2 Days in Riga: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for church spires, cobbled lanes, buzzing market halls and some of the most extravagant Art Nouveau facades anywhere in Europe. Riga is compact, easy to walk and full of character, so it works really well for a short city break. This plan suits first-time visitors who want to see the highlights without rushing from one ticket queue to the next.

The pace is relaxed but full. Day 1 stays inside the medieval Old Town, where nearly everything is a short stroll from the last stop. Day 2 heads out to the Central Market, the wide boulevards and the Art Nouveau quarter. Most of it is on foot, with an optional tram or bus ride if your legs need a break. Pack comfortable shoes and you’re set.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
Day 1	Old Town (Vecrīga)	Riga Cathedral, Riga Castle area, Town Hall Square, Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, St. Peter’s Church
Day 2	Central Market and Centrs	Riga Central Market, Freedom Monument, Latvian National Museum of Art, Alberta iela Art Nouveau, Riga Art Nouveau Centre

Day 1: Medieval Old Town and its stories

Morning

This is the day for fairy-tale Riga. Start at Riga Cathedral (Rīgas Doms) on Dome Square. It’s the seat of the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, and the official site calls it the biggest medieval church in Latvia and one of the oldest religious buildings in the whole Baltic region. Look out for the famous Walcker organ.

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00.
• Admission: EUR 5 for adults, EUR 3 for children aged 11 to 18, free for children up to 10.
• The cathedral holds short midday organ concerts (Concerto Piccolo) every day. Check the concert programme on the official site for times and prices.
• Want something extra? The cathedral runs tower tours and organ balcony visits, and both must be booked in advance through the official site.

If your Day 1 falls on a Sunday, the cathedral doesn’t open until 14:00. In that case, swap the morning and afternoon blocks below.

From Dome Square, take a slow loop north through the lanes. It’s all a few minutes’ walk: the medieval houses known as the Three Brothers, the outside of Riga Castle by the river, the Swedish Gate and the Powder Tower. This corner of the Old Town is quieter than the main squares and great for photos in the morning light.

Afternoon

Wander back south (roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot) to Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums), home to the ornate House of the Blackheads. Stop for photos of the facade, then pop into the Riga Tourist Information Centre on the square for maps and current event listings.

Right next to the square is the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (Latviešu strēlnieku laukums 1). It tells the story of Latvia under Soviet and Nazi occupation between 1940 and 1991. It’s moving and important, and it helps the rest of the city make sense. Give it at least an hour.

• Opening hours: every day 10:00-18:00. Closed on 1 January, 23 and 24 June, and 24, 25, 26 and 31 December.
• Tickets: EUR 8 for adults, EUR 5 for students. An audio guide costs EUR 4 and comes in English and several other languages.

Then cross over to St. Peter’s Church, a short walk east. LIVE RIGA (the city’s tourism agency) says the church dates back to 1209, and its tower has a viewing level 57 metres up with views over the rooftops, the Daugava river and towards the Gulf of Riga.

• Opening hours (official site): Monday to Sunday 10:00-18:00, with late opening to 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Ticket prices and current tower access: check the official site (svpetera.lv) before you go, since we couldn’t confirm the current price.

Evening

If it’s a Friday or Saturday, think about saving St. Peter’s for the evening. The late opening means you could catch the city lights from the tower. Otherwise, take a relaxed dinner in the Old Town and then walk out to the green strip of Bastejkalns park and the city canal on the eastern edge of Vecrīga. It’s a lovely place for an after-dinner stroll, and it leads straight to the Freedom Monument, where tomorrow begins.

Day 2: Market halls, boulevards and Art Nouveau

Morning

Save your appetite for this morning! Head to Riga Central Market (Rīgas Centrāltirgus) at Nēģu iela 7, just south of the Old Town past the railway lines. The market describes itself as the largest market in Europe, and its big pavilions are a feast for the eyes: smoked fish, rye bread, pickles, honey, berries in season and plenty of things to snack on.

• Opening hours on the day we checked: pavilions 7:30-18:00, outdoor area 7:00-18:00. Hours can change on holidays, so check the market’s working hours page.
• There are tasting areas in the Fish and Gastronomy pavilions, which are handy for a market breakfast.

From the market you can see the tall Stalin-era Latvian Academy of Sciences building in the neighbourhood next door. It’s a striking sight and worth a quick detour for photos.

