With a location that is remote for most travelers, Riga and all of Latvia aren’t obvious destinations unless you are on a serious tour of the region. Those who go to the trouble to reach Riga will be rewarded with a pleasant and handsome city center along with very low prices (by European standards) for most everything.
| Population | 720,000 |
| Area | 1,100,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+2 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Airports | Riga International Airport (RIX) |
This former Soviet country costs only a fraction of what you’d spend in nearby Scandinavia, with hotels and hostels available at prices that are drawing in the nightlife crowd from the UK looking for a cheap weekend break. The Old Town area is where you’ll find most hostels and hotels, and fortunately there is so much competition among restaurants and bars that deals are common and prices are quite low. If you can get a cheap flight, this is one of the better places for a stag weekend and that sort of thing.
Riga hotels generally have high season rates from May through September, and the rest of the year is low season, except for the period around Christmas. Hostels in Riga are bargains all year round.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 12.63 - 31.58 |
| 35.79 - 52.63 |
| 44.21 - 73.68 |
| 42.11 - 126.32 |
| 100.00 - 200.00 |
Avitar Apartment House Doubles from €34/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Riga |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 4.21 - 23.16 |
Central Hostel Riga Beds from €6/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Riga |
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National History Museum of Latvia | Even without many English-language displays this is a quick way to learn the local history. | adults students seniors | 3.16 1.05 1.05 |
Food prices in Riga are pleasantly reasonable, even in the historic center, at least compared to Germany and Scandinavia. You’ll find good deals most places you go.
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | If your hotel doesn't include breakfast you'll still have cheap options nearby. | 3.16 - 5.26 |
| Budget lunch | Pancakes, blinis, and potatoes are among the many cheap local options here. | 5.26 - 7.37 |
| Budget dinner | Even sit-down meals with a meat dish are very affordable in Riga if you go local. | 7.37 - 13.68 |
| Beer (.5l) | As always, the local lager is the cheapest option. | 2.11 - 4.21 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 17.89 - 26.32 |
| Minibus from airport to city center | 8.42 |
| Public bus from airport to city center | 2.11 |
| 3km taxi ride in Riga | 6.32 - 7.37 |
| Public bus, trolley, or tram ride | 1.05 - 2.11 |
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 | 18 | 1.3 |
| February | 29 | 18 | 1.1 |
| March | 37 | 24 | 1.1 |
| April | 51 | 34 | 1.6 |
| May | 61 | 43 | 1.7 |
| June | 68 | 50 | 2.5 |
| July | 71 | 54 | 3.4 |
| August | 70 | 53 | 2.9 |
| September | 61 | 46 | 3.0 |
| October | 51 | 39 | 2.4 |
| November | 39 | 31 | 2.2 |
| December | 33 | 24 | 1.8 |
Summers in Riga are nicely warm and somewhat humid, but the temperature rarely rises to the point that it becomes uncomfortable. There isn’t much rainfall at any time of year, though there is usually a snow cover for at least two months each winter so it’s not a good time to visit.
| 21 Mar | 6:22am | 6:40pm |
| 21 Jun | 4:30am | 10:21pm |
| 21 Sep | 7:07am | 7:25pm |
| 21 Dec | 9:00am | 3:34pm |