Riga
Latvia's capital holds the world's finest collection of Art Nouveau architecture — over 800 buildings along Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela, designed in the early 1900s when Riga was the Russian Empire's third-largest city. The UNESCO Old Town (Vecrīga) has medieval guild halls and the House of the Blackheads; the Central Market occupies repurposed Zeppelin hangars. A Baltic gem that delivers a serious European city for budget prices.
Tours & Experiences
Browse bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Riga
📍 Points of Interest
Loading map...
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 615K
- Timezone
- Riga
- Dial
- +371
- Emergency
- 112
Riga's Old Town (Vecrīga) contains the largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world — approximately one-third of all buildings in the city center are Art Nouveau, with the highest concentration on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. The movement here reached its peak between 1896 and 1913, when Riga was the third-largest city in the Russian Empire and flush with industrial wealth. Mikhail Eisenstein — father of the filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein — designed many of the most spectacular buildings.
Riga Central Market, housed in five former German WWI zeppelin hangars repurposed in the 1930s, is the largest market in Europe by area — covering over 72,000 square meters. Each hangar specializes in a different category: meat, fish, dairy, vegetables, and dry goods. The market serves around 80,000 customers daily and is as much a social institution as a commercial one.
Latvian was nearly eliminated as a spoken language during Soviet occupation (1940–41, 1944–1991) when mass Russian immigration reduced ethnic Latvians to just 52% of their own capital's population by the 1980s. Today the Latvian language is fiercely protected by law and culture — signage must be in Latvian first, and speaking the language is an act of national identity. Russian remains widely spoken but the cultural politics of language are complex.
The Latvian Song and Dance Festival, held every five years in Riga, is one of the largest choral events in the world — gathering over 40,000 performers for a culminating outdoor concert at Mežaparks. The tradition began in 1873 under Tsarist rule and became a form of peaceful cultural resistance. During the Soviet era, singing traditional Latvian songs was an act of subtle defiance. The 1988–1991 independence movement is still called the 'Singing Revolution.'
Riga has one of Europe's most remarkably preserved medieval Old Towns — a compact island of Gothic churches, medieval guild halls, and merchant warehouses. The city was founded in 1201 by German crusaders and functioned as the main trading hub of the Hanseatic League in the eastern Baltic. The Three Brothers (Trīs brāļi), a row of three houses dating from the 15th to 17th centuries, are the oldest residential buildings in the Baltic states.
Latvia produces one of the world's most distinctive herbal liqueurs — Rīgas Melnais Balzāms (Riga Black Balsam), a 45% ABV spirit made from 24 plants, flowers, roots, and berries according to a recipe dating to 1752. It tastes like concentrated bitter herbs and pine forest, and Latvians drink it straight, mixed into coffee, or added to fruit juices. It's essentially medicinal in origin and locals treat it as something between a digestif and a health tonic.
Top Sights
Old Town (Vecrīga)
📌A UNESCO-listed medieval city center compact enough to walk in an hour but rich enough to explore for days — cobblestone streets, Gothic spires, merchant guild facades, and medieval courtyards that survived WWII damage better than most European cities. The Dom Square (Doma laukums) is the social heart; the Dome Cathedral's organ concerts are a Riga institution. Free to wander; organ concerts from €5–15.
Art Nouveau District (Alberta iela)
🏛️Alberta Street is the most concentrated display of Art Nouveau anywhere in the world — a single block with buildings dripping in mythological figures, gorgon masks, screaming faces, and elaborate floral motifs, all designed by Mikhail Eisenstein. Elizabetes iela and Strēlnieku iela are equally stunning. The Riga Art Nouveau Museum at Alberta iela 12 (open daily 10am–6pm, €6) recreates a period apartment interior beautifully.
Riga Central Market
📌Five converted zeppelin hangars housing Europe's largest market, selling everything from fresh Baltic sprats and smoked eel to local cheeses, wild mushrooms, amber jewelry, and Latvian linen. Arrive hungry — the dairy pavilion alone justifies the trip. Open daily 7am–5pm (some stalls from 6am). The outer stalls (clothes, miscellany) sprawl for blocks beyond the hangars.
