Riga continues to strengthen its position among Europe’s top tourist destinations. In 2024, the number of foreign visitors staying in hotels reached 1.1 million – an increase of 15.8% compared to 2023, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau. The total number of overnight stays reached 2 million, marking a 10.8% increase. It is estimated that the actual number of tourists is at least 20% higher, as short-term rental apartments are not included in these statistics.
Leading Tourist Markets – Lithuania and Germany
The largest number of tourists in Riga in 2024 came from Lithuania, with a 7.4% increase, while the number of German tourists saw the most significant rise – up by 30%. The number of visitors from Estonia remained at the 2023 level, whereas tourists from Finland (+6.9%), Poland (+16.2%), Sweden (+27.7%), and Norway (+20.3%) grew significantly, indicating Riga’s increasing appeal among Northern European travellers.
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Record-Breaking Tourist Numbers in December
December 2024 was particularly successful, becoming the best tourism month since 2019. Riga reached 88% of the tourist volume from December 2019, demonstrating the city’s winter-season appeal and growing interest in its cultural and festive events.
Riga – Europe’s 2nd Best Tourism City in 2025
In addition to the tourism growth, Riga has received significant international recognition, ranking 2nd in the European Best Destinations 2025 survey. In this prestigious competition, which gathered 1,256,700 votes from 158 countries, Riga is top-ranked Baltic destination and one of the most sought-after travel spots in Europe. This achievement highlights Riga’s growing popularity and the high quality of its offerings, including historical architecture, a rich cultural scene, gastronomy, and diverse entertainment options.
Fredis Bikovs, Director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (RITA):
"Riga being recognized as one of Europe’s top destinations and the increase in tourist numbers are proof that our city is becoming more attractive to travellers from both Europe and around the world. This achievement is the result of a collective effort – from the local government and tourism businesses."
RITA will continue working on new tourism offerings, emphasizing sustainability, cultural events, and modern urban development to ensure that Riga remains one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe.
About European Best Destinations
European Best Destinations is one of the most influential tourism platforms in Europe, promoting the visibility of European cities and regions for the past 15 years. Winning this title can lead to a significant increase in tourist numbers – previous winners, such as Porto and Budapest, have experienced up to a 17% increase in tourism after receiving the award.
More information: https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/european-best-destinations-2025/