Latvia travel guide

Overview

Most first trips spend three days in Riga: the Old Town and its churches, the Art Nouveau streets and the Central Market, then the open-air museum and the wooden quarters of Pārdaugava. Jūrmala's Majori beach is only about 30 min from the center, and trains from Riga Central Station reach Sigulda, with Turaida Castle and Gutmanis Cave, and Cēsis, with its medieval castle. Rundāle Palace is a separate out-of-town trip from Riga.

Hours are longest from May to September: Turaida opens until 8 PM, Rundāle's garden stays open later and Cēsis Castle's Southern Tower exhibition runs. Winter days are short and cold, and several castles and museums close at 5 PM. Many Riga museums close on Mondays.

When to go

BestGo with a plan

janColdfebColdmarColdaprMildmayMildjunBestjulBusyaugBusysepBestoctMildnovColddecCold

From 1 May to 30 September Turaida Museum Reserve opens 9 AM to 8 PM, and the Southern Tower exhibition at Cēsis Castle runs from May to September.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Riga]

Riga in 3 daysRiga Cathedral, House of the Blackheads, St. Peter's tower, Alberta iela, Central Market, Occupation Museum, Kalnciema Quarter, Open-Air MuseumBalanced pace

[Photo: Latvia]

Latvia in 6 daysRiga Old Town, Art Nouveau streets, Central Market, Majori beach, Jomas street, Sigulda castles, Turaida, Gutmanis Cave, Open-Air MuseumBalanced pace

Where to stay

JūrmalaMajori for Jomas street, the beach and restaurants; Dzintari for the forest park and concert hall; Lielupe for the open-air museum and the Ragakāpa dune.Best areas to stay in Jūrmala Hotels in Jūrmala

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RigaThe Old Town for first-timers on foot; the Quiet Centre around Alberta iela for Art Nouveau streets; Pārdaugava across the river for wooden houses and Āgenskalns Market.Best areas to stay in Riga Hotels in Riga

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SiguldaSigulda town near the castle quarter and market; the Turaida and Gūtmaņala area for the museum reserve and the cave; Cēsis Old Town for a medieval base and a quieter evening.Best areas to stay in Sigulda Hotels in Sigulda

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Getting around

Riga Airport: Bus 22 runs between the airport and the Old Town in about 30 to 40 min, and the N22 night bus runs hourly after it stops.
In Riga: Buses, trams and trolleybuses run from about 5 AM until shortly before midnight; buy tickets at Narvesen outlets, stop machines or in the Mobilly app.
Trains: Trains from Riga Central Station reach Sigulda and Cēsis, and the Riga unified ticket covers one train trip to Sigulda plus a 90-minute city ticket.
To the coast: Majori beach in Jūrmala is only about 30 min from Riga's city center.
Intercity buses: Regular intercity buses leave from Riga International Bus Station, with timetables on autoosta.lv.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Latvia's Foreign Ministry says visitors should hold health insurance that covers care and repatriation.

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Phone dataMobile data keeps train and bus tickets in apps such as Mobilly, castle hours and card payments at hand between Riga, Jūrmala, Sigulda and Cēsis.How a travel eSIM works

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