House of the Blackheads
🗼A 14th-century merchant brotherhood hall that was destroyed in WWII and painstakingly rebuilt to the original specifications between 1995 and 1999 — the reconstruction is so meticulous that it's hard to believe it was rubble 25 years ago. The Brotherhood of Blackheads was a guild of unmarried foreign merchants; the ornate Dutch Renaissance facade is one of the most photographed in the Baltics. Interior tours ~€6.
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
🏛️A vast outdoor museum (87 hectares) on the shores of Lake Jugla, 10 km east of the center, containing over 100 historic rural buildings — farmsteads, windmills, taverns, smithies, and churches — relocated from across Latvia. Living-history demonstrations on summer weekends. This is the most comprehensive way to understand rural Latvian life across the country's four distinct regions. Open daily 10am–5pm; ~€5.
Riga Castle & Freedom Monument
🗼Riga Castle, begun in 1330, is the official residence of the Latvian president — you can walk right past its medieval towers while the head of state works inside. A 10-minute walk south, the Freedom Monument (1935) is Latvia's most important national symbol — the copper 'Milda' figure holding three gold stars representing Latvia's three historic regions. The honor guard changes every hour; laying flowers here is an act of deep national significance.
Mežaparks & Ķīpsala
🌿Mežaparks ('Forest Park') is Riga's breathing space — a vast park and residential neighborhood of early 20th-century wooden villas bordering a lake, popular for cycling, swimming, and summer concerts. Across the Daugava river, Ķīpsala island has well-preserved 19th-century wooden architecture and gives the best views back across the river to the Old Town skyline. Best seen by bicycle.
Off the Beaten Path
Melnā Alus Sēta (Black Beer Garden)
Not a tourist trap Old Town bar but a proper outdoor beer garden in the quiet courtyards behind the market — where Riga's workers and locals have drunk Latvian dark beer and eaten grey peas with smoked bacon since Soviet times. Order the sētnieka pica (gatekeeper's pizza, actually a bread-based flatbread) and a half-liter of Aldaris.
This is where Riga actually drinks, not where it takes tourists to drink — the price difference is notable.
Kalnciema Quarter Weekend Market
A weekly Saturday market in a lovingly restored complex of 19th-century wooden buildings in the Āgenskalns neighborhood on the Daugava's left bank. Local farmers, artisan food producers, handmade crafts, and live folk music — a world away from the tourist market near the Old Town. Noon–5pm Saturdays.
The left bank of the Daugava is where Riga lives without performing — the wooden architecture here is more authentic than anything in the Old Town.
Rīgas Melnais Balzāms at a Local Pharmacy-Bar
Seek out a traditional Latvian aptieka-style bar and drink Riga Black Balsam the proper way — as a shot, in black currant juice, or mixed into hot coffee with cream. The Balzāms Bar on Torņa iela serves flights of different varieties. Local knowledge: mix it with Cido apple juice for the most approachable introduction.
Every tourist buys a bottle of Black Balsam to take home but few know how to drink it correctly — locals have opinions on this.
Veļu tirgus (Vēja tirgus) Flea Market
Riga's weekend flea market at Vidzemes tirgus is one of the great Soviet and Latvian antique treasure hunts in the Baltics — old linen tablecloths, amber, Latvian folk brooches (saktas), Soviet cameras, and pre-war books pile up on folding tables every Saturday and Sunday from dawn.
This is where Riga's amber goes before the tourist shops — genuinely old pieces at non-tourist prices if you know what to look for.
Insider Tips
Climate & Best Time to Go
Monthly climate & crowd levels
Riga has a humid continental climate significantly moderated by the Baltic Sea. Winters are grey, cold, and snowy; summers are surprisingly warm and long-daylight. The city is beautiful under snow and even more beautiful in June when it barely gets dark. Pack layers regardless of season — Baltic weather is changeable.
Spring
March–May36–61°F
2–16°C
A slow thaw with March still cold and grey. By May, Riga comes alive — terrace cafés open, the parks turn green, and the city's wooden architecture looks its best in spring light. A volatile month with rapid temperature swings.
Summer
June–August59–75°F
15–24°C
Riga's finest season — long, bright days (near-midnight twilight in June), warm without the oppressive heat of central Europe, and the city fully open. Midsummer (Jāņi, June 23–24) is Latvia's biggest holiday with bonfires and flower-crown festivities. The beach at Jūrmala is at its best.
Autumn
September–November39–57°F
4–14°C
September is still lovely — golden parks, dwindling crowds, crisp air. October turns cool and atmospheric. November is when Riga goes grey and stays grey until spring. Worth it in September–October; challenging from November onward.
