Riga, Latvia’s energetic capital on the Daugava River, wears its history in layers: medieval guild halls, wooden mansions, and some of Europe’s finest Art Nouveau façades. Founded in 1201 and shaped by the Hanseatic League, the city became a modernist muse in the early 1900s—today you can stroll from Gothic spires to jugendstil doorways in minutes.

Food and drink are a delightfully local affair: smoky rye bread, savory grey peas with bacon, Baltic herring, birch sap in spring, and the city’s signature herbal liqueur, Riga Black Balsam. The Central Market—set in former Zeppelin hangars—is your gateway to seasonal berries, smoked fish, farmhouse cheeses, and modern street bites.

Practical notes: Riga is compact and walkable with trams and e-scooters for longer hops. Cards are widely accepted; tipping 5–10% is appreciated for table service. Winters bring deep coziness (and Christmas markets), summers linger with late sunsets, and shoulder seasons are ideal for culture and lighter crowds.

Riga

Old Town (Vecrīga) brims with postcard icons—the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter’s Church tower views, and the Three Brothers. Cross into the “quiet center” to admire Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela, where fantastical Art Nouveau ornament crowns every building.

• Top sights: House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church tower, Three Brothers, Freedom Monument, Art Nouveau Museum, Latvian National Museum of Art.
• Local flavors: Rye bread, sprats, smoked eel, sauerkraut soups, seasonal mushrooms and berries, birch sap dishes in spring, and Black Balsam cocktails.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Old Town for history; the Quiet Centre for architecture; Miera iela for roasteries and craft beer; Spīķeri for creative spaces by the river.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga (5-star elegance opposite the Opera; spa and refined rooms): Check availability
• Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel (central hub with the Skyline Bar’s sweeping views): Check availability
• Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel (Old Town location with a large spa complex): Check availability
• Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel (wallet-friendly in a quiet corner of Old Town): Check availability
• Browse more stays: VRBO Riga | Hotels.com Riga

Getting to Riga (RIX) and around:

• Flights (within Europe): Many direct routes (1–3 hours from hubs like Stockholm, Berlin, London). Search and compare on Omio (flights); typical one-way deals range €40–€150 if booked early.
• Flights (from outside Europe): Connect via major hubs; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Buses in the Baltics: Frequent coaches link Vilnius and Tallinn with Riga (4–5 hours, ~€15–€25). Check schedules on Omio (buses).
• Airport to city: 20–30 minutes by taxi; 25–35 minutes by bus 22. Most hotels sit within a compact, walkable center.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Orientation, and River Views

Morning: Fly into RIX and make your way to the hotel. If you arrive early, grab an espresso and vegan pancakes at MiiT Coffee (Skolas iela)—a local favorite roastery with a laid-back vibe and great plant-forward bakes.

Afternoon: Ease into Riga with a scenic hour on the water: Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat with Audioguide (seasonal; typically spring–autumn). You’ll glide past Kronvalda Park, under storybook bridges, and out to the Daugava for Old Town skyline views.

Afterward, wander Vecrīga’s cobbles: the House of the Blackheads’ ornate façade, Town Hall Square, and the Three Brothers (Riga’s oldest homes). If time allows, ride the elevator up St. Peter’s Church tower for a city panorama (budget ~€9; last entry often late afternoon).

Evening: Dinner at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs, a vaulted beer cellar with live folk music, dozens of Latvian brews, and robust plates like pork knuckle, potato pancakes, and grey peas. For dessert and a nightcap, visit Black Magic—part chocolate apothecary, part cocktail bar—where bartenders mix Riga Black Balsam into decadent drinks. If you prefer views, sip a Baltic gin and tonic at the Skyline Bar in the Radisson Blu Latvija.

Day 2: Old Town Deep Dive, Art Nouveau Gems, and a Market Feast

Morning: Fuel up with a bagel and flat white at Big Bad Bagels (Dzirnavu iela), then join the Riga Old Town walking tour (usually 10:30 daily). Expect lively storytelling about medieval traders, Swedish wars, and Soviet shadows—all while threading past the Cathedral, the Swedish Gate, and the Freedom Monument.

