2 Days In Riga: Complete Itinerary
2 Picture Perfect Days In Riga
Planning to spend 2 days in Riga? You’re about to explore one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals.
After spending three wonderful days wandering through Latvia’s historic streets, I’ve put together the perfect 48-hour guide that focuses only on the absolute highlights.
Riga is absolutely worth visiting, in my opinion.
One evening, we discovered a cosy underground wine cellar where a local folk band had everyone dancing until dawn, proving that Riga’s best experiences often happen when you least expect them.
Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic Baltic getaway or a solo traveller excited to discover this historic city, this guide takes you through the essential sights and experiences.
From the spectacular Art Nouveau district to the vibrant Central Market, I’ll show you exactly how to make the most of your two days in this fascinating Baltic capital.
You can find out about the best things to do in Riga!
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Map Of Riga’s 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1
Morning – Riga Old Town
The first thing you should do is set out on a journey through Riga’s Old Town.
The streets are mostly cobblestone. What I loved most about it all was the colour at every corner. Reds, yellows, pinks, blues, it really does feel and look like a fairytale city.
One top tip is to take a free walking tour of Riga.
When we did this, we went with a small group to all the major sites around the old town. Our guide Liga told us every detail about what we were looking at. It was honestly a sightseeing and fun way to hear more about the old town from a local.
We covered the House of the Blackheads, the Cat House, Swedish Gate, Dome Square, the Three Brothers, Riga Cathedral and St. Peter’s Church.
Make sure you give a small tip at the end, as it all adds up!
This is the best way to start your 2-day trip to Riga.
Afternoon – KGM Museum, Freedom Monument And Bastejkalna Park
Make your way to the KGB Museum after seeing the Old Town.
Be prepared for a sobering experience.
When we visited, our tour guide was brought to tears as she explained the history behind what’s known as the Corner House.
Inside, we saw the cells where innocent Latvians were wrongfully imprisoned. We also saw a killing chamber. Though distressing, it was enlightening to learn how the KGB operated within the former Soviet Union.
We were taken outside, down to the cage area where prisoners could get an hour of daylight and do some exercise. This was chilling. The area was tiny, and it made me feel sick.
You can watch my video about the KGB Museum below.
The Freedom Monument gave me a much happier feeling in contrast to the repression and pain caused by the KGB. The Freedom Monument stands as a sign of hope and development. You can see the changing of the guard here if you’re lucky.
Once complete, you can walk around the picturesque Bastejkalna Park. It was great to see some nature, though a small amount, during our time in Riga.
Evening – Dinner & Local Drinks
When we visited Riga, we were spoiled for choice for places to eat.
One of my favourites was the Russian restaurant called Uncle Vanya. At the end of the meal, I drank horseradish vodka, which was unusual but pleasant. A Slaad will cost between €11.00-€17.00, and a main course from €16.00-€27.00.
Make your way to Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs.
In the evening, it’s a nice restaurant, but at night it transforms into a venue with live folk music and disco. They have 32 drinks on tap, and it was here with a random person that I tried Black Balsam for the first time.
It’s not my favourite, but when in Riga!
When we were there, we enjoyed some Latvian folk music. It was so much fun watching live music in an old wine cellar, which is exactly what this place is.
At the end of the night, the DJ set up and everyone hit the dance floor. What a way to end day one of 2 days in Riga!
It was an incredible night, and I recommend you visit for all these reasons.
Day 2
Morning – Art Nouveau District
Albert Street is a great way to see the best architecture Riga has to offer.
This was one of the more surprisingly enjoyable things I did in Riga, which is why it made it onto this itinerary.
The long street has tall and typical Latvian-style architecture with blue, orange, yellow, and white paint. It looks precisely clean and perfectly maintained.
Keep an eye out for the extraordinary Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. Beautiful design with blue and white paint. The Latvian flag blows proudly outside.
To be honest, the whole street is impressive, even the apartment blocks where people live.
Many of the buildings I saw were designed in the 1900s.
Afternoon – Riga Central Market & Riverside
All foodies travelling to Riga must visit the Central Market.
Although it’s not just about the food, that’s the main attraction. The market was an old military hangar used to store zeppelins. How cool is that?
Walking around there and watching the locals go about their daily routines was fun and entertaining.
The staff selling food are mostly friendly, and I tried my best to communicate with some merchants, but sadly, I found it challenging. They mostly speak Russian or Latvian and a little English.
If you want to eat a meal at the market, you can visit Centrālais Gastro Tirgus, found inside one of the four hangars.
Once your meal has been eaten, don’t leave without walking along the riverside.
There is an incredible view of the railway bridge south of the River Daugava. You can spend some time here sitting and taking in the views.
When we visited, it was sunny and we even fed some of the seagulls, who were very friendly to us. Don’t miss the interesting Monument 1905 The Fighters!
Evening – Dinner and Walk Through The City At Night
When your final evening in the majestic city of Riga is coming to an end, you’ll have one more chance to sample some amazing Latvian food.
During my trip to Riga, I was impressed with Province Restaurant. It was extremely good quality and value for money in my opinion.
The food is hearty and filling, with generous portions of meat dishes.
My personal favourite was the potato zeppelin smothered in cream. I can’t help but think it was inspired by the zeppelins of Riga Central Market!
A soup costs €10.00 and other mains like the zeppelin are from €15.00-€20.00.
Located right beside Roland’s Statue, the restaurant’s wooden interior provides a comfortable dining atmosphere
At nighttime, the Old Town lights up beautifully. The House of the Blackheads transforms completely from its daytime appearance, when the building shows a deeper red hue.
We could hear people talking and laughing as we passed through the narrow streets before making our way back to the hotel.
Where To Stay In Riga?
Riga has some really nice districts to stay in.
After visiting Riga, I can vouch for staying in Centrs or the Old Town.
When we visited, we stayed in the Old Town, and Hotel Hestia Draugi was a phenomenal choice. The rooms were amazing, and the breakfast was big enough to feed an army. The buffet breakfast kept us energised all day.
The location was great too, and, thankfully, it didn’t break the bank.
I made a post about Where To Stay In Riga for you to plan your trip.
Getting To Riga From Riga International Airport
When we visited Riga, we took bus 22 from the airport to the city centre.
It shouldn’t take long, less than half an hour. The bus stopped at Grēcinieku iela right beside the Stone Bridge.
The good thing about this bus is that it runs frequently, every 10 minutes. The first bus departs the airport at 5:25 AM and the last at 12:40 AM, so you won’t be waiting around for long to start your amazing 2 days in Riga.
The bus fare is a reasonable €1.80.
Another option is to take a Red Cab, Bolt or Taxify (apps) to the city, and it will be more expensive but private. Normally, it takes half an hour or a little more.
Riga Travel Video
Safety Wing Insurance
I can’t stress the importance of travel insurance enough. But you already know that!
You can pick up a trustworthy provider in Safety Wing.
Check out how Safety Wing saved us a huge bill in Kazakhstan! I always travel with Safety Wing. You should too!
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
You can have an amazing 2 days in Riga if you plan it correctly.
There are many places to visit, but some are more worthwhile than others.
The House of the Blackheads, the Old Town, and Riga Central Market were just some of my favourites. If you don’t have much time, you could skip places like Holy Trinity Church or the National Library of Latvia.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed visiting both of these places. But with limited time, it’s best to think about your preferences.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
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