Winter
December–February18–36°F
-8–2°C
Cold, often snowy, with only 6–7 hours of daylight at the solstice. The Old Town under snow is genuinely magical — Christmas markets, candlelit cafés, and the orange glow of the Dom Cathedral's windows. The thermal spa culture (pirts — Latvian sauna) makes winter very bearable.
Best Time to Visit
June–August for long days and warm weather; December for Christmas markets and atmospheric winter beauty.
Summer (June–August)
Crowds: Highest — Riga is popular with European city-breakers in summerThe undisputed peak season — near-midnight twilight in June, warm temperatures, outdoor terraces packed, Jūrmala beach buzzing. Midsummer Jāņi (June 23–24) is Latvia's most important holiday.
Pros
- + Best weather
- + Longest days (near-white nights in June)
- + All attractions open
- + Jāņi festival
- + Beach season at Jūrmala
Cons
- − Higher hotel prices
- − Busiest Old Town
Spring (April–May)
Crowds: Low to moderateSlow awakening with pleasant May days. Gardens bloom, café terraces reopen, and crowds are much thinner than summer. April is still cold and unpredictable.
Pros
- + Affordable hotels
- + Green parks
- + Fewer crowds
- + Good photography light
Cons
- − April is cold and rainy
- − Some outdoor attractions not yet fully open
Autumn (September–October)
Crowds: Low to moderateSeptember is excellent — golden parks, comfortable temperatures, and summer crowds gone. October is the turning point: still beautiful with foliage but cooling rapidly.
Pros
- + Autumn colours
- + Quieter Old Town
- + Lower prices
- + Local festivals
Cons
- − Grey by October
- − Jūrmala beach season over
Winter (November–March)
Crowds: Very low (except Christmas/New Year week)Cold and dark, but Riga's Christmas market (one of the best in Northern Europe — it's claimed Riga had the world's first Christmas tree in 1510) and New Year celebrations draw visitors. January–February is the quietest, cheapest, and most authentically local period.
Pros
- + Christmas market
- + Lowest prices
- + Snow on medieval architecture
- + Local pirts (sauna) culture
- + Almost no tourists
Cons
- − Very cold and dark
- − Short days
- − Some seasonal attractions closed
🎉 Festivals & Events
Jāņi (Midsummer)
JuneLatvia's biggest national celebration on the night of June 23–24 — bonfires, flower crowns, traditional foods (Jāņu siers cheese, caraway seed bread), and singing through the night. Latvians head to the countryside; the city empties and then fills again with festivities. One of the most authentic cultural experiences in the Baltics.
Latvian Song and Dance Festival
July (every 5 years)The world's largest choral event, gathering 40,000+ performers in Riga every five years. The closing concert at Mežaparks draws 30,000 audience members. UNESCO Intangible Heritage. Next edition: 2028.
Riga City Festival
AugustThree days of free outdoor concerts, cultural events, and street performances across the Old Town celebrating Riga's founding date (August 24–26 area). The best free weekend in the city calendar.
Riga Christmas Market
DecemberOne of Northern Europe's finest Christmas markets, centered on the Dom Square and Town Hall Square. Latvian craft stalls, mulled wine (karstvīns), gingerbread, and live choir performances. The claim that Riga had the world's first Christmas tree (1510) is disputed but makes for excellent market atmosphere.
Safety Breakdown
Very Safe
out of 100
Riga is a very safe city by European standards. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. The primary concerns are pickpocketing in the Old Town and Central Market during summer, and tourist-trap scams in certain Old Town bars (check prices before ordering). As an EU and NATO member state, Latvia's security situation is stable despite geographic proximity to Russia — the Latvian government and public take national security seriously.
Things to Know
- •Watch for pickpockets on Jāņa sēta (the narrow lanes through the Old Town) and at the Central Market.
- •Some Old Town bars target tourists with unmarked menus and shocking bills — always confirm prices before ordering.
- •The Central Station area at night can attract petty crime; stay aware.
- •Riga's nightclub district can get rowdy on weekends — stick to established venues.
- •Tap water in Riga is safe to drink — one of the better-tasting municipal supplies in Europe.
- •The tram tracks in the city center are a trip hazard for cyclists and pedestrians — watch your footing on wet rails.
