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From stunning snowshoeing to festive Christmas markets to architectural walking tours, here are the 13 best things to do in Riga in winter.
Are you thinking about heading to Riga this winter? Well, December through to the end of March are great months to visit this beautiful and underrated Eastern European capital.
Often with a blanket of snow, medieval architecture, and plenty of outdoor activities to try, it’s an affordable winter wonderland getaway. And don’t worry, if you prefer cozying up with a cuppa out the cold, there’s plenty of that too.
Riga in winter provides plenty of festive experiences like Christmas markets, Christmas tree competitions with neighbouring Tallinn, and ice skating rinks galore. But it’s also a great time to experience the city’s indoor attractions, like the Museum of Occupation or the Dom Cathedral.
I love a wintry city break, especially one that is full of snow that really brings the festive spirit to life! So, when you consider that some of the best Riga winter activities include cross-country skiing, checking out frozen sea ice, and a bobsleigh experience, I’m completely sold on a trip to the Latvian capital!
So, whether you want to have some winter fun on skis or on a snowmobile, are looking to learn more about Eastern European history and life, or just want to try out some traditional Latvian warming cuisine and festive vibes, Riga has you covered. With that in mind, let’s find out the 13 best things to do in Riga in winter!
Visiting Riga but want to get out of the city? Then don’t forget to check out my guide to the best day trips from Riga!
Quick facts about Riga
- Best months: December for the markets, January and February for snow and sea ice
- Temperatures: highs around 1°C, lows around -6°C
- Daylight: under seven hours in late December, with sunset around 3.45pm
- Christmas market: Doma laukums, 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, free entry
- Getting in: bus 22 from the airport, about 30 minutes
- Transport ticket: €1.50 by contactless card, €1.15 bought ahead, €3.60 for 24 hours
- How long to stay: two full days for the city, three if you’re adding Sigulda
Getting around Riga
Riga is small, and that’s the best thing about it in January. You can walk from one end of the Old Town to the other in fifteen minutes, so most days you won’t need transport at all. When you do, buses, trams and trolleybuses all run on the same ticket. A single trip is €1.50 by contactless card or €1.15 if you buy it in advance at a kiosk, and a 24 hour pass is €3.60.
From the airport, take bus 22. It runs into the centre in about half an hour, every 10 to 30 minutes. If you land late, the N22 night bus covers the same route hourly through the small hours.
One warning from experience: the cobbles in the Old Town get properly slippery once the snow packs down. Boots with a decent grip make a bigger difference than another jumper.
Winter weather in Riga
It’ll come as no surprise that Riga is very cold during the winter months. With dizzying highs of 1°C (34°F) and average lows of -6°C (21°F), you’re going to need a whole load of layers.
Like most of Latvia during winter, snow is expected across Riga and welcomes in the winter sports season with many locals strapping on their snowshoes or skis to make the most of the colder months.
Map of Riga
To help you make the most of your trip to Riga in winter, I’ve put together this interactive map featuring all of the best places and experiences mentioned in this guide. From the Christmas markets and historic Old Town to ice skating, snowy parks and the city’s famous Art Nouveau architecture, you can see exactly where everything is and plan your Riga adventure with ease.
Best things to do in Riga in winter
Visit Riga’s Christmas Markets
Riga has one of the best Christmas markets in the Baltics, and the one you want is on Doma laukums, right beside the cathedral. Wooden huts, a big tree, and the smell of mulled wine hitting you before you’ve turned the corner.
More than 80 Latvian traders set up here, selling craft, food and drink. Buy the woollen mittens. You’ll need them by day two. This season it runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, daily from 11am to 8pm, and entry is free.
Two smaller markets are worth ten minutes each. Livu Square is a short walk away, and Esplanade Park has a quieter, more family-friendly setup.
Be amazed at the sea ice formations at Vecaki Beach
Now, stay with me here. Going to a beach in the peak of winter with freezing Baltic temperatures might not sound like the best idea, but Vecaki Beach on the outskirts of Riga holds a cool secret. When the freezing temperatures hit, there is a whole range of sea ice formations that occur. You can literally see waves frozen and about to crash – it’s kind of insane!
