Budget-friendly guide to Riga

Sightseeing and entertainment on a budget

The city of Riga is a beautiful and vibrant place to explore. With its cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage, it is a great destination for sightseeing. And the best part? Experiencing Riga on a budget is absolutely possible!

One of the best budget-friendly ways to explore Riga is to take a sightseeing tour through Riga Old Town and Quiet Centre. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and there’s no shortage of remarkable buildings to see - various styles are represented in its architecture, including Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque, as well as examples of classicism and modernism. Another stunning places to visit in Riga is the Quiet Centre district. In the heart of it lies Albert Street - the pearl of Riga's Art Nouveau architecture - featuring magnificent Art Nouveau style buildings along the entire street. Daily tours are offered by both FreeTours Riga (every day at 11:00 and 14:00) and Riga Free Tours (every day at 10:00 and 12:00). You can get free maps and all kinds of information by visiting our Tourist Information Center.

If you’re looking for cultural experiences indoors, you can visit some of the city’s many museums. Quite a few of the museums offer affordable pricing, mostly ranging from 1.5 EUR to 6 EUR, and in some museums entrance is even free of charge, for example, in the National Library of Latvia and The Latvian War museum. Most of the city’s museums offer discounted tickets for students.

Affordable restaurants and bars

Riga is a beautiful city with a wide variety of restaurants and bars to suit every taste and budget. Whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner, a casual lunch, or a night out, you'll find plenty of affordable options across the city. In this part of the world, cheap eats and drinks definitely don’t mean boring - Riga’s affordable restaurants and bars serve up flavourful dishes, local specialties, and great atmosphere without the high price tag.

One of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Riga for lunch is Lidojošā varde in the Quiet Centre. This restaurant serves up delicious homemade meals with a traditional and international twist for you to enjoy. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are generous. 

Another great budget-friendly cafe/bar in Riga is Gauja. The portions here are great in size, and the pricing is absolutely reasonable. This cafe is very popular during the midday rush, as it offers delicious and affordable lunch offers. In the evenings you can enjoy a variety of drinks and delicious bar food.

In Ezītis Miglā, you can have an inexpensive lunch or dinner every day and enjoy delicious cocktails or simply drink a glass of wine or a beer. It’s a chain of bars located all around the city and most of their establishments are large enough to sit down with a larger group. Alternatively, you can also read, work, play a board game or just simply relax. On Wednesdays there are wine evenings, on Thursdays the early partiers can dance to DJs or indulge in late-night conversations, while on Fridays and Saturdays life and party goes full throttle!

If you’re looking for international cuisine, then you should check out Borščs and Stockpot. Borščs serves up traditional Ukrainian, dishes while Stockpot offers dishes from various cultures, putting an emphasis on spiciness. The quality of the food is top-notch, plus, the atmosphere is always busy with a lot of locals enjoying their happy meals.

If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, but still affordable, check out the Neapolitan pizzeria & cocktail bar Rione. This restaurant serves up a variety of delicious Italian dishes, in addition to a selection of pizzas. The atmosphere is lively and fun, and you can enjoy watching how your pizza is made!

Explore the full guide of where to eat in Riga and pamper your taste buds with the delicious offers of Riga's versatile food scene.

Finally, if you’re looking for an affordable way to experience the city’s nightlife, you can visit some of the city’s many pubs and bars frequented by locals, like Aleponija, Laska, Ala Pagrabs, Labietis, Nurme, Čē. Here you can find some great deals on drinks and in some of these places you can enjoy live music events!