Solely have a weekend in Riga? Make it depend and pamper your self.
With its vigorous markets, budding restaurant scene, vibrant artwork world, lovely structure, and plentiful nature, the Latvian capital has all the proper substances for a number of days of indulging in good meals, outside adventures, and cultural experiences.
Riga is a compact metropolis with many sights shut to one another.
Strolling is one of the simplest ways to get round for these prepared and ready, however the bus, tram, and trolleybus community can be a pocket-friendly option to attain additional factors, together with the seashore.
Right here’s what to rise up to on a weekend in Riga.
Right here’s an summary:
Right here’s What to do on a Weekend in Riga
In case you’re visiting this Latvian metropolis for a weekend escape, right here’s what to rise up to.
Touring by prepare? Take a look at: Touring Europe by Prepare
Riga Markets: Nourishing the Physique and Uplifting the Soul
For breakfast, brunch or lunch, head to Riga’s fabulous markets with a hungry abdomen, coronary heart and thoughts.
Riga Central Market is among the many largest markets in Europe. Its 5 huge pavilions and sprawling outside area home conventional and up to date distributors promoting meals, house and backyard items, and clothes, making it a common purchasing vacation spot. The just lately revamped Āgenskalns Market is a neighborhood assembly level, in addition to a spot to buy. Each markets have meals courts, pastry stalls, and low stands.
A little bit totally different in spirit, Kalnciema Quarter Market is a farmers’ and crafts market held each Saturday within the courtyard of a cluster of Riga’s famed picket buildings.
In case you’re fortunate and your weekend in Riga coincides with occasions like Midsummer or the harvest pageant in September, you would possibly expertise the pop-up gala’s in Dome Sq., the place artisans from throughout Latvia promote their wares. Anticipate finding linen clothes, picket utensils, pottery, amber jewelry, hemp merchandise, and honey – all nice souvenirs.
Discover Riga’s Evolving Artwork Panorama
Together with the spectacular everlasting assortment and exhibition programme on the must-see Latvian Nationwide Museum of Artwork, Riga is house to a blossoming up to date artwork scene with many impartial artwork galleries showcasing native artists.
See what’s on at Kim and Zuzeum, positioned in former manufacturing facility buildings hinting how town has remodeled.
Nature Awaits: Discover the Parks, Forests, and Seashores of Riga
Though I’d all the time advise extending a weekend in Riga with at the least a number of days out within the wilderness or countryside, town provides a style of Latvia’s nature. Mežaparks is a lakeside forest park with marked trails, a disc golf course, and a rope course within the bushes. In the summertime season, it’s also possible to hire bikes, skates, scooters, boats and paddle boards.
If seashores are your factor, Vecāķi seashore is simple to get to by prepare from Riga Central Station, and Daugavgrīva seashore by bus quantity 3 from town centre. Each have lifeguard stations in summer time, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from a swim. Alternatively, within the colder months of the yr they supply the right setting to clear your head on an extended stroll.
Splendidly Rejuvenating Wellness Escapes in Riga
Riga has some wonderful day spas, like ESPA and Taka, the place an appointment for a therapeutic massage or therapy will get you entry to the pool and sauna space too. ESPA advantages from a secluded outside pool, which is open year-round!
However, for one thing slightly extra native and memorable, e-book your self a session within the pirts – that’s a relative of the Finnish sauna. Riga Pirts has a good looking location on an island within the river Daugava. Ask them or your lodging supplier a few pirts ritual the place a skilled skilled will information you on a restorative and, doubtlessly, religious journey with parts of therapeutic massage.
From Fashionable Pâtisseries to Genuine Eats, Riga Indulges Foodies
In recent times, Riga has been experiencing a pâtisserie and specialty espresso store increase. Kūkotava, Mīkla, Kalve, and Rocket Bean Roastery are names to look out for when searching for a day pick-me-up. Alternatively, for an inexpensive and cheerful espresso and candy or savoury bun, you’ll discover a number of Mārtiņa beķereja, and Sala bakery outposts all through city.
For heartier meals, you’ll discover many eating places within the so-called “Quiet Centre” space of Riga, inside strolling distance of the previous city and in the direction of the Daugava river. For instance, Casa nostra is a comfy Italian trattoria, whereas Snatch is a classy Italian restaurant. Most eating places on this space must be booked prematurely.
Be sure to attempt Latvian meals throughout your keep too. For one thing on the standard aspect, like gray peas with lard, or rye bread pudding, head to Ala people membership within the previous city. For up to date Latvian delicacies, which tends to be lighter, deal with your self to a particular meal at 3 Chef’s Restaurant, Ferma, or Storage wine bar. They’ll spotlight the substances of the season, like birch sap and rhubarb in spring, berries in summer time, and wild mushrooms in early autumn.
Riga additionally has its justifiable share of eating places serving Georgian, Armenian, and Uzbek delicacies, which you don’t discover in each European metropolis. Though often fairly heavy on the grilled meat, most have some vegetarian dishes like aubergine rolls filled with walnuts, and khachapuri – a cheese-filled bread. Hačapuri meitene is a Georgian-run restaurant within the metropolis centre, and Hačapuri bistro is a stall within the previous city’s Burzma meals court docket.
After Darkish in Riga: Uncover the Native Drinks Scene
You’ll discover loads of bars within the previous city and metropolis centre. As a substitute of sticking along with your traditional drink, I like to recommend attempting Latvian cider. The previous couple of years have seen many new makers emerge, and the standard is top-notch, benefiting from our crisp and refreshing northern apples. Sidrērija within the previous city is a devoted cider bar, however it’s also possible to ask for manufacturers like Abavas, Tālavas, and Mūrbūdu at different pubs.
If you’re having fun with a winter weekend in Riga, scorching blackcurrant juice with a touch of the natural Riga Black Balsam is a should. This legendary beverage, developed by an 18th-century pharmacist, is finest loved slowly moderately than downed rapidly like a shot. For non-drinkers, a pleasant different is a warming sea buckthorn or quince drink.
Riga has additionally developed a vibrant cocktail scene. Head to Gimlet Nordic, or Nosaints hidden bar to attempt the barmens’ newest concoctions infused with seasonal flavors like redcurrant, blueberries, or dandelion.
Prolong Your Weekend in Riga
Whereas a weekend in Riga is sufficient time to get a way of town, I’d advocate extending your keep to take at the least in the future journey exterior the capital to immerse your self in nature someplace just like the Gauja Nationwide Park or absorb the small-town attraction in historic cities like Cēsis, Līgatne, and Kuldīga.
Have a beautiful time!