Next, walk north (around 20 minutes) or take a short tram or bus ride to the Freedom Monument, the symbol of Latvian independence, between the Old Town and the city centre. From here, stroll through the parks to the Latvian National Museum of Art at Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1, the country’s main art museum.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 10:00-18:00, Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00-17:00. Closed on Mondays. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the museum does.
• Tickets: permanent exhibitions EUR 7, Great Exhibition Hall EUR 10, combined ticket for both EUR 15 (adults). There are discounts for students, seniors and families.

Afternoon

After lunch in the centre, walk about 15 minutes north to Alberta iela, the star of Riga’s Art Nouveau quarter. Take your time on this street and the ones around it, like Elizabetes iela and Strēlnieku iela. Look up and you’ll see faces, masks, mythical creatures and swirling ornaments all over the facades.

Finish inside the Riga Art Nouveau Centre (Rīgas Jūgendstila centrs) at Alberta iela 12. It’s a preserved apartment from the early 1900s, furnished in period style.

• Opening hours: 10:00-18:00, with the ticket desk open until 17:45. Check the official site for the weekly closing day before you plan your route.
• Winter season prices (1 October to 30 April): full museum EUR 5, interior exhibition only EUR 3.50.
• Summer season prices (1 May to 30 September): full museum EUR 9, interior exhibition only EUR 6.
• Family ticket (2 adults and 2 or more children aged 7 and over): EUR 10.

Evening

Treat yourself to a full evening concert at Riga Cathedral. The official site says full-length concerts take place regularly in the evenings, so look at the programme and book ahead. If music isn’t your thing, spend the evening over dinner in the Centrs district, which has a more local feel than the Old Town.

If Day 2 is a Monday: the National Museum of Art is closed. Spend more time at the market and walking the boulevards, or go back to the Old Town for St. Peter’s Church or the Museum of the Occupation, which are both open daily.

Getting there and getting around

From Riga Airport (RIX) to the city

Bus No. 22 is the budget option.

• The stop is in the P1 car park, between arrival exits E and C. Follow the signs.
• The ride to the centre takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Handy stops: “Grēcinieku iela” right by the Old Town, and “Autoosta” by the international bus station, within walking distance of the Central Railway Station.
• Fares: EUR 1.50 if you buy your ticket in advance, or EUR 1.81 from the driver. Route 22 is the only Rīgas satiksme route where you can buy a ticket from the driver, and you can only pay by bank card.
• Where to buy in advance: Narvesen stores or ticket machines at the airport, or the Mobilly and Timey apps.
• Late arrivals: night bus N22 runs once an hour. It leaves the airport at 00:30, 01:30, 02:30, 03:30 and 04:30, and the city centre (“Stacijas laukums” stop on Marijas iela) at 00:00, 01:00, 02:00, 03:00 and 04:00.

Taxi: LIVE RIGA puts the trip at 15 to 25 minutes and roughly EUR 10 to 25. Riga Airport also sells a prepaid voucher for EUR 33.50, valid with its licensed operators XTaxi and TaxiLV. It covers one non-stop ride to most hotels in the city centre for up to four passengers with luggage. Buy it at the Visitor Center in Arrival hall E. Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Forus work too.

Getting around the city

Riga’s trams, trolleybuses and buses are run by Rīgas satiksme. Load tickets onto an e-ticket card (e-talons) or buy a code ticket in an app.

Ticket	Price
90-minute ticket	EUR 1.50
24-hour ticket	EUR 5.00
3-day ticket	EUR 8.00
5-day ticket	EUR 10.00

Validate your ticket every time you board, including when you change vehicles. For a two-day trip with an airport ride at both ends, the 3-day ticket is usually the simplest choice, especially if your departure falls inside the 72 hours.

Where to stay

Old Town (Vecrīga): best for first-timers who want to walk out of the door straight into the sights. Everything on Day 1 is on your doorstep and bus 22 stops at Grēcinieku iela. Expect more tourists and livelier evenings, especially at weekends.

Centrs and the Art Nouveau quarter: a great fit if you want a more residential feel and beautiful streets. The museums and the Old Town are within walking distance. It also tends to be quieter at night, which suits couples and families.

Around the Central Station and Central Market: practical for travellers on a budget or with early departures. The railway station and international bus station are close, bus 22 stops at Autoosta, and the market is a few minutes away. It’s busier and less polished, but very convenient.

Budget

These costs come from the official sources listed above. They cover sights and public transport for one adult.

