Budget-friendly guide to Riga

Sightseeing and entertainment

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. But if you’re on a budget, there are still plenty of ways to experience the city without breaking the bank.

One of the best budget-friendly ways to explore Riga is to take a sightseeing tour through Riga Old Town and Quiet Centre. Old Town is on a UNESCO World Heritage List and surely there are places to see - various styles are represented in architecture - Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque as well as examples of classicism and modernism. Quiet Centre is one of the most stunning places to be in Riga.  Alberta Street is the pearl of Riga's Art Nouveau style - full-length, historic "art nouveau" style buildings are located along its 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 a more cultural experience, you can visit some of the city’s many museums. Many of them are with very affordable pricing, mostly arranging from 1.5 EUR to 6 EUR, but in some museums enterance is free of charge, for example, in National Library of Latvia and The Latvian War museum. Most of city museums offers discounted tickets for students.

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

Food and drinks

Riga is a beautiful city with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or a casual lunch, there’s something for everyone, if you’re on a budget.

One of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Riga for lunch is Lidojošā varde in the Quet 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, and the pricing are absolutely reasonable. This cafe is very popular during the midday rush and you can get delicios and affordable lunch offers. In the evening you can enjoy some delicious drinks and delicious bar food.

In Ezītis, you can have an inexpensive lunch or dinner every day and enjoy delicious cocktails or simply drink a glass of wine or a beer. You can also happily sit with friends or colleagues, remember moments spent together, read, work, play a game or just relax nicely. On Wednesdays there are wine evenings in Ezītis, on Thursdays the early partiers dance to great music or indulge in late-night conversations, while on Fridays and Saturdays life and party go "full throttle" in here!

If you’re looking for international cusine, then you should check out Borščs and Stockpot. Borščs serves up traditional Ukrainian dishes and Stockpot offers mostly asian cusine. The quality of the food is top-notch. Plus, the atmosphere is always busy with a lot of locals enjoying their happy meals.

Finally, if you’re looking for a a bit more upscale, but still affordable option, then you should check out Neapolitan pizzeria & Cocktail bar Rione. This restaurant serves up a variety of delicious italian food dishes. 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.