Why Riga for a weekend
Riga is the capital of Latvia. Its historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its Art Nouveau architecture and 19th-century wooden architecture. Alberta iela, built between 1901 and 1908, has eight houses recognised as monuments of national significance, and Riga has over 800 Art Nouveau buildings.
A weekend plan
Friday evening — Old Town. Start at Līvu Square, one of the liveliest corners of the Old Town, known for its outdoor cafés. Riga Cathedral is the largest church in the Baltic states. For dinner, try grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi), often described as Latvia's national dish. To finish, Riga Black Balsam is a herbal liqueur made since 1752 from 24 botanicals.
Saturday — Market and Art Nouveau. Riga Central Market is housed in five pavilions built by reusing German Zeppelin hangars, and it is included in the UNESCO listing together with Old Riga. Afterwards walk Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela to see Art Nouveau facades. Miera iela is a creative quarter with independent cafés, vintage shops and the historic Laima chocolate factory.
Sunday — Beach or park. Jūrmala has an almost 25 km white sand beach backed by forested dunes and pine forest, about 20 km from Riga. In cooler weather, walk Bastejkalns park, which has a canal, bridges and a waterfall, or visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia in the Old Town.
Highlights at a glance
Getting there and around
Riga Airport is about 10 km from the centre. Bus 22 runs every 15–20 minutes (roughly 06:00 to midnight) and takes about 25–40 minutes. Prices vary a lot between weekends, so scan a whole month on Weekendstop to find the cheapest Friday-to-Sunday.
Best time to go
June to early September is the window most guides recommend, with warm days and nearly 18 hours of daylight. In winter, average highs are around freezing. The Old Town Christmas Market on Doma Square runs over the Christmas season (in 2025, from 30 November to 4 January).
Frequently asked questions
What is Riga known for?
Riga's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its Art Nouveau architecture. Its Central Market is housed in five pavilions built from former German Zeppelin hangars.
When is the best time to visit Riga?
Guides most often recommend June to early September, with warm days and up to about 18 hours of daylight. In winter the Old Town Christmas Market runs on Doma Square, but winters are cold.
How do I get from Riga Airport to the centre?
The centre is about 10 km from the airport. Bus 22 runs every 15–20 minutes and takes roughly 25–40 minutes depending on traffic and your stop; taxis are the alternative.
Can I visit the beach from Riga?
Yes. Jūrmala, a seaside resort, is about 20 km from Riga. Trains take roughly 27–50 minutes depending on the station, and run at least twice an hour.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in September 2026. Travel times, prices and entry rules change, so confirm them before you book.
- LiveRiga — Art Nouveau
- LiveRiga — Līvu Square
- LiveRiga — How to get from Riga Airport to the city centre
- LiveRiga — Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
- LiveRiga — Bastejkalns Park
- Riga Central Market — Wikipedia
- Visit Jūrmala — official tourism site
- Riga city — Doma Square Christmas Market
- Riga Black Balsam — Wikipedia