Looking to spend a weekend in Riga and need an escape that feels romantic, celebratory, and effortlessly stylish, without the high price tag? My 3-day Riga itinerary shows you exactly how.
I’ve already been to Riga many times — in different seasons, for different reasons. But this time, I wanted something special. Recently was my birthday, and I wasn’t in the mood to fly far again after a packed trip to Bologna and Venice. Staying in Tallinn didn’t feel right either. I needed a change of scene — something festive, beautiful, and easy to get to.
Riga was the perfect answer. It’s one of the few European cities where you can enjoy elegance, atmosphere, and good food without overpaying. Whether you’re celebrating something or just escaping for the weekend, in my experience, Riga gets it right.
I planned every detail to make it feel both relaxed and refined, including staying in two different hotels to enjoy different moods. If you’re like me and love variety, this little swap adds something extra. If not, I suggest a few cool accommodation options where to stay to have a luxurious escape that doesn’t cost much.
Here’s how the trip unfolded — my 3-day Riga itinerary below is designed for busy mornings, beautiful corners, yet a sense of quiet celebration. You can use it for special occasions, weekend city breaks, or for any other type of trip during the week to experience Riga from a unique perspective.
And then if you are planning just to pass through Riga or have a layover, I also have a Riga in one day itinerary which might come in handy.
✨ Planning a 3-Day Trip to Riga Too?
Here is where we stayed and what I’d recommend for a similar trip:
Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah (★★★★★) – elegant, refined, and with spa access
📍 Riga Centre | ★ 9.3 | From €160
Metropole Hotel by Semarah (★★★★) – steps from the bus station with classic comfort
📍 Old Town edge | ★ 8.6 | From €70
Sunrise Kayaking Tour – nature in a totally different Riga, for warmer weather
🕒 Morning tour | ★ 9.8
Private River Cruise – calm, scenic way to see the city from the water
🕒 50 min | ★ 9.8
Central Market Food Tour – best way to learn and taste traditional Latvian dishes
🕒 2 hours | ★ 9.5
Riga in 3 Days – My Long Weekend Itinerary Made for Celebrations
Day 1 in Riga: Arrival, Food Crawl & Evening in Old Town
The program for day one in Riga is a bit different from the usual first-day routine, but it offers a more unique experience. I also include a couple of quick alternatives at the end in case it’s your very first time in Riga and you want something more classic.
12:30–13:30 – Arrival in Riga & a Little Treat
We arrived in Riga by bus from Tallinn at exactly 12:25 – an easy ride that dropped us right next to the city center. You may arrive around the same time. If not, adjust this to your schedule.
Aim to book a hotel near the bus station for maximum convenience. We stayed in Eurostars Metropole, just a short walk from the station, ideal if you’re arriving hungry and ready to jump into your day without delays.
Check-in time might not be until later, but many hotels will let you drop your bags and relax in the lounge. At Metropole, for example, we were welcomed with prosecco and cookies, which instantly set the mood. Take a short break, freshen up if needed, and get ready to explore – the fun starts right away.
13:30–16:30 – Riga Central Market Food Crawl & Quick Shopping Stop
After dropping off your bags or checking in, head straight to Riga Central Market, one of the best ways to dive into the local culture, especially if you’re a foodie. This market is spread across huge former Zeppelin hangars and filled with everything from smoked fish and local cheeses to rye bread snacks, pickles, berries, pastries, and street food.
If you prefer a guided experience (which is best for people who are totally new to the region and don’t know what to expect from food here), there’s a really good foodie’s tour where you walk, taste (more than 20 dishes), and hear fascinating stories behind the food. This tour is perfect time-wise as it starts at 13:30.
I personally wanted it to be more self-paced, and try food on my own, which I already know and love, so we went by ourselves. (If you prefer it that way too, then check back soon – I’m currently working on my own self-guided tour of the market).
If you enjoy mixing in a little shopping, before the market, make a quick stop at the mall right next it. They often have great discounts, and it’s a good chance to pick up something practical or treat yourself to a birthday gift, like I did.
