on the Baltic Sea and Daugava river runs through it.
Riga features amazing Art Nouveau architecture, lively markets, deep cultural history, fun nightlife, SUPER kind people, and my personal favorite...the charming cobble stoned streets. All of these factors allowed Riga to gain its UNESCO World Heritage badge in 1997!
Don’t worry if you can't speak Latvian, we had ZERO problems with language. Getting by with English in Riga was a breeze because most younger people in the city are able to speak very good english.
Luckily for me, Riga is only a two hour drive from our apartment in Siauliai, Lithuania, making it a convenient destination for a weekend getaway! In my opinion, 2-3 days is the perfect amount of time needed to see Riga. Most attractions are in walking distance, especially if you book a hotel in the city like we did!
Finding the right accommodation in Riga is a vital component to a great trip!
I stayed at AC Hotel Riga by Marriott and LOVED it! This charming 4.5 star hotel was the perfect base for our travels in Riga and located in walking distance of everything. Riga Old Town was only a 15 minute walk and there were plenty of yummy restaurants on the same street as our hotel. Usually this hotel ranges from 50-60 euros per night which is very reasonable!
Another affordable option for your accommodation in Riga is Airbnb. I found this cute apartment in the heart of Riga for only 28 euros but there are of course other options too!
If you’re new to Airbnb, click this link for money off your first booking!
Okay, now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into your travel guide!
RIGA WEEKEND | DAY 1
After a two hour drive from Siauliai, we arrived in Riga at about 13:00 on Friday. Thomas and I checked into our hotel and we’re starving!!
Mr. Fox Restaurant
We found the cutest health food spot directly across our hotel called Mr. Fox. The food, atmosphere, and the friendly people served as a perfect first impression of the city! I had the peanut vegetable stir fry with tofu and rice noodles, and Thomas had a burger bowl! Talk about YUMMY!!!
Albert Street
After lunch we wanted to take a walk around our hotel and see what was nearby. To our surprise, we came across Albert Street, which was one of the main things we wanted to see! It is regarded as Riga’s Art Nouveau gem, since it is full of gorgeous historical Art Nouveau-style buildings from one end to the other. Eight of the buildings are now recognized as architectural monuments of national significance.
A Park in Riga
Soon after our stroll down Alberta Street, we found ourselves walking through what seemed to be a central park. We were happy enough to just be taking in the city with full bellies and adventurous eyes! It was around 15:30 when we decided to head back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready to go on another adventure in the evening!
Around 17:00 we left the hotel and made the 15 minute walk to Old Town Riga with hopes of catching sunset at the top of St. Peter’s Church. Online and at the door it says it closes at 18:00 but they stop letting people up at around 17:30 so if this is something you plan on doing, give yourself some extra time to be there early! We didn’t mind, though and decided we’d just try again the next day.
Dinner at Ogle
Wine at Ogle
We ended up at a restaurant called Ogle and had some pretty amazing food! Definitely recommend Ogle if you’re looking for a restaurant that is alive with culture, people, and good wine!
Black Magic Bar
After dinner we ended the night with a stop at Black Magic Bar which is known for its infamous Riga Balsam. Black Balsam is a liquor made of 24 herbs and the recipient hasn’t been altered for over 250 years! A must try when in Riga.
RIGA WEEKEND | DAY 2
Breakfast was included in our hotel stay (which I always highly recommend on trips because it makes it so convenient to get up and grab a bite to eat!) so we woke up and went downstairs for some grub!
I had some work to do so we chilled at the hotel until lunch time then made the most of the afternoon!
Super Cute Date at Black Garlic
Lunch at Black Garlic
We went back into Old Town for some lunch at the tripadvisor’s 59th ranked restaurant out of 1,228 in riga called Black Garlic. They use all naturally and localled grown goods and have a selection of foods and drinks for all taste buds. Thomas got a chicken burger paired with a lovely Lithuanian beer that the waiter chose for him and I got onion soup and a ceasar salad with shrimp paired with a pinot grigio! It was delicious and the staff was friendly and very helpful with the menu.
1221
Our next stop was, of course, the blue, famous, and picturesque 1221 Restorans. One of the cutest houses in Riga! 1221 is a high-class restaurant located in the heart of Riga, impossible to miss, that features Latvian cuisine and an extensive wine collection. Although we didn’t stop to eat here, the building itself brought us a feeling of nostalgia and comfort. The first street in Riga was built in 1221 and it is the same street where 1221 Restaurant is located.
