Riga is a Baltic blend of medieval spires, grand boulevards, and some of Europe’s best Art Nouveau facades. Once a prosperous Hanseatic port, the city still wears its history on cobblestones and gables, while creative quarters and specialty coffee spots give it a fresh, modern beat.

Fun fact: Riga Central Market sits inside former Zeppelin hangars, making it one of Europe’s largest markets. The city also boasts one of the world’s densest concentrations of Art Nouveau buildings—especially along Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela—thanks to a 1900s boom.

Practical notes: The euro is the currency; cards are widely accepted. Riga is walkable, with affordable trams, trolleybuses, and buses. Latvian cuisine leans into rye bread, smoked fish, dill, and forest berries—delicious, hearty, and budget-friendly. Tipping (about 10%) is appreciated but not mandatory.

Riga

Compact and photogenic, Riga rewards curiosity: peek into quiet courtyards in Old Town (Vecrīga), trace the Daugava riverbank at sunset, and step out to leafy neighborhoods where roasteries hum and wooden villas lean into parks. It’s an easy city to love in 48 hours.

• Top sights: Town Hall Square & House of the Blackheads, Three Brothers, Riga Cathedral, Freedom Monument, Bastejkalna Park, Alberta iela (Art Nouveau), Latvian National Museum of Art, and the Academy of Sciences Panorama deck.
• Can’t-miss bites: Riga Central Market (smoked fish, pickles, fresh pastries), Lido canteen classics (pork schnitzel, grey peas with bacon), hearty soups and rye bread at cellar taverns.
• Coffee & craft beer: Rocket Bean Roastery (signature Baltic roasts), MiiT Coffee (espresso and vegan bakes), and Alus Darbnīca Labietis (Latvian craft ales).
• Budget tips: Many churches and parks are free; museum tickets often run €5–€10; public transit rides are low-cost; street food and canteens keep meals under €10.

Getting to Riga (budget options): Compare flights, trains, and buses on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). From Vilnius or Tallinn, expect ~4–5 hours by bus (often €15–€25). Ferries connect the Baltic region—browse Omio (ferries).

Airport to center: Bus 22 gets you from Riga Airport (RIX) to Old Town in ~25–30 minutes; taxis and ride-hailing are abundant. Most sights cluster within a 15–20-minute walk.

Where to stay (budget-first): Look for Old Town or Central District stays to minimize transit. Hostels and simple hotels frequently run €12–€50 per person/night, with midrange doubles from €55–€90. Browse deals on VRBO Riga and Hotels.com Riga.

Day 1: Old Town Icons, Central Market Flavors, and Cozy Cellars

Morning: Travel to Riga. If you arrive early, drop bags at your lodging (or station lockers) and stretch your legs in Esplanāde and Vērmanes Garden. Grab a quick, inexpensive bite en route: a warm pīrāgs (speck-filled pastry) or a rye sandwich from a bakery kiosk near the station.

Afternoon: Make your first stop the gigantic Riga Central Market—wander the fish, meat, dairy, and vegetable hangars. For lunch on a budget, assemble a picnic: smoked sprats, dark rye, pickled cucumbers, and seasonal berries; or sit at a canteen counter for beet soup or potato pancakes with sour cream. Afterward, cross the canal to Old Town: see Town Hall Square and the ornate House of the Blackheads (guild legacy), the Three Brothers (Riga’s oldest medieval dwellings), and the Swedish Gate.

Evening: Sip a pre-dinner espresso at MiiT Coffee (great for vegan cakes) or a tea at the park-side Apsara kiosks if open. For dinner, go traditional at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs—a vaulted cellar with Latvian staples like grey peas with bacon, pork cutlets, and local beers at fair prices; expect live folk music on some nights. Budget alternative: the Lido cafeteria near Vērmanes Garden, where you can point-and-choose hearty mains and salads. Nightcap at Labietis taproom (creative brews such as heather or juniper ales) or a riverside stroll along the Daugava embankment.

Day 2: Art Nouveau, Parks, and One Last Museum

Morning: Start in the Art Nouveau district (Alberta iela & Elizabetes iela). The façades—masks, peacocks, and vines—are free to admire; step into the Riga Art Nouveau Museum if you’d like period interiors and photo ops (plan ~60–90 minutes). Coffee and a pastry at Rocket Bean Roastery on Miera iela pairs perfectly with a stroll through nearby green streets. Prefer a nature fix? Tram out to Mežaparks for lakeside paths and the historic Song Festival grounds.

Afternoon (departure window): Lunch back in the center: try Big Bad Bagels (budget bagel stacks) or a bowl and salad combo at Terra. If time allows before you head out, choose one museum: the Latvian National Museum of Art (strong 19th–20th c. Baltic collection), or the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (essential context on 20th-century history). Both are walkable from Old Town and typically cost €5–€10. Aim for the airport via Bus 22 or rail/bus if you’re continuing onward—compare options on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses).

Evening (if you’re staying the extra night): Catch golden hour at the Academy of Sciences Panorama deck for sweeping city views, then tuck into affordable bowls of borscht or pelmeni at a dumpling spot around the center. For an easy final toast, return to Old Town’s quieter side streets for a local cider or a Baltic porter.

Extra low-cost ideas (swap in anytime):

• Join a tip-based Old Town walking tour to get oriented (great for history and legends).
• Stroll Bastejkalna Park and the Freedom Monument—lovely at dusk with bridge reflections on the canal.
• Pop into St. James’s Cathedral or Riga Cathedral (check for choir rehearsals or organ recitals).
• Quick seaside taste: early train to Jūrmala (Majori), 30–35 minutes each way, for a brisk beach walk and wooden villas—use Omio (trains) for times.

Approximate budget check (per person, excluding intercity travel): €60–€120 for 2 days covering simple lodging, transit, casual meals, coffee, and a museum or two—very doable with canteens, markets, and walking between sights.

Riga is tailor-made for a weekend: compact, atmospheric, and deliciously affordable. With this plan, you’ll hit the highlights, eat well, and still have space to wander—exactly what a Baltic city break should be.