Emergency Numbers
Police
110
Fire
112
Ambulance
113
Emergency (unified)
112
US Embassy Riga
+371-6710-7000
UK Embassy Riga
+371-6777-4700
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayQuick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$40-70
Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, eating at the Central Market and local cafés, using trams exclusively, visiting free sights (Old Town, Freedom Monument, parks). Riga is one of the most affordable EU capitals.
mid-range
$90-150
Comfortable 3-star hotel or quality Airbnb in or near the Old Town, eating at good restaurants, occasional Bolt rides, museum entries.
luxury
$200+
Riga's best boutique hotels (Hotel de Rome, Grand Palace Hotel, Neiburgs), fine dining at restaurants like Vincents or Biblioteka No.1, private guides. Riga luxury is exceptional value by Western European standards.
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationHostel dorm bed | 12–20 EUR | $13–22 |
| AccommodationBudget guesthouse | 35–60 EUR | $38–65 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel (per night) | 70–130 EUR | $76–141 |
| Accommodation4-star boutique hotel | 150–250 EUR | $163–272 |
| FoodLunch at a Central Market stall | 4–8 EUR | $4–9 |
| FoodLunch at a local café | 8–14 EUR | $9–15 |
| FoodDinner at a good restaurant | 20–40 EUR | $22–43 |
| FoodCraft beer at a bar | 3–5 EUR | $3–5 |
| FoodRiga Black Balsam shot | 3–4 EUR | $3–4 |
| TransportTram/trolleybus single ride | 2 EUR | $2.20 |
| TransportBolt across town | 4–8 EUR | $4–9 |
| TransportBus to airport (No. 22) | 2 EUR | $2.20 |
| AttractionsRiga Art Nouveau Museum | 6 EUR | $6.50 |
| AttractionsEthnographic Open-Air Museum | 5–7 EUR | $5–8 |
| AttractionsHouse of the Blackheads interior tour | 6 EUR | $6.50 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •The Old Town, Central Market exterior, Freedom Monument, and most parks are completely free to explore.
- •Eat lunch at the Central Market — hearty Latvian soups, smoked fish plates, and rye bread for €4–8 beats any café.
- •Buy an e-talons card for transit at the information kiosks — the per-ride price drops significantly vs. single tickets.
- •The best Art Nouveau viewing is free — just walk down Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela with your eyes up.
- •Riga's best nightlife spots are off the Old Town tourist strip — local bars in Miera iela and the Lāčplēša iela neighborhood charge half the prices.
- •Shop for amber at the Saturday Kalnciema market for better prices than Old Town boutiques.
Euro
Code: EUR
Latvia adopted the Euro in 2014; 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR as of 2025. No currency exchange needed for EU travelers. US dollars and UK pounds can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices — airport rates are poor. ATMs (Swedbank, SEB, Luminor) are widespread and reliable.
Payment Methods
Card payments (Visa/Mastercard/contactless) are accepted almost universally — even many market stalls now take cards. Cash is useful for the Central Market's smaller vendors and tipping. Apple Pay and Google Pay work well across the city.
Tipping Guide
10% is standard at sit-down restaurants; some add a service charge — check the bill. Rounding up the bill is also common.
Not expected for counter service; rounding up appreciated at table service.
Round up to the nearest euro; not mandatory.
5–10 EUR per person for a walking tour is appreciated.
1–2 EUR for porters; 2–5 EUR per night for housekeeping.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Riga International Airport(RIX)
10 km southwestBus 22 runs directly to the city center (Old Town, Central Station) in about 30 minutes; fare ~2 EUR. Taxis and Bolt: ~12–18 EUR, 20 minutes. No rail connection to the airport currently (a tram extension is planned).
✈️ Search flights to RIX🚆 Rail Stations
Riga Central Station (Rīgas Centrālā dzelzceļa stacija)
Adjacent to the Central Market, Riga's main railway hub serves domestic routes (Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, Valka) and international overnight trains. Direct trains to Vilnius and Tallinn are limited; buses are usually faster. The station was renovated in the 1990s and is functional and easy to navigate.
🚌 Bus Terminals
Riga International Bus Station
Located next to the Central Station, the bus terminal has coaches to Tallinn (4.5 hr, Lux Express), Vilnius (4 hr), Warsaw, Berlin, and other European cities. Lux Express coaches are excellent — comfortable seating with coffee service. Online booking recommended for international routes.
