Only have a weekend in Riga? Make it count and pamper yourself.
With its lively markets, budding restaurant scene, vibrant art world, beautiful architecture, and abundant nature, the Latvian capital has all the right ingredients for a few days of indulging in good food, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences.
Riga is a compact city with many attractions close to each other.
Walking is the best way to get around for those willing and able, but the bus, tram, and trolleybus network is also a pocket-friendly way to reach further points, including the beach.
Here’s what to get up to on a weekend in Riga.
Here’s an overview:
Here’s What to do on a Weekend in Riga
If you’re visiting this Latvian city for a weekend escape, here’s what to get up to.
Traveling by train? Check out: Traveling Europe by Train
Riga Markets: Nourishing the Body and Uplifting the Soul
For breakfast, brunch or lunch, head to Riga’s fabulous markets with a hungry stomach, heart and mind.
Riga Central Market is among the largest markets in Europe. Its five vast pavilions and sprawling outdoor space house traditional and contemporary vendors selling food, home and garden goods, and clothing, making it a universal shopping destination. The recently revamped Āgenskalns Market is a community meeting point, as well as a place to shop. Both markets have food courts, pastry stalls, and coffee stands.
A little different in spirit, Kalnciema Quarter Market is a farmers’ and crafts market held every Saturday in the courtyard of a cluster of Riga’s famed wooden buildings.
If you’re lucky and your weekend in Riga coincides with events like Midsummer or the harvest festival in September, you might experience the pop-up fairs in Dome Square, where artisans from across Latvia sell their wares. Expect to find linen clothing, wooden utensils, pottery, amber jewellery, hemp products, and honey – all great souvenirs.
Explore Riga’s Evolving Art Landscape
Along with the impressive permanent collection and exhibition programme at the must-see Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga is home to a blossoming contemporary art scene with many independent art galleries showcasing local artists.
See what’s on at Kim and Zuzeum, located in former factory buildings hinting how the city has transformed.
Nature Awaits: Explore the Parks, Forests, and Beaches of Riga
Although I’d always advise extending a weekend in Riga with at least a few days out in the wilderness or countryside, the city offers a taste of Latvia’s nature. Mežaparks is a lakeside forest park with marked trails, a disc golf course, and a rope course in the trees. In the summer season, you can also rent bikes, skates, scooters, boats and paddle boards.
If beaches are your thing, Vecāķi beach is easy to get to by train from Riga Central Station, and Daugavgrīva beach by bus number 3 from the city centre. Both have lifeguard stations in summer, so you can enjoy a swim. Alternatively, in the colder months of the year they provide the perfect setting to clear your head on a long walk.
Wonderfully Rejuvenating Wellness Escapes in Riga
Riga has some excellent day spas, like ESPA and Taka, where an appointment for a massage or treatment gets you access to the pool and sauna area too. ESPA benefits from a secluded outdoor pool, which is open year-round!
But, for something a little more local and memorable, book yourself a session in the pirts – that’s a relative of the Finnish sauna. Riga Pirts has a beautiful location on an island in the river Daugava. Ask them or your accommodation provider about a pirts ritual where a trained professional will guide you on a restorative and, potentially, spiritual journey with elements of massage.
From Trendy Pâtisseries to Authentic Eats, Riga Indulges Foodies
In recent years, Riga has been experiencing a pâtisserie and specialty coffee shop boom. Kūkotava, Mīkla, Kalve, and Rocket Bean Roastery are names to look out for when seeking an afternoon pick-me-up. Alternatively, for a cheap and cheerful coffee and sweet or savoury bun, you’ll find several Mārtiņa beķereja, and Sala bakery outposts throughout town.
For heartier meals, you’ll find many restaurants in the so-called “Quiet Centre” area of Riga, within walking distance of the old town and towards the Daugava river. For example, Casa nostra is a cosy Italian trattoria, while Snatch is a trendy Italian restaurant. Most restaurants in this area should be booked in advance.
Make sure to try Latvian food during your stay too. For something on the traditional side, like grey peas with lard, or rye bread pudding, head to Ala folk club in the old town. For contemporary Latvian cuisine, which tends to be lighter, treat yourself to a special meal at 3 Chef’s Restaurant, Ferma, or Garage wine bar. They will highlight the ingredients of the season, like birch sap and rhubarb in spring, berries in summer, and wild mushrooms in early autumn.
Riga also has its fair share of restaurants serving Georgian, Armenian, and Uzbek cuisine, which you don’t find in every European city. Although usually quite heavy on the grilled meat, most have some vegetarian dishes like aubergine rolls stuffed with walnuts, and khachapuri – a cheese-filled bread. Hačapuri meitene is a Georgian-run restaurant in the city centre, and Hačapuri bistro is a stall in the old town’s Burzma food court.
After Dark in Riga: Discover the Local Drinks Scene
You’ll find plenty of bars in the old town and city centre. Instead of sticking with your usual drink, I recommend trying Latvian cider. The last few years have seen many new makers emerge, and the quality is top-notch, making the most of our crisp and refreshing northern apples. Sidrērija in the old town is a dedicated cider bar, but you can also ask for brands like Abavas, Tālavas, and Mūrbūdu at other pubs.
If you’re enjoying a winter weekend in Riga, hot blackcurrant juice with a dash of the herbal Riga Black Balsam is a must. This legendary beverage, developed by an 18th-century pharmacist, is best enjoyed slowly rather than downed quickly like a shot. For non-drinkers, a nice alternative is a warming sea buckthorn or quince drink.
Riga has also developed a vibrant cocktail scene. Head to Gimlet Nordic, or Nosaints hidden bar to try the barmens’ latest concoctions infused with seasonal flavors like redcurrant, blueberries, or dandelion.
Extend Your Weekend in Riga
While a weekend in Riga is enough time to get a sense of the city, I’d recommend extending your stay to take at least one day trip outside the capital to immerse yourself in nature somewhere like the Gauja National Park or soak up the small-town charm in historical towns like Cēsis, Līgatne, and Kuldīga.
Have a wonderful time!
