My Favorite Day Trips from Riga: 6 Best Places to Visit Beyond the City

I’ve been to Riga three times, and I’ve spent more than two months in the city altogether. Two of those stays were while I was working as a flight attendant and based in Riga for about a month at a time, so I had plenty of opportunities to explore beyond the city itself.

If you’re looking for the best day trips from Riga, these are the six places I’d actually consider. They range from easy trips like Jūrmala to longer excursions across the border, so how much time you have and what you want to see will make a big difference.

My Favorite Day Trips from Riga: Quick Answer

If you don’t want to read through the entire list yet, these are my picks:

• Best beach day trip: Jūrmala
• Best nature day trip: Sigulda & Gauja National Park
• Best historic town: Cēsis
• Best palace day trip: Rundāle Palace
• Best unusual day trip: Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
• Best international day trip: Tallinn, Estonia

The 6 Best Day Trips From Riga

1. Jūrmala

If you want to get out of Riga for a day and spend some time by the Baltic Sea, Jūrmala is the easiest option. I stayed in Jūrmala during one of my longer periods based in Riga, and I think it works particularly well as a day trip because you can leave the city, spend the day at the beach, and easily return to Riga without turning it into a major travel day.

What to Do in Jūrmala

The main reason to come to Jūrmala is the beach. This is where I’d come if I wanted a break from sightseeing in Riga and just wanted to spend a few hours by the sea.

You can also walk around the resort area, explore the streets, and stop for something to eat before heading back to Riga. I wouldn’t overcomplicate this day trip — the beach is the main attraction and the reason to come.

How to Get to Jūrmala from Riga

Jūrmala is easy to reach from Riga by public transportation, which is one of the reasons I think it makes such a good day trip. You don’t need to organize a complicated excursion or spend hours traveling across Latvia.

You can take the train from Riga towards Jūrmala and get off at one of the stations serving the different parts of the resort area.

How Long Do You Need in Jūrmala?

You can easily visit Jūrmala as a full-day trip from Riga, but you don’t necessarily need an entire day if your main goal is just to spend some time at the beach.

I’d give yourself at least half a day so you have enough time to actually enjoy the area rather than rushing back to Riga.

Day Trip or Overnight?

For most people, I’d treat Jūrmala as a day trip from Riga. It’s close enough that there’s no real need to change hotels unless you specifically want to spend more time at the beach.

That said, I stayed in Jūrmala myself during a longer stay in the Riga area, and I can see the appeal of staying overnight if you’re visiting Latvia in summer and want the beach to be a bigger part of your trip.

Who Should Visit Jūrmala?

I’d recommend Jūrmala if you’re visiting Riga in the warmer months, want some beach time, or simply want a break from spending your entire trip in the city.

If you’re visiting Riga mainly for sightseeing and only have a couple of days, I wouldn’t prioritize Jūrmala over the city itself. But if you have extra time, especially in summer, it’s an easy way to add something completely different to your Riga trip.

2. Sigulda & Gauja National Park

If you want to get out into nature during your Riga trip, Sigulda and Gauja National Park are the main day trip I’d look at. This is a completely different experience from staying in Riga, with forests, viewpoints, castles, and the landscape around the Gauja River.

Why Visit Sigulda & Gauja National Park?

Sigulda is one of the easiest places to escape Riga for a day if you want something more outdoors-focused. You can combine the town with several sights in the surrounding area, which makes it a better day trip than traveling somewhere just to see one attraction.

What to See

The main reason to come here is the combination of Sigulda, Turaida Castle, and Gauja National Park. You can spend the day moving between the different sights rather than having to choose just one thing to do.

Sigulda

Sigulda is the main base for exploring this part of Latvia. It’s where I’d start the day before heading out to the other sights around the area.

The town itself is worth exploring, but the bigger reason to come is its location within the Gauja region and how easy it is to use Sigulda as a base for seeing more of the surrounding area.

Turaida Castle

Turaida Castle is one of the main sights to add to a Sigulda day trip. It gives you something different from the nature-focused parts of the area and is an easy addition if you’re already coming out this way.

Gauja National Park

Gauja National Park is the main reason this works as a nature day trip from Riga. The area gives you the chance to spend time outdoors rather than doing another city sightseeing day.

If you enjoy nature, walking, viewpoints, and getting away from the city for a few hours, this is the part of the trip that makes Sigulda worth adding to your Riga itinerary.

