One Day in Riga, Latvia: First Timer’s Itinerary
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One day in Riga means you’re going to be kept busy, but you got this! Riga was our Latvia stop on a two-week trip through Prague, Poland (Kraków and Warsaw), and the Baltics, and even with just a day here, you can absolutely see the highlights and get a feel for the city.
Riga is honestly so cute and picturesque. It’s known for its beautiful Old Town, colorful buildings, and especially its Art Nouveau architecture, which you’ll notice pretty quickly as you walk around. There’s a charm to it that feels a little different from other European cities. It felt less crowded with major landmarks, but still full of character and little details that make it feel special.
I will say, one thing that surprised me was arriving on a Friday night and seeing just how many groups of rowdy guys were out. Apparently, that’s actually pretty common here because of the cheaper beer prices compared to other parts of Europe, so it’s become a bit of a spot for group trips. It didn’t take away from our experience, just something to be aware of depending on when you visit.
Even though one day in Riga isn’t exactly slow travel, it’s definitely enough time to explore, wander, and enjoy everything that makes this city worth a stop.
1-Day Riga Itinerary
If You’re Short on Time…
Morning: Foodie Stops, Churches, + the Library
Moltto Coffee
Start your morning with coffee at Moltto. We tried a few cafes while in town (because even if I’m only doing one day somewhere, I’m still committed to finding the best coffee), and this was hands down our favorite. It was so good and just a really nice, easy way to start the day.
Big Bad Bagels
For breakfast, we were craving a bagel sandwich (honestly, always am), and found Big Bad Bagels. It’s also one of the few spots we noticed that opens early, which is a win when you’re trying to pack a lot into your day or if you’re heading out early the next morning.
They make their bagels fresh daily and have a ton of options! We went with a veggie-loaded one, and it was so good. They’re pretty big though, so I’d recommend sharing to save room because your next stop is very food-focused.
Āgenskalns Market
From here, take public transport or a Bolt (their version of Uber) over to Āgenskalns Market. It’s open daily from 9 AM–9 PM (10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays) and is such a cool space with a mix of local vendors and restaurant-style stalls. Even though we weren’t super hungry, we had to try a traditional Latvian honey cake, and it ended up being one of those things I kept thinking about after. It’s lighter than you’d expect and gets better with every bite.
If you’re tight on time, I’d say this is the main market to choose—but if you decide to skip the next couple of stops, you could swap this for Riga Central Market instead, which is one of the largest markets in Europe and another really popular option that’s closer to Old Town.
Holy Trinity Church
These next stops are optional, just depending on what you like to prioritize when you travel.
If you’re into architecture or unique churches, head to Holy Trinity Church. It’s this stunning pink Russian Orthodox church that honestly stands out so much—it’s beautiful and feels a little unexpected! It’s about a 15-minute walk from the market, or a quick 5-minute Bolt if you’re trying to maximize your time.
National Library of Latvia
Another optional stop is the National Library of Latvia, which I personally loved. I always try to visit unique libraries when I travel, and this one is super modern and beautifully designed.
It’s actually nicknamed the “Castle of Light” and symbolizes knowledge and Latvian cultural identity. Inside, there are different exhibits on multiple floors, and one of the highlights is the massive book display. There’s also an observation deck at the top, but when we went, it was closed for a private event—so if that’s a main reason you want to go, definitely check ahead.
Even without it, it’s still a really cool stop. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the church (or a 5-minute Bolt), and it sits right across the river, making it easy to head straight into Old Town after.
St. Peter’s Church
From there, we grabbed a Bolt to St. Peter’s Church to save time. This is one of the oldest churches in Riga, originally built in the 13th century, and it’s had quite a history—damaged and rebuilt multiple times over the years, especially after World War II.
Today, it’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. You can go up to the viewpoint at the top (9 EUR per person), and thankfully, there’s an elevator, which we really appreciated after doing so many stairs in Prague. The views from the top are so good and give you a full look over Old Town!
Afternoon: Old Town Wandering + Local Spots
Wander the Streets
After that, spend some time just wandering around Old Town. With these Baltic cities, especially when you only have a day, it’s easy to feel like you need to hit every single landmark, but honestly, one of the best things to do in Riga is just look up from your map and take it all in. The streets are so charming, and there are so many little corners you’ll stumble into naturally!
Lunch at LIDO
When you start getting hungry, stop into LIDO Alus Sēta. It’s cafeteria-style (similar to the milk bars in Poland), but everything is labeled in English, which makes it really easy to navigate. We got a mix of what looked good and what was recommended, and I loved the rice they gave us along with the beefsteak in a rich wine sauce.
Explore Old Town
While you’re exploring Old Town, here are a few spots worth checking out:
- Swedish Gate: The only remaining gate from Riga’s old city walls, dating back to the 17th century. It’s a quick stop, but cool to see a piece of the city’s medieval past.
- Three Brothers Latvian Museum of Architecture: A group of three historic houses that show how residential architecture in Riga evolved over time. They’re considered the oldest dwellings in the city! Admission is free if you want to go inside.
