The Best Time to Visit Riga (And What Three Stays Taught Me) 2026

I’ve been to Riga three times, and none of them were a quick weekend trip.

The first time was during my first solo backpacking trip around Europe, when I traveled through 13 countries in three months. I’d met a group of Portuguese people in Slovakia doing Erasmus in Poland, ran into them again in Poland, and ended up traveling with them through Poland and all three Baltic countries by bus. We came into Riga from Lithuania and I stayed at Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel.

The other two times were different. I was working as a flight attendant, based in Riga for about a month each time. That’s not visiting a city, that’s living in it — walking around it constantly, figuring out the buses, having actual routines.

So between the backpacking trip and the two work stays, I’ve spent more than two months in Riga, not a few days. And I’ve seen it in both winter and summer, which changes the answer to the best time to visit Riga more than it does for most cities.

Best Time to Visit Riga: Quick Answer

June through August is the best time to visit Riga. It’s warm, the days stretch out until almost 11pm because of how far north the city sits, and you’re not layering up just to walk to breakfast.

Winter is a different story. December to February is cold, proper cold, with snow that sticks around for months. My first visit to Riga was in winter and the one thing I remember about the weather is that it was freezing. I wouldn’t pick winter if weather is what you care about.

The one exception is the Christmas market — more on that below.

Riga Weather Throughout the Year

Warm season (June–August): This is when Riga actually feels good to be outside in. I did both of my longer stays here in summer, and it’s a completely different city than the one I met in winter — a million times better.

Cold season (November–March): January is the coldest stretch, and snow is normal from November through March. December days are short, dark by mid-afternoon. It’s fine if you’ve got a reason to be there anyway, like the Christmas market. It’s not the season for wandering around outside all day.

Shoulder season (April–May, September–October): I haven’t actually been in Riga during these months, so I’m not going to pretend I know what it feels like. Somewhere between the two extremes is the honest answer.

Best Time to Visit Riga for Old Town

Riga’s Old Town is beautiful, and it’s my favorite part of the city. I’ve walked around it more times than I can count, both as a backpacker and while staying centrally for work. Summer is the best time to visit Riga for Old Town specifically — without having to deal with the cold, and the extra daylight means you can still be out at 9pm.

Best Time to Visit Riga for the Beach (Jūrmala)

Summer, no question. I stayed in Jūrmala during one of my Riga work stints, at what I believe was the Lielupe Hotel Spa & Conferences by Semarah. There’s no version of that trip that makes sense in winter — the beach is the whole point.

Best Time to Visit Riga for Christmas Markets

Riga’s Old Town Christmas Market runs in Doma Square from late November through the first days of January, with the 2026 edition scheduled for November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027. I haven’t been to it myself. But if that’s specifically why you’re going, winter is the best time to visit Riga for it — you’re just trading the cold for the market.

Best Time to Visit Riga for Jāņi (Midsummer)

If your trip lands on June 23-24, plan around it. Jāņi (and its eve, Līgo) is Latvia’s midsummer holiday — the summer solstice, bonfires, flower wreaths, a night that barely gets dark. Both days are public holidays, and a lot of Riga empties out as people head to the countryside. Museums, shops, plenty of businesses close. Not the best time to visit Riga if you were planning a normal day of sightseeing.

When I Would Visit Riga Again

Summer. I liked Riga in winter too — the Old Town is beautiful even freezing — but summer is when I actually understood the city. I lived there for a month at a time, twice, which is a different thing than passing through once as a backpacker.

For accommodation, based on all three stays:

First time in Riga? Stay in the city center, close to Old Town. That’s where you’ll spend your time anyway.

Want a few beach days? Jūrmala.

Early flight, or just want to be close to the airport? Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport worked fine. I took the bus into the city from there — Riga’s buses are easy to figure out. I never needed a car across any of the three visits.

Practical Information

How to Get to Riga

Most travelers will arrive in Riga either by plane or overland from another European city.

If you’re flying, Riga International Airport is easy to get from to the city center. I used the bus when I was staying near the airport, and bus 22 connects the airport with central Riga.

If you have luggage, arrive late, or simply don’t want to figure out public transportation after your flight, you can also book an airport pick-up in advance.

→ Book an airport pick-up

If you’re traveling around the Baltics or coming from another European country, getting to Riga by bus or train is also an option. That’s how I traveled through the region on my first trip, arriving in Riga from Lithuania by bus.

→ Book buses and trains to Riga

Where to Stay in Riga

If you are traveling to Riga I would recommend Old Town / city center if it’s your first time, Jūrmala if you want beach days, near the airport if logistics matter more than location.

Here’s where I actually stayed:

• Backpacker: Blue Bird Boutique Hostel – Riga Old Town
• Budget: Ibis Riga Centre
• Mid-Range: Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
• Luxury: Grand Palace Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World

→ Read my Guide: Where to Stay in Riga: My Top Areas and Hotels in 2026

Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is the one thing you cannot travel without. It seems like a small thing until something actually happens and you end up in another country without coverage – and trust me, as someone who has needed travel insurance several times abroad, this is the one thing you don’t want to mess up.

→ Get travel insurance for Latvia

Stay Connected

For your trip to Riga, you can either get a physical SIM card for Latvia or you can get an eSIM. For trips up to a week I always make sure to get an eSIM because the prices are worth me getting immediately connected on arrival without the hassle of having to go look for a physical SIM card.

→ Get an eSIM for Latvia

FAQs about best time to visit Riga

What is the best time to visit Riga?

The best time to visit Riga is June through August. Warm, long daylight, and generally good conditions for spending time outside.

Is Riga cold in winter?

Yes. January is the coldest month — highs barely above freezing, snow from November through March. I visited in winter once, and “freezing” is still the first word I’d use for it.

When is the Riga Christmas market?

The Old Town Christmas Market in Doma Square is scheduled to run from November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

What is Jāņi and does it affect a Riga trip?

Latvia’s Midsummer holiday, June 23-24. It’s a public holiday, many businesses close, and locals leave for the countryside. If your dates overlap, plan for a different kind of day than normal sightseeing.

Best Time to Visit Riga: Final Thoughts

Summer, if I’m picking one window. I’ve had Riga cold and I’ve had it warm, and warm is the version that made me actually like the city, not just visit it. Winter has one real case for it — the Christmas market — but go in knowing what the cold is actually like first.

Read my other Riga Guides

Is Riga Worth Visiting? I’ve Spent Months Here — Here’s My Take

Is Riga Safe for Solo Female Travelers? My Experience After Spending Months There

How Many Days in Riga do you really need? (2026)

Where to Stay in Riga: My Top Areas and Hotels in 2026