Capital city, Latvia
Riga
Baltic capital with the world's richest Art Nouveau district, a medieval old town, good food and low prices. Winters are long and grey, and the nightlife strips can be rough.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,910–2,700Comfortable, one person · €1,700–2,400Details
- Value for money35/100Better value than 34% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 22°CDetails
- Air quality14 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · ModerateDetails
- Internet124 MbpsFixed broadband, Latvia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe to drink; old building pipes can change the taste, so many locals filter it.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and phones work almost everywhere; carry cash for markets and small cafés.Details
Where to stay in Riga
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Town (Vecrīga) | First-timers: cobblestone sights, walkable; loud on weekends |
| Quiet Centre (Centrs) | Art Nouveau streets, cafés and shops; a good base |
| Āgenskalns | Wooden houses, local cafés and markets across the river |
| Miera iela | Hip bars, cafés and creative studios; northeast of centre |
Apps that work in Riga
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Vivi: Train tickets
- Mobilly: Parking and public transport tickets
- Taxis: Use Bolt or Uber; street taxis often overcharge. Fixed-price airport rides are cheap.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Latvia.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and phones work almost everywhere; carry cash for markets and small cafés.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs (Swedbank, SEB, Citadele, Luminor) are fine; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: About 10% in restaurants for good service; check whether service is already on the bill.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and Bolt.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs (LMT Amigo, Tele2 Zelta Zivtiņa, Bite Toks) sell at Narvesen kiosks and supermarkets; EU roaming rules apply. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Latvia
Going to Riga solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Riga meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Riga Public Transport (Rīgas satiksme)
- Riga International Airport
- Live Riga
- Pauls Stradiņš University Hospital
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.