Itinerary Overview

Days 1–3: Riga → Day 4: Jurmala Seaside → Day 5: Sigulda and Gauja National Park → Day 6: Rundāle Palace before returning to Riga. The entire trip is connected by trains and buses, with no need for a rental car.

Day 1: Riga Old Town

Take Bus 22 from Riga Airport to the city in the morning: visit the House of the Blackheads and Town Hall Square → Riga Cathedral (the largest medieval church in the Baltics, famous for its organ) → the Three Brothers Houses and Swedish Gate → climb St. Peter’s Church tower for a panoramic view of the red-roofed skyline. In the evening, shop for fruits and bread at the Central Market, then take a riverside stroll to watch the sunset over the Daugava River.

Day 2: Art Nouveau and City Strolls

In the morning, explore the Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela (free, the street itself is a museum), then continue to the area around the Riga Academy of Arts. In the afternoon, visit Riga Castle and the Museum of the Occupation to learn about 20th-century hardships. End the day with coffee at an Old Town café, and for dinner, try local dishes paired with Riga Black Balsam. If it’s the weekend, the Kalnciema Quarter market has handicraft stalls and folk music performances — great for picking up souvenirs.

Day 3: Jurmala

Take a suburban train (~30 minutes) to Majori: stroll along Jurmala Street for shopping, snap photos in the wooden villa district, and walk along the white-sand beach. In summer, you can rent a bicycle to ride along the coast. Return to Riga in the evening, and consider catching a performance at the National Opera House (tickets are affordable).

Day 4: Sigulda and Gauja National Park

Take a bus or train (~1 hour) to Sigulda: climb Turaida Castle Tower for views of the Gauja River Valley → explore Sigulda Castle Ruins and the cave paintings in Gutmanis Cave → in summer, try zip-lining across the river valley. Autumn is the best time to see the Baltic region’s most stunning fall foliage. You can stay overnight in the town of Cēsis.

Day 5: Rundāle Palace

Take a bus or join a tour (~1.5 hours) to Rundāle Palace, Latvia’s version of Versailles. Don’t miss the Baroque Golden Hall and Rose Garden, both designed by Rastrelli (the architect of the Winter Palace) — allocate at least 3 hours here. Return to Riga in the afternoon.

Day 6: Markets and Wrap-Up

Restock at the Central Market → visit the Kalnciema Quarter weekend market (handicrafts and local snacks) → shop for Riga Black Balsam and linen goods in the Old Town, then depart from Riga Airport.

Tips

• Buses to Rundāle Palace are infrequent; during peak season, consider joining a half-day tour or hiring a private car.
• The tower of St. Peter’s Church has the best lighting in the evening, but check the closing time before climbing.
• Jurmala can be crowded on summer weekends; visiting on a weekday offers a better experience.
• Suburban trains between Riga and Jurmala run roughly every 20–30 minutes, but their tickets are not valid for city transport — purchase a separate ticket.
• Consider staying an extra night in Cēsis to catch the golden morning light over the Gauja River Valley mist and castle silhouettes — perfect for photography.
• Rundāle Palace is closed on Mondays, and guided tours during peak season require advance booking. Plan your visit for Tuesday through Sunday.

Alternative Options

If you have only five days, you can combine Rundāle Palace with Sigulda on the same day — hiring a private car is the most efficient option. In winter, replace Jurmala’s seaside with snowshoeing in Sigulda or spa treatments near Riga. The Christmas market in Riga and warm drinks featuring Riga Black Balsam can make for a memorable winter itinerary. The bus from Riga to Vilnius takes about 4 hours; if you have extra time, consider ending your trip with a visit to Lithuania’s Šiauliai Hill of Crosses. A simple afternoon bus ride can take you across the border, arriving in the evening with time for an overnight stay before heading south the next day.