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Riga

Riga, Latvia · Europe

About Riga

Riga is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Dārzciems, 40km from Ķemeri National Park.

Riga is a city located in Riga, Latvia. With a population of 742,572, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Riga sits in Latvia, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Riga time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Riga to your route.

About Riga

Riga ( REE-gə), officially Riga State City (Latvian: Rīgas valstspilsēta), is the capital, primate, and largest city of Latvia and the second largest in the Baltics. Home to 588,911 inhabitants (as of 2026), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga metropolitan area, which

Read more stretches beyond the city limits, is estimated at 847,162 (as of 2025). The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea. Riga's territory covers 307.17 km2 (118.60 sq mi) and lies 1–10 m (3–33 ft) above sea level on a flat and sandy plain. Riga was founded in 1201, and is a former Hanseatic League member. Riga's historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture and 19th century wooden architecture. Riga was the European Capital of Culture in 2014, along with Umeå in Sweden. Riga hosted the 2006 NATO Summit, the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, the 2013 World Women's Curling Championship, and the IIHF Men's World Ice Hockey Championships in 2006, 2021, and 2023. It is home to the European Union's office of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). In 2017, it was named as the European Region of Gastronomy. In 2019, Riga received over 1.4 million foreign visitors. The city is served by Riga International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in the Baltic States. Riga is a member of Eurocities, the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC), and Union of Capitals of the European Union (UCEU).

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Riga

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Riga?

Riga offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Riga?

Plan your road trip to Riga with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Riga as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Riga located?

Riga is located in Riga, Latvia, Europe. The coordinates are 56.9460 latitude, 24.1059 longitude.

What is the population of Riga?

Riga has a population of approximately 742,572 people, making it a city in Latvia.

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Quick Information

Population
742,572
Continent
Europe
Country
Latvia
Region
Riga
Timezone
Europe/Riga
Coordinates
56.9460, 24.1059

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Latvia

Police
112
Ambulance
113
Fire
112
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Latvia

Tags

EuropeLatviaRigaCity

Worth the detour from Riga

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

beach

Jūrmala

Latvia's premier seaside resort stretching along 33 kilometers of white sand beach, famous for its charming wooden Art Nouveau villas.

20 km · about 25 min drive

national park

Ķemeri National Park

A vast mosaic of raised bogs, sulphur springs and pine forest just west of Jūrmala. The Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk winds past dark pools and dwarf pines to a viewing tower: magical at sunrise.

40 km · about 45 min drive

castle

Turaida Castle

A striking red-brick medieval castle rising above the wooded Gauja valley near Sigulda, its round tower offering sweeping views over Latvia's 'Switzerland'. An easy, scenic drive from Riga.

52 km · about 60 min drive

natural wonder

Gutmanis Cave

The widest cave in the Baltics, a sandstone grotto with centuries of carved inscriptions, beside the Sigulda–Turaida road with parking.

52 km · about 60 min drive

racetrack

Sigulda Bobsleigh Track

Olympic-standard bobsleigh and luge track in Gauja National Park offering public rides, with its own access road and car park.

52 km · about 60 min drive

landmark

Rundāle Palace

Latvia's grandest baroque palace designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, featuring opulent interiors and one of the finest French-style gardens in the Baltics.

59 km · about 70 min drive

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Riga.

Vecrīga

🇱🇻 Latvia

0 km awayPop. 2,140

Dārzciems

🇱🇻 Latvia

4 km awayPop. 17,599

Mārupe

🇱🇻 Latvia

6 km awayPop. 19,096

Čiekurkalns

🇱🇻 Latvia

6 km awayPop. 7,764

Mežaparks

🇱🇻 Latvia

7 km awayPop. 4,457

Baloži

🇱🇻 Latvia

8 km awayPop. 6,780

Mežciems

🇱🇻 Latvia

8 km awayPop. 14,409

Dreiliņi

🇱🇻 Latvia

8 km awayPop. 7,125

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence