Riga in 7 days

Art Nouveau elegance, a medieval old town, and the coolest Baltic capital for craft beer and creative energy. Best time to visit: May-September (long days, mild). Average daily budget: $50 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Old Town (Vecrīga), The UNESCO core: cobblestones, guild houses, the cathedral, and the liveliest bars.

Morning: Art Nouveau walk on Alberta iela. The most ornate façades in Europe, best viewed in the soft morning light.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town (Vecrīga), The UNESCO core: cobblestones, guild houses, the cathedral, and the liveliest bars.

Evening: Craft beer crawl in Miera iela. Local microbreweries and cosy bars in the city's most creative quarter.

Eat: Grey peas with bacon (Latvian national dish)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Art Nouveau District, Alberta iela and surrounds: the most concentrated Art Nouveau streetscape on earth.

Morning: Riga Central Market. Five Zeppelin hangars of smoked fish, rye bread, local cheese, and handmade crafts.

Afternoon: Explore Art Nouveau District, Alberta iela and surrounds: the most concentrated Art Nouveau streetscape on earth.

Evening: View from St Peter's Church. The 360-degree panorama from the tower shows the red roofs, river, and parks.

Eat: Smoked fish and rye bread from the central market

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Central Market, Five massive Zeppelin hangars turned into Europe's biggest market: food, crafts, and local life.

Morning: The Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum for powerful, intimate history.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Central Market, Five massive Zeppelin hangars turned into Europe's biggest market: food, crafts, and local life.

Evening: A sauna ritual (pirts) in a traditional wooden bathhouse on the city outskirts.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Beef stroganoff and pelmeni at a traditional cellar

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Miera iela, The 'Peace Street' creative quarter: coffee roasters, vintage shops, and a laid-back vibe.

Morning: The Riga Bourse Art Museum, a beautiful building with surprising collections.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Miera iela, The 'Peace Street' creative quarter: coffee roasters, vintage shops, and a laid-back vibe.

Evening: Local rye bread and hemp butter at a quiet bakery off the tourist paths.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Craft beer from a local Riga microbrewery

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Andrejsala, The old port area, now a hipster enclave of street art, clubs, and waterfront views.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Andrejsala, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Andrejsala, The old port area, now a hipster enclave of street art, clubs, and waterfront views.

Evening: Dinner at Grey peas with bacon (Latvian national dish), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Andrejsala.

Eat: Grey peas with bacon (Latvian national dish)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Old Town (Vecrīga), The UNESCO core: cobblestones, guild houses, the cathedral, and the liveliest bars.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Old Town (Vecrīga), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town (Vecrīga), The UNESCO core: cobblestones, guild houses, the cathedral, and the liveliest bars.

Evening: Dinner at Smoked fish and rye bread from the central market, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Old Town (Vecrīga).

Eat: Smoked fish and rye bread from the central market

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Art Nouveau District, Alberta iela and surrounds: the most concentrated Art Nouveau streetscape on earth.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Art Nouveau District, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Art Nouveau District, Alberta iela and surrounds: the most concentrated Art Nouveau streetscape on earth.

Evening: Dinner at Beef stroganoff and pelmeni at a traditional cellar, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Art Nouveau District.

Eat: Beef stroganoff and pelmeni at a traditional cellar

Hidden gems

The Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum for powerful, intimate history.
A sauna ritual (pirts) in a traditional wooden bathhouse on the city outskirts.
The Riga Bourse Art Museum, a beautiful building with surprising collections.
Local rye bread and hemp butter at a quiet bakery off the tourist paths.

Getting around

Riga is wonderfully compact: the old town, Art Nouveau district, and central market are all within walking distance. Trams and buses are cheap and efficient for longer hops; buy a Rīgas karte or use the Mobilly app. Taxis and Bolt are inexpensive. The airport is 20 minutes by bus or taxi.

Safety

Riga is very safe, even at night in the old town and centre. Standard precautions apply: watch bags in the crowded central market and on trams. Avoid unlicensed taxis. Winter is cold and dark; summer days are long and mild, the best time to visit.

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