Riga, Latvia. Photo: Shutterstock If you want a European city that is beautiful, affordable and still flying somewhat under the radar, Riga deserves a place on your list.
Latvia’s capital has the kind of Old Town you expect from a much more expensive European destination, but it is also easy to explore on foot, has plenty of inexpensive places to eat and offers enough unusual sights to keep a short city break interesting.
Riga is not a city you need to rush through. Most of the main attractions are close together, and part of the fun is simply wandering between medieval streets, colorful buildings, markets and cafés.
Here are 11 things worth putting on your Riga itinerary.
Start in Riga’s historic center. The Old Town is filled with pastel-colored buildings, medieval streets, small squares and architectural details that make it particularly enjoyable to explore on foot.
It is touristy, of course, but it still retains plenty of character and does not feel like a collection of attractions built purely for visitors.
Riga. Photo: ShutterstockRiga’s historic cable cars are another fun way to see the city.
They are old, a little rattly and certainly not the sleekest form of transport you will ever use, but that is part of the appeal. They are also an inexpensive way to get a different view of Riga while giving your feet a break.
Riga. Photo: ShutterstockThe House of the Blackheads is one of Riga’s most recognizable buildings.
The ornate structure in the heart of the Old Town was originally built centuries ago and was later destroyed during World War II. It was reconstructed in the 1990s, following its historic appearance.
Today, it is hard to miss, with its elaborate façade and central location on Town Hall Square.
Riga. Photo: NorthSky Films / Shutterstock.com
The Three Brothers. Photo: ShutterstockThe Three Brothers are three adjoining medieval houses and among the oldest residential buildings in Riga.
Each building has a different appearance, reflecting changes in architectural styles over the centuries. They make for a quick stop, but they are also one of those places that are easy to miss if you are simply walking around without knowing where to look.
Black Cat House. Photo: ShutterstockThe Black Cat House has one of Riga’s best architectural stories.
The building is named for the two black cat sculptures on its roof, whose tails are famously arched toward the nearby Great Guild.
There is a long-running legend behind the cats and their unusual positioning, making this more than just another pretty building to photograph.
Bremen Town Musician. Photo: cgst26 / Shutterstock.comRiga has its own connection to the famous Bremen Town Musicians sculpture.
The bronze statue depicts the donkey, dog, cat and rooster from the well-known fairy tale, stacked one on top of another.
You will probably notice that some of the animals' noses are noticeably shinier than the rest. Visitors rub them for good luck.
So, obviously, you have to do it.
The Latvian National Library is one of those places that can surprise you.
The building is striking from the outside, but the interior is where it becomes particularly interesting. Entry to the library is free, and the building offers excellent views across Riga.
National Library in Riga. Photo: Tanya Keisha / Shutterstock.comIt is an easy attraction to overlook, but the combination of architecture, free admission and skyline views makes it worth adding to your route.
For a glimpse of everyday Riga, head to the Central Market.
Riga Central Market. Photo: Mo Wu / Shutterstock.com The enormous market operates inside and around former Zeppelin hangars and is packed with stalls selling fresh produce, pastries, meat, fish, dairy products and other local foods.
It is a much more down-to-earth experience than simply visiting the city's postcard sights, and it is a good place to pick up snacks while exploring.
Riga Black Balsam. Photo: JulieStar / Shutterstock.comYou cannot really visit Riga without encountering Black Balsam, Latvia’s famously strong herbal liqueur.
I personally hate it. But you do what you have to do. Take the shot, make the face, and move on.
Whether you actually enjoy the taste is another matter, but trying it is part of the Riga experience.
The capital of Latvia and one of the largest and most important cities in Northern Europe unveils "Riga Rise," a new 65-meter-high attraction on the banks of the Daugava River. The new experience upgrades the skyline of the Latvian capital with a new attraction for all seasons
Riga Rise. Photo: Shutterstock
Jurmala is a beautiful seaside town located on the Baltic coast just 25 kilometers from Riga, reachable by train (2 EURO), or bus (2 EURO) within 25 minutes. It has soft white sandy beaches, peaceful pine forests, and gorgeous villas made of wood, all coming together for a perfectly laid-back atmosphere, no matter the season.
Jurmala beach, Latvia. Photo: ShutterstockThe best restaurants for traditional and modern Latvian food in Riga range from historic medieval cellars to cozy modern bistros, with main courses generally costing between 15-50 EURO.
Top choices in the Old Town include Baltā Kaza, a top-rated choice for modern Latvian cuisine with a clean, Scandinavian-inspired vibe serving beef tartare, fish soup, and hemp desserts, Pētergailis , a highly praised historic restaurant serving authentic, high-quality Latvian and regional dishes like slow-cooked beef-heeks and trout tartare in a cozy setting, and Rozengrāls, a 13th-century medieval cellar offering a true historical experience with period music and candlelight.
If you want Latvian comfort food without spending a fortune, Lido is an easy option. The restaurant chain serves traditional Latvian-style dishes in a casual setting, making it particularly useful for travelers looking for something filling and inexpensive.
Riga has a surprisingly lively nightlife scene, particularly around the Old Town. Highlights include the Aussie Backpackers Bar, Sweatshop, Sloshed and Funny Fox Karaoke. They are all places worth checking out for a fun night out with the locals.
Riga works because it gives you a lot of what travelers look for in a European city break without the scale and prices of some of the continent's better-known capitals.
A quick search for two adults and two children on October 8-15 found a two-bedroom apartment for as little as 160 EURO for the entire stay.
The Old Town is compact and easy to walk, the food can be affordable (a meal typically costs 7 to 20 EURO per person), public transport is inexpensive (90-minute public transport ticket costs 1.5 EURO for trams, buses, and trolleybuses) and there is plenty to see without spending every hour standing in a queue.
The city also has enough personality to keep the trip from feeling predictable. You can spend the morning walking medieval streets, stop for local food at the market, visit a striking modern library in the afternoon and finish the day with a drink and some nightlife.
If you want a beautiful European capital that feels a little different, is relatively easy on the wallet and still has plenty of places to discover, Riga is well worth considering.