Airport bus 22 to city center(30 minutes)

Bus 22 runs every 10-15 minutes from outside arrivals. Buy a ticket from the driver or e-ticket on the Rīgas Satiksme app (2 EUR). It drops you near the National Opera, a 5-minute walk from Old Town

Check-in and Old Town orientation(1 hour)

Stay in Old Town — Neiburgs Hotel for boutique luxury, or Riga Old Town Hostel for budget. The Old Town is compact and entirely walkable. Cobblestone streets — wear comfortable shoes

Riga Old Town walking tour(2 hours)

Self-guided or free walking tour (tips-based). Hit the key landmarks: Dome Cathedral (1211), House of the Blackheads (rebuilt 1999, 6 EUR), the Three Brothers (oldest stone residences in Riga), and the Cat House with its rooftop feline sculptures. Each has a story that brings medieval Riga alive

Dinner at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs(1.5 hours)

A beloved cellar pub in Old Town. Latvian beer sampler (5 EUR for 5 glasses), grey peas with bacon (6 EUR), and pork schnitzel (9 EUR). Live folk or rock music most evenings. One of the best-value dining experiences in Riga

Art Nouveau District walking tour(2.5 hours)

Walk 15 minutes north from Old Town to Alberta and Elizabetes streets. Over 800 Art Nouveau buildings with ornate facades by Mikhail Eisenstein. Download the free 'Riga Art Nouveau' walking app. The district is best photographed in afternoon light. Look up — the details are on the upper floors

Riga Art Nouveau Museum(1 hour)

Alberta iela 12 — inside a beautifully restored Art Nouveau apartment. 9 EUR. Open Tues-Sun 10AM-6PM. The spiral staircase alone is worth the visit. Gives context to the facades you've been admiring

Lunch at Riga Central Market(1.5 hours)

Five former Zeppelin hangars housing 3,000+ vendors. Each hangar specializes: meat, dairy, fish, vegetables, gastronomy. Buy smoked fish, Latvian rye bread, local honey. A full meal from vendors costs under 5 EUR. Join a guided food tour (~25 EUR) to taste through all five pavilions

St. Peter's Church tower(1 hour)

9 EUR for the elevator to the 72m viewing platform. The best panoramic view of Riga — Old Town rooftops, the Daugava River, and the Art Nouveau district in one sweep. Open daily 10AM-6PM. Try to time it for golden hour

Evening at Black Magic Bar(1.5 hours)

The home of Riga Black Balsam — Latvia's famous 45% ABV herbal liqueur made from 24 botanicals since 1752. Cocktails from 7 EUR. Try it mixed with blackcurrant juice — straight is an acquired taste. The medieval-themed bar in Old Town is atmospheric

Train to Jūrmala(25 minutes)

Trains from Riga Central Station to Majori every 30 minutes (1.40 EUR one-way). Majori is the main beach area. In summer (June-August), a small resort tax applies (~2 EUR). The train ride passes through pine forests

Jūrmala beach walk(2 hours)

32 km of white sand — walk from Majori toward Dzintari along the beach. Water temperature reaches 20-25°C in July-August. Free entry to all beaches. The wooden boardwalk in Dzintari forest park is beautiful

Lunch at 36. Līnija(1 hour)

A popular Jūrmala restaurant near the beach. Grilled fish and Latvian cuisine. Mains 10-18 EUR. Good terrace seating in summer

Dzintari Concert Hall area(1 hour)

Walk through the residential streets to see Jūrmala's wooden Art Nouveau villas — some beautifully restored, others charmingly weathered. The Dzintari Concert Hall hosts the annual New Wave music festival

Return and dinner at 3 Pavāru Restorāns(1.5 hours)

Back in Riga. Three chefs — three cuisines — one restaurant. Creative Latvian-meets-international. Tasting menu ~45 EUR or à la carte mains 15-25 EUR. One of Riga's best restaurants. Reservation essential

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia(1.5 hours)

Covers both Nazi and Soviet occupations (1940-1991). Free entry (donation appreciated). Powerful personal testimonies, deportation lists, and resistance artifacts. Heavy subject matter but essential for understanding modern Latvia. Located near the House of the Blackheads

Freedom Monument and Bastejkalns Park(1 hour)

