2 Days in Riga: The Perfect Riga Itinerary

Even although Europe is stuffed with the world’s hottest vacationer locations, there are pockets which, because of historical past and circumstances, have been principally ignored. Riga, the capital of Latvia in the Baltic north, falls into that class. Despite being a gorgeous and historic metropolis, Riga has been gradual to attract discover from worldwide vacationers. Though in the event that they have been to see the perfect issues to do in Riga and learn the way inexpensive a vacation spot it’s, they’d be off packing. If your curiosity is piqued and also you don’t wish to miss a factor, comply with our Riga itinerary and also you’ll be proven greatest expertise Riga in 2 days.

Best Time to Visit Riga

As it’s on the northern Baltic coast, Riga isn’t the sort of vacation spot which is good year-round. When it involves understanding when to go to the Latvian capital, climate actually is the largest issue.

Situated to date north, summer time is the perfect time to go to Riga if you would like excellent climate for being open air. Riga isn’t but a metropolis affected by a busy excessive season like different European capitals, so the crowds aren’t that unhealthy in summer time. If something, June is the busiest time of yr for Riga and by July and August the crowds have already began to ease off.

But, if you wish to go to Riga at different occasions of the yr then that’s actually nonetheless potential. Attractions and lodging are extra inexpensive should you go to throughout shoulder season, however you’ll wish to wait till May for the climate to heat up. For the identical cause, September and early October are additionally good for journey. Come winter although and Riga is chilly and snowy, with town’s Christmas markets being the season’s solely saving grace.

Check flights to Riga from the USA (from $456) and UK (from £26)

How to Get Around Riga

In order to see in every single place we’ve included on this itinerary for visiting Riga, it’s vital you perceive get across the metropolis. Riga actually isn’t an enormous metropolis however there are points of interest on the reverse ends of town which might require an extended stroll to succeed in. Knowing get round in your weekend in Riga is much more vital should you’re staying throughout the river.

Now, when you’re in the previous city of town, it’s completely straightforward to stroll round from one attraction to the following. Most of the favored vacationer areas are literally positioned inside pedestrian areas so getting round on foot is admittedly your solely choice.

But, because you’re not essentially going to be staying in previous city, you might wish to know get there. Plus, if you’re able to transcend the previous city, public transport turns into fairly helpful.

To get across the downtown space, out to the bus station, and throughout the river, there’s a community of trams and buses at your disposal. Both use the identical e-Ticket, with disposable yellow and blue tickets which will be reloaded. A single journey fare with this ticket prices simply 1.15€, whereas a paper ticket purchased from the motive force prices 2€.

Recommendation: Another nice technique to get round Riga and see all of the vital sights is on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. You can purchase a 2-day pass here.

Accommodation in Riga

For your go to right here, you’ve a number of decisions when deciding the place to remain in Riga. Thankfully, town has fairly an uncomplicated structure. Of course, the perfect locations to remain in Riga are those that put you proper in town’s lovely Old Town or simply exterior of it. This approach, the vast majority of Riga’s points of interest are in your doorstep, or only a quick stroll away.

The downtown space northeast of Old Town can be pretty central, and it too has an enormous number of eating places and outlets shut at hand. Choosing to remain throughout the Daugava river, you’ll commerce probably cheaper lodging for the necessity to get a bus or tram again over to town heart.

There’s no higher place to spoil your self throughout your Riga keep than the Grand Poet by Semarah. This 5-star resort overlooks the park at Bastion Hill on the sting of the Old Town and boasts a gorgeous up to date fashion design in its rooms, to not point out a fitness center, spa, and totally geared up wellness heart.

With its number of rooms, suites, and flats, Rixwell Hotel Konventa Seta makes for a versatile mid-range place to remain. Not solely is the placement excellent and the rooms spacious, however you’ll be able to replenish on a giant free buffet breakfast every morning.

Airbnb can be an awesome place to search for trip leases. For suggestions, take a look at our checklist of the best Airbnbs in Riga.

Riga excels at price range lodging with loads of hostels throughout town, however the most effective is Tree House Hostel in town’s Old Town. With a easy, homely really feel this hostel combines properly stored rooms with a optimistic, pleasant ambiance.

