Riga serves as the base for the entire trip. The Old Town and Art Nouveau District are within walking distance, while suburban attractions are split into “seaside” and “river valley” days. Stay in the Old Town or near the Central Railway Station.
In the morning, visit the House of the Blackheads, Town Hall Square, and Riga Cathedral, and enjoy a short midday organ concert. In the afternoon, climb St. Peter’s Church tower for panoramic views, then explore the Three Brothers, Swedish Gate, and Powder Tower. In the evening, dine at an outdoor terrace in Livu Square, and watch the Old Town light up at night.
In the morning, explore the Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta Street and the Riga Art Nouveau Museum (go up to the attic for facade details). In the afternoon, visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the Jewish District Memorial to understand Latvia’s 20th century. In the evening, browse the five halls of the Central Market (rebuilt from old airship hangars), and have dinner at a nearby tavern—try grey peas with bacon and black balsam.
Take an early train to Majori: stroll along the pedestrian street, admire the Art Nouveau sanatorium villas and white sandy beach. Swim or bike in summer, or walk along the coastal wooden boardwalk and listen to pine waves in other seasons. Have lunch at a seaside restaurant and try smoked fish. Return to Riga by train in the evening and enjoy the nighttime view of the Daugava River.
In the morning, take a bus to Sigulda: quickly visit Gutmanis Cave and the ruins of Sigulda Castle. If time allows, add the cable car to Turaida Castle. In the afternoon, return to Riga to shop for Riga Black Balsam, linen textiles, and handmade chocolate, then depart from the airport or Central Railway Station.
If visiting in winter, replace the Jurmala seaside day with a snow hike in Sigulda or an indoor hot spring pool in Riga. If it’s a weekend, consider adding a half-day shopping trip to the Kalnciema Quarter Market near the Central Railway Station or the Old Town craft alley. When time is tighter, compress the Sigulda half-day (Day 4) into a Daugava Canal boat cruise plus a second visit to St. Peter’s Tower, leaving more flexibility for shopping and your departure. Families traveling with kids may prefer swapping one historical site for Riga Zoo or the TV Tower observation deck, which makes the overall pace more relaxed.