Riga, Latvia – A Beautiful City Break, But Beware of the Cobbles!

My personal experience, favourite discoveries and top tips for visiting Riga.

Oh Riga, what a beautiful, beautiful city! ❤️

I‘ve recently returned from this gorgeous Baltic capital, and I can honestly say it deserves a place on your city-break wish list.

Think stunning architecture, charming cobbled streets, beautiful historic buildings, bustling markets, and plenty of lovely places to stop for coffee, a cocktail, or a cheeky glass of fizz!

Riga has so much to offer, and it's a fantastic destination for a long weekend.

But having experienced it for myself, there are a few things I'd definitely recommend knowing before you go.

So here are my personal top tips to help you make the most of this wonderful city.

1. First things first – those cobbles! 👟

Now, people tell you to wear comfortable shoes when visiting Riga, and believe me, they are NOT joking!

The Old Town is absolutely beautiful, but those cobbled streets are something else!

I walked miles exploring the city, and by the end of it, my hips were certainly letting me know about it!

My number one tip is to pack really comfortable, supportive shoes.

Forget looking glamorous in your favourite boots if they're not made for walking. Your feet, knees and hips will thank you!

And if you have any mobility difficulties, it's definitely worth bearing in mind.

Seriously, don't underestimate those cobbles!

2. Getting from the airport – don't spend more than you need to! ✈️

One thing I loved about Riga was how easy and affordable it was to get around.

You have two great options for getting from the airport into the city.

Option one – the bus.

The number 22 bus runs between Riga Airport and the city centre, and a ticket purchased in advance costs just €1.50.

It's incredibly easy to use, with a visual display showing which stop you're approaching and which one comes next.

This makes it so much easier to work out where you are, especially when you're visiting somewhere for the first time.

Option two – Bolt.

If you've used Uber before, you'll be familiar with how Bolt works.

It's a brilliant way to get to Riga and, in my experience, incredibly good value.

Here's a perfect example.

Our hotel quoted us €35 for a taxi to the airport.

Instead, we walked approximately two minutes away from the hotel, ordered a Bolt and paid just €9

That's a saving of €26 for virtually the same journey!

Now that's what I call a bargain!

One thing to remember, though: parts of Riga's Old Town have restricted vehicle access, so your Bolt might not be able to collect you directly outside your hotel.

You may need to walk a couple of minutes to a nearby pickup point.

My advice: Download the Bolt app before you travel. It's really useful to have.

3. Get your bearings with the hop-on hop-off bus 🚌

I'm a big fan of a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus when visiting somewhere new, and Riga is no exception.

It's a fantastic way to see the main sights, understand how the city fits together and decide which areas you'd like to explore further.

My advice? Only buy the 24-hour ticket.

Riga is a very manageable city, and personally I don't think you need a longer ticket.

Once you've completed the route and got your bearings, you'll find it easy to explore independently.

And after all those cobbles, it's quite nice to sit down and let somebody else do the travelling for a while!

4. Visit Riga Central Market – an absolute must

If there's one place I'd definitely recommend visiting, it's Riga Central Market.

And don't just pop in for ten minutes. Allow yourself a good few hours!

It's a fascinating place to wander, with stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to fish, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and local delicacies.

What I particularly loved was seeing everyday life happening around us.

Local people doing their shopping, chatting with traders and choosing their groceries.

It's a lovely opportunity to experience a more authentic side of Riga rather than just visiting the usual tourist attractions.

The market is housed partly in enormous historic pavilions, originally constructed as Zeppelin hangars, which makes it even more interesting.

You could easily spend a few hours exploring, people-watching and discovering local produce.

Definitely one for your itinerary!

5. Lose yourself in the beautiful Old Town ❤️

Riga's Old Town is simply gorgeous.

It's one of those places where you don't necessarily need a plan.

Just wander, look up at the buildings, discover the little squares and enjoy the atmosphere.

You'll find beautiful churches, colourful architecture, independent shops and plenty of places to sit and watch the world go by.

Make sure you see the magnificent House of the Black Heads in Town Hall Square.

It's one of Riga's most recognisable buildings and absolutely stunning.

And don't forget to look up!

Some of the most beautiful architectural details are above eye level.

Riga's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's easy to understand why.

Just remember my first tip about the shoes!

6. Discover Riga's incredible Art Nouveau architecture

Now, this is something that makes Riga rather special.

The city is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, with elaborate buildings featuring beautiful decorative details, sculptures and intricate facades.

Head towards Alberta Street and the surrounding area to see some of the finest examples.

Even if architecture isn't normally your thing, I think you'll be impressed.

Some of the buildings really are works of art.

It's definitely worth taking a little time to explore this part of the city.