Post-tour, stroll to the “quiet center” (15–20 minutes) for Riga’s Art Nouveau showpieces on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. If you love interiors, the Art Nouveau Museum preserves a 1903 apartment—intricate tiles, curving stairwells, and all the fin-de-siècle glamour.

Afternoon: Head to Europe’s largest market complex for the Latvian food tasting tour at Riga Central Market. Inside the vast Zeppelin hangars, sample smoked sprats, farmhouse cheeses, pickled veggies, rye bread, and seasonal sweets while learning market lore and modern food trends.

With your appetite satisfied, cross the river to the National Library for striking architecture and skyline photos, or linger in the Spīķeri creative quarter’s riverside promenade. Coffee break idea: Rocket Bean Roastery (Miera iela) for single-origin pours and excellent pastries.

Evening: Dine at Neiburgs Restaurant (Old Town) for refined takes on Latvian staples—think beetroot variations, Baltic fish, and warm buckwheat dishes—or book Entresol to try their playful “knapas” (Latvian-style small plates). For cocktails with a greenhouse vibe, the Herbārijs rooftop bar in Galleria Riga pours Nordic-inspired infusions; alternately, Gimlet Nordic Cocktail Bar does precise classics with Baltic twists.

Day 3: Neighborhoods by Bike, Creative Riga, and Departure

Morning: See beyond Old Town on a guided Bike Tour in Riga with Professional Guide. You’ll pedal the riverfront, the Moscow district’s wooden houses, and green parks—great context for Riga’s layered history and everyday life. It’s relaxed, photogenic, and ideal before an afternoon departure.

Not into biking? Swap for the Art Nouveau Museum interior visit or a quick tram to the Kalnciems Quarter to admire restored wooden architecture and, on weekends, browse the artisan market.

Afternoon: Grab an early lunch before heading to the airport. Good options include LIDO Vērmanītis (fast, homestyle Latvian classics—soups, schnitzels, salads priced by weight) or MUUSU in Old Town for a polished, modern Latvian plate if you have more time. Allow 45–60 minutes to transit to RIX and clear security.

Evening: If your flight is later, stroll Kronvalda Park or pick up edible souvenirs at the Central Market—smoked cheese, rye bread, or artisan honey make easy, delicious gifts.

Optional add-ons (if you extend your stay): Day trip east to Gauja National Park for Sigulda and Turaida castles, or west to seaside Jūrmala (30 minutes by train) for pine forests, wooden villas, and a breezy beach promenade.

Cafés, bakeries, and bars to bookmark:

• Coffee: MiiT Coffee (roastery, vegan bakes), Rocket Bean Roastery (single-origin stars), Parunāsim Café (cozy Old Town hideaway).
• Casual eats: LIDO Vērmanītis (quick Latvian fare), Street Burgers (good for a fast bite), Mr. Biskvīts (Sigulda—handy if you day-trip).
• Dinner picks: Neiburgs (elegant modern Latvian), Entresol (inventive knapas), MUUSU (seasonal Baltic produce).
• Drinks: Skyline Bar (city views), Herbārijs (botanical rooftop), Black Magic (Balsam cocktails and chocolates), Labietis (craft beer temple on Miera iela).

Booking resources (one click): Flights in Europe on Omio; coaches between Baltic capitals on Omio (buses); long-haul flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Seasonal note: Canal boats and some river cruises run mainly April–October; in winter, trade water views for museum time and cozy taverns. If you visit in late June, the Līgo/Jāņi midsummer festivities spill through parks with wreaths, bonfires, and song.

In three days, you’ll experience Riga’s greatest hits—storied Old Town, exuberant Art Nouveau streets, market flavors, and riverside viewpoints—while dipping into creative neighborhoods that locals love. Compact yet cultured, the city rewards curiosity and unhurried wandering. Na zdraví—cheers—to your Baltic city break.