The capital of Latvia, Riga, is such an underrated gem. The city is breathtaking with a mix of medieval buildings, art nouveau architecture, and beautiful parks. I’ve visited Riga twice now and both times I left feeling very impressed and wondering why more people aren’t eager to visit Riga. This 2 day guide to Riga focuses on local sights, local food and restaurants, while also taking it easy and enjoying the slow pace of the city. This is the perfect guide to 2 days in Riga.
If you’re traveling to Latvia, don’t miss…
- The Ultimate Latvia Travel Guide – What to See, Eat, & Know Before You Go
- Latvia Packing List – What to Pack for Every Season
Day 1 in Riga
HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 1 IN RIGA: Old Town + Central Market + Museums
Spending the Morning in Riga
Start your morning in Riga exploring Riga’s medieval old town. Head to KALVE Coffee Riga Old Town for a coffee and pastry before heading out to explore.
First, stop at St Peters Church where you can go to the top of the tower for sweeping views over Riga. Once you’ve seen the city from above, stop at House of the Black Heads to learn about Riga’s important trade history and why the city was so powerful in the 14th century.
GET YOUR TICKET TO HOUSE OF THE BLACK HEADS HERE!
Spending the Afternoon in Riga
After you finish wander old town, head outside of old town toward the Daugava River to visit the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum. Entrance to the museum is free and it’s a great way to pay tribute and remember the victims who died in the holocaust.
Near the holocaust museum you’ll see Riga’s Central Market – a food market that was built from 1924-1930 and gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1998. Here you can eat lunch or join a market tour and learn more about the traditions of Latvian cuisine.
If you don’t want to eat at the market, I suggest heading back to old town to eat at Milda which serves incredible Latvian and Lithuanian cuisine.
IF YOU WANT TO JOIN A CENTRAL MARKET TOUR, YOU CAN BOOK HERE ON VIATOR OR HERE ON GET YOUR GUIDE
Spending the Evening in Riga
For your first evening in Riga, head to Riga Black Magic to try Latvia’s national drink – black balsam. They also have a chocolatier in house and I would say that their chocolate truffles are definitely worth the splurge!
For dinner, head to Barents Cocktail and Seafood Bar. This was my favorite restaurant in Riga so I would highly recommend it!
Day 2 in Riga
HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 2 IN RIGA: Day trip to Rundale Palace Museum
Spending the Morning & Afternoon in Riga
Rundāle Palace is one of the two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland in what is now Latvia. The palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768 and is only about an hour and 15 minute drive south of Riga. The palace is beautiful and when you visit Riga, I would highly recommend a day trip to Rundāle so that you can learn more about the history of Latvia.
To get to Rundāle Palace, you can rent a car and drive yourself – or you can join a tour. Here are some tours that I recommend…
- Hill of Crosses, Rundāle Palace, & Bauska Castle – Full day tour in Latvia & Lithuania
- Half-Day Private Tour of Rundāle Palace & Garden
If you want to rent a car in Riga, don’t miss…
Spending the Evening in Riga
On your last night in Riga, head outside of old town to Riga’s central district. I suggest cocktails at Gimlet Nordic Cocktail Bar – a cocktail bar that only uses products that are grown domestically in the Black Sea region. And for dinner, I recommend seafood restaurant COD.
Where to Stay in Riga
When you visit Riga, I suggest staying in Riga’s old town or Riga’s central district. These are the hotels I recommend…
- AC Hotel Riga
- Hilton Garden Inn Old Town Riga
- Konventa Seta Hotel Keystone Collection
- Relais Le Chevalier
For more hotel recommendations and different neighborhoods in Riga, don’t miss…
Getting Around Riga
Riga is an easily walkable city. There are cobblestone streets so I would recommend making sure that you have comfortable walking shoes. For longer distances, I recommend downloading the Bolt app to get around.
If you’re flying into Riga and looking for the best way to get to the city, I recommend public transportation or using Bolt. I got a taxi from the airport and it was a bit of a rip-off. A Bolt should only cost about 10-12 Euros while a taxi costs about 50 Euros. To get a Bolt, you’ll exit the airport, pass the taxi’s, cross the street, and you’ll see a “Bolt” sign on the right side of the parking lot. It’s really simple and easy to see. For an even cheaper option, you can take bus 22 to the city which is located between exits E and C. You can get a bus ticket (about 1.80 Euro) once you exit the airport.
Lastly, if you would feel best having an English speaking driver waiting for you upon arrival, you can book a driver using Welcome Pickups.
Practical Tips for Visiting Riga
Here are some simple, practical tips to keep in mind when you visit Riga.
- Tipping is not required but appreciated; if you want to tip, 5%-10% is normal
- Currency: Euro – most places take card but I recommend having a bit of cash on hand just in case
- Language: Latvian, but most people speak English – especially in tourism
- Tap water is safe for drinking
- Weather can change quickly so keep a light jacket or umbrella on hand
- I recommend travel insurance when traveling abroad (read why here and here)
Latvia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Latvia
TRAVELING THROUGH LATVIA
- The easiest way to book train tickets in Latvia is through Omio
- To book a flight to Latvia, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going for cheap flight alerts)
- For car rentals in Latvia, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Latvia – I use and recommend SafetyWing (read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN LATVIA
- To easiest way to book hotels in Latvia is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN LATVIA
- For tours and activities in Latvia, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO LATVIA
- Don’t forget a Latvia guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Latvia uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
- I love traveling with ARMRA Colostrum travel sticks to support my immune system (use code “KYLEENELSON” for 15% off)
Riga is truly a beautiful and fun city. I hope that you found this 2 day Riga itinerary helpful; and if you plan to visit Latvia and you have any questions, let me know in a comment below!
Don’t miss…
For more information on Latvia, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinlatvia” or under my highlights for “Latvia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Latvia” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
