Is Riga Worth Visiting? My Honest Review
Why Riga Is ABSOLUTELY Worth Visiting
Is Riga worth visiting? If you’re sitting there with your cursor hovering over the “book flight” button, wondering whether this Baltic capital deserves your precious time and money, I get it.
I had the same hesitation before my February trip. Riga wasn’t exactly screaming for attention like Bangkok or Bali. I didn’t know anyone who’d been. The photos online looked pretty but vague. And honestly? I wasn’t sure what I’d actually do there for four days.
Then I went. And I loved every second.
Here’s what nobody tells you: Riga is one of those rare cities that works whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or even if you show up at Christmas expecting some generic winter wonderland.
It’s got the romantic old town architecture couples want for their Instagram moments. The affordable prices solo travellers need when they’re funding the whole trip themselves. The cosy cafes are perfect for January gloom. The eerie Soviet-era buildings make you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a film set.
And yes, it’s safe. Walkable. English-friendly enough. You won’t break the bank on accommodation or meals.
But let me be real with you about something else. I also stood outside the Corner House, the former KGB headquarters, where thousands were interrogated and tortured. That building sits right there in the city centre, silent and heavy with history. Riga doesn’t hide its past. It doesn’t sanitise things for tourists. And that’s exactly what makes it fascinating.
If you want a city that’s beautiful without being precious, affordable without feeling cheap, and interesting without trying too hard, then yes. Whether you’re going in winter, planning a Christmas market trip, or just looking for somewhere different to explore, this city delivers.
Let me show you what you’re actually signing up for.
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Where Is Riga?
Why You Should Visit Riga?
Delicious Food
I didn’t realise just how good the food would be in Riga!
Before visiting, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
However, once I got to Riga and tried some of the local dishes, it was an eye-opener into Latvian cuisine and a real travel lesson.
My favourite meals were the hearty soups and zeppelins. Soft and tasty dough with meat to die for.
Potato zeppelin with creamy sauce poured over the top, and Riga has some incredible meat and rye breads.
My favourite restaurants in Riga were Province Restaurant, Pētergailis restorāns, and Lido (a buffet chain of affordable Latvian food).
If you take a city break to Riga, you’ll have so many great places to eat.
Discover How To Spend 3 Days In Riga With My Itinerary Guide
It’s Very Walkable
What I loved about Riga was how walkable the city is.
We stayed at Hestia Hotel Draugi (I recommend staying here by the way), which was right in the middle of the old town. Each day, we didn’t need to use a taxi; instead, we walked wherever we needed to go.
For example, Riga Central Market is a 10-minute walk away, as is the Jewish Ghetto. The Nativity Cathedral is 15 minutes on foot, and if you’re based in the Old Town, loads of the best things to do (like the Cat House, Swedish Gate, and St Peter’s Church) are all a stone’s throw away.
To be honest, I found visiting other cities tiring after Riga because everything was so close and walkable.
Incredible History
Riga has a dark past but a resilient present, thanks to the character and strength of its people and leaders.
Riga was founded in 1201 as a trading point by a Finnic tribe called the Livs, who were based on the banks of the Daugava River.
Over time, German traders began to influence trade and politics. A number of power struggles meant Riga had a long period of uncertainty.
Later, Peter the Great took control in 1710.
As Riga started to expand and grow in the 1930s, World War II stopped this progression. The city became controlled by the Nazis. Before that, the Soviet Union had controlled the city.
But in 1991, independence was achieved after the fall of the Soviet Union, and Latvia gained its independence.
Active Nightlife
Latvia’s fun nightlife surprised me.
When I visited, we attended Folkklubs ALA pagrabs.
A night of dancing, singing and drinking black balsam showed me how fun the locals were and how catchy their folk music is.
I recommend attending a live performance in this underground former winery turned bar and restaurant.
The dark and fun atmosphere underground was epic to experience and showed me how real and authentic experiences you can have on a night out on the town in Riga.
Stunning Art Nouveau Architecture
One thing that made me appreciate Riga was the Art Nouveau architecture.
While the old town has some amazing design and merchants’ houses full of colour, the best place to see Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture is Alberta iela.
