What to do, see and where to eat on rainy days in Riga

Museums and Galleries

When the weather calls for indoor activities, Riga’s museums and galleries offer a rich and inspiring cultural experience all year round. The city brings together classical art, history, contemporary creativity and design, allowing visitors to explore Latvia’s cultural identity at a relaxed pace. From landmark museums to small independent galleries, Riga’s cultural scene is diverse, accessible and ideal for rainy or chilly days.

Latvian National Museum of Art - the leading art museum in Latvia, featuring an extensive collection from the 18th century to contemporary art, housed in an impressive historic building.

Art Museum Riga Bourse - a world art museum located in a former stock exchange building, showcasing collections from Europe, Asia and other regions of the world.

Zuzeum Art Centre - a contemporary art centre with a dynamic exhibition programme focusing on Latvian modern and contemporary art.

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia - an important museum dedicated to Latvia’s 20th-century history and the country’s experience during the occupation periods.

Riga Art Nouveau Centre - a museum located in an authentic Art Nouveau apartment, offering insight into early 20th-century life and interior design in Riga.

Museum of Decorative Arts and Design - a museum dedicated to Latvian design, ceramics, textiles and applied arts, housed in a historic church building.

Riga Motor Museum - one of the most modern automotive museums in Northern Europe, showcasing vintage cars, motorcycles and design stories from the 20th century.

Latvian War Museum - located in the Powder Tower, this museum presents Latvia’s military history from medieval times to the present day.

Riga Porcelain Museum - a small but distinctive museum showcasing Latvian porcelain design and craftsmanship from the 19th century to today. You can experience porcelain master-classes as well.

Anatomy Museum - a unique and thought-provoking museum presenting anatomical specimens and exhibitions that explore the human body, medical science and anatomy through history.

Pauls Stradiņš Museum of the History of Medicine - one of Europe’s most significant medical museums, showcasing the history of medicine, healthcare and scientific discoveries from ancient times to the modern era. 

Kim? Contemporary Art Centre - one of the most important contemporary art institutions in the Baltic region, presenting an international exhibition programme.

ISSP Gallery - a gallery focused on photography and visual culture, offering thoughtful and concept-driven exhibitions.

Galerija Alma - a contemporary art gallery representing established Latvian and Baltic artists.

LOOK! Gallery - a modern gallery space hosting regular contemporary art exhibitions in the city centre.

Māksla XO Gallery - one of the oldest galleries in Riga, showcasing significant Latvian artists and art movements.

Cozy Cafés and Restaurants in Riga

When the weather outside turns grey or chilly, Riga’s cafés and restaurants offer warm interiors, comforting flavours and a slower rhythm of city life. Riga’s cozy dining scene blends historic interiors with contemporary design, local ingredients with international influences, and quiet corners with lively conversation. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to warm up during the day or a snug spot for an unhurried evening meal, these cafés and restaurants invite you to settle in and stay a little longer.

Little Lane Café - a small, light and intimate café with a warm Old Town feel, perfect for a quiet coffee break or a slow morning indoors.

Parunāsim cafe - a calm and thoughtful café known for its romatic courtyard, peaceful atmosphere, ideal for rainy afternoons, conversations or moments of quiet reflection.

Art Café Sienna - an elegant café combining art, refined interiors and carefully prepared food, creating a cosy yet sophisticated setting.

Herbārijs - a rooftop restaurant inspired by plants and nature, offering seasonal dishes in a warm, botanical interior, perfect for a relaxed meal on a gloomy day.

Café Mio - a classic café atmosphere with a European touch, known for its comforting menu and inviting, very romatic and unique interior. 

Mon Chéri - a charming French-style café and patisserie, ideal for sweet treats, bruch and cosy moments with coffee or tea.

Brasserie Vivien - a stylish brasserie offering French-inspired cuisine in a warm and elegant setting, well suited for leisurely lunches or dinners.

Black Magic Bar - an atmospheric spot famous for Latvia's spirit drink "Riga Black Balsam" and mysterious interior, perfect for a cosy evening escape from the cold.

Kūkotava - a beloved Latvian cake shop known for homemade desserts and a welcoming, cosy interior that feels like a local favourite. Must try - honey cake!

This Place Doesn’t Need A Name (Šķūņu iela) - a relaxed Old Town restaurant offering comforting food, negroni's and a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere.

Warm Up and Relax

On rainy or chilly days in Riga, one of the most soothing ways to unwind is to immerse yourself in heat and relaxation. Latvia has a rich tradition of sauna culture and modern spa experiences that help you relax your body, calm your mind, and restore balance. Whether you choose to experience an authentic Latvian sauna ritual rooted in ancestral wellness or enjoy world-class spa treatments in the city, Riga offers a variety of ways to warm up and rejuvenate.