For extra lodging choices in Riga check out Booking.com. They repeatedly supply the perfect charges and their customized service is on level.

The Perfect 2-Day Riga Itinerary

In some ways, Riga is an ideal place for a metropolis break as you’ll be able to rapidly dive into what makes this metropolis so memorable. With 48 hours in Riga, this Riga itinerary will take you to every of town’s most fascinating locations, serving to you perceive Riga’s previous and get a really feel for all times in Latvia. Along the best way, we’ll present you the sights of the fantastic Old Town after which see extra fashionable spots in the downtown and residential areas. That approach, you’ll get to expertise the perfect of Riga.

And now that you just’re lined in your journey ought to the worst occur, again to the enjoyable stuff! And by enjoyable stuff, we imply speaking about all the perfect locations to go to in Riga that are lined in our Riga journey itinerary.

Riga Itinerary: Day 1

It’s greatest to move straight to town’s Old Town upon arriving in Riga. This will get you straight to town’s star points of interest and provides you a really feel for the place.

Recommendation: If you wish to be taught a little bit bit extra concerning the historical past of Riga, think about booking this private walking tour. Not solely do the guides communicate nice English, however they’re additionally tremendous educated about Riga and all its lovely sights.

Bastion Hill Park

An effective way to begin your exploration of Riga’ Old Town is by first visiting the Bastion Hill Park which runs alongside its northeastern edge. Once the previous metropolis’s fortifications, Bastion Hill was changed with this romantic park filled with gardens, canals, and ornate bridges.

The park makes an awesome transition area between downtown Riga and the historic heart, whereas additionally being an attraction in its personal proper. Other key landmarks in the park embody the mighty Freedom Monument devoted to those that fought for Latvia’s independence and town’s sightly Opera House.

Riga Old Town

Depending on which approach you enter Riga’s Old Town, it may both be apparent you’re coming into the Old Town or appear to be another a part of Riga. Kaļķu Street is the principle thoroughfare which slices straight by Old Town, but it surely isn’t notably scenic or historic at first look. Smilšu Street then again is much much less refined, particularly with the ivy-covered Powder Tower in view.

Once you give it a minute and truly enter the Old Town although, it’s arduous to disclaim the quaint appeal of the historic metropolis centre. An unruly maze of medieval streets, it’s straightforward sufficient to get circled in this a part of Riga. But that’s half the enjoyable, proper?

Livu Square

Following Kaļķu Street it’s best to quickly arrive at Livu Square. This sq. was created after the destruction brought on by World War II and has grow to be one in all Old Town’s most shiny and cheerful corners. In the middle of the sq. you’ll see flower beds lively and shade, whereas the cafes and eating places across the sides all reside under an enchanting mixture of architectural types. Buildings to not miss on Livu Square embody the Small Guild which appears like a small Gothic citadel and the distinguished Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre on the nook.

St. Peter’s Church

Working your approach by the backstreets of the Old Town, you’ll come to a fixture of Riga’s skyline, St. Peter’s Church. The tallest church in town, this massive Gothic church dates all the best way again to 1209, though little of the unique church is definitely left. The attraction right here for many guests isn’t a lot the principle corridor of the church or the art work inside, however reasonably the climb up the 130 meter excessive tower and the views down on the rooftops of Old Town and the remainder of town.

Bremen Town Musicians

After you’ve visited the church, remember to head across the again of the constructing to see the little market and gardens there. It’s additionally there that you just’ll discover one of the crucial photographed statues in town, the Bremen Town Musicians. This sculpture of animals stacked on high one another will get numerous love from vacationers and is a present from town of Bremen based mostly on a fairytale by the Brothers Grimm.

Dome Square

Another of Riga’s enchanting metropolis squares is the Dome Square which sits out under the spectacular Riga Cathedral. While there, you’ll wish to be being attentive to the gorgeous brickwork of the medieval cathedral and scanning across the sq.’s different sights. While buildings just like the Riga Bourse Art Museum and numerous authorities buildings draw individuals’s consideration with their structure, it’s the gripping road artwork over the Doma Dārzs restaurant that catches most peoples eye.