Item	Typical cost
Airport bus 22, one way	EUR 1.50 in advance, EUR 1.81 from driver
Airport taxi, prepaid voucher	EUR 33.50 (up to 4 passengers)
Airport taxi, app or meter (LIVE RIGA estimate)	about EUR 10-25
24-hour / 3-day transport ticket	EUR 5 / EUR 8
Riga Cathedral	EUR 5
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia	EUR 8 (audio guide EUR 4)
Latvian National Museum of Art	EUR 7 permanent, EUR 15 combined
Riga Art Nouveau Centre	EUR 5 winter, EUR 9 summer (full museum)
St. Peter’s Church tower	check the official site

Across two days, the sights and transport above come to roughly EUR 35 to 50, depending on season and ticket choices. That’s how we get the EUR 20-30 per day in the frontmatter, which leaves some room for St. Peter’s. Excluded: flights, accommodation, meals and drinks, concerts, guided tours and shopping. Check current hotel and restaurant prices yourself when you plan.

Practical tips

• Money: Latvia uses the euro. Cards are widely used, and for the airport bus you actually need one: tickets bought from the driver on route 22 are card only.
• Closing days: the National Museum of Art is closed on Mondays. Riga Cathedral opens only from 14:00 on Sundays. The Occupation Museum is open daily except a handful of public holidays, including Midsummer (23 and 24 June) and Christmas.
• Churches: Riga Cathedral is a working Lutheran church with regular services in Latvian. Keep your voice down and be respectful during worship.
• SIM and eSIM: if you have an EU SIM, check your provider’s roaming terms. Otherwise, compare eSIM plans before you fly or pick up a prepaid SIM from a Latvian mobile operator in the city. Data is useful for transport apps like Mobilly.
• Tourist information: the Riga Tourist Information Centre on Town Hall Square has maps and event info. The official city tourism site, liveriga.com, is worth a look before you go.
• Visa and entry: Latvia is in the EU and the Schengen Area, and entry rules depend on your nationality and passport. EU border systems are changing, so check the latest requirements close to your trip on the official portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. You can also ask the Latvian embassy or consulate that covers your country.

Heads-up

Riga is easy to enjoy, and a little preparation makes it even smoother. Here’s what to watch for:

• Airport taxis: use the licensed operators or the prepaid voucher from the Visitor Center in Arrival hall E. Riga Airport says every taxi sets its own tariff, shown on the car door, and the fare should appear on the meter on the front panel. The airport suggests agreeing on the fare before you set off. If anything looks off, book through an app instead.
• Validate your ticket: Rīgas satiksme requires you to validate every time you board. Don’t assume an unvalidated card counts, and remember that route 22 is the only line where the driver sells tickets.
• Check before you climb: we couldn’t confirm the current ticket price or tower access for St. Peter’s Church. Look at the official site on the day so you don’t plan around a view that isn’t available.
• Holiday closures: around Midsummer (23 and 24 June) and Christmas, some museums close and the market runs special hours. Check each official site if you’re visiting then.
• Monday gaps: plan around the Monday closure at the National Museum of Art, so the day you planned for it isn’t wasted.
• Official travel advice: check your own government’s travel advice for Latvia before you go, for example the US State Department or the Government of Canada.

FAQ

Is 2 days enough for Riga?

Yes, for the highlights. Two days cover the Old Town, the Central Market, the main art museum and the Art Nouveau quarter at a comfortable pace. With a third day, you could add more museums or a concert night.

How do I get from Riga Airport to the Old Town cheaply?

Take bus No. 22 to the Grēcinieku iela stop. It takes about 40 minutes and costs EUR 1.50 with a ticket bought in advance, or EUR 1.81 from the driver (bank card only).

Do I need a public transport pass?

Not really for the Old Town, which is very walkable. A 3-day ticket for EUR 8 is good value if you take the airport bus both ways and a couple of rides around the city.

Which day should I avoid for museums?

Monday, if the Latvian National Museum of Art is on your list, because it’s closed that day. The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and St. Peter’s Church are open daily.

Do I need to pre-book anything?

Most sights sell tickets at the door. Book ahead for the Riga Cathedral tower tour and organ balcony visit (both need pre-booking) and for evening concerts at the cathedral.

When is the best time to visit Riga?

May to September brings long days and the summer season at sights like the Art Nouveau Centre. Winter season prices are lower at some museums, so the colder months can be good value if you dress warmly.