Check out the Bohemian vibes on Miera iela
Otherwise known as Peace Street, Miera Iela is a street in Riga that’s known for its Bohemian vibes. Here you’ll find great coffee shops, independent stores, and warming bars which are ideal after a long day of shopping in the snow. If you’re looking for a Christmas present that’s a little bit different, head to Miera Iela and you’re bound to find something cool.
Try cross-country skiing in Uzvaras Park
Snow means one main thing in Riga. It’s time for cross-country skiing. As well as being a fun Riga winter activity, it’s also a great way to get around during the colder months. The city grooms trails as soon as conditions allow, and locals treat them as normal.
Uzvaras Park is the most popular spot, thanks to its wide open layout. There’s equipment hire on site, so you don’t need to sort skis in advance. If it’s busy, head to Lucavsala instead. It’s an island in the Daugava with its own trail, and it’s usually much quieter.
One thing to check before you set off: the trails only open once there’s enough snow, so have a look at the Riga City Council site on the day.
Go ice skating in Esplanade Park
Fancy taking a spin around the ice on your trip to Riga? There are a few rinks around the city in winter, but the one I’d point you to is the public rink in Esplanade Park. You’ll find it by the Rainis monument, right by the rose bed. It’s a lovely spot to skate, with the park around you and the Art Nouveau district a few minutes’ walk away.
Best of all, it’s free if you bring your own skates. Hire is €2.49 an hour for adults and €2.00 for children, and there are heated changing rooms, which you’ll appreciate more than you expect. It’s open weekdays from 11am to 10pm and weekends from 9am, and it runs until 1 March. The city has confirmed it for this season too.
If you’re out towards the suburbs, there’s an artificial rink in Purvciems. And for something a bit sillier, the tubing slopes at Mežaparks are open at weekends.
Enjoy a historical walking tour of Old Town
One of the main draws of Riga has to be the beautiful Old Town. Even in winter, the best way to experience this area is on foot with a local guide.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site still has plenty of buildings and features from Medieval times, despite World War II leveling most of the city. As you can easily wander from one end to the other in 15 minutes, it’s the perfect way to explore the city if you’re short on time.
Visit the Dom Cathedral
Want to visit the largest medieval cathedral in the Baltics? Wander across the Old Town to the Dom of Riga. Harking all the way back to the 13th century, this Medieval masterpiece has stood the test of time.
During the lead-up to Christmas, there are plenty of festive services to enjoy and even a carol concert or two! Check out the events calendar and see what’s on while you’re in Riga in winter.
Speed around the outskirts of Riga on a bobsleigh
Do you feel the need for speed? Well with this winter activity, your adrenaline is definitely going to spike. Just on the outskirts of Riga, you’ll find an Olympic standard bobsleigh track which you can speed down, slipping and sliding down the icy tracks.
It’s the Olympic track in Sigulda. It’s roughly a 50 minute drive from Riga Old Town, the track is 1,420 metres long, and it’s one of only 14 tracks used for World Championship racing. On pricing, a soft bob or skeleton ride booked directly at the track is around €30 per person, while packaged rides from Riga with hotel pick-up start from about €60 for one run.
Fans of Cool Runnings, this is definitely an excursion for you! Leave your fear at home, strap on your helmet, and fly down the icy track!
Warm up and relax at Black Magic
Let’s be honest, if you’re spending all day out in the snow and ice, you’re going to need to warm up at some point – I know I love coming in from the cold with a nice warm mulled wine or hot tea. Black Magic is the place to go in Riga to warm up. Located in Old Town, the Medieval-themed cafe and bar is famous for serving Black Balsam, Latvia’s alcoholic drink of choice. It’s sure to warm you right up!
Try snowshoeing at Vienkoču Park
If you fancy a winter sport but skiing and snowboarding aren’t for you, snowshoeing is the answer. It’s low impact, it takes about five minutes to get the hang of, and you don’t need a lesson. You’re essentially strapping tennis rackets to your feet. They spread your weight so you stay on top of the snow instead of sinking into it.
Vienkoču Park is where I’d head. The trails here are the same ones people hike in summer, so you’re winding through forest and along the Līgatne River with the whole place to yourself.
