One of the many public squares in Riga’s Old Town
Ever since our magical trip to Tallinn and Helsinki, we had vowed to return to the Baltics to explore some of the other Charming capitals. Last weekend, we blocked out 5 days and hopped on a flight to Riga, one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe.
While the trip is still fresh, I wanted to share some of our first impressions, surprises and tips.
Old Town
Jauniela in Riga’s Old Town
While Riga is by no means cheap, you can still book a gorgeous apartment right in the center of the old town for 100 per night. Compared to Prague and Budapest, there are far less crowds in the Medieval old town but there are enough people to make it feel lively and energetic. The crowd is a bit younger and boozier than you might expect from a small Baltic capital, but there are tons of family friendly spots as well.
While the town is historic and conservative, you can feel a hipster energy struggling to break free. There are plenty of experimental bars, cafes and restaurants that you would typically associate with a Seattle or a Brooklyn. The food scene is quite international, with great Italian, Korean and Himalayan restaurants. We also found some of the best parks and green spaces we’ve seen in a city such as Victory Park and Bastejkalns Park just on the edge of the old town.
View of St. Peter’s church from the old town.
The cafe culture in Riga is unlike anything I’ve seen in the world. Think cozy, speakeasy vibes with both coffee and cocktails and even a side of knitting!
That’s right, there are multiple cafes in Riga that also offer knitware - handmade Latvian hats, mittens and scarves. If I were to choose one place that perfectly encapsulates Riga, I would choose Hobbywool, a place where you can sip coffee and knit in a historic brick building in the middle of the iconic old town. It’s a place that could exist nowhere else in the world but Riga.
We’ve learned so much about Riga and Tallinn that we can’t possibly share it all in one email. If you want us to plan you a perfect Baltic itinerary, just hit the button below!
Centrs and Art Nouveau District
Centrs, Riga
If the old town is starting to feel a little bit too much like Disneyland and you want to get out to see the real Riga, I would suggest making a trip over to Centrs. This neighborhood feels a lot more local and its where you’ll find some of the best food and cafes.