Latvia’s traditional sauna, known as pirts, is more than just a way to warm up - it is a holistic ritual that cleanses body, mind and spirit through heat, steam, natural materials and intentional practice. Unlike Scandinavian or Finnish sauna traditions that often focus mainly on heat and social bathing, Latvian sauna rituals incorporate elemental connection with nature, herbal aromatics and guided sequences designed to deepen relaxation and inner balance. These rituals draw on centuries-old traditions of cleansing with steam, water, plants and sometimes cold plunges, creating a restorative experience unique to Latvian culture. 

Experience one of these signature Latvian sauna rituals:

Latvian Sauna Ritual - A therapeutic and mindful experience inspired by ancestral practices, designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply and connect with yourself and nature through a ceremonial sequence of heat, steam and herbal elements.

Saules Pirts Sauna Rituals - Traditional sauna rituals offered in a serene setting where heat, steam and natural materials come together to create a calming, rejuvenating experience that highlights the Latvian approach to wellness and relaxation.

For those who prefer a more classic spa approach, Riga’s spa centres offer a wide range of relaxation options - from massages and thermal suites to saunas, steam rooms and beauty treatments. You can choose luxurious day spa experiences or comprehensive wellness packages at well-appointed facilities throughout the city. 

Must-see stores

On rainy or chilly days, Riga’s concept stores become a perfect retreat - places to spend time indoors while discovering Latvia’s creative scene and the rhythm of modern city life. From fashion and interior design to natural cosmetics, sustainable accessories and thoughtfully curated gifts, Riga’s concept stores offer an authentic insight into local culture and contemporary aesthetics.

SVINAM! Store & Studio - a concept store focused on interior accessories and design-led gifts, bringing together Latvian design, craftsmanship and items created for both everyday moments and special occasions.

Riija - a contemporary Latvian fashion and lifestyle store showcasing clothing, accessories and design objects created by Latvian designers and artisans with a strong, distinctive identity.

Mūsmāja - a concept store offering a modern interpretation of Latvian traditions, craftsmanship and design for everyday living and celebrations.

M50 - one of the most well-known Latvian fashion concept stores, featuring clothing, jewellery and accessories by local designers. The store also offers souvenirs inspired by the Oscar-winning animated film Flow.

Diplomats Riga - a unique concept store created by Latvian fish cannery brand Diplomats, combining gourmet products for every taste, souvenirs, design items and Nordic humour.

Tuta un Saldējums - a family-friendly Latvian concept inspired by the children’s TV series Tutas lietas. The space is built around Tuta’s world, where play, stories and illustrations create a safe and creative environment for young visitors, while offering locally made ice cream and enjoyment for the whole family.

ETMO - a Latvian fashion brand and store with a focus on sustainability, clean design and contemporary elegance.

Hobbywool - a cozy concept store for craft and knitting enthusiasts, offering ready-made accessories, high-quality yarns, tools and inspiration for creative projects.

Manilla - an elegant lifestyle concept store with a strong focus on paper goods, gift wrapping, design items, interior objects, accessories and thoughtfully curated gifts.

Studio Pienene - a place where Latvian-made products meet a welcoming social space. The cozy setting combines a Latvian design store and café, creating a warm and inviting environment for visitors.

Baltic Gifts - a store offering carefully selected gifts and design items created in Latvia and across the Baltic region, ideal for finding authentic souvenirs.

Designers 5 - a concept store created by five Latvian designers, bringing together jewellery, clothing and accessories in a shared creative space. The store features bold jewellery designs, exclusive garments, minimalist bags and other unique design pieces reflecting contemporary Latvian design.

Butterman Studio - a niche Latvian design studio known for bold, playful design objects and a strong visual identity.

RO Studio - a Latvian design studio and store specialising in handcrafted minimalist jewellery. The aesthetic is refined and understated - like the “little black dress” of the jewellery world - created to be long-lasting, versatile and suitable for many moments in life.

Ziemeļmeita - a gift store creating and curating natural, sustainable and handmade products. The brand is rooted in care for nature, respect for craft heritage and the fusion of traditional skills with modern lifestyles. Linen products, buckwheat pillows, Latvian ethnographic patterns and zero-waste solutions play a central role in the assortment.

Northern Grip - a vintage clothing store offering carefully curated, high-quality garments from the USA, France, Germany, Japan and beyond. The store provides a sustainable alternative to fast fashion by selecting, restoring and preserving unique clothing pieces that fit seamlessly into a modern wardrobe.