Its tall buildings, combined with truly interesting Art Nouveau designs and colour, make walking through the wide street feel like a movie scene.
My personal favourite was Elizabetes iela, found close by. More amazing designs near the centre. If you can, visit the Riga Art Nouveau Centre. While I didn’t manage it on my last trip, it’s one of the must-visit places for those interested in this kind of art.
Interestingly, Riga is said to have over 800 of this type of building, so if you’re an architecture lover like me, then Riga will satisfy your needs and then some.
Perfect Winter Destination
If you’re searching for a nice place to do a winter city break, Riga ticks all the boxes for me.
You can travel affordably, taste great food, and deep dive into the history.
When I visited in March, it was very wintry. Jackets and gloves were already on, but it didn’t stop us.
We visited most of the best attractions in the city, tried amazing food, and walked through the old town and parks when there was fog, adding to the city’s allure and mysteriousness.
I urge you to visit Riga in winter or for Christmas.
Beautiful Green Parks
I arrived in Riga thinking big capital city; forget about green parks.
But I was wrong.
Bastejkalna Park was a beautiful treat when I discovered it. I even made a travel video about Riga that shows some of the beautiful parks in the city centre.
While I found it to be hilly and a little less green than I would have liked, it was still full of people looking for some fresh cold air and nature.
The Riga Canal flows through the park, so when the sun’s shining, it’s a nice place to experience some greenery and a natural setting.
It features a small waterfall and a few monuments to discover, like the Horse in the Fern, and even has a toilet.
Easy Beach Day Trips
Maybe you want to make the most of Latvia’s coast and need some sea and sand?
Well, great, because from Riga city centre, some of the country’s best beaches are only a 17km journey away.
Vecāķu pludmale and Vakarbulli Beach are two of Latvia’s finest beaches, and many people do make their way there either on a tour or by renting a car for the trip.
While visiting during March, like we did, may not give the sunniest or warmest beach experience, you can still walk on the sand and take in the sea air.
Some other nice beaches to consider are Baltic Beach, Majori Beach and Jūrmala Beach.
I highly recommend this highly rated tour to see Kemeri Bog and Seaside Jurmala.
More Affordable Than Western Europe
Riga offers outstanding value when it comes to spending.
When I visited Naples, Madrid or even Dublin, the euro simply doesn’t go as far as I would like.
For example, you can get a three-star apartment in the centre of Riga for about €200 for two people. If you add breakfast, you can expect to pay around €330 during the winter.
In the summer months, for a week in July, you can expect to pay between €500–€700 right in the heart of the old town.
I wouldn’t want to know what that would cost in Dublin or Paris.
For comparison, when I checked just now, the same accommodation costs €800–€1,600.
Some Fun Things To Do In Riga
There are so many great things to do in Riga.
For me, the most impressive places to see included:
- House of the Blackheads
- The Cat House
- St Peter’s Church
- Jewish Ghetto
- KGB Museum
- Riga Central Market
- Freedom Monument
- The Nativity Cathedral
- Latvian Academy of Sciences
- Bastejkalna Park
- The National Library of Latvia
- Riga’s Art Nouveau Architecture
Who Would Love A Trip to Riga?
After four days in Riga, I honestly think couples, solo travellers or families would love a trip here.
What makes it worth visiting is the amazing Art Nouveau architecture, food, and history.
If you’re not crazy about those subjects, then Riga may not be for you.
When I walked through the cobblestone streets and saw the colourful Baltic-style buildings, I quickly fell in love with a style I hadn’t experienced before.
If you enjoy live folk music, Riga has options. When we went to an underground winery, we went for the drinks, the black balsam, but stayed for the live folk music performance.
At the end of the night, everyone was up dancing. I found the locals to be loads of fun!
Discover The Best Places To Stay In Riga
What Is Riga Famous For?
Riga is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, beautiful merchant houses, as well as Gothic designs.
This was my first trip to the Baltics, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.
A few hours after seeing the streets and colourful merchant houses, it felt fresh and new compared to other European cities I’d normally visit, like Naples or Seville.
When I was roaming the streets of Riga, every corner had something interesting.