How to Get to Sigulda from Riga

Sigulda is accessible from Riga by public transportation, so you don’t necessarily need a car to visit.

You can take the train from Riga to Sigulda and then organize the rest of your day around the sights you want to see. If you want to cover more ground without figuring out the transportation yourself, an organized tour is another option.

→ Book a Sigulda & Gauja tour

How Long Do You Need?

I’d give Sigulda and Gauja National Park a full day. There’s enough to see that trying to squeeze everything into a few hours would make the trip unnecessarily rushed.

A full day also gives you some flexibility depending on whether you want to spend more time exploring Sigulda, visiting Turaida Castle, or getting out into the national park.

Can You Visit Without a Car?

Yes. Sigulda is one of the easier day trips from Riga to do without a car because you can reach the town by train.

The bigger consideration is how much of the surrounding area you want to see once you arrive. If you want to visit several places in one day, a tour can make the logistics much easier. If you’re happy taking your time and focusing on fewer sights, you can do it independently.

3. Cēsis

If you want a day trip that feels more focused on a historic town rather than nature, Cēsis is a good alternative to Sigulda. I’d choose this one if you’re more interested in wandering around a smaller Latvian town and seeing its historic sights than spending the day in Gauja National Park.

Why Visit Cēsis?

Cēsis gives you a different experience from Riga without requiring a complicated trip. The main reason to come is to explore the old town and visit Cēsis Castle, so it works well if you want a straightforward day away from the capital.

Cēsis Old Town

The Old Town is the part I’d spend time exploring first. It’s compact enough that you can walk around without needing to plan out every stop, and it gives you a chance to see a different side of Latvia outside Riga.

Cēsis Castle

Cēsis Castle is the main attraction to add to your visit. If you’re coming to Cēsis specifically as a day trip, this is the sight I’d make sure to include rather than trying to fill the day with a long list of smaller attractions.

How to Get to Cēsis from Riga

Cēsis is reachable from Riga by public transportation, so you don’t necessarily need a car for this day trip.

If you prefer having everything organized for you, an organized tour is another option, especially if you want to combine Cēsis with other sights in the surrounding area.

→ Book a Cēsis tour

How Long Do You Need?

A full day gives you enough time to travel from Riga, explore the Old Town, visit Cēsis Castle, and have some time to wander around without rushing.

You could see the main sights in less time, but I’d keep this as a full-day trip rather than trying to squeeze it into a few hours.

Can You Combine Cēsis With Another Destination?

You can potentially combine Cēsis with other places in the region, but I wouldn’t try to pack too much into one day if you’re traveling independently.

If you want to see several attractions around the Gauja region in one trip, an organized tour can make more sense because you won’t have to work around separate transport connections.

4. Rundāle Palace

If you want a day trip from Riga that is completely different from the city and the nature-focused options above, Rundāle Palace is the one to consider. This is the day trip I’d choose if you’re more interested in architecture, interiors, and gardens than hiking or exploring another town.

Why Visit Rundāle Palace?

Rundāle Palace is one of the most popular excursions from Riga for a reason: the palace itself is the main attraction, so you can make this a straightforward day trip without trying to combine it with a long list of other stops.

What to See

The main things to see are the palace interiors and the surrounding gardens. I’d plan the trip around those rather than treating Rundāle as somewhere you just stop for a quick photo.

The Palace and Gardens

The palace is the obvious highlight, while the gardens give you somewhere to spend more time after visiting the interiors. If you’re visiting in warmer weather, I’d leave enough time to see both rather than rushing through the palace and immediately heading back to Riga.

How to Get to Rundāle Palace from Riga

Rundāle Palace is outside Riga, so getting there independently takes more planning than some of the easier day trips on this list.

You can travel there independently using public transportation and connections, but if you want the easiest option, I’d look at an organized tour from Riga.

→ Book a Rundāle Palace tour

How Long Do You Need?

I’d allow most of the day for this trip, particularly because you need to factor in the journey from Riga in both directions.

You don’t need several days for Rundāle Palace itself, but it’s not the kind of excursion I’d try to squeeze into a couple of hours either.

Is It Better Independently or With a Tour?

If you’re comfortable figuring out connections and want to do everything at your own pace, you can visit independently. But for most travelers, I think a tour is the more convenient option because Rundāle is outside Riga and you don’t have to spend your day working out the transportation.

