Romantic Getaway Riga
Discover Riga through history, Art Nouveau and gastronomy
Treat yourselves and travel more often!
Nestled on the banks of the majestic Daugava River, Riga, the capital of Latvia, is an ideal destination for a romantic weekend.
A perfect blend of historic charm and modernity, the city captivates visitors with its dazzling Art Nouveau architecture, picturesque medieval streets and warm, intimate atmosphere.
Whether you stroll hand in hand through the Old Town, enjoy a sunset cruise along the Daugava River or savour local cuisine in a cosy restaurant, Riga provides an enchanting setting for unforgettable moments together. Discover a city where every street corner tells a story and every moment becomes a precious memory.
When should you visit Riga for a romantic getaway?
Spring (March to May):
- Spring in Riga is mild and pleasant, with temperatures gradually beginning to rise.
- The city’s parks and gardens fill with flowers and greenery, creating beautiful settings for romantic walks.
- It is also the season for cultural festivals and outdoor events, perfect for discovering the city’s cultural life together.
Summer (June to August):
- Summer in Riga is warm and sunny, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
- The days are long, giving you more time to explore the city and its surroundings.
- Enjoy summer festivals, outdoor concerts and romantic cruises along the Daugava River.
Autumn (September to November):
- Autumn brings cooler temperatures and magnificent seasonal colours to the city’s parks and surrounding forests.
- It is harvest season, meaning you can sample fresh local produce at the city’s markets.
- The evenings are perfect for cosying up together in a welcoming café or restaurant.
Winter (December to February):
- Riga becomes a magical city during the Christmas period, with lively Christmas markets and sparkling decorations.
- It is also the season for winter sports, with skiing and ice skating opportunities nearby.
- Nothing beats warming up in a traditional sauna or sharing a glass of mulled wine after a cold day.
Whatever season you choose, Riga offers a romantic and picturesque setting for a couples’ getaway. Select the time of year that best suits your interests and preferences, and prepare to create wonderful memories together in this charming city.
How to get to Riga
Direct flights operate between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Riga from May to September with Air France or AirBaltic, during what is considered the main travel season. However, they are not particularly cheap, so you could consider combining Riga with another city break in Stockholm in Sweden or Oslo in Norway to make the most of your trip.
These destinations are generally expensive, so you could spend three days in Stockholm before travelling to the Latvian capital or enjoy three days in Oslo, the capital of Norway, before flying to Riga.
Another option is to spend a few days in Stockholm and then take the overnight ferry to Tallinn, the Estonian capital, before enjoying an eight-day journey through the Baltic States. You could also travel from Stockholm to Helsinki in Finland, take the two-hour ferry across to Tallinn and then make your way south through the Baltic States. All three countries are very easy to explore by comfortable long-distance bus. We can help you organise your travel plans easily and quickly.
From Riga Airport, bus 22 runs to the city centre approximately every 20 minutes. A 90-minute ticket costs only €1.50 (2024), and the journey takes around 40 minutes. You can buy your tickets online in advance here.
Which cosy and romantic accommodation should you choose in Riga?
For a romantic weekend in Riga, several neighbourhoods offer a cosy and charming atmosphere, perfect for a couples’ getaway:
Vecrīga (Old Town)
Riga’s Old Town is filled with picturesque cobbled streets, historic buildings and lively squares. Explore narrow streets lined with colourful houses, discover hidden intimate cafés and immerse yourselves in the city’s medieval charm.
Centrs (City Centre)
Located just beside the Old Town, the City Centre has a more modern but equally romantic atmosphere. Stroll along tree-lined boulevards, discover elegant boutiques and stylish cafés, and admire the city’s iconic Art Nouveau architecture.
Alberta iela (Alberta Street)
This street in the City Centre is famous for its magnificent Art Nouveau buildings. Walk hand in hand while admiring the decorative façades and elegant architectural details, which create a sophisticated and romantic atmosphere.