The House of Blackheads
Right around the corner from 1221, we stopped at the The House of Blackheads. The House of Blackheads was a building erected during the 14th century and used for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a medieval society for unmarried merchants and foreigners in Riga. Unfortunately, the original building was bombed in WWII and the building you see today is a reconstruction built from 1996-1999.
Inside, there is a fantastic museum that showcases the Brotherhood. Definitely one of the most unusual things to do in Riga but just seeing it from the outside was enough for us.
It was around 16:00 so we decided to see if we could get to the top of St. Peter’s church! St. Peter’s church is a beautiful brick church that was first mentioned in records in 1209! I wonder what sort of secrets the walls hold. In 1997, the church was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
For a 9 euro admission fee, you can take the elevator to the very top. Remember to bundle up because it gets windy and cold up there!
Seafood Saute at Zivju Lete
One of my favorite parts of our trip was dinner at Zivju Lete!! The cutest (and busiest) little seafood bar just a 3 minute walk from our hotel!! We went in around 19:00 thinking we could just waltz right in but we should have made reservations!
If you’re traveling to Riga on a weekend, especially one with a holiday like we did, MAKE SURE YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS!
We ended up just making a reservation with them at 21:00 which was kind of late for my likings, but OH. MY. GOSH. sooooo worth it! Thomas and I had endless fun eating, drinking, people watching, and enjoying each others company! We shared a seafood saute with prawns, mussels, clams, calamari, and scallops, and a delicious lobster roll! 11/10 recommend!!!!
RIGA WEEKEND | DAY 3
Day three in Riga was a holiday! International Women's Day, which was surprisingly a HUGE deal for the local Latvians. Men old and young we’re at the central market buying flowers for their loved ones and friends. It was so refreshing to see and Thomas even bought me my own bouquet of roses to carry around all day!!
Beautiful Flowers for International Women’s Day
We started our day at one of Europe's largest markets, Riga Central Market. It is located inside of 5 old Zeppelin hangers from WWI and each pavilion features something different: fish, meat, groceries, vegetables, dairy.
Fresh Produce at the Central Market
Fresh Strawberries at the Central Market
We spend the morning admiring all the flowers, fresh fruits, and over 3,000 stalls selling things from pickles to smoked eel. We had lunch here the food court at a vendor called Pho. I was feeling a little drained and tired so I was in the mood for some comfort food. I got vegan miso tofu with rice noodles and Thomas got fish soup.
We went back to the hotel to rest before our last night out which we made the absolute most of!
Cocktails at Skyline Bar
Poke and Springrolls at Skyline Bar
For International Women's Day, we went on a romantic date at Skyline Bar located in the penthouse of the Radisson Blu hotel. They were hosting a Women's Day party. We rode the glass elevator to the 26th floor where we observed breathtaking views of Riga city. We enjoyed a cocktail and a few tapas from the Japanese inspired menu, obviously I felt right at home!
This restaurant was 100% the most expensive one we went to in Riga but it was absolutely worth it!
Drinks at Cynic
Cynic Bar
Around 20:00 we headed across the street to a local bar called Cynic Bar. The atmosphere was laid back and fun! As soon as we walked in a staff member welcomed us at our table and was very friendly. She offered us drink suggestions and then went behind the bar to make them. She even game me a complimentary drink for International Women’s Day! All of the cocktails at Cynic Bar are crafted in house and are uniquely prepared according to their own recipes. Cynic bar was a perfect place to end our Riga trip!
BEST TIME TO VISIT RIGA
The best time to visit Riga depends on your weather preferences. For outdoor exploring, summer is the ideal time to plan a trip. However, other months of the year are still a wonderful time to visit Riga.
We went in March and the weather was around 5-9c or 41-48f. Not freezing but still have to layer. A plus to traveling to Riga during the fall and spring months is that accommodation is less expensive.
In winter, Riga is cold and snowy but the Christmas markets light the city up and I’ve heard that they are a fabulous sight to see.
Whenever you decide to plan a trip to Riga, Latvia, with this travel guide you will be well equipped to explore and discover the city like a local.
If you liked this article, pin it!
