Day Trip in Riga, Latvia

Riga is the capital city of Latvia. There are three countries of Baltic Sea which are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. If you take the bus from Estonia, takes 4.30 hours approximately. Traveling by ferry from Stockholm to Riga is possible. Tallink Silja departs from Stockholm at 17:00 and arrive Riga around 11:00. You can check the schedule on Tallink Silja website. I took the bus and get off at Riga Bus Station. It is located in downtown area, close to hotels, shopping area and sightseeing spots. I recommend to stay in Riga at least one night.

The Baltics Map

Photo: Magnetic Latvia Travel

Traveling between Tallinn (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania)
You can read my review about travelling by bus from Tallinn, click here.

Photo: Magnetic Latvia Travel

Public Transportation

Public transport services includes trams, trolleybuses and buses.

E-talons is the ticket vending machine. E-ticket and ticket buying from Kiosk i.e. Narvesen is cheaper than buying from the driver.

Ticket prices

Certain numbers of trips

1 Trip 1.15 Euro
2 trips 2.3 Euro
4 trips 4.6 Euro
5 trips 5.75 Euro
10 trips 10.90 Euro
20 trips 20.70 Euro

The tickets are valid on the routes operated by "Rīgas satiksme" (buses, trams, rolleybuses) as well as in minibuses.

Time Ticket

1 one-hour ticket 2.30 Euro
24-hour ticket for all routes 5.00 Euro
3-day ticket for all routes 10.00 Euro
5-day ticket for one route 9.00 Euro
5-day ticket for all routes 15.00 Euro
Five 24-hour tickets for all routes, to be used within 15 days** 25.00 Euro

Public transport passengers are allowed to carry free of charge:

- Bicycles, provided they are put in a free place inside the public transport vehicles, without causing discomfort and traumas to other passengers and without damaging public transport, and making sure that the bicycle is not moving on its own inside the vehicle;

- Animals, if carried as hand luggage;

- Hand luggage, if the sum of its sizes (height, length, width) does not exceed 300 cm or length does not exceed 180 cm.

You can read more information about the types of ticket and price on website.

Riga Sightseeing Map

Riga Map: Red Sightseeing

The above map is for Hop-on Hop-off Bus. You can get on and get off the bus as much you like. It's not a tour with guide. The bus stops all major sightseeing spots in Riga such as Riga Cathedral, Latvian National Theatre, including shopping malls. It's free for children up to 6-years old. Bus departs every 10-15 minutes. The ticket price is 20 euro for adult and 13 euro for children. Hop-on Hop-off bus is an alternative for tourists who want to look around the city. For more information of Hop-on Hop-off bus (Red Bus), click here

I decided to walk instead of taking the bus because the bus runs around the old town but not reach some of sightseeing spots i.e. House of Blackheads, Riga Domes Cathedral.

Riga’s Central Market (Centrāltirgus) is located in the downtown of Riga, close to Riga Bus Terminal and Central Railway Station. It is one of Europe’s biggest markets. You can buy the fresh vegetables, meat, fish, fruits, snacks, including souvenirs.

There are indoor and outdoor zones. The indoor market has many buildings, the shops sell fresh food and also has restaurants.Outdoor market zone sell various kind of products such as flowers, fresh fruit, grocery.

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 08:00-18:00
Sun 08:00-17:00

House of Blackheads (Melngalvju nams)

House of the Blackheads was built in 1334, almost 700 hundred years. The building was rebuilt in 1999 after was destroyed in the Second World War. It is meeting place for merchants. I just took photo from outside.

Ticket prices
Adults: 6 euro, Students and seniors 3 euro

Guide Service (1 hour) 15 euro

Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 10.00 - 18.00

Bremen Town Musicians

Bremen Town Musicians is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm and this sculpture is based on a fairy tail (a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster). Tourists believe that if rub the sculpture's nose and grant wishes, it will become true. You can read the summary of fairy tail, click here.

Three Brothers (Trīs brāļi)

Three houses are close together that's why called Three Brothers. The Three Brothers are the oldest medieval dwelling houses in Riga. The building in 17 Maza Pils Street (right side) is the oldest, was built around 1490. The middle building (in 19) is the richest one of the three, built in 1646. The building in 21 Maza Pils Street (left side) was built in the second half of the 17th century. It is the narrowest and the smallest one of the three brothers. It's free admission.

Riga Dome Cathedral (Rīgas Doms)

Riga Cathedral is one of the oldest sacred buildings of the medieval period in Latvia and also the Baltics.

Powder Tower

It was named the Powder Tower due to gunpowder stored there.

Monument of Freedom (Brīvības piemineklis)

The Freedom Monument symbolizes the idea of independence. A woman holding three stars above her head is on the top of obelisk. The Laima Clock is landmark in central Riga. It is located near Monument of Freedom.

Riga Orthodox Cathedral

Riga Orthodox Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Riga. Free admission.

Galerija Centrs

Galerija Centrs is shopping mall in Riga with modern style since 1938 and close to sightseeing spots. You can find clothes, accessories, supermarket, cafe, restaurants, sport goods, brand name products and etc.