Only have a weekend in Riga? Make the most of your stay and pamper yourself.
With its lively markets, thriving food scene, vibrant art scene, beautiful architecture and abundant nature, the Latvian capital has all the right ingredients for a few days of great food, outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
Riga is a compact city with many attractions close to each other.
Walking is the best way to get around for those willing and able, but the network of buses, trams and trolleybuses is also an inexpensive way to reach points further afield, including the beach.
Here’s what you can do on a weekend in Riga.
Here is an overview:
This is what you can do on a weekend in Riga
If you’re visiting this Latvian city for a weekend getaway, here’s what you should do.
Travelling by train? Please check: Traveling through Europe by train
Riga markets: nourishing the body and uplifting the soul
For breakfast, brunch or lunch, head to Riga’s fabulous markets with a hungry stomach, heart and mind.
Riga Central Market is one of the largest markets in Europe. Its five huge halls and vast outdoor space host traditional and contemporary stalls selling food, home and garden items and clothing, making it a universal shopping destination. Āgenskalns Market It is a community meeting point as well as a place to shop. Both markets feature food courts, bakery stalls and coffee stands.
A little different in spirit, Kalnciema district market It is a farmers and crafts market held every Saturday in the courtyard of a group of famous Riga wooden buildings.
If you are lucky and your weekend in Riga coincides with events such as the summer solstice or the harvest festival in September, you might experience the pop-up fairs in Dome Squarewhere craftsmen from all over Latvia sell their products. You will find linen clothes, wooden utensils, ceramics, amber jewelry, hemp products and honey – all of them great souvenirs.
Explore Riga’s changing art scene
Along with the impressive permanent collection and must-see exhibition programme National Museum of Art of LatviaRiga is home to a thriving contemporary art scene with many independent art galleries showcasing local artists.
See what’s happening at Kim and Zuzeum, located in former factory buildings that give an idea of how the city has been transformed.
Nature awaits you: explore Riga’s parks, forests and beaches
Although I would always recommend extending a weekend in Riga with at least a few days in nature or the countryside, the city offers a taste of Latvian nature. Amusement parks It is a lakeside forest park with marked trails, a disc golf course and a ropes course through the trees. In the summer season, bicycles, skates, scooters, boats and paddleboards are also available for rent.
If beaches are your thing, Vecāķi Beach It is easy to get there by train from Riga Central Station, and Daugavgriva Beach By bus number 3 from the city centre. Both have lifeguard stations in summer, so you can enjoy a swim. On the other hand, in the colder months of the year they are the perfect environment to clear your head with a long walk.
Wonderfully rejuvenating wellness breaks in Riga
Riga has some excellent day spas, such as ESPA and Takawhere an appointment for a massage or treatment also allows you access to the pool and sauna area. ESPA benefits from a secluded outdoor pool, which is open all year round!
But, for something a little more local and memorable, book a session at the Pirates – is a relative of the Finnish sauna. Riga Pirts has a beautiful location on an island in the Daugava River. Ask them or your accommodation provider about a Pirates ritual where a trained professional will guide you on a restorative and potentially spiritual journey with massage elements.
From trendy bakeries to authentic restaurants, Riga delights food lovers
In recent years, Riga has seen a boom in specialty bakeries and cafés. Kūkotava, Mīkla, Kalve and Rocket Bean Roastery are names to consider when looking for an afternoon pick-me-up.Alternatively, for a cheap and cheerful coffee and a sweet or savoury bread, you will find several Mārtiņa beķereja and Sala bakeries throughout the city.
For more substantial meals, you will find many restaurants in the so-called “Quiet Center” area of Riga, within walking distance of the Old Town and towards the Daugava River. For example, Our house is a cozy Italian trattoria, while Snatch is a trendy Italian restaurant. Most restaurants in this area require reservations.
Don’t forget to try Latvian food during your stay too. For something more traditional, such as grey peas with lard or rye bread pudding, head to the Ala Folk Club in the Old Town. For contemporary Latvian cuisine, which tends to be on the lighter side, treat yourself to a special meal at 3 Chef’s Restaurant, Ferma or the Garage Wine Bar. Here, seasonal ingredients will be highlighted, such as birch sap and rhubarb in spring, berries in summer and wild mushrooms in early autumn.
Riga also has a good number of restaurants serving Georgian, Armenian and Uzbek cuisine, something not found in all European cities. Although grilled meat usually predominates, most offer vegetarian dishes such as eggplant rolls stuffed with walnuts and khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread. Hačapuri meitene is a Georgian-run restaurant in the city centre, and Hačapuri bistro is a stall in the Burzma food court in the Old Town.
After dark in Riga: discover the local drinking scene
You will find many bars in the old town and in the city center. Instead of limiting yourself to your usual drink, I recommend you try Latvian cider. Many new producers have emerged in recent years and the quality is top notch, allowing us to get the most out of our crisp, refreshing northern apples. Sidrērija in the Old Town is a specialist cider bar, but you can also order brands such as Abavas, Tālavas and Mūrbūdu in other pubs.
Yeah If you are enjoying a winter weekend in Riga, a hot blackcurrant juice with a touch of Riga black balsam is a must. This legendary drink, developed by an 18th century architect,A 19th century pharmacist, it is best to drink it slowly rather than down it all at once. For non-drinkers, a good alternative is a soothing drink made from sea buckthorn or quince.
Riga has also developed a vibrant cocktail scene. Head to Gimlet Nordic, or Nosaints hidden bar to try the bartenders’ latest creations, infused with seasonal flavours such as currants, blueberries or dandelion.
Extend your weekend in Riga
While a weekend in Riga is enough time to get to know the city, I recommend extending your stay to take at least one day trip outside the capital to immerse yourself in nature somewhere like Gauja National Park or absorb the small-town charm in historic towns like Cēsis, Līgatne and Kuldīga.
Have a great time!
