Riga

As a key Hanseatic city, Riga has long been a crossroads of trade and culture, leading to its current status as the Baltic's most vibrant hub.

The city holds the densest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe, with over 800 buildings, a legacy that transforms entire boulevards into an open-air museum of ornamental design.

Fly into:

• Riga International Airport RIX

Riga's city center is walkable, and an efficient tram and bus network covers wider areas. Regional trains offer easy, affordable access to Jūrmala (30 mins) and Sigulda (1 hour).

Embrace the slow pace of life, particularly over a leisurely coffee or during a traditional pirts sauna ritual, where bundles of birch and oak branches are used for skin exfoliation and circulation. Riga's Central Market is best experienced in the morning, buzzing with locals.

Best in Summer

Summer: generally warm and pleasant around 20-25C, with long daylight hours and occasional refreshing showers.

• comfortable walking shoes for city and trails
• light layers for changeable weather
• a swimsuit for Jūrmala's beaches
• a reusable water bottle
• a compact umbrella