48 hours in Riga See
Stay
Latvia’s buzzing historic capital is a brilliant choice for a budget weekend break.
This vibrant city on the Daugava River is rich in history, art and culture. Stay centrally to navigate the city’s Old Town and top tourist spots easily by foot.
The Wellton Centrum Hotel & Spa has double rooms from £44 per night, while the popular Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah offers gorgeous boutique rooms from £97 per night.
Ryanair return flights from Edinburgh cost from £64.
Eat
Seek out Milda for authentic Baltic cuisine, such as blood sausage and potato dumplings.
Domini Canes, nestled in the Old Town, is popular for its beautifully presented and delicious seasonal dishes.
Riits is well-known for its burgers while a loaded bagel from Big Bad Bagels Baznicas Street will fuel a day of sight-seeing.
The art gallery Galerija Istaba has a brilliant restaurant on its upper level that overlooks the gallery.
Drink
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs is a cavernous basement bar with a real Latvian vibe that has folk music and dances that carry on through the night.
Miezis Un Kompānija is a craft beer lover’s dream with 20 of Europe’s finest on tap, while Lido Alus Sēta has its own brewery on site and a lovely beer garden.
Not a beer fan? Then visit Omas Briljants, a funky, hipster bar that serves up some of the best cocktails in the city, while the Skyline Bar at the Radisson Blu has great views of the city.
As you explore the maze of cobbled streets in Riga’s Old Town, you’ll encounter a colourful mix of architecture and historic sites such as the 13th Century Riga Castle, St Peter’s Church and Riga Cathedral.
The central Bastejkalna Park is perfect for a scenic stroll – a pretty canal runs through the middle and the nearby Opera House is a must-see.
Riga is also home to many museums. The House of the Blackheads houses magnificent interiors while the The KGB Building, or Cornerhouse, offers a fascinating, and often disturbing, insight into the city while it was under Soviet rule.
And a trip to the Central Market, home to 1,200 vendors, is a real feast for the senses.