Getting Around
Riga's city center is compact and walkable; the public transport network (trams, trolleybuses, buses) covers the broader city efficiently. Bolt ride-hailing works well. Cycling is increasingly viable with dedicated lanes, particularly to Ķīpsala and along the canal.
Trams & Trolleybuses
1.15–2 EUR per trip; e-talons day pass ~5 EURRiga's vintage-style tram network is the backbone of public transport, running reliable routes across the city. Tram 11 runs from the Old Town along the canal to the Central Market. Trolleybuses cover routes not served by trams. Punch or validate your ticket on board or use the e-talons card.
Best for: Cross-city travel, reaching the Open-Air Museum, Ethnographic Museum
Bolt
3–8 EUR for most city tripsThe dominant ride-hailing app in the Baltics, with transparent pricing and English interface. Riga's Bolt fares are among the cheapest in the EU. Particularly useful for reaching the Ethnographic Museum, Jūrmala (combine with train back), and late-night returns.
Best for: Flexibility, late-night, luggage, outlying neighborhoods
Cycling (Sixt e-Bikes / Bolt Bikes)
0.20 EUR/min unlock + per-minute rateRiga has expanded its cycling infrastructure significantly. The canal ring around the Old Town, the path to Ķīpsala island, and the route along the Daugava riverbank are excellent. E-bike sharing (Bolt Bikes, Sixt) available throughout the center.
Best for: Old Town to Ķīpsala, canal ring, Mežaparks
Walking
FreeThe Old Town and immediate surroundings are easily walkable — the Art Nouveau district, Freedom Monument, and Central Market are all within 15–20 minutes of the Old Town on foot. The city is largely flat.
Best for: Old Town, Art Nouveau district, canal walk, Central Market
🚶 Walkability
High in the center; moderate to outlying neighborhoods. Flat terrain makes walking and cycling easy.
Travel Connections
Jūrmala
A 33 km stretch of white sand beach and pine forest on the Gulf of Riga — the Baltic coast equivalent of the Hamptons, with grand wooden Art Nouveau villas, summer beach restaurants, and the famously warm (for the Baltic) shallow sea. Jūrmala was the Soviet elite's preferred summer escape. The Dzintari resort area is the most upscale; Majori and Dubulti have the best walking.
Sigulda & Gauja National Park
Latvia's castle country — a scenic river valley in Gauja National Park with medieval castle ruins at Sigulda, Cēsis, and Turaida, plus Latvia's only bobsled track (open to public rides in winter). The valley is dramatic by Baltic standards with sandstone cliffs and forested gorges. Visit Turaida Castle and the rose garden memorial to the Turaida Rose legend.
Tallinn
Estonia's capital has one of the best-preserved medieval Old Towns in Northern Europe — arguably even more intact than Riga's. The Lux Express and FlixBus coaches are comfortable and run multiple times daily. Alternatively, take the ferry from Riga via Pärnu (slower, more scenic) or fly. A perfect Baltic capitals combo trip.
Vilnius
Lithuania's capital is the most architecturally Baroque of the three Baltic capitals — its old town is a UNESCO masterpiece of Counter-Reformation church architecture. Lux Express runs comfortable coaches between Riga and Vilnius via Šiauliai (where the Hill of Crosses is a not-to-miss detour). A two- or three-capital Baltic road trip is one of the classic European itineraries.
Rundāle Palace
Latvia's Versailles — a magnificent Baroque palace designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli (who also designed Russia's Winter Palace) for Duke Ernst Johann von Biron in the 1730s. The state rooms and Rose Garden are immaculately restored. Typically combined with the neighboring Bauska Castle ruins. No direct public transport; organized day tours from Riga are the easiest option.
Entry Requirements
Latvia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU/EEA member states can enter with just a national ID card. Citizens of most Western nations enjoy 90-day visa-free access within the Schengen Area. Latvia joined Schengen in 2007.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US / Canada / UK / AU / NZ | Visa-free | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen total) | Passport valid for 3 months beyond intended stay required. Note: the 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area combined — time in any Schengen country counts against your allowance. |
| EU / EEA Citizens | Visa-free | Unlimited (right of free movement) | National ID card sufficient; no passport required within Schengen. |
| Other nationalities | Yes | Schengen visa allows up to 90 days | Apply for a Schengen visa through the Latvian Embassy or the embassy of the Schengen country where you will spend most time. Processing typically takes 10–15 working days. |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •UK visitors post-Brexit: you have visa-free 90/180 days in Schengen but your passport must be under 10 years old at entry.