If you’re already planning several day trips from Riga, this is one where I’d seriously consider booking a tour and keeping the logistics simple.

5. Hill of Crosses, Lithuania

If you want to take one of the more unusual day trips from Riga, you can actually cross the border into Lithuania and visit the Hill of Crosses. This is a much longer excursion than Jūrmala or the other Latvian destinations on this list, but it’s an option if you want to see something completely different during your time in Riga.

What Is the Hill of Crosses?

The Hill of Crosses is a pilgrimage site in northern Lithuania covered with thousands of crosses. It’s not a traditional sightseeing attraction in the same way as a castle or historic town, which is exactly what makes it such an unusual place to visit.

Why Visit the Hill of Crosses?

I’d consider this day trip if you’re interested in unusual places and want to add another country to your trip. It’s also a good option if you’ve already seen the main sights in Riga and want to use your time in the Baltics to explore beyond Latvia.

How Far Is the Hill of Crosses from Riga?

The Hill of Crosses is in northern Lithuania, relatively close to the Latvian border, but it’s still far enough from Riga that this is a full-day excursion rather than a quick trip outside the city.

You’re crossing an international border, so you should expect to spend a significant part of the day traveling.

How to Get to the Hill of Crosses from Riga

You can technically organize the journey independently, but the connections make this considerably more complicated than getting to places such as Jūrmala or Sigulda.

For that reason, I’d look at an organized tour from Riga if the Hill of Crosses is high on your list. You can leave Riga, visit the site, and return without having to piece together multiple transport connections yourself.

→ Book a Hill of Crosses tour

How Long Does the Trip Take?

This is a full-day trip. The journey from Riga takes up a significant part of the day, so I wouldn’t try to combine it with several other major attractions.

If you’re considering the Hill of Crosses, plan for the excursion itself to take most of your day rather than expecting to be back in Riga after a few hours.

Is the Hill of Crosses Worth Doing as a Day Trip?

I think it can be, but it depends on what you want from your Riga trip.

If you only have two or three days in Riga and this is your first visit, I’d prioritize exploring Riga itself and the easier day trips. But if you have more time, have already seen the main sights, or specifically want to visit the Hill of Crosses, it’s one of the more unusual day trips from Riga you can do.

6. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is the most ambitious of the day trips from Riga on this list because you’re crossing another international border and traveling between two capital cities. It is possible to do it in one day, but I wouldn’t call it the most relaxed option.

Can You Actually Do Tallinn as a Day Trip from Riga?

Yes, but you need to treat it as a long travel day. You’ll spend several hours getting between Riga and Tallinn, which leaves you with a limited amount of time to explore the city itself.

If seeing Tallinn is important to you and you’re short on time, it can work. If you have more time in the Baltics, though, I’d stay overnight instead.

How to Get to Tallinn from Riga

The easiest way is by bus, with regular connections between Riga and Tallinn. You can book your transport in advance and spend the journey sitting back rather than dealing with multiple connections.

→ Book your Riga–Tallinn transport / tour

How Long Does the Journey Take?

The journey takes several hours each way, so you should expect most of the day to be taken up by the trip itself.

That means this isn’t a day trip where you can casually leave Riga late in the morning and still have a full afternoon in Tallinn. You’ll want an early start and a plan for how you want to spend your limited time there.

What Can You Realistically See in One Day?

You can see the main highlights of Tallinn’s Old Town and get a feel for the city, but I wouldn’t try to treat one day as enough time to properly explore Tallinn.

With limited time, I’d focus on the Old Town and the main sights within walking distance rather than trying to cover the entire city.

Would I Recommend a Day Trip or Staying Overnight?

If you’re already traveling around the Baltics, I’d stay overnight in Tallinn. It gives you much more time to actually experience the city and makes the long journey from Riga feel more worthwhile.

I’d only choose the day trip if your itinerary is tight and you specifically want to see Tallinn without changing accommodation.

If you’re treating this as a day trip from Riga, it’s definitely possible — just know that you’re choosing convenience and seeing a little of Tallinn over having a relaxed visit.

Which Day Trip from Riga Would I Choose?

If I had to pick just one, I’d go to the Hill of Crosses. It’s the most different option on this list, and I like that you’re actually crossing into Lithuania and adding another country to your trip rather than just seeing another place in Latvia.