16:30 – Check-In & Quick Rest at the Hotel
If you haven’t checked in yet, do it now; the room should be ready by this time. Take a short break to freshen up and relax before the evening.
If you’re staying at Eurostars Metropole, expect classic comfort with a touch of old-world charm (see my photos). It’s not about a long rest here – just enough to regroup and get ready for the evening in the city.
17:30–20:00 – Evening Walk Through Parks & Old Town (With Exact Route)
Now set out for a relaxed evening walk, starting at your hotel and strolling through Bastejkalna Park by the canal, continuing to the Freedom Monument, where you’ll always find different information boards nearby, telling the story of Riga’s path to independence.
Then turn into an old town towards Livu Square, where on weekends there’s usually music, lights, and a cheerful buzz in the air. Afterward, head to the House of the Blackheads, one of Riga’s most beautiful buildings, especially when it’s lit up at night.
Just a few minutes away, you can step into St. Peter’s Church and head up to the tower, which opens impressive views over the Old Town. If you are on a weekend getaway to Riga from spring to autumn, then it’s possible to visit the church with the tower until 22:00 and see Riga at sunset.
In winter, it is better to come here during the day (since sun sets early) to witness a brightly red sky (on a sunny day, of course, which is actually quite common here compared to Tallinn, where sun doesn’t come out often from November to March).
20:30–22:00 Dinner & Drinks at BURZMA
For dinner, head to BURZMA, a stylish indoor food hall right in the city center. It is a bit of a hidden gem in Riga – right in the city center. People walk past it all the time, but few know what’s actually inside.
It’s a stylish food court on the fourth floor of a shopping center Galerija Centrs, with a great selection of cool stalls offering all kinds of food. There’s also a terrace with beuitful views over the rooftops of the Old Town.
Prices are reasonable (it’s a favorite spot among locals), and food is fantastic — I’ve eaten there several times and tried lots of different dishes, and everything was seriously delicious.
👇Alternative Things to Do on the First Day in Riga👇
Day 2 in Riga: Sunrise Nature, Art Nouveau, Wellness & Taste of Local Nightlife
Early Morning–12:30 – Sunrise Kayaking Tour & Light Breakfast
I originally planned to begin this day with a sunrise kayaking tour just outside Riga – something calm, beautiful, and a bit unusual to make this (my birthday) morning feel truly special. Unfortunately, the weather took a sharp turn that weekend, and with the sudden cold, I decided to cancel.
But I really wanted to mention this experience because it is a truly unique thing to do in Riga. If you’re visiting during warmer months, I honestly recommend going for it. I’ve done a sunrise trip to a similar place in Tallinn, and it was unforgettable.
ALTERNATIVE: If the weather isn’t on your side or you simply prefer slower mornings, then take your time. Have breakfast at the hotel around 8:00, or head to Big Bad Bagels, which opens early and is just a few minutes away. Their bagels are excellent (I tried them on another trip) – fresh, filling, and perfect for a quick morning start.
After breakfast, take a morning river cruise through Riga’s canals and along the Daugava. It’s a calm, scenic ride (about 60 minutes) that gives you a beautiful view of the city from the water, especially nice in the soft light of the early hours.
‼️If traveling with a family or small group of people, better choose a private boat tour. It is slightly more expensive but is so much better!
Afternoon–18:00 – Fine Lunch, Spa & Slow Afternoon
After the morning activities, it’s the perfect time to pause and enjoy something more refined. I had planned this part of the day as a little reset — a change of pace and in my case also a change of setting.
While I had spent the first night at Eurostars Metropole, I chose to continue the stay at Grand Poet Hotel, a stylish five-star property with a more contemporary, boutique feel (it was very easy to move between them because they’re not far from each other).
If you’re already staying there, even better — you won’t need to go far. If not, no problem. You can still stop by for lunch or book a spa visit as a non-guest. Their restaurant offers an elegant setting and beautifully prepared dishes that feel like a treat without being too formal.
So with this itinerary, I suggest you have lunch at the hotel’s elegant restaurant. After it, spend a couple of hours in their wellness area. Spa there includes a pool, multiple saunas, and relaxation zones. It is worth pre-booking them with treatments together. Just do it in advance, especially for Saturday-Sunday.