Three Brothers

Throughout town of Riga there are numerous exceptionally well-preserved buildings, however the Three Brothers are fairly distinctive in that they’re the oldest residential buildings in town. These three adjoined buildings date from between the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries and are dwelling to native craftsmen. Each has its personal vastly completely different design filled with prospers and quirks, just like the inscription over the center brother which reads “Glory to God alone”.

The Swedish Gate

Although Riga was as soon as a walled and fortified city, not an entire lot of town’s defenses are left to at the present time. One of the remnants although is the Swedish Gate, a small gateway by what appears like a row of conventional residences. Along from the gate, you’ll be able to stroll down both aspect of what’s left of the city partitions, both down a slender cobblestone alley or previous the eating places of Torņa Street. While solely a small spot, the gate bears Riga’s textbook medieval appeal.

House of the Blackheads

Finish wandering by Riga’s Old Town with a cease on the Town Hall Square to see the enduring House of the Blackheads. Even although this constructing sits throughout from Riga’s Town Hall, it simply attracts all the eye of sightseers due to the gorgeous design of its entrance facade.

Built for members of a service provider guild referred to as the Blackheads in the 14th Century, it’s one in all Riga’s most picturesque landmarks regardless of having been destroyed in the Second World War. Beyond admiring its lovely facades, you too can tour by the museum displays and recreated grandeur of the Conference Hall.

Riga Itinerary: Day 2

On your second day in Riga, it’s time to seek out all the opposite landmarks which lie exterior town’s Old Town.

Riga Central Market

An effective way to begin the day, and to get a way of what native life is like in Riga, is with a go to out to the Riga Central Market. This huge, bustling indoor and out of doors market focuses on a number of massive Twenties pavilions and the realm round them. Here you’ll see loads of native Latvian items, from meats and fish to a great deal of different domestically grown produce. Outside, it’s arduous to flee the odor of strawberries particularly in early summer time!

Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum

On a stroll alongside Riga’s riverfront you’ll quickly arrive on the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum which particulars town’s historical past of the Holocaust. Set inside an out of doors courtyard, this museum particulars what occurred to the native Jewish inhabitants through the metropolis’s Nazi occupation and the devastating occasions of the Rumbula bloodbath. The displays deal with people’ tales and images from the time.

Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation Deck

Built throughout Latvia’s interval underneath Soviet rule, the towering determine of the Latvian Academy of Sciences is difficult to overlook. Just up the street from the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum, the tower appears similar to the massive Palace of Culture in Warsaw, Poland.

Unless you’ve enterprise on the academy, the easiest way to go to this tower is to take the elevator as much as its remark deck. Much like at St Peter’s Church, you get nice views of Riga, though this time the church tower is seen amongst the skyline.

Riga Nativity of Christ Cathedral

Compared to the extra restrained look of the Lutheran church buildings in the Old Town, the Riga Nativity of Christ Cathedral actually stands out. This Russian Orthodox church in the Esplanade park gleams due to its gilded facade, and is placing inside as properly. While the cathedral has been underneath restoration since 1991, you’ll be able to nonetheless go inside and admire the painted icons which it’s best identified for.

Art Nouveau Buildings

Riga has been going by a restoration section of late, revitalizing lots of its light artwork nouveau buildings into pristine gems. While they are often discovered all by the central downtown space, the perfect place to see them is in a neighborhood of streets centered round Alberta Street. While it’s the most spectacular of the streets, you’ll additionally discover extra artwork nouveau buildings on Elizabetes and Antonijas streets. Really, going out in search of those architectural beauties is an effective way to get out by yourself and uncover all the things else that Riga has to supply.

KGB Museum

Like the remainder of the Baltic States, Latvia turned a part of the USSR through the Second World War. Living underneath Soviet rule meant being underneath the watchful eye of the KGB, the historical past of which you’ll find out about in the KGB Museum. Also referred to as “The Corner House”, this was the headquarters from which the KGB secret police operated and tortured topics. It’s free to go to the museum displays which clarify the historical past of the constructing and the operations of the KGB in Riga, however you’ll want a tour to see the total museum.

Now it’s best to have a significantly better concept of what 2 days in Riga can contain and the way particular of a spot it’s. Have extra time in Riga? Check out our article on the best day trips from Riga.