If you’re looking for an underrated European city to explore, look no further than Riga. This Baltic capital is ideal for wellness junkies, nature lovers, and history buffs alike. Best of all, the city is fairly small (the population floats around 600,000 people), so it’s easily explorable in just one day. If you’re short on time, here’s what to do in a day in Riga, Latvia.
Stroll through one of the many parks
Riga is full of parks (strolling through the parks reminded me of my one day in Tbilisi, Georgia). I was there in late September, and was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of flowers and plants. One of my favorite parks was Bastejkalna Park which is located close to the city center, but I also loved Esplanāde.
Head to a local market
This was my absolute favorite thing I did in Riga. I went market-hopping and visited several markets in just a few hours. If you can control what day you are there, I’d highly recommend a Saturday, specifically so you can head to Kalnciema, a Saturday-only market, which was by far my favorite stop. At Kalnciema, I tried sklandrausis (a traditional Latvian sweet pie made with potatoes, carrots, honey, and caraway seeds), hemp-seed products, fresh berries, hot sauce, mushrooms, and there was even a taco truck. I also loved Āgenskalna Market, where I was able to try Solyanka, a tomato-based fish soup that only ran me about 4 euro.
Go for a walking tour of the city
Riga is a stunner, and after exploring nearby Tallinn, Estonia and Vilnius, Lithuania prior to my trip, I didn’t think either of their fairytale charm’s could be topped, but Riga proved me wrong. The city is truly beautiful, and a lot of that is largely attributed to the Art Nouveau Buildings. The best way to find them, along with other hidden secrets of the city (like their dedication to all things cats), is by taking a walking tour.
Get your spa on
Move over, Finland, there’s another Nordic European country with some incredible spas–Latvia! I am slowly but surely getting into my wellness era, especially after my visit to Orbeliani Baths in Georgia, and Riga certainly ticked the box. My favorite two spas I visited were ESPA Riga and the Hedonic Spa inside of the Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah (more on that later!).
Try Riga Black Balsam from Andalūzijas Suns
Brace yourself for the bold, brazen liqueur of Riga–Riga Black Balsam. If cough syrup was to ever endorse a spirit, this would be a great option. Don’t let this deter you from trying it–it’s a rite of passage in Riga, and one shot won’t hurt! Another great place to try a sampling of Black Balsam in different flavors is from Black Magic Bar Riga.
Take a boat tour of the city
The Daugava River cuts through the city of Riga. A walking tour of the city is certainly one way to see Riga, but getting out on the water is a peaceful alternative to see a different side of the city and to cover more ground. Boat tours run frequently and last a little under an hour. Plus, from my experience, it’s a great way to meet people!
Grab dinner from Kolonāde Restaurant
Though all of the food I ate in Riga was great, my dining experience at Kolonāde Restaurant was a true standout. They have impeccable wine pairings, and the setting is beautiful. The starter of Greenlandic shrimp was possibly my best bite in Riga, and the filet afterward really sealed the deal. I highly recommend you make time for this restaurant, whether for dinner or lunch.
End with a nightcap at Gimlet Nordic
Finish out your day in Riga with a gin-based cocktail from Gimlet Nordic, a cute, tiny speakeasy, for a gin-based cocktail. The menu is focused largely on local Latvian ingredients with a lot of innovative options, but if you don’t see something you like, ask the bartender to whip you something up based on your preferences. My favorite drinks here were a raspberry gimlet and a mushroom-old fashioned that they were able to concoct with porcini mushroom bitters and syrup.
EXTRA: Spend the night
You will likely need a place to sleep while in Riga, and if so, I fully endorse Grand Poet by Semarah. This hotel is centrally located, is home to one of the best spas in Riga (Hedonic Spa), and their breakfast buffet is a great way to fuel your day (doesn’t hurt that they offer bubbly first thing in the morning).
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Latvia Travel hosted me for two nights in Riga, Latvia.