The House of the Blackheads, the Cat House, and the Central Market left me speechless in the best way possible.
Read About My List Of The Best Things To Do In Riga
Is Riga Worth Visiting In Winter?
I visited Riga in winter, and it actually enhanced the experience in my view.
Sure, it was cold. I needed a hat, scarf and gloves. But what it gave me was a bite in the air that kept me moving through the streets.
It was nice to enter the cosy restaurants for food and escape the cold. Had we visited in summer, I’m sure it would have been nice, but in winter, the food experience hits differently.
Also, there will be fewer crowds when the weather isn’t as good as in the summer months. Normally, from May to September is peak season. If you go in winter, you’ll feel more spacious when moving through the city.
I certainly enjoyed the lack of mass crowds that I’ve seen in other European cities in winter, like Rome.
Is Riga Worth Visiting At Christmas?
While I’ve never been to Riga at Christmas, I’m aware that it can get snowy and even more beautiful than in the summer months.
The Riga Christmas Market is a hugely popular event that draws visitors from across the region.
There’s actually a Santa Claus, so the kids will love that. If you’re travelling alone or as a couple, you could enjoy the DJ set at the market too.
You can pick up handcrafted goods made by local Latvians.
Since 2000, the market has attracted people from all over the region.
So I’d love to return to Riga for Christmas, the market, the atmosphere, and Santa Claus all make it worth visiting.
Is Riga Safe?
When I visited Riga, I felt safe throughout my entire trip.
I travelled with my partner, and there wasn’t really any moment where we felt threatened or uncomfortable walking around, even in the evenings.
The streets were well-lit, the locals were friendly, and we never had any issues with pickpocketing or theft, as far as I am aware.
Our bags and wallets were never at risk, and we felt comfortable exploring different neighbourhoods every day.
That said, as with any city, it’s always wise to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure, but overall, Riga felt like a very safe destination for tourists.
Read more about crime rates in Riga.
Don’t go abroad without comprehensive travel insurance. I have used and trust Safety Wing. Get yourself insured right now.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
In my view, after an amazing four days in Riga, I can say it’s certainly worth visiting.
Whether as a couple, in winter like we did, or because there are so many things to do there.
The Art Nouveau architecture is beautiful and colourful. The food is extraordinary, especially on a cold winter’s day. The history is tragic but powerful.
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my post about how best to spend two days in Riga.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
My Video on YT
FAQs
Is Riga Or Tallinn Nicer?
Tallinn is another Baltic city that attracts visitors from all over Europe and further afield. While I cannot say whether it’s worth visiting or not, I can certainly say Riga is. You can read more here about whether Tallinn is worth a visit, but for me, Riga is special with its merchant houses, Gothic design, and amazing churches. All of these are good reasons to visit Riga and make it worthwhile.
How Many Days Do You Need In Riga?
I recommend spending at least three days in Riga for a city break based on my experience. You can take your time and walk around to see the best things in the city. After three days in Riga, you’ll start to see why this city is worth visiting. The food, architecture, history, and cobblestone streets give it charm, beauty, and lengthen the list of reasons to make a trip there.
Is It Expensive To Visit Riga?
Riga is not overly expensive compared to other European capitals. You can expect to pay between 30–50% less than in Western Europe, in my experience. Furthermore, food in a restaurant that isn’t fancy would set you back between €12 and €18. For a nice coffee, you can pay between €2 to €4. That’s just another reason to visit Riga – the cost of a trip there is significantly less than in other parts of Europe.
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currently in Riga and checking out of the Hotel Hestia Draugi 2 nights early as had absolutely no sleep due to the cheap booze/loud music until 6am bars that are all around the hotel. Riga is very touristy, dirty (graffiti) and expensive (both food and drink). Yes the architecture is good but I believe that other Baltic cities offer a better overall experience. I would not recommend Riga
Thanks for sharing your experience. Riga’s Old Town is known for its late-night bar scene, especially around weekend nights, which can be very loud if you’re staying nearby. Travellers looking for quieter stays often prefer neighbourhoods like Centrs or Āgenskalns. As with most cities, experiences can vary a lot depending on where you stay and what you’re looking for.