Spīķeri Quarter
Located on the banks of the Daugava River, this renovated historic neighbourhood is home to fashionable cafés, art galleries and original boutiques. Enjoy a romantic walk along the river, followed by dinner in one of the stylish restaurants serving modern Latvian cuisine.
Kalnciema Quarter
This picturesque neighbourhood is known for its craft market, cultural events and beautifully preserved historic buildings. Browse shops selling local crafts, sample culinary specialities in cosy cafés and attend outdoor concerts for an authentic romantic experience.
Quiet Centre:
This elegant residential neighbourhood close to the City Centre offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Relax in its leafy parks, discover historic villas and Art Nouveau buildings, and enjoy the tranquillity away from the busiest tourist areas.
Whether you prefer the medieval atmosphere of the Old Town, the modern elegance of the City Centre or lesser-known historic neighbourhoods, Riga offers a variety of cosy and romantic areas for an unforgettable weekend with your partner.
What should you see and do during a romantic weekend in Riga?
Discover a different side of Riga
The winding streets of Riga’s Old Town form a romantic maze where every corner reveals a new surprise.
The time-worn cobblestones add a touch of authenticity to the atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for romantic walks. The medieval façades, painted in warm colours, reflect the city’s rich history and add an extra romantic dimension to every street corner.
Hunt for Art Nouveau buildings
Art Nouveau architecture is one of Riga’s greatest treasures, making the city an essential destination for lovers of art and history. With its vast collection of ornate and beautifully preserved buildings, Riga stands out on the international Art Nouveau scene, surpassing many other cities in terms of both architectural concentration and variety.
For example, Riga surpasses Helsinki, with approximately 700 Art Nouveau buildings, compared with 600 in Helsinki.
Riga’s Art Nouveau buildings are known for their ornate façades, sculptural details and decorative features inspired by nature, including flowers, plants and animals. They also incorporate geometric shapes and curved lines.
Local architects such as Mikhail Eisenstein, father of the famous filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, made an important contribution to the city’s architectural heritage. The Riga Art Nouveau Museum provides a more comprehensive insight into this architectural style that has become emblematic of the city.
Taste the delights of Latvian cuisine
The Latvian capital’s culinary scene is an eclectic blend of local culinary traditions, modern innovation and charming settings. Among the city’s many gems are romantic restaurants hidden among its medieval streets and Art Nouveau neighbourhoods.
These restaurants offer an immersive dining experience, combining Riga’s rich history with exquisite cuisine and attentive service. Allow yourselves to be swept away by the charm of the cobbled streets, ornate façades and subdued lighting as you discover a selection of restaurants promising unforgettable moments for couples seeking intimacy and gastronomic delights.
Riga has many romantic restaurants serving Latvian or international cuisine. Choose somewhere with an intimate atmosphere and enjoy a candlelit dinner together.
Enjoy a tasting experience at Riga Central Market
This central market is unlike those found in other cities. It is definitely worth seeing!
It is an enormous covered market offering an impressive selection of products. The buildings are striking because of their extraordinary size. They are actually five former Zeppelin hangars, which explains their immense scale. It is quite simply one of the oldest and largest covered markets in Europe. Depending on the day, it attracts between 40,000 and 160,000 visitors.
After sampling local delicacies, explore the drinks section of the Central Market. Our local French-speaking guide can recommend traditional drinks such as the famous “Rīgas Melnais Balzams”, a bitter herbal liqueur, as well as Latvian craft beers and ciders. It is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Latvia’s culinary and winemaking traditions.
For an experience combining romance and gastronomy, book our private guided tour in French of Riga’s historic centre, followed by a visit to the Central Market with tastings of local food and drinks.
When dinnertime arrives and you want to enjoy some quality time together, Riga has many romantic restaurants serving Latvian or international cuisine. Choose somewhere with an intimate atmosphere and enjoy a candlelit dinner.
Enjoy Riga’s green spaces
Riga’s parks provide peaceful places for a romantic escape or even a quiet picnic.
Bastejkalns Park
Bastion Hill Park, known locally as Bastejkalns, is a picturesque green space in the heart of Riga, created around the city’s former fortifications.
