Riga.
Flight from TLV
4h 13m
Best season
מאי–ספט
Avg temp
11°
Currency
€ EUR · 1=₪3.52
Time zone
זהה לת״א בחורף, שעה פחות מת״א בקיץ
Language
לטבית; אנגלית נפוצה באזורי התיירות
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום בתקופת 180 יום באזור שנגן
Safety
בטוחה בדרך כלל לתיירים; בעיר העתיקה ובתחבורה הציבורית כדאי להישמר מכייסות ולבחור מוניות רשמיות
Overview
🇱🇻Riga
🇱🇻Latvia
Riga is a compact, good-value European city break filled with remarkable Art Nouveau architecture, atmospheric lanes and surprisingly lively nightlife. Start at the House of the Black Heads and the Old Town, continue past the sculpted façades of Alberta iela, and browse cheeses, pastries and berries inside the historic hangars of Riga Central Market. Israeli visitors also come for shopping at Akropole Riga and Spice, affordable spa hotels, and an evening at OlyBet Voodoo Casino. Chabad and the Peitav-Shul synagogue provide useful anchors for observant Jewish travelers.
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Everything for Riga, in one place
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Riga
Each area and who it suits best.
Old Town, Vecrīga
This is the easiest base for stepping straight out to Town Hall Square, the House of the Black Heads, St. Peter's Church and the bars along Kaļķu Street. Hotels such as Grand Palace Hotel and Wellton Riverside SPA put everything within walking distance, but streets around Livu Square and Kaļķu get noisy on weekends, rooms cost more and car access is awkward.
Riga Centre, Centrs
Around Brīvības iela, Esplanāde Park and Origo shopping center, you get a practical city base with supermarkets, restaurants and transport, about a 10 to 20-minute walk from the Old Town. Radisson Blu Elizabete and Mercure Riga Centre are reliable choices; the trade-off is less medieval charm, while the area immediately around the central station feels rougher after dark.
Quiet Centre and Art Nouveau District, Klusais centrs
Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela showcase Riga's finest Art Nouveau façades, with Kronvalda Park and polished restaurants nearby. Grand Poet Hotel, A22 Hotel and Monika Centrum make excellent bases; the neighborhood is calmer and pricier, and the Old Town nightlife is roughly a 15 to 25-minute walk away.
New Riga Centre, Skanste
This modern district sits near Xiaomi Arena, the ATTA conference center and the shops around Alojas kvartāls, with properties such as AC Hotel Riga and Rija VEF farther north. Rates are often better and streets are quiet, but evening options are limited and reaching the Old Town requires transit or a 25 to 35-minute walk.
Āgenskalns and Ķīpsala
Across the Daugava, you will find wooden houses, the renovated Āgenskalns Market and Ķīpsala's waterfront views toward the Old Town skyline. Park Inn by Radisson Riga Valdemara works well for families and drivers; in exchange for quieter, better-value rooms, expect a 10 to 15-minute bus or taxi ride into the center.
Jūrmala
Majori and Dubulti offer a broad Baltic beach, historic wooden villas and the pedestrian Jomas iela, about 30 to 40 minutes by train from central Riga. Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA suits travelers wanting a spa-and-seaside stay; prices rise and crowds build in July and August, while outside summer the sea is cold and many beachfront businesses close early.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Riga
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
1°
-3°
Cool
פבר
2°
-3°
Cool
מרץ
7°
0°
Cool
אפר
12°
4°
Cool
מאי
17°
7°
Recommended
יונ
21°
12°
Recommended
יול
23°
15°
Excellent
אוג
22°
14°
Excellent
ספט
20°
13°
Recommended
אוק
11°
5°
Cool
נוב
5°
2°
Cool
דצמ
3°
-1°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יול · אוג
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): מאי · יונ · יול · אוג · ספט. July and August are peak season thanks to long daylight hours, pleasant weather and Israel's summer school holiday. May, June and September offer fewer crowds, while December draws visitors seeking a cold, atmospheric Christmas-market break.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Riga · Open-Meteo
This week in Riga
Measured in Riga
15°
Cloudy
Next 7 days
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Things to do
Things to do in Riga
On the map
Riga on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Riga itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
The heart of Old Riga
Begin before 09:00 at Town Hall Square and the House of the Black Heads, before tour groups fill the area. Continue to St. Peter's Church for the tower view, pass the Cat House and Three Brothers and finish at Dome Square. For a kosher lunch, visit Lechaim after confirming its hours, then walk beside the Daugava in the evening and return to Livu Square, home to both the bars and most of the noise.