The 42m monument (1935) is Latvia's most sacred symbol — the changing of the guard happens hourly. Bastejkalns Park behind it has the canal where the 1991 barricade defenders held their ground. Free. Peaceful duck-filled canals and tree-lined paths

Lunch at Lido Atpūtas Centrs(1 hour)

A massive Latvian buffet complex near the Central Market. Self-service with dozens of traditional dishes — load your tray with grey peas, piragi (bacon buns), and beef stew. A full meal for 6-10 EUR. Kitsch atmosphere but genuine local food at great prices

Latvian National Opera(2.5 hours)

World-class opera and ballet at remarkably low prices — tickets from 5-40 EUR. The Latvian National Ballet is particularly acclaimed. Book at opera.lv. The neoclassical building (1863) and canal-side park are worth seeing even without attending a performance. Check evening schedule

Evening walk along the Daugava River(1 hour)

Cross the Vanšu Bridge for a panoramic view of Old Town's skyline — spires, domes, and the TV tower reflected in the river. The left bank has a developing restaurant scene. At night, the illuminated Old Town is beautiful from across the water

Morning at Āgenskalns Market(1.5 hours)

Cross the river to the Āgenskalns neighborhood — a recently renovated market hall with local vendors, craft coffee, and artisan food. Less touristy than Central Market. Try fresh kvass (fermented rye drink, 1-2 EUR)

Miera Street (Peace Street) neighborhood(2 hours)

Riga's hipster quarter. Independent coffee shops (MIERA, ROCKET BEAN), vintage stores, and street art. The Kalnciema Quarter on Saturdays has an organic farmers' market with live music. Walk along Miera iela from the railway crossing northward

Lunch at Milda(1 hour)

Modern Latvian kitchen on Miera Street. Seasonal menu with foraged ingredients. Lunch mains 10-15 EUR. The birch sap cocktails are uniquely Latvian

Craft beer tasting at Labietis(1.5 hours)

Riga's most creative craft brewery — unusual beers brewed with Latvian botanicals, smoked grains, and wild-fermented styles. Located in the Spīķeri warehouse quarter. Tastings from 5 EUR. The taproom has 12+ rotating beers on tap

Train to Sigulda(1 hour)

Direct trains from Riga Central Station every 1-2 hours (2.50 EUR). Sigulda is the gateway to Gauja National Park — Latvia's most scenic natural area with sandstone cliffs, caves, and medieval ruins

Turaida Castle and Museum Reserve(2 hours)

A restored 13th-century red-brick castle overlooking the Gauja Valley. 6 EUR entry. Climb the main tower for panoramic views. The surrounding sculpture garden and folk song hill are peaceful. The legend of the Rose of Turaida is Latvia's most famous love story

Cable car across Gauja Valley(30 minutes)

A 1-km cable car crossing the valley — 12 EUR return. The views of the forested valley and sandstone cliffs below are stunning, especially in autumn when the foliage turns gold and crimson

Lunch at Aparjods(1 hour)

A rustic Latvian restaurant near Sigulda castle. Game dishes, mushroom soup, and Latvian dark rye bread. Mains 8-14 EUR. The terrace overlooks the castle ruins

Gūtmanis Cave(30 minutes)

Latvia's widest and highest cave — 12m high, 18m wide. The sandstone walls are covered with inscriptions dating back to the 17th century. Free entry. A short walk through the forest from the Sigulda side of the valley. Atmospheric and slightly mystical

Morning at Riga Central Market(1 hour)

Stock up on Latvian food souvenirs: smoked sprats in tins (~3 EUR), dark rye bread, local honey, and a ceramic bottle of Riga Black Balsam (~12-18 EUR). The fish pavilion is best in the morning

Last coffee at Mierā Café(45 minutes)

A final specialty coffee in the Miera Street neighborhood, or at Rocket Bean Roastery near Old Town (flat white ~3.50 EUR). Riga's coffee scene is surprisingly excellent

Airport transfer via bus 22(30 minutes)

Bus 22 from the National Opera stop to Riga Airport (2 EUR, runs every 10-15 min). Or use Bolt taxi (~10-15 EUR). Allow 2 hours before international flights. The airport is modern and efficient