Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, on the Daugava river near the Gulf of Riga. Known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, Europe's greatest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, the vast Central Market and a growing craft-beer and restaurant scene, it blends Hanseatic, Swedish, Russian and Soviet layers into one of the Baltics' most walkable capitals.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Jurmala Beach Resort
Long white-sand beach resort with the pedestrian Jomas iela, Dzintari concert hall and wooden villas.
Highlights: Walk the pedestrian Jomas iela in Majori, lined with cafes, shops and late-19th-century wooden villas · Spend time on the long white-sand beach backed by pine dunes along the Gulf of Riga · Visit Dzintari Concert Hall and its forest park, a long-running summer concert venue · Explore the side streets of wooden resort architecture between Jomas iela and the railway line
Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda
Gauja valley with Turaida Castle museum reserve, Sigulda medieval castle, Krimulda manor and the cable car over the river.
Highlights: Climb the tower of Turaida Castle and tour the museum reserve, sculpture garden and wooden church · Ride the Sigulda cable car across the Gauja valley to the Krimulda side · Explore the ruins of Sigulda medieval castle and the sandstone cliffs and caves nearby · Walk forest paths in Gauja National Park between Krimulda and the river
Cesis
Medieval Livonian Order castle and old town in Gauja National Park.
Highlights: Explore Cesis Medieval Castle at Pils laukums 9, including the New Castle museum · Climb the dark castle towers using the lantern provided at entry · Stroll the cobbled old town around St John's Church · Walk the castle park and pond beside the castle grounds
Rundale Palace
Baroque summer palace of the Dukes of Courland by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, with a French formal garden and rose garden.
Highlights: Tour the Baroque state rooms, including the Golden Hall and White Hall, designed by Rastrelli · Walk the French formal garden with its clipped hedges and paths · See the rose garden, a main summer draw · Combine the palace with Bauska Castle on the same day
Bauska Castle
Ruined 15th-century Livonian Order castle and 16th-century ducal palace at the confluence of the Musa and Memele rivers.
Highlights: Climb the tower of the ruined 15th-century Livonian Order castle for views over the river junction · Visit the restored 16th-century ducal palace and its museum exhibitions · See the confluence of the Musa and Memele rivers that form the Lielupe · Pair the visit with nearby Rundale Palace
Kuldiga and Venta Rapid
Old town with the widest waterfall in Europe (Venta Rapid, about 249 m), the long brick bridge and a UNESCO World Heritage historic centre.
Highlights: See the Venta Rapid, the widest waterfall in Europe at about 249 m · Cross the long brick bridge over the Venta river for views of the rapid · Wander the UNESCO-listed historic centre with its wooden houses and narrow lanes · Browse craft shops and cafes around the old town
Kemeri National Park
Bogs, boardwalks (Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk), sulphur springs and a spa-town park in a national park.
Highlights: Walk the Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk through open raised bog · Visit the sulphur springs in the Kemeri town park · See early 20th-century spa architecture in the former health resort · Combine the trip with a stop on the Jurmala beaches
Saulkrasti Beach
Quiet white-sand coast with a wooden pier, the Sea Park and the Dune Trail.
Highlights: Relax on the white-sand beach backed by pine-covered dunes · Walk out along the wooden pier at sunset · Stroll the Sea Park with its sculptures and shaded paths · Follow the Dune Trail through the coastal dune forest
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Day tours to Rundale and Bauska run about 120-145 USD per adult on booking sites; Sigulda and Turaida tours are available in season.
- Private
- A private driver for a day is roughly 150-250 EUR (~$172-288) for a car.
- Public
- Vivi trains leave from Riga Central Station (Stacijas laukums 2); coaches from the International Coach Terminal (Pragas iela 1); journey planner 1188.lv.
- Rental
- Car rental from about 30-60 EUR (~$35-69) per day.
Multi-day tours from Riga
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from RigaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Check vivi.lv before train trips; summer timetables differ from winter
Domestic coaches leave from the International Coach Terminal at Pragas iela 1
Rundale and Kuldiga are far easier by car than by bus
Winter opening hours at castles are shorter; verify before travelling
Carry a contactless card; small regional buses may take cash only