Headed to Riga, Latvia? Welcome to your guide, weary traveler! You’re going to love it. This city totally surprised me – in the best way. It’s full of medieval buildings, gorgeous parks, unique architecture, and cozy little corners to explore. I spent two days here on a budget and barely spent anything, and I still felt like I saw so much. Whether you’re strolling through Old Town, grabbing a snack at the Central Market, or just wandering with no real plan (my favorite way to travel!), this guide has all my favorite spots and tips for making the most of your time in Riga – especially if you’re traveling solo or looking to keep things affordable.
How To Get From Riga Airport To City Center
When you walk out of the airport doors, you can hop right on Bus 22 which costs less than 2 euro! You can buy a ticket at the bus stop right in front of the bus. It’ll take you right near the Old Town.
Where To Stay In Riga – Ideal For Solo Female Travelers
The best thing about my visit to Riga was my hostel! It’s right in the middle of the city center and the Old Town, which made it a perfect base to explore from. I could walk around the city and be back to my hostel before dark which, as a solo female traveler, is a huge win. It’s very reasonably priced, and the staff was the kindest and most helpful that I’ve experienced while traveling! It’s social enough to where I could eat breakfast with a group in the kitchen, but I could also sit and read and be left alone when needed. The security is top tier, with each guest getting a key to the building, to their room, and their own individual locker. I also stayed in an all women dorm, which made me love it even more! I 100% recommend this hostel! You can book below!
Heading to the Baltics?
Tallinn, Estonia is just one country away! It’s one of my favorite places I’ve been! Check out my Tallinn travel guide!
Best Things To Do In Riga (With Prices!)
The awesome thing about Riga is that you really can just walk around and explore which is (obviously) FREE! I spent barely any money during my two days here! If you’re wanting to go in museums or some churches, you will have to pay a bit. I honestly didn’t pay to go in anywhere, choosing to use this time to budget a bit more.
WANDER AND EXPLORE!
Riga is so fascinating, with interesting architecture and designs, as well as gardens, trees, and green areas! You can find something neat on every corner, so I honestly just recommend wandering the Old Town and the surrounding areas and gardens, including by the canal, with no agenda! You can then go back and see the below things if you missed any of it.
Riga Central Market
This is definitely a hot take, but this was my favorite thing I saw in Riga. This is one of Europe’s largest markets, taking up several huge buildings and trailing around the outside. Before coming to Riga, I hadn’t come very far east, so I wasn’t expecting the type of food and drinks they had stocked up at each stand. I was so fascinated by the insane desserts, black breads, raw fish and octopus, and so many more things I had never seen before! It was an utterly new experience for me, and I loved every second of it! I really recommend coming here for lunch or a midday snack.
House of the Blackheads
This is a museum and cultural center that has a STUNNING exterior. You can pay to enter the museum (7 euro tickets with some discounts for students and seniors available). There’s also a gift shop if you’re looking for some neat Riga souvenirs!
They sell one of the iconic drinks of Latvia called Balsam in the gift shop for super cheap. I had wanted to taste it since I had heard so much about it, so they also had samples if you’re feeling curious!
Rīgas Doms (Dome Cathedral)
This is a stunning cathedral and one that is very recognizable from pictures and postcards from the area! It’s one of the oldest religious buildings and the biggest medieval church in Latvia and the whole Baltic area! The admission fee is 5 euros (with discounts for younger children). One cool thing about this cathedral is that there are different events, tours, and concerts. Click HERE for more information on events and hours.
The square next to the cathedral is also a fun place to explore. There’s a really interesting seating / hang out structure in the square (below) if you need a place to rest and chill for a bit.
Riga’s Nativity of Christ Cathedral
This was probably the most jaw-dropping building I’ve seen in the Baltics! It is a massive cathedral that you can enter for free. The area around it is lovely also, with green spaces and gardens. It should be at the top of your Riga itinerary!
You can’t take pictures inside the building, which is a bummer, because it’s incredible.
Opera Square
This is a lovely garden right past the Old Town and near the freedom monument. You can see the Opera Building, a beautiful foundation, the canal, and gardens! There’s a restaurant and spots to sit and eat all in this area.
St. Peter’s Church
This is one of the most iconic spots in Riga. It’s the tallest church in the city and holds a ton of history. It costs 3 euro to enter,
One of the appeals of visiting this church is that you can climb the church tower to get a panoramic view of the city! It’s more expensive (9 euro), so I opted out of that for budgeting purposes, but it’s a very popular tourist spot.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
This is a simple but beautiful church near the Old Town of Riga. It’s FREE to enter!
Art Academy of Latvia
I stumbled upon this while exploring the streets, and it is SUCH a gorgeous building! It’s not open for visitors, but I really enjoyed just walking around the outside of the building to admire it.
Riga Synagogue
This synagogue is small but beautiful. The blue interior is really spectacular. It’s just one room, and you have to pay 3 euro to enter.
Three Brothers
The Three Brothers is a series of three buildings side by side that make up the oldest medieval dwelling houses in Riga. The oldest was built in the 1400s! It’s worth stopping by and snapping a photo!
Large Guild
This building has an incredible interior and is a popular spot to visit, but it was under construction when I visited (August 2025) so I didn’t get to see the inside! It’s worth checking out if you visit, just research to see if it’s open to visitors.
National Library of Latvia (Latvijas Nacionala Biblioteka)
If you’re a big fan of libraries, this is your spot! You can walk or take a tram across the river to visit the library, which is an incredible piece of architecture. It’s also free to enter!
Freedom Monument
This is not only an awesome thing to see, but its right in the middle of such a beautiful area! It’s right by the canal and surrounded by beautiful gardens on both sides! It’s worth going to see the monument and then wandering through the area.
Where To Eat and Drink In Riga (from a local)
You’ve got tons of options for food while in Riga depending on your budget and your intentions.
- If you need something quick and super cheap… try the small grocery near the city center called Narvesen.
- If you’re wanting traditional Latvian food on a budget… try Lido! There are a few in the area, and you can get a full meal for a reasonable price as well as getting to try local food and drink.
- If you’re looking for live music and dancing… try Folkklubs Alas Pagrabs! This is a restaurant / bar down in a basement with different music, dancing, events, etc.
- If you’re looking for another local favorite spot… try Labietis, a pub / restaurant!
- If you’re looking for a night of dancing… go to Cuba Cafe! There’s salsa dancing on Tuesdays, live music on Thursdays, and live DJ’s every night! There are tons of great cocktails as well.
Thanks For Reading!
Thank you so much for continuing to read and support this blog! You guys are the GREATEST! Travel blogging is my passion and my dream, and I hope that this post helps you get a deeper sense of adventure, culture, and all the good things waiting in Riga for you! Hopefully this was a helpful list of things to do in Riga, Latvia on a budget!
If you go to Riga, let me know! Drop a comment about things you loved or recommend!
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