How to Plan a Trip to Riga
The complete 2026 guide — flights, hotels, things to do and airport transfers, all in one place. Everything a first-time visitor to Latvia needs.
Fly into
RIX
Country
Latvia
Suggested stay
3–5 days
Base yourself
Old Town (Vecrīga
Your 4-step Riga plan
Step 1 — Book flights to RIX
Riga International Airport (RIX) is the main gateway to Riga. Compare fares across major airlines and OTAs before locking a date.
See flight deals to RIXStep 2 — Pick a neighborhood
Base yourself in Old Town (Vecrīga for the best first-time visit — UNESCO medieval old town — Riga Castle, Three Brothers houses, House of the Blackheads.
Where to stay in RigaStep 3 — Plan your itinerary
Start with Old Town (Vecrīga, then build outward. Most first-time visitors need 3-5 days to see the highlights of Riga.
Things to do in RigaStep 4 — Sort your airport transfer
Bus 22 (to Vecrīga / Old Town) is €2 and takes 25 min. Pre-book a private transfer for stress-free arrival.
RIX arrival guideBefore you book — visa check
Latvia is EU + Schengen — visa-free for most Western passports up to 90 days.