- •ETIAS (EU pre-travel authorization for non-EU visa-free nationals) was in development as of 2025; check current status before traveling.
- •No border controls between Latvia and Estonia/Lithuania — you can travel the Baltic states freely without passport checks.
- •Riga Airport has standard EU Schengen procedures — arrivals from non-Schengen countries go through passport control.
Shopping
Riga shopping spans from the magnificent chaos of the Central Market to the curated amber boutiques of the Old Town and the weekend craft markets of Āgenskalns. The best purchases are Latvian-made: amber (the world's best supply comes from the Baltic coast), linen, Black Balsam, and traditional jewelry.
Old Town (Vecrīga)
Tourist Shopping & BoutiquesConcentrated amber shops, Latvian craft stores, and souvenir boutiques in the medieval lanes. Quality varies enormously — the best amber shops certify authenticity. Jāņa sēta is the most concentrated strip.
Known for: Baltic amber jewelry, Latvian ceramics, linen products, Riga Black Balsam
Central Market
Food & Everyday MarketThe five zeppelin-hangar pavilions for serious food shopping — fresh fish (Baltic sprats, smoked eel), dairy, mushrooms, honey, wild berries. The outer stalls sell everything from amber to Soviet memorabilia.
Known for: Smoked fish, Latvian dairy, wild mushrooms, honey, seasonal produce
Galleria Riga & Origo
Modern Shopping CentersTwo large modern malls adjacent to the Central Station area, with international fashion, electronics, and Baltic brands. Origo is newer and more upscale.
Known for: International brands, Baltic fashion labels, electronics, food court
Kalnciema Quarter Saturday Market
Artisan Weekend MarketThe best artisan market in Riga — local food producers, handmade jewelry, Latvian textile design, and organic produce in a gorgeous wooden-building complex on the left bank.
Known for: Handmade jewelry, organic farm produce, Latvian design, artisan cheese
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Baltic amber — raw, polished, or set in silver; buy from reputable Old Town shops with certificates
- •Rīgas Melnais Balzāms (Riga Black Balsam) — the iconic herbal spirit
- •Latvian linen (tablecloths, napkins, clothing) from market or design shops
- •Latvian folk brooch (sakta) — traditional silver pin in distinctive Baltic geometric designs
- •Smoked Baltic sprats (šprotes) in tins — the good ones are far superior to commercial varieties
- •Hand-knitted woolen mittens with traditional Latvian folk patterns (from the ethnographic museum shop or Kalnciema market)
Language & Phrases
Latvian uses the Latin alphabet with diacritical marks (macrons and cedillas). It's a Baltic language — the oldest surviving relative of Sanskrit in spoken use — and not mutually intelligible with any other European language. Russian is widely spoken in Riga, especially among the older generation, but using Latvian is greatly appreciated. English is spoken well by most people under 40 in the city center.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Sveiki | SVAY-kee |
| Good morning | Labrīt | LAB-reet |
| Thank you | Paldies | PAL-dyess |
| Please | Lūdzu | LOOD-zu |
| Yes / No | Jā / Nē | Yah / Neh |
| Excuse me | Atvainojiet | AT-vine-oh-yeet |
| Do you speak English? | Vai jūs runājat angliski? | Vai yoos roo-NAH-yat ANG-liss-kee? |
| Where is...? | Kur atrodas...? | Kur AT-ro-das? |
| How much does this cost? | Cik tas maksā? | Tsik tas MAK-sah? |
| The bill, please | Rēķinu, lūdzu | REH-kee-nu, LOOD-zu |
| Cheers! | Priekā! | PREE-eh-kah! |
| Goodbye | Uz redzēšanos | Uz RED-zeh-sha-nos |
If you like Riga, you'll love…
4 cities with a similar vibe, outside of the same country.
Lithuania · OVR 85
deep artistic heritage · compact, pedestrian-first layout
Belgium · OVR 83
compact, pedestrian-first layout · easy to live online
United Kingdom · OVR 85
rich cultural layers · eminently walkable core
Estonia · OVR 82
eminently walkable core · easy to live online