- 2
Day 2
Art Nouveau, parks and Central Market
Start on Alberta iela and at the Riga Art Nouveau Museum, also examining the façades along Elizabetes iela. Continue through Kronvalda Park, past the Freedom Monument and along the city canal to Riga Central Market in its historic Zeppelin hangars; arrive by 14:00 while stalls remain active. Return via the Spīķeri warehouse quarter, then head to the Skyline Bar at Radisson Blu Latvija for an illuminated city view, even if you order only a drink.
- 3
Day 3
Jūrmala and the Baltic Sea
Take a morning train from Riga Central to Majori, a journey of about 30 to 40 minutes, and follow Jomas iela toward the beach. In summer, arrive before 11:00 for a comfortable spot, use the boardwalk and walk among the wooden villas toward Dubulti; the water remains cool even in July. In winter, replace swimming with a day-spa session at Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA and return to Riga by train rather than paying for a long taxi ride.
- 4
Day 4
Sigulda and Gauja National Park
Take an early train to Sigulda, around 75 minutes from Riga, to enjoy the paths before they become busy. Visit the Sigulda castle ruins and Turaida Castle; in season, cross the Gauja valley by cable car and cover more distant sections by local bus or taxi. Autumn provides the best foliage, while winter requires grippy footwear and extra schedule margin; return to Riga for a prearranged evening meal.
- 5
Day 5
Jewish Riga and the Left Bank
Begin at the Peitav Shul on Peitavas iela, arranging any visit, prayer or Shabbat-meal information in advance. Continue to the Jews in Latvia Museum at 6 Skolas iela and the Great Choral Synagogue memorial on Gogoļa iela, an important but sobering stop. In the afternoon, cross to Āgenskalns Market, walk among the wooden houses and continue to Ķīpsala for sunset photographs of the skyline across the river.
- 6
Day 6
Rundāle and Bauska
Rent a car for the day and leave by 08:30 for Rundāle Palace, a grand Baroque residence whose formal gardens are best from late spring through early autumn. Continue to Bauska Castle between the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers, carrying sandwiches or packaged kosher food because kosher options outside Riga are virtually nonexistent. Return before dark, hand back the car to avoid overnight parking costs and finish with a final walk around Dome Square or along the river.
Quick game
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Budget
How much does Riga cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Return flight from TLV
₪750-1,650 (summer: ₪2,000+)
4-5 night package
₪1,900-3,600 per person
Mid-range hotel night
₪280-520 per room
Five-star hotel night
₪520-1,050 per room
Restaurant meal
₪55-110 per person
Local beer
₪15-28
Coffee
₪10-18
Short taxi ride
₪18-35
Rental car per day
₪130-260 (before parking)
City walking tour
₪60-140 per person
Daily budget
₪300-550 per person
Family, five nights
₪8,500-14,500 (with flights)
Good to know
Good to know before Riga
Getting around
From the airport
RIX Airport is about 10 km from the Old Town. Bus 22 reaches the central station and the edge of the Old Town in 30 to 40 minutes for roughly ₪7 when purchased in advance, slightly more from the driver; tickets are sold at machines and Narvesen shops. A Bolt ride generally costs ₪35-60 and takes 15 to 25 minutes, while an official taxi from the rank usually costs ₪50-90 depending on traffic. There is no airport train, and a prebooked private transfer is about ₪90-150 per car.
Need a car?
You do not need a car for a city trip: the Old Town is pedestrian-oriented, while trams, buses and Bolt cover Centrs, the Art Nouveau district and Central Market well. Trains also make Jūrmala and Sigulda straightforward, so for couples and young travelers a car mainly adds parking costs and one-way-street hassles. Families combining Rundāle Palace, Bauska Castle or Gauja National Park at their own pace should rent one for only a day or two.
Tips
Use Bolt for taxis and Mobilly for public-transport tickets and parking; avoid unmarked taxis around the station and nightlife areas. Public-transport tickets must be validated every time you board, including after changing lines. Old Town parking is restricted and expensive, and winter renters should confirm suitable coverage and check ice and snow conditions carefully.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
Chabad Latvia operates at the Peitav Shul, 6/8 Peitavas iela in the Old Town, close to where many Israelis stay. It provides prayers, prebooked Shabbat and holiday meals and traveler assistance; do not assume there will be a minyan or meal space without coordinating, especially outside peak periods.
Kosher food
The principal kosher option is Lechaim restaurant at the Jewish community complex, 6 Skolas iela in Centrs; confirm current opening hours and certification before visiting. Riga's kosher selection is limited, so many Israelis preorder meals through Chabad, buy sealed products at larger Rimi and Maxima supermarkets and choose an apartment with a kitchenette. A vegetarian label in an ordinary restaurant should not be treated as kosher certification.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Riga 🇱🇻
A hospital day in Riga can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Gadgets & pre-existing conditions
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
351.8
1 EUR
₪3.52
100 EUR
₪351.8
1,000 EUR
₪3,518
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Riga 🇱🇻
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום בתקופת 180 יום באזור שנגן
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Riga
- 💳Almost everything in Riga can be paid for by card or phone, and if an ATM offers to charge you in shekels, always select euros and decline its conversion, especially at tourist-oriented machines in the Old Town.
- 🚕From RIX Airport, order a Bolt through the app rather than entering a random taxi, or take bus 22 if your hotel is near the Old Town.
- 📍For a first visit, stay on the edge of Vecrīga or around Centrs and Elizabetes iela rather than deep inside the Old Town, where nighttime noise, stairs and cobbles are awkward with suitcases and strollers.
- 🎟️Book House of the Black Heads tickets and a window table at Skyline Bar ahead for weekends, and visit St. Peter’s tower at opening or about an hour before closing to reduce queue time.
- 🏖️For a beach day, take the train from Riga Central to Majori or Dzintari in Jūrmala, roughly 30 minutes away, and choose Dzintari for a broad beach, forest park and family-friendly promenade.
- 🎰At Olympic Voodoo Casino inside Radisson Blu Latvija, you must present an original passport, and smart-casual clothing is safer than flip-flops or beachwear.
- ✡️For Shabbat, prayer services and kosher food, contact Riga’s Jewish community and Chabad in advance, and do not assume a vegetarian dish in a regular restaurant is kosher simply because it contains no meat.
- 🛍️For fashion chains and concentrated shopping, head to AKROPOLE Rīga, while Galerija Centrs is more convenient for a short shopping break in the Old Town; Israeli visitors can request VAT-refund paperwork at participating stores.
- 🧥Even in July, pack a light layer and folding umbrella; in winter, shoes with gripping soles matter more than a fashionable coat because of ice and melting snow on Vecrīga’s pavements.
- 📱A European eSIM is the simplest arrival solution, but also download Bolt, Mobilly for transport and parking, and an offline Riga map in Google Maps before your flight.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"To me, Riga feels like an elegant European city you can genuinely understand over one weekend, yet it still reveals something new on every visit. Israelis fall for the combination of Old Town lanes, the Art Nouveau façades on Alberta iela and the view from St. Peter’s Church tower, especially when the red rooftops and Daugava River catch the late-afternoon light. I always leave time for the hangars of Riga Central Market and an evening overlooking the skyline at Skyline Bar, where historic Riga suddenly feels young and lively."
Loves
My favorite local secret is a sunset walk along Balasta dambis on Ķīpsala, facing the Old Town skyline with the island’s quiet wooden houses behind you. Arrive about an hour before sunset from May through September, then return to the center for the evening, because the light on Riga’s spires is better here than from almost any paid viewpoint.
Skip
I avoid the restaurants with picture menus and hosts pulling people in around Doma laukums, where you mostly pay for the location. Walk two lanes away or reserve somewhere properly in advance and you will usually get better food and atmosphere.
Boutique pick
I start at 09:00 in the Old Town before the tour groups, go up St. Peter’s tower at 10:00 and continue past the House of the Black Heads to Riga Central Market for rye bread, honey and seasonal berry tastings. At 14:00 we explore the Art Nouveau quarter around Alberta iela, at 17:30 we walk along Balasta dambis for sunset, and at 20:30 we finish with a cocktail by the windows at Skyline Bar or a gaming table at Olympic Voodoo Casino for those who prefer a glossier night.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Riga
"We started the morning among the spectacular Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta iela and ended with cocktails overlooking Riga’s lights at Skyline Bar. It was an elegant, delicious couples’ escape and far more romantic than we expected."