One thing to know before you go: this isn’t in Riga. Vienkoču Park is in Līgatne, around 70km from the city, so you’ll want a car or a tour for the day.
Winter opening is 10am to 4pm from November through to March. Entry is €5 for adults and €3 for kids aged 7 to 18.
Check out the architecture in the Art Nouveau district
As well as the Medieval architecture from the Old Town, Riga is also famous for its Art Nouveau scene. Take a walking tour with a local expert is the best way to see the best spots and learn more about the 19th and 20th-century design aesthetic. In fact, around a third of buildings in Riga have art nouveau features!
Visit The Museum of Occupation
If you want to learn more about the dark history of Latvia and the Soviet era, you have to visit the Museum of Occupation. It’s honestly such an important place to visit during your stay. This is an occupation that many people in the West don’t know a whole lot about, and it’s definitely eye-opening.
The museum is back in its own building on Latviešu strēlnieku laukums, just behind the House of the Blackheads. It spent a decade at a temporary address while the place was renovated, and the new exhibition is far better for it.
Entry is €8 for adults and €5 for students, and children under seven go free. A guided tour is €15 and worth it if you want the context. There are also free entry days on 25 March, 4 May, 14 June, 4 July and 18 November. Give yourself a good hour and a half, and don’t line it up straight before dinner.
Enjoy a performance at the Latvia National Opera
For many Latvians and people across the Baltics, the winter months represent ballet season. Running from mid-September to May, winter is when the peak ballets and opera performances are scheduled at the Latvia National Opera. See stunning performances like the Nutcracker, Aida, Don Giovanni, and many more.
What’s new in Riga for 2027?
Riga doesn’t reinvent itself every year, but a few things have changed since my last winter here.
- The opera house is back – The Latvian National Opera closed its main stage for a major reconstruction, and reopened to audiences on 4 June 2026. That makes this the first full winter season back in the restored building. Ballet season still runs through the coldest months, so the timing works nicely.
- This year’s Christmas market dates – The Old Town market runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 on Doma laukums, open daily from 11am to 8pm, free to walk in. Expect more than 80 traders selling Latvian craft and food. Smaller markets pop up in Livu Square and Esplanade Park.
- The Esplanade ice rink is confirmed again – The city has committed to running its public rink in Esplanade Park through the 2026/27 season, and it stays open until 1 March. Skating is free if you bring your own skates, or you can hire a pair for €2.49 an hour, €2.00 for children. There are heated changing rooms, which matters more than you’d think.
- Latvia’s sliding sports are having a moment – Elīna Ieva Bota took silver in the women’s luge at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February 2026. Latvian sliders train at Sigulda, which is the same track you can ride yourself. Book ahead this season, because interest has gone up.
Where to stay in Riga
Luxury: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
Five-star hotels don’t get grander than this. This huge old-world hotel stands in the centre of the city, surrounded by attractions like the National Opera House. Inside, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time with beautiful sweeping staircases, marble pillars, and spacious suites! If you’re looking for luxury, check yourself into the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.
Mid-range: Konventa Sēta Hotel
Location-wise you can’t do much better. St Peter’s Church, Dome Square and the Christmas market are all a few minutes on foot. If you want to stay somewhere with a bit of history behind it, this is the one. Konventa Sēta sits in a complex of seven buildings dating back to the 13th century, tucked down a cobbled lane in the Old Town. There’s a courtyard in the middle that’s lovely under snow.
The rooms were fully renovated a couple of years back, so you get modern comforts without losing the old beams and high ceilings. There’s a café on site and a restaurant next door, which you’ll be grateful for when it’s dark by 4pm.
Budget: Tallink Hotel Riga
It’s also handy for the central train and bus stations, so it’s a smart base if you’re heading out to Sigulda or Jūrmala for the day. The Tallink is where I’d send anyone watching their budget in Riga. It’s on Elizabetes iela, about ten minutes’ walk from the Old Town, and rates in winter are very good value. Rooms are simple but clean and warm, and breakfast gets consistently good write-ups. The best bit is the free morning sauna and jacuzzi, which is exactly what you want after a day out in the cold.
FAQs
Does it snow in Riga in December?
Often, but not reliably. Snow is more dependable in January and February, