Cheap flights to Riga
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Quick summary
Country
Latvia
Continent
Europe
Airport
RIX
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
UTC+2 (UTC+3 during daylight saving time)
Deals already spotted to Riga
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Why track Riga with SniperAir
The Baltics' great port city, between Art Nouveau and the Daugava
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Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia: about 590,000 inhabitants according to Wikipedia (EN), a third of the country's population. Founded in 1201 and a former Hanseatic city, it spreads along the mouth of the Daugava on the Gulf of Riga. Its historic centre has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997 according to Wikipedia (FR), notably for the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe; more than 800 buildings of this style are recorded according to Wikivoyage (EN). The city was European Capital of Culture in 2014 and European Region of Gastronomy in 2017 according to Wikipedia (EN). Flights to Riga vary with the season and the departure airport, so a SniperAir alert spares you from checking every day. You set your budget, we compare new prices with the real price history of the route and we let you know.
Airport and getting into town
Riga Airport, 10 km from the centre
Riga (RIX)
Riga International Airport (RIX) is about 10 km south-west of the centre according to Wikivoyage (EN). It is the largest and busiest airport in the Baltic states, with direct flights to more than a hundred destinations according to Wikipedia (EN); the Latvian carrier airBaltic has its main base here. Bus 22, run by the city's public transport company, connects the airport to the city centre and the Old Town. A taxi takes about 15 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN); it is better to book through an app or a reputable company than to accept offers made outside the terminal.
Distance RIX to centre: about 10 km (Wikivoyage EN). Taxi ride: about 15 minutes depending on traffic (Wikivoyage EN). Bus 22 serves the Old Town. No transfer fare is published here.
The Rail Baltica railway project includes a station at the airport according to Wikipedia (EN), but it is not yet in service. For a trip across the Baltic states, you can also track Tallinn (TLL) and Vilnius (VNO), each about 300 km away according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Landmarks
Old Town, Art Nouveau and a market under zeppelin hangars
Riga is best explored on foot: the Old Town (Vecrīga) is compact, and the Art Nouveau district is a few minutes away. The six places below come with photos; others are described further down in text only.
The House of the Blackheads
A masterpiece of the Old Town, the House of the Blackheads, with its red-brick gable decorated with statues and a clock, stands on Town Hall Square. The building, whose inscription gives the date 1334, was rebuilt at the end of the 20th century according to the inscription visible on the facade. The tourist office is inside the building according to Wikivoyage (EN). Right next to it, the spire of St Peter's Church dominates the district.
The Freedom Monument
On the edge of the Old Town, the Freedom Monument (Brīvības piemineklis) is a tall stone obelisk whose base is decorated with sculptures. It is regarded as one of the symbols of Latvian independence, and the area around it gathers many historic sites and nightlife according to Wikivoyage (EN). It is a handy landmark for finding your way.
The Art Nouveau facades
Around Alberta iela, the Jugendstil buildings have been preserved and rank among the finest in Europe according to Wikivoyage (EN). Most date from the early 20th century, when Riga was expanding fast. Look up at the balconies, gables and ornaments: it is an open-air architecture walk.
Staircases and interiors
Several Art Nouveau buildings keep staircases and halls decorated with wrought iron, wall paintings and ornate ceilings. Some can be visited on guided tours according to Wikivoyage (EN); ask at the tourist office, as access to the common areas of inhabited buildings is limited.
The Central Market
Riga Central Market occupies former zeppelin hangars according to Wikipedia (FR) and is one of the largest in Europe. You will find smoked fish, dairy products, bread, fruit and vegetables and crafts. It sits right next to the railway and bus stations.
The view from St Peter's Church
A lift goes up to the platform below the spire of St Peter's Church, from where you see the roofs of the Old Town, the market halls, the Academy of Sciences tower, the TV tower and the river. On a clear day it is the best panoramic viewpoint in the city.
Other places worth noting include Riga Cathedral (the Dome) with its large square, the Three Brothers, a group of medieval houses on Maza Pils iela, Līvu Square and the city canal park. For a change of mood, the Kalnciema district on the left bank hosts a crafts and natural products market according to Wikipedia (FR).
Museums and culture
Museums: art, architecture and memory
The Latvian National Museum of Art
It is among the city's main museums according to Wikipedia (EN), with a collection of Latvian art from the 18th century to today. The neo-baroque building is near the central park; check opening hours on the official site.
The Art Nouveau Museum
Set in a restored middle-class apartment on Alberta iela, it shows the furniture and decor of a 1903 interior. Hours and visiting conditions change with the season, so check them before you go.
The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
It covers the occupation of Latvia by the Soviet Union in 1940, by Nazi Germany in 1941-1944 and again by the USSR according to Wikipedia (EN). It is a sober place, useful for understanding the recent history of the country and the region.
The open-air museum and beyond
The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum gathers traditional farmsteads and wooden houses in a lakeside forest. It shows another side of the country, far from the Old Town.
Food and drink
Food and drink: rye bread, smoked fish and the market
Specialities to try
Latvian cooking rests on rye bread, potatoes, pork, smoked fish and dairy. Traditional dishes include grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi), cold beetroot soup (aukstā zupa), smoked herring and sprats, and sklandrausis, a carrot and potato pie. Riga was named European Region of Gastronomy in 2017 according to Wikipedia (EN).
Markets and districts
The Central Market is the essential stop to see local produce. The market in the Kalnciema district, across the Daugava, offers natural products and crafts according to Wikipedia (FR). In the Old Town the terraces on Town Hall Square are busy; the surrounding streets and the city centre often give a better choice for the price.
Drinks
The country makes beer and kvass; a bitter herbal liqueur is a common souvenir. No brand is named here.
Getting around
Getting around Riga
On foot
The Old Town and the Art Nouveau district are explored on foot. Cobblestones are common, so bring good shoes.
Trams, buses and trolleybuses
The city transport company runs trams, buses and trolleybuses according to Wikivoyage (EN). Tickets are bought with an electronic card or an app; check the current fare on the official site.
Bikes, taxis and boats
Self-service bikes are available in the city according to Wikivoyage (EN). Taxis are common; book by app rather than hailing one in the street. Between May and September, boats link the Old Town with Jūrmala according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Day trips
Jūrmala, a seaside resort of wooden houses to the west, Sigulda and its castles, or Cēsis and its Livonian castle can be reached by train, bus or car according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Budget and precautions
Budget and precautions
Price level
Riga is generally seen as a mid-priced European capital, with differences between districts and seasons. No figures are published here because sources differ. SniperAir alerts mainly help with the flight; the rest of the budget depends on your stay.
Precautions and neighbourhood
Latvia has been a member of the European Union and of NATO since 2004; it has borders with Russia and Belarus in the east of the country, while Riga lies on the west coast. Tourist visits take place normally; as with any destination, check your own government's travel advice before leaving. As in any tourist capital, watch your belongings in the Old Town and near the stations, and avoid unlicensed taxis.
When to go
When to go to Riga
Spring (March to May)
Cool and changeable: snow can still fall in March, then the parks turn green in April and May.
Summer (June to August)
Mild and rainy according to Wikipedia (EN), averaging around 18 °C with a few days above 30 °C. The season for terraces, the Jūrmala beaches and long days.
Autumn (September to November)
Frequent rain and fog because of the sea according to Wikipedia (EN), but superb colours in the parks in September.
Winter (December to February)
Cold: January and February average about -2 °C according to Wikipedia (EN), with lows of -20 to -25 °C. Snow cover can last up to eighty days; the Christmas market livens up the Old Town.
Riga has a humid continental climate, tempered by the sea according to Wikipedia (EN). For the city without the crowds, aim for spring or early autumn; for the beach and festivals, June to August.
By length of stay
How many days in Riga
Old Town and Art Nouveau
Two days are enough for the Old Town, the Art Nouveau district, the Central Market and the view from St Peter's Church.
Museums and districts
With three days, add one or two museums, the Kalnciema district and a boat or tram ride.
Jūrmala, Sigulda and beyond
With five days, add Jūrmala, Sigulda or Cēsis, or a detour to Tallinn and Vilnius by road.
In pictures
Riga in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Riga
Where is Riga Airport?
Riga International Airport (RIX) is about 10 km south-west of the centre, with bus 22 to the Old Town and a taxi ride of about 15 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN).
What currency is used in Riga?
Latvia uses the euro. It is part of the Schengen Area and of the European Union.
What are the main sights in Riga?
The UNESCO-listed Old Town, the House of the Blackheads, the Art Nouveau facades of Alberta iela, the Central Market and the view from St Peter's Church.
Is Riga the biggest city in the Baltics?
Wikipedia (EN) calls it the largest city in Latvia and the second most populous in the Baltics, with about 590,000 inhabitants; Wikivoyage presents it differently, so no ranking is claimed here.
When is the best time to visit Riga?
May to September for warmth; December for the Christmas market. Winters are cold.
Does proximity to Russia affect travellers?
Latvia, a member of the European Union and of NATO, has land borders with Russia and Belarus in the east. Riga lies on the west coast. For any practical question, rely on your own government's official travel advice.
How much does a flight to Riga usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Riga drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Riga (RIX) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
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