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Riga Region, Latvia
Riga
Hanseatic grandeur meets the world's finest Art Nouveau streetscapes
ArchitectureArt & MuseumsHistory & Heritage
Riga sits on the banks of the Daugava River, its UNESCO-listed historic centre weaving together a medieval Old Town of cobbled lanes, Baroque churches, and the most extensive collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. The city grew rapidly between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leaving behind over 800 ornate facades along streets such as Alberta iela that remain remarkably intact today.
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Best time to visit
May to September
Region
Riga Region
Main airport
Riga (RIX)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Riga
UNESCO World HeritageHistory
Historic Centre of Riga
Riga's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1997, encompassing a medieval core of warehouses, guild halls, and Gothic spires alongside the world's largest and finest collection of Art Nouveau architecture. Strolling from the 13th-century Riga Cathedral to the ornate facades of Alberta Street, visitors move through centuries of mercantile and architectural ambition in just a few blocks. The City Canal forms a green belt around the old quarter, making the area pleasant to explore on foot in all seasons.
Culture
Riga Art Nouveau District
The streets around Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela in central Riga contain the greatest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world, with over 800 buildings dating largely from 1896 to 1913. Facades are adorned with expressive masks, writhing figures, decorative ironwork, and elaborate cornices that reflect the prosperity of the city during its rapid late-19th-century expansion. The Riga Art Nouveau Centre on Alberta Street opens one of these buildings to visitors, presenting restored interiors and an exhibition on the movement's history in Latvia.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Riga
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Tours & Activities
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Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Latvia
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Latvia page at Yoogo.
Latvia uses the euro (EUR), having adopted it in 2014 as a member of the European Union. Card payments are widely accepted in Riga and most tourist destinations, though it is worth carrying some cash for smaller towns, markets, and rural areas.
Latvia is generally considered a safe destination with low rates of violent crime. As in any city, petty theft and pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas such as Riga's Old Town and the Central Market, so it is sensible to keep valuables secure.
Riga has an extensive public transport network of buses, trams, and trolleybuses, and the Riga Card offers unlimited travel alongside museum discounts. Trains connect Riga to Jurmala, Sigulda, and Cesis, while regional buses serve destinations across the country. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available in Riga, and car hire is a practical option for exploring the countryside.
Late spring and summer, roughly May to August, offer the warmest temperatures, long daylight hours, and the full calendar of outdoor festivals including the beloved Jani midsummer celebrations in late June. Autumn brings striking foliage across the national parks, while winter attracts visitors to Riga's Christmas markets and the region's cross-country skiing trails.
Latvian is the official language, though Russian is also widely spoken, particularly among older residents and in cities with large Russian-speaking communities such as Daugavpils. English is well understood in Riga's tourism and hospitality sector, and younger Latvians generally speak it confidently.
Routine vaccinations should be up to date before travel; hepatitis A, diphtheria, and tetanus are commonly recommended. Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas across Latvia, so travellers planning to hike or spend time outdoors, including in parks close to Riga, should discuss the TBE vaccine with a healthcare provider before departure.
Tipping is not obligatory in Latvia but is appreciated for good service. Rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% in restaurants and cafes is a courteous gesture, and taxi drivers and hotel porters are similarly happy to receive a small tip.
Latvia has good 4G and expanding 5G coverage in Riga and major towns, making it well suited for eSIM use. Several international providers including Airalo offer Latvia eSIM plans that can be purchased and activated before departure, giving you data connectivity from the moment you land.