If you’d prefer a different atmosphere or want to explore other luxury options, I also like Taka Spa (very elegant interior) with high-end treatments.
For lunch, if you don’t feel like eating at the hotel, another option is Kolonade restaurant. We haven’t been there yet, but a friend of mine who lives in Riga recommended it for special occasions, saying it serves uniquely crafted dishes, made specifically for special occasions.
🔴Extra Place to Visit: If you skip something from earlier in the day or simply move at a quicker pace, consider adding a short visit to Riga’s Art Nouveau district — it’s nearby and well worth at least a 30-minute walk. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, where early 20th-century buildings have interesting details on the facades like sculpted faces, different patterns, and wrought-iron balconies. Alberta iela is the most famous street, but the surrounding ones are just as nice.
👇Alternative Things to Do on Day 2 in Riga👇
18:30–20:30 – Local Drinks, Snacks & Atmosphere at Garage
In the evening, head out to experience Riga’s food and drink scene with a local twist.
I continued to celebrate my birthday night with my husband at Garage Bar, located in Old Town (there are two similar locations, but I’m talking about this one in particular).
It has a very creative interior, full of recycled materials and artful design elements. Their menu offers a selection of tapas and seasonal Latvian dishes, complemented by an extensive cocktail list (but we liked alus, Latvian draft beer).
Day 3 in Riga: Hidden Streets, a Glimpse of History & Local Farewell
07:00–12:00 – Early Morning Calm, Breakfast, Hotel Check Out
We started the day early in the spa area at Grand Poet Hotel (again) because at this time it was completely empty. I had the pool to myself and relaxed in their menthol-infused steam room, which was very quiet at this time. If you are at this hotel too, consider it as well, if you prefer the whole spa area to yourself.
Afterward, enjoy the hotel’s breakfast (at Grand Poet it was one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had, not because of the variety only, but because of their true attention to quality).
Then check out, leave your luggage at reception, and step out for one last walk.
12:00–16:00 – Kipsala Walk or/and One of the Interesting Museums
Here, I suggest you go to Kipsala, a quiet riverside peninsula just across the bridge. It has some beautiful wooden houses from old times, nice views across the river, and a very slow residential atmosphere. (I wanted to visit it as it was a side of Riga we hadn’t explored before, and it is perfect for a peaceful walk that feels far from the tourist flow).
If you are visiting for the first time (or in colder weather), skip it and concentrate better on one of Riga’s museums (because some are really amazing).
For example, consider the House of the Blackheads, which was a guild for merchants. Inside, there are exhibits about trade and Riga’s commercial history. Second one is Riga History and Navigation Museum, one of the oldest museums in Europe. It helps you understand the city without needing to visit a big museum.
Another one is Latvian Museum of Occupation. It shows Latvia’s Soviet and Nazi past in a clear and serious way.
16:00–18:00 – Lunch with a Local Feel, Pick Up Luggage & Departure
For your last meal in Riga, go for something casual and local like LIDO for example (a well-known Latvian self-service restaurant chain) or one of other restaurants you like.
If you want something smaller, try one of Riga’s street snacks or do a bakery stop, especially if you’re short on time.
After lunch, return to the hotel, pick up your bags, and make your way to the bus station or airport, depending on your route home. Everything in central Riga is close, so there’s no rush – just enough time to take one last look at the streets before saying goodbye.
Planning to Travel In the Region?
Then I have a few more posts for you to read (and many more are yet to come since I am living in Tallinn for part of the year and traveling around quite a lot):
- One Day in Tallinn – fast itinerary for first timers
- Best Cinnamon Buns in Tallinn – must-try when you are there
- Cool Neighborhoods in Tallinn – where to stay or visit
- Visiting Tallinn on a Budget – it is the most expensive Baltic capital
- One Day in Helsinki on a Budget – itinerary for warm weather
- Unusual Things to Do in Lapland – on the Finnish side & in winter
You can check them all on my Nordics & Baltics travel page!