7. Rooftop bars in Riga – an absolute must! 🥂🍸

Now, if there's one thing I love when visiting a city, it's finding somewhere with a fabulous view, preferably with a glass of fizz in hand!

During my visit to Riga, I enjoyed two lovely rooftop spots, and I'd definitely recommend adding at least one to your itinerary.

Hotel Gutenbergs – rooftop terrace

I stayed at Hotel Gutenbergs in the heart of Riga's beautiful Old Town, and one of its finest features is its rooftop terrace.

What a wonderful spot to sit, relax and admire the rooftops and historic buildings surrounding you.

After spending hours exploring Riga's cobbled streets (and believe me, your feet will know about it!), it's a lovely place to unwind.

And having a rooftop terrace at Puxo Hotel is a real bonus.

Skyline Bar – Radisson Blu Latvija, 26th floor

Now, this one really is something special

Head up to the Skyline Bar on the 26th floor of the Radisson Blu Latvija hotel and prepare to be impressed.

The panoramic views across Riga are absolutely incredible!

It's a completely different perspective of the city, and a fabulous place to enjoy a cocktail while admiring the skyline.

You really get to appreciate the scale and beauty of Riga from up there.

My top tip: Even if you're not staying at either hotel, it's worth checking whether you can visit their rooftop venues.

I'd recommend going towards sunset if you can, and checking opening times and reservations beforehand.

Two very different rooftop experiences, but both wonderful ways to appreciate just how beautiful Riga really is.

And after tackling all those cobbles, I think a cocktail is thoroughly deserved! 😂🥂

8. Where I stayed – Hotel Gutenbergs 🏨

During my visit, I stayed at Hotel Gutenbergs, situated in Riga's historic Old Town.

Location is always something I consider carefully when choosing a hotel for a city break.

Being based in the Old Town puts you close to so many of Riga's beautiful historic buildings, squares, restaurants and attractions.

And, of course, having that rooftop terrace was a lovely bonus!

One of the advantages of visiting destinations and staying in hotels myself is that I can share first-hand experiences with my clients.

It's one thing reading about a hotel online, but quite another actually staying there and experiencing the location and surroundings for yourself.

That's something I always feel adds real value when helping clients choose the right holiday.

9. See Riga from above at St Peter's Church

For another completely different perspective, consider visiting St Peter's Church.

Its tower offers wonderful panoramic views across Riga's rooftops, the Old Town and the River Daugava.

It's a lovely way to appreciate just how beautiful the city is.

If you enjoy photography, this is definitely somewhere to consider adding to your sightseeing list.

10. Take time to enjoy the cafés and restaurants ☕

One of the joys of a city break is not having to rush from one attraction to another.

Riga has plenty of inviting cafés, restaurants and bars, so make sure you build in time to sit down, enjoy a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

I'd also encourage you to try some traditional Latvian food while you're there.

Look out for rye bread, hearty soups, potato dishes and local pastries.

And if you fancy trying something particularly Latvian, there's Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal liqueur.

Whether you're enjoying a coffee in a pretty Old Town square or a cocktail overlooking the city, take time to enjoy the experience.

Sometimes those quieter moments are just as memorable as the sightseeing.

11. Don't miss the Freedom Monument

Another landmark worth seeing is the Freedom Monument.

It's an important symbol of Latvia's independence and a beautiful reminder of the country's history.

The surrounding area is lovely for a stroll, especially around the nearby parks and canal.

It's also a nice contrast to the busy streets and squares of the Old Town.

12. My final tip – don't underestimate how much walking you'll do!

Although Riga is relatively compact and easy to navigate, you can easily clock up an impressive number of steps without realising it.

There's always another pretty street to explore, another building to admire or another little café tempting you in.

So pace yourself, take plenty of breaks and remember those comfortable shoes!

Did I mention the cobbles? 😂

So, would I recommend Riga?

Absolutely, without hesitation!

It's a beautiful city with so much character, fascinating history and wonderful architecture.

It's also a destination where you can enjoy a really lovely city break without necessarily spending a fortune.

From the fascinating Central Market and gorgeous Old Town to the incredible views from the rooftop bars, there's so much to enjoy.

For me, Riga is perfect for a long weekend, whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends or simply looking to discover somewhere a little different.

And that's one of the reasons I love travelling myself.

I get to experience these destinations first-hand and share the little hints and tips that can make such a difference to your holiday.

Because sometimes it's those small things, like knowing which transport to use, where to enjoy a fabulous view or which shoes to pack, that really make all the difference!

Fancy discovering Riga for yourself?

If Riga has inspired you, I'd love to help you plan your own Baltic adventure.

Whether it's a romantic weekend away, a break with friends or a few days exploring somewhere new, I can help put together a city break that's just right for you.

The best travel advice comes from someone who's actually been there.