Day trips you can do in a day
Sigulda (about 50 km north-east, roughly an hour by train) is the gateway to the Gauja National Park, Latvia's oldest, and is nicknamed the 'Latvian Switzerland'. In the wooded river valley you will find several castles, the red-brick Turaida Castle with its museum reserve, the ruins of the Sigulda Order castle, and Gutmanis Cave, the largest in the Baltics. A cable car floats across the valley, the more active ride the Olympic bobsleigh track or hike the gorges, and autumn is spectacular when the forests turn gold.
Tukums (about 65 km west, easy by train) is the gateway to Kurzeme and has a pretty little old town. Right next door is the stately Jaunmokas Palace, a neo-Gothic brick manor with a forestry museum and café, and from here it is a short hop to the coast and the bird-rich Lake Engure.
Cēsis (about 90 km north-east, by train or bus) is one of Latvia's loveliest medieval towns. The highlight is the Livonian Order castle: in the ruins you are handed a lantern and explore the dark towers yourself. Add a charming old town, the Gothic St. John's Church and the local Cēsu beer.
Talsi (about 115 km north-west, best by car) is the 'town of nine hills', set picturesquely between two lakes in the heart of Kurzeme, with wooden houses and lake views, ideal for a quiet afternoon off the tourist trail.
Abavas (about 120 km west, by car): in the Abava valley around Sabile lies one of the world's northernmost wine regions, Sabile even holds a Guinness record for it. The family-run Abavas winery makes wines, ciders and spirits from Latvian fruit and berries, and a tour with tasting is a fun day out, combined with the pretty town of Sabile.
Worth an overnight
Liepāja (about 210 km south-west, roughly three hours by coach) is the port city on the west coast, known as 'the city where the wind is born' and Latvia's unofficial music capital. It has a kilometre-long white-sand beach, the striking Great Amber concert hall and, in Karosta, a fascinating former naval district where you can tour the old military prison and see the Orthodox naval cathedral.
Vilnius (about 290 km south, around four hours by coach) is Lithuania's capital, with one of the largest Baroque old towns in Europe (UNESCO) and the self-declared artists' republic of Užupis. Climb Gediminas' Tower for the view, and enjoy a relaxed, affordable café and restaurant scene.
Tallinn (about 310 km north, around four and a half hours by coach) is Estonia's capital, with one of the best-preserved medieval old towns on the continent (also UNESCO) and, in Telliskivi, a creative former-factory quarter full of start-ups, street art and cafés. From Tallinn the ferry reaches Helsinki in about two hours.
Getting there, and a base in the city
You can reach a surprising amount without a car. Trains run regularly and cheaply to Sigulda, Cēsis, Tukums and Jūrmala, buy tickets at the station or in the app. Talsi and the Abava valley are trickier by public transport, so a rental car is worth it there. For Liepāja and the neighbouring capitals, the coach is the best option: Lux Express and Ecolines run modern buses with Wi-Fi, sockets and plenty of legroom, often cheaper and comfier than you would expect.
Staying central makes all of this easy. All of our residences are a short walk from the central train and bus stations, so you can base yourself here and head out on a whim, and Liv can help you find the right room in minutes. The classic beach day in Jūrmala, just 25 minutes away, is covered in our city guide.
Our picks on the map
These are some of our favourite spots in Riga. Open our full curated Google Maps list to see every pin on the map and navigate straight there from your phone.
- Sigulda — Gauja National Park, castles and a cable car, about 50 km
- Turaida Castle — Red-brick castle and museum reserve near Sigulda
- Cēsis — Medieval town with a lantern-lit castle ruin, about 90 km
- Tukums — Gateway to Kurzeme, near Jaunmokas Palace, about 65 km
- Talsi — The 'town of nine hills' between two lakes, about 115 km
- Abavas winery — Family winery in one of the world's northernmost wine regions
- Liepāja — Music city, white beach and Karosta, about 210 km, overnight
- Vilnius — Lithuania's Baroque capital, about 290 km, overnight
- Tallinn — Estonia's medieval capital, about 310 km, overnight
A more personal, opinionated tour of the city, in German, from our founder's travel blog, including his own day-trip tips.
Your base in central Riga
All of our residences are a short walk from the Old Town, the Central Market and Miera iela. Furnished rooms, all bills included, for your semester or a few nights.
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