Known for its hills, winding paths, charming bridges and peaceful canal, the park is an ideal place for relaxing walks, picnics and boat trips. It is home to several important monuments, including the Freedom Monument. Its proximity to Riga’s city centre and Old Town makes it a perfect stopping point for both residents and visitors.
Kronvalda Park
Kronvalda Park, named after the Latvian writer Atis Kronvalds, is an iconic Riga green space created in the 19th century on the site of the city’s former fortress. It offers a romantic setting with winding paths, expansive lawns and majestic trees, as well as attractions including a pond, sculptures and children’s play areas. The park is ideal for walking, jogging, picnics and cultural events. Its proximity to the city centre makes it easily accessible to both residents and visitors.
Esplanade
Esplanade Park is an expansive green space created during the 19th century on a former military parade ground. It is ideal for walking, picnics and social gatherings.
The park is home to the majestic Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, along with several statues and monuments. The Latvian National Museum of Art is located nearby. The park hosts various outdoor activities and cultural events and is easily accessible on foot or by public transport. It is an essential Riga destination for relaxation and cultural discovery.
Vērmanes Garden
This is the park we walked through every day during our most recent stay in Riga. Nearby Tērbatas Street, where we were staying, is a beautiful street lined with Art Nouveau buildings and is less well known than other streets such as Alberta iela. It is peaceful and also very conveniently located.
Vērmanes Garden was created in the early 20th century by Julius Wöhrmann. Designed in the English landscape style, the gardens feature winding paths, colourful flower beds, statues and fountains. They are popular for walks, picnics and outdoor relaxation. Admission is free and the gardens remain open throughout the year.
Immerse yourselves in Latvian history and art
Riga’s cultural and museum scene is rich and diverse, offering a wide range of artistic, historical and contemporary experiences.
The city’s museums, including the Latvian National Museum of Art and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, provide fascinating insights into the country’s history and culture.
Art galleries and cultural centres such as the Arsenāls Exhibition Hall and the Zuzeum Art Centre showcase work by Latvian and international artists. Riga also hosts numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the year, adding to the vitality of the city’s cultural scene. Overall, Riga’s museums and cultural institutions provide an enriching experience for anyone interested in art, history and culture.
Among Riga’s museums and art galleries, several offer a particularly romantic atmosphere thanks to their architecture, ambience or collections. The Riga Art Nouveau Museum, housed in a magnificent Art Nouveau building, and the Arsenāls Exhibition Hall, located in a former military arsenal, provide unique settings in which to appreciate art. The Latvian National Museum of Art and the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design also offer immersive and inspiring cultural experiences, perfect for a romantic getaway in Riga.
Broaden your horizons with Riga’s cultural scene
The Latvian National Opera and the Latvian National Theatre are two of Riga’s most iconic cultural institutions.
The Opera, founded in 1863, is renowned for its high-quality opera, ballet and symphonic music productions. Housed in an impressive neoclassical building, it offers a varied programme ranging from the classics to contemporary productions.
The Latvian National Theatre, meanwhile, was founded in 1919 and remains a pillar of the country’s theatrical scene. It offers a diverse selection of productions ranging from classical works to contemporary plays. Committed to promoting the Latvian language and culture, it serves as a meeting place for the country’s artists and intellectuals. Both institutions contribute to Riga’s cultural vitality and are essential destinations for lovers of the performing arts.
Explore Riga at sunset
1. Walk through the Old Town:
- Wander through the picturesque streets of Riga’s Old Town, where historic buildings are bathed in the light of the setting sun.
- Admire the colourful façades, ancient churches and lively squares, and take romantic photographs of iconic landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral.
2. Climb the tower of St Peter’s Church:
- Climb to the top of St Peter’s Church tower for breathtaking views over Riga at dusk.
- Take in the panoramic scenery as the sun slowly sets and bathes the city in a golden glow.
3. Enjoy a romantic dinner:
- Reserve a table at one of the city’s restaurants with a view, where you can enjoy a romantic dinner while watching the sunset.