I’d also choose Tallinn, even though it’s a long way to go for a day trip. Tallinn is fantastic, and if I didn’t have enough time to give it a proper overnight stay, I’d still rather make the long trip from Riga than skip it completely.

Can You Do Day Trips from Riga Without a Car?

Yes. Some of the easiest day trips from Riga are completely doable without a car.

Easy Without a Car

• Jūrmala
  Easy to reach from Riga by public transportation and one of the simplest day trips to do independently.
• Sigulda
  You can get to Sigulda by train and explore the area independently.
• Cēsis
  Also possible without a car if you’re comfortable using public transportation and planning your day around the connections.

Better With a Tour or Car

• Rundāle Palace
  You can visit independently, but the logistics are more complicated, so a tour or car makes the trip easier.
• Hill of Crosses
  Possible to organize independently, but crossing into Lithuania and dealing with the connections makes an organized tour much more convenient.

Possible, But a Long Day

• Tallinn
• You can absolutely get there without a car, but the journey from Riga is long. I’d only do it as a day trip if you’re happy sacrificing a lot of travel time to see Tallinn.

Practical Tips for Day Trips from Riga

Start Early

For the shorter day trips, you have a little more flexibility, but I’d still start early. For the longer trips — especially the cross-border ones — an early start makes a big difference because you’re already spending part of the day traveling.

Check Transport Times

Check the return journey before you leave Riga, especially if you’re traveling independently. This matters even more for the longer and cross-border trips, where there may be fewer convenient connections later in the day.

Book Tours in Advance

If you’re booking an organized day trip, I’d book it in advance rather than leaving it until the last minute. This is particularly useful for the longer excursions where the number of departures or tour dates may be more limited.

Where to Stay in Riga for Day Trips

If you’re planning several day trips from Riga, staying somewhere central makes getting to and from the city’s transport connections much easier:

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

FAQs About Day Trips from Riga

What is the best day trip from Riga?

For me, the Hill of Crosses is the most unusual day trip from Riga because you can cross into Lithuania and visit somewhere completely different from the usual Latvian attractions. If you want something easier, Jūrmala is the simplest option, while Sigulda and Gauja National Park are my pick for nature.

Is Jūrmala worth visiting from Riga?

Yes, especially in summer. Jūrmala is an easy escape from Riga if you want to spend some time at the beach and by the Baltic Sea. I wouldn’t prioritize it over Riga if you only have a couple of days, but it’s a great addition if you have more time.

Can you do a day trip to Tallinn from Riga?

Yes, but it will be a very long day. The bus journey takes several hours each way, so you’ll have limited time to explore Tallinn. If you have the option, I’d stay overnight, but a day trip is possible if you’re short on time.

Is the Hill of Crosses worth visiting from Riga?

I think it is if you want to see something unusual and cross into another country during your trip. It’s a much longer day than visiting Jūrmala or Sigulda, though, so I’d only add it if you have enough time in Riga or specifically want to visit the Hill of Crosses.

How far is Sigulda from Riga?

Sigulda is roughly 50 kilometers from Riga, making it one of the easier day trips from the city. It’s also accessible by train, so you don’t need a car to visit.

Is Rundāle Palace worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you’re interested in palaces, architecture, history, and gardens. It’s further from Riga than some of the easier day trips, but it’s one of the best options if you want something completely different from exploring the capital.

How many days in Riga do you need for day trips?

I’d spend at least 3–4 days in Riga if you want to explore the city properly and add a day trip. If you want to visit several places such as Jūrmala, Sigulda, Rundāle Palace, or Tallinn, I’d give yourself closer to a week.

My Favorite Day Trips from Riga: Final Thoughts

There are plenty of day trips from Riga, but which one is best really depends on how much time you have and what you want to see.

If you want the easiest trip, go to Jūrmala. For nature, I’d choose Sigulda and Gauja National Park, while Cēsis is a great option if you want a historic town. Rundāle Palace is the obvious choice for architecture and history, while the Hill of Crosses and Tallinn are the more ambitious options if you want to go beyond Latvia.

Personally, I’d choose the Hill of Crosses if I had to pick just one, but if you have enough time, I’d rather add several of these to your Riga itinerary than limit yourself to just one.

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

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

How Many Days in Riga Do You Really Need? (2026)

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

The 6 Best Hotels in Riga Latvia

The 14 Best Things to Do in Riga + 2 Things I Would Skip 2026