Noa and Ido, Tel Aviv
Couple · 4 nights · June
"The children loved the animals at Riga Zoo, and the next day we took the train to the white sand and playgrounds of Dzintari in Jūrmala. Everything was easy to navigate, green and relaxed, and we combined city time with the beach without renting a car."
Michal and Uri, Modi'in
Family with children · 5 nights · August
"We went up to the viewpoint at St. Peter’s Church, then tried the tables at Olympic Voodoo Casino that night. Riga is compact and relatively affordable, so we could move between the Old Town, bars and the casino on foot or with a short Bolt ride."
Daniel, Roi and Tomer, Rishon LeZion
Friends · 3 nights · September
"We were moved by the Peitav Synagogue and enjoyed a warm kosher meal at Lechaim. Later we wandered through Riga Central Market at an easy pace, and the city felt orderly, fascinating and very comfortable without cramming in endless attractions."
Rachel and Yossi, Haifa
Older couple · 4 nights · May
FAQ
Common questions about Riga
Do Israelis need a visa for Riga?
Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Riga and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Before flying, check whether ETIAS authorization has taken effect and make sure your passport meets the Schengen validity rules.
Are there direct flights from Tel Aviv to Riga, and how long is the flight?
Direct flights from Tel Aviv to Riga generally operate according to seasonal schedules, with a flight time of about 4 hours and 15 minutes; when timings are unsuitable, connections via Warsaw or Vienna are common. Riga Airport is roughly 20 minutes from the Old Town by taxi or around 30 minutes on bus 22.
When is the best time to visit Riga, and when is peak season?
The most pleasant time to visit Riga is May through September, with July and August forming the peak thanks to long daylight hours, green parks and easy trips to Jūrmala Beach. December offers Christmas markets and a wintry atmosphere, but expect cold weather, limited daylight and possible snow or ice.
How many days do you need in Riga?
Three nights are enough to explore Riga’s Old Town, Art Nouveau district, Central Market and Museum of the Occupation without rushing. With four or five nights, add a day in Jūrmala or an excursion to Rundāle Palace and Gauja National Park.
How do you get around Riga, and is a rental car necessary?
You do not need a car in central Riga: the Old Town, city canal and Art Nouveau district are highly walkable, while trams and buses cover outlying areas. Bolt is usually good value for short rides, and a rental car is worthwhile only for trips to Gauja, Sigulda or Rundāle.
How much does a Riga vacation cost for Israeli travelers?
A three-night Riga trip typically costs about ₪2,200 to ₪4,200 per person sharing a double room, including flights from Tel Aviv, a good central hotel, transport and meals, but excluding shopping and gambling. A casual meal costs around ₪40 to ₪75 per person, while a central four-star hotel is roughly ₪350 to ₪650 per room per night, with higher rates on summer weekends.
Is Riga safe for Israeli travelers?
Riga is generally considered safe, including the Old Town and central district, though travelers should watch for pickpockets, bar overcharging and unofficial drivers or nightlife promoters after dark. Use Bolt, choose established venues and avoid displaying prominent Israeli symbols around demonstrations or political events.
What are the must-see attractions in Riga?
A first visit to Riga should include Town Hall Square and the House of the Black Heads, St. Peter’s Church and its tower view, the Central Market, and the Art Nouveau façades of Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. Also make time for the Freedom Monument and a walk beside the city canal through Bastejkalns Park.
What are Riga’s nightlife and casinos like, and is it better for families or couples?
Riga has a lively but compact nightlife scene, with cocktails at Skyline Bar, events at Tallinas ielas kvartāls and clubs around the center; legal casinos operate too, with Olympic Voodoo Casino at Radisson Blu Latvija among the best known. Couples particularly enjoy the Old Town and Art Nouveau quarter, while families can add Riga Zoo, the Zinoo science center or a day at Dzintari Beach in Jūrmala.
Where can you find kosher food and Chabad in Riga, what should you pack, and what can you combine with the city?
Chabad Riga can assist with Shabbat meals, services and kosher information, while Lechaim at the Jewish community complex is the main kosher dining address, though reservations and opening-hour checks are essential. Pack a warm layer and rain jacket even in summer, or thermals and non-slip footwear in winter; Riga combines especially well with Jūrmala, Sigulda, Vilnius or Tallinn.