- Savour traditional Latvian or international cuisine accompanied by a glass of wine or champagne for an unforgettable evening.
4. Walk through Bastion Hill Park:
- End your day with a relaxing walk through Bastion Hill Park, where you can enjoy the natural surroundings and beautifully maintained gardens.
- Admire the final rays of sunlight filtering through the trees and monuments, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
5. Enjoy a cultural evening:
- Attend an outdoor concert or theatrical performance in one of the city’s parks for a cultural evening beneath the stars.
- Soak up the lively and festive atmosphere as the city comes alive with cultural and artistic events.
6. Cruise along the Daugava River:
- Enjoy a peaceful cruise along the Daugava River as the sun sets over the horizon.
- Admire panoramic views of the city from the water as the lights begin to sparkle along the riverbanks.
We offer two versions of an evening tour of Riga: a “classic” tour and another available from May to September that combines a Daugava River cruise with a walking tour of the city.
Exploring Riga at sunset promises magical and romantic moments, allowing you to absorb the beauty of the city and create unforgettable memories with your partner.
Experience the magic of Riga at night
Exploring Riga at night is an enchanting experience as the cobbled streets of the Old Town are illuminated by warm lights. Historic buildings and ancient churches are beautifully lit, creating spectacular views for a romantic evening walk.
Riga has a lively nightlife scene, with numerous cafés, bars and pubs remaining open until the early hours of the morning. A night-time cruise along the Daugava River offers a different perspective of the city, with illuminated landmarks lining the riverbanks. During the summer months, nights in Riga are short and evenings remain light until very late, allowing you to make the most of your evening with complete peace of mind.
Our English-speaking guide is ready to bring your evening to life after dinner with an enjoyable and romantic walk through the city.
Where can you take a romantic day trip near Riga?
As with any city break, you can, of course, take day trips from Riga. However, we prefer to warn you that Riga itself easily provides enough to fill two or three days without having to rush elsewhere. Between its monuments, magnificent parks, museums, art galleries and walking routes, there is more than enough to occupy three full days.
If you are enjoying a longer romantic weekend or this is not your first visit to Riga, here are two day trips we recommend.
Visit the coastal town of Jūrmala
A day trip from Riga to Jūrmala offers a relaxing seaside escape, with fine sandy beaches, charming wooden architecture, picturesque nature parks, spas and cultural activities.
Accessible from Riga by train, bus or car, Jūrmala provides a relaxing day away from the bustle of the city, with opportunities to unwind on the beach, explore nature, enjoy local cuisine and indulge in a spa treatment.
Explore romantic Rundāle Palace
Rundāle Palace is often compared with other prestigious European Baroque palaces and castles, including Versailles near Paris, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, and Catherine Palace in Russia. These comparisons are due to their remarkable architectural similarities, vast and beautifully maintained gardens and historic opulence. Rundāle Palace is considered a Baroque jewel that rivals these other European wonders.
A day trip to romantic Rundāle Palace immerses you in Latvia’s history and beauty. You can explore its Baroque architecture, visit its sumptuous rooms during a guided tour and stroll through its picturesque French-style gardens. The palace also hosts cultural and artistic events, and you can complete your visit with a trip to the gift shop. Accessible from Riga by car, bus or on a guided excursion with our French-speaking guide, it is an enriching experience for lovers of history and culture.
Visiting Riga for a romantic weekend promises an unforgettable getaway, where the Latvian capital’s captivating history, breathtaking architecture and enchanting atmosphere transport you into a dreamlike world.
From the splendour of the Old Town and its elegant Art Nouveau streets to its gastronomic delights and walks along the Daugava River, every moment spent in Riga is an opportunity to create precious memories with the person you love.
Whether you are drawn to historic treasures, culinary pleasures or relaxing moments together, Riga offers a romantic experience for every couple seeking intimacy and discovery. Immerse yourselves in this charming city and allow its unique atmosphere to enchant you during a magical romantic weekend in Riga.