All citiesRiga Things to do and walking itinerary
Latvia Riga travel guide
29 things to do in Riga, where to stay, airport transfers, 2 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Riga
- Riga Cathedral — cathedral in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Freedom Monument — memorial located in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Riga Castle — castle in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 75 min)
- St. Peter's Church — church in Riga (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Riga Radio and TV Tower — television tower in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- St. James's Cathedral — Roman Catholic cathedral in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Museum of the Occupation of Latvia — museum in Latvia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nativity Cathedral, Riga — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Powder Tower — tower in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Peitav Synagogue — synagogue in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. John's Church — Lutheran church in Riga (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Alexander Nevsky Church — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Riga Choral Synagogue — destroyed synagogue in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Great Cemetery — cemetery in Riga (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Our Lady of Sorrows Church — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. George's Church — church building in Central District, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Vērmanes Garden — Latvian cultural monument No. 5583 (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Holy Trinity Orthodox Church — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Holy Trinity Cathedral, Riga — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
- St. Francis Church — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia — botanical garden located in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Latvian Museum of Natural History — museum in Latvia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. Mary Magdalene's Church — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Gertrude Old Church — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Saviour's church, Riga — anglican church building in Central District, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of Jesus — lutheran church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of Luther — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ascension Church, Riga — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- All Saints Church, Riga — church in Riga, Latvia (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Riga walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town (Vecrīga). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 3.1 km · 4,230 steps · 41 min on the way): Riga Cathedral → Riga Castle → St. James's Cathedral → Freedom Monument → Nativity Cathedral, Riga
- Day 2 (≈ 8.7 km · 11,760 steps · 1 h 56 min on the way): Riga Radio and TV Tower → St. Peter's Church → Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Riga
- Cat House — Yellow Art Nouveau building famed for the arched-back black cat statues on its turrets and the legend behind them. (visit ≈ 10 min)
- Alberta iela — Street with the densest Art Nouveau façades, giant faces and statues, and the Art Nouveau Museum. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jūrmala — Seaside town a short train ride away, with a long sandy beach, wooden summer villas and pine woods. (visit ≈ 300 min)
- Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum — Open-air museum by Lake Jugla, with old farmsteads, windmills and wooden churches spread through the woods. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Where to stay in Riga
- Old Town (Vecrīga): Historic squares and churches; lively nightlife.
- Art Nouveau District: Quiet, elegant streets with famous façades.
- Centrs: Walkable to parks and the Old Town; plenty of restaurants.
- Central Station / Market: Station, bus terminal and market; budget hotels.
- Miera iela: Young, local street with cafés and bars.
- Ķīpsala / Āgenskalns: Quiet areas with wooden houses across the river.
Getting from the airport to Riga
- Riga (RIX): Bus 22 ≈ 30 min
Getting around
The Old Town and centre are walkable; trams, trolleybuses and buses use Rīgas Satiksme tickets. Buy them in the app or pay contactless.
Classic places to eat
- Lido Vērmanītis: Self-service Latvian home cooking; good value.
- Rīgas Centrāltirgus: Huge market in zeppelin hangars; smoked fish.
- Rozengrāls: Candle-lit dining in a medieval cellar.
- 3 Pavāru: Creative Latvian cuisine from three chefs.
- Black Magic: Riga Black Balsam cocktails and handmade chocolate.
- Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs: Folk music, Latvian beers and snacks.
- Parunāsim: Charming café in a hidden courtyard; cake and coffee.
- Siļķītes un Dillītes: Herring sandwiches inside the market.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Max Cekot Kitchen — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative
- !Ausekļa iela 22 — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Bastion Hill Park (Afternoon): Small bridges over the city canal and shady paths on a small hill.
- Dome Square (Evening): The square in front of the cathedral feels warm in the evening lights.
- 11 November Embankment (Sunset): Walking along the Daugava you see the old town skyline.
- Vērmane Garden (Afternoon): A calm park with flower beds in the city centre.
Football stadiums in Riga
- Jānis Skredelis' stadium: Home of FC RFS
- LNK Sporta Parks: Home of FC RFS
- Skonto Stadium: Home of Riga FC
- Daugava Stadium: Home of FC Daugava
Good to know before visiting Riga
- Fine: Drinking alcohol in streets and public places is banned.
- Fine: Urinating in public and noise in Riga's old town bring heavy fines.
- Fine: In Riga validate your e-ticket on boarding; inspectors fine riders without one.
- Fine: Headlights must be on during the day.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Warning: Pedestrians are expected to wear reflectors in the dark.
- Emergency: 112 (police 110, ambulance 113)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is generally safe, though many prefer bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Latvia, Wikivoyage — Latvia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Riga travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Riga?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Riga?
- Highlights: Riga Cathedral, Freedom Monument, Riga Castle, St. Peter's Church and Riga Radio and TV Tower. The map has 29 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Riga?
- Old Town (Vecrīga): Historic squares and churches; lively nightlife. Other options: Art Nouveau District, Centrs, Central Station / Market, Miera iela and Ķīpsala / Āgenskalns.
- How do you get from the airport to Riga city centre?
- Riga (RIX): Bus 22 ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Riga?
- The Old Town and centre are walkable; trams, trolleybuses and buses use Rīgas Satiksme tickets. Buy them in the app or pay contactless.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Riga?
- According to the last known data there are 2 starred restaurants: Max Cekot Kitchen (1 star), !Ausekļa iela 22 (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Riga?
- Emergency: 112 (police 110, ambulance 113).
- Do you tip in Riga?
- About 10% is customary.
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