- Riga Cathedral: One of the oldest and most important religious buildings in the Baltic region. It dates back to the 13th century and has a mix of architectural styles from different periods.
- House of the Black Heads: One of Riga’s most iconic buildings. It was originally built for a guild of unmarried merchants and shipowners, and it has a really ornate façade. You can go inside (tickets range from 4–15 EUR), but we chose to admire it from the outside and spend more time wandering.
Evening: Cocktails, Dinner, + Dessert
Nonsaints | Hidden Bar
After exploring, treat yourself to a cocktail at Nonsaints | Hidden Bar. It’s an underground speakeasy with a really intimate, romantic vibe. Definitely try to make a reservation if you can, or go right when they open (like we did).
Dinner
For dinner, we were actually craving Italian and asked a local for recommendations—they pointed us to Dilettante, and it ended up being such a good choice. We ordered the baby Caesar salad, bruschetta, truffle pasta, and a margherita pizza, and everything was really good. So, if you’re craving Italian, I can definitely recommend this spot! But there are so many amazing-looking restaurants in Riga to choose from, so go wherever is calling.
Dessert at Riga Black Magic
To end your one day in Riga, stop by Riga Black Magic for dessert or a drink. This place has such a cool, moody vibe and is tied to the history of Riga Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur that dates back to the 18th century. Rem got a drink, I went for the chocolates, and it was the perfect cozy way to wrap up the night.
Things I Feel Like You Can Skip with One Day in Riga
Mikla + Alberta Street
I’ll be so real—these were two spots I kept seeing everywhere when researching the best things to do in Riga, so we made the effort to go… and I honestly wouldn’t prioritize them again.
First, Mikla was sold out of the cinnamon rolls (which is what everyone recommends), so that was a bit of a letdown. Then, Alberta Street is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, which is definitely unique, but personally, I was way more impressed with what we saw in Old Town and even the Holy Trinity Church. It also takes you out of the main area, and with only one day in Riga, it just didn’t feel like the best use of time.
Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
This one is beautiful, and if you happen to be nearby, it’s worth admiring. But it’s also a little out of the way, so if you’re deciding between going out of your way for another church or just slowing down and enjoying Old Town, I’d definitely choose Old Town. That’s where Riga really shines, and where you’ll get the most out of your time.
Getting Around Riga
Getting around Riga is really easy, especially if you’re only spending one day in Riga. We mostly walked everywhere, especially once we were in Old Town, since everything is pretty close together. For anything a little farther out, we used Bolt (their version of Uber), which was super quick and affordable and helped us make the most of our time.
It cost around €5 to get us from Old Town to the Āgenskalns Market, for example. If you want to use public transportation, it operates daily from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM. They have trams, trolleybuses, and buses. A 90-minute ticket costs €1.50, with 24-hour (€5), 3-day (€8), and more options available as well.
Where to Stay in Riga
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town and honestly loved it! The location was great, the price was really reasonable, and it was super convenient for exploring. We even walked from the bus station to the hotel, which was a little rough with luggage on cobblestones, but my Level8 luggage held up like a champ.
If you want to be right in the middle of everything, staying in or near Old Town is definitely the move. It makes it easy to walk to all the main sights, restaurants, and bars.
A few more great options to look into that I also heavily considered:
- Colonel Suites & Apartments: Super cute apartment-style stays that feel more homey but still really stylish. Great if you want a little more space and flexibility.
- Redstone Apartments: These are so beautifully designed and feel very modern and aesthetic while still being right in Old Town.
- Dome Hotel: A more elevated boutique hotel with a really cozy, intimate feel. Perfect if you want something a little more luxe but still charming.
- Neiburgs Hotel: One of the most popular boutique stays in Riga for a reason. The rooms are gorgeous, super spacious, and the location is amazing.
To see more Old Town accommodation options for your dates, check here!
Tips for Visiting Riga
- Use Bolt to get around quickly: It’s cheap, easy, and perfect for maximizing your time when you only have one day in Riga.
- They use euros (€): Most places take card, so you won’t need much cash, but it’s always good to have a little on hand.
- Get an eSIM before your trip: I’ve used Airalo for all of my international trips, and it made everything seamless—maps, Bolt, and communicating.
- Take Lux Express between Baltic cities: It’s usually only a few dollars more than FlixBus, but way more comfortable with reliable WiFi. We used Omio to compare prices and all available options and it made getting tickets super easy!
- Make reservations when you can: Especially for popular spots like hidden bars or nicer dinners.
- Don’t overpack your itinerary: Some of the best moments come from just wandering and popping into places that catch your eye.
- Be prepared for cobblestone streets: Wear comfortable shoes and keep this in mind if you’re rolling luggage around.
Are you ready for one day in Riga?!
Spending one day in Riga might not be slow travel, but it’s more than enough time to experience the charm of this Baltic city. Riga really surprised me with how picturesque it is, and even though we packed a lot into one day, it never felt overwhelming. It’s one of those cities where the little moments—grabbing coffee, walking down a random street, finding a hidden bar—end up being just as memorable as the main sights.
I hope this guide helped you plan your perfect day in Riga!
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Europe blog posts:
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