Cheap things to do in Riga
Market breakfasts, medieval streets and great-value dinners without breaking the bank.
This is a Riga for people who want to eat well and spend carefully: mornings in the Central Market pavilions, afternoons on foot through Art Nouveau streets and cathedral squares, evenings at the kind of restaurants that have earned critics' nods without charging fine-dining prices. You do not need a big budget here, just a good pair of shoes and a willingness to share a bench with a fishmonger.
Day 1: Central Market and the canal
Start cheap and local at the Zeppelin hangars, watch the guard change at the Freedom Monument, then a Latvian lunch at Milda and a cheap buffet dinner at LIDO by Vērmane Garden.
- 9:30 AM
Central Market Food Stalls
Grab a hot Uzbek pastry and tea from the market pavilion stalls, the cheapest, most local breakfast in Riga.
Map - 10:30 AM
Riga Central Market
Wander the five giant Zeppelin hangars, free to enter, packed with fish, cheese and local colour.
Map - 12:30 PM
Freedom Monument
Grab cheap street food nearby and eat by the Freedom Monument, catch the changing of the guard on the hour.
Map - 2:00 PM
Milda
Latvian home cooking in the Old Town; order grey peas with bacon and the layered rye bread dessert.
Map - 7:30 PM
LIDO Vērmanītis
Latvian canteen food by the plate: potato pancakes, pork chops, grey peas and kvass, priced by what you take.
Map
Day 2: Old Town, the cathedral organ
Medieval house fronts at no cost, a chest-rattling organ recital for next to nothing, then two great-value spots covering Italy and Japan in one evening.
- 9:30 AM
Three Brothers
Wander freely around Riga's oldest surviving houses, free from the outside, zero cost, maximum medieval atmosphere to kick off the morning.
Map - 11:45 AM
Dome Cathedral
The largest medieval cathedral in the Baltics, cheap entry, stunning interior, and the famous organ you'll feel in your chest.
Map - 1:15 PM
Snatch
Fresh pasta and simple Italian plates in the Quiet Centre at prices that suit a long lunch.
Map - 7:30 PM
Shōyu
Japanese comfort food near Vašingtona laukums; a bowl of ramen or donburi for well under twenty euros.
Map
Day 3: Parks, domes and Art Nouveau facades
A slow morning in Esplanāde, a gold-domed Orthodox cathedral, a free walk down Alberta iela, and a brunch plate that punches well above its price.
- 10:30 AM
Esplanāde
The city's big formal park, with the Rainis statue, wide lawns and the Orthodox cathedral's gold domes at one end.
Map - 12:30 PM
SMØR Bistro
Nordic open sandwiches on dense rye; two make a cheap lunch, start with the herring.
Map - 2:30 PM
Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
Free entry to the gold-domed Orthodox cathedral in the canal parks, dress respectfully and soak up the atmosphere.
Map - 4:30 PM
Art Nouveau District (Alberta iela
Walk Alberta iela's Art Nouveau facades and step inside the museum apartment for period interiors, free on the street, cheap inside.
Map - 7:30 PM
Café Mimosa
Brunch plates served all day on Strēlnieku iela; the stracciatella and truffle omelette is the order.
Map
Where to stay
Konventa Sēta Hotel Keystone Collection
Budget price, Old Town location, a short walk from every stop on all three days.
Make Riga your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- The Corner House: a few days ahead
- Latvian National Opera and Ballet: a few days ahead
- Žanis Lipke Memorial: a few days ahead
- Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track: a few days ahead
- Max Cekot Kitchen: weeks ahead
- JOHN Chef's Hall: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Old Town trap restaurants on Kalku and Livu: picture menu plus a tout outside means walk, a menu in Latvian first is a good sign.
- Amber shops on every Old Town corner, the same goods are 30 percent plus cheaper at Central Market and much tourist amber is not amber.
- Large Daugava only river cruises over the smaller canal boats, and do not pay for both St Peter's and the Academy of Sciences viewing platform.
- Rozengrals medieval cellar is fun theatre, but locals rate the food below Milda and Ala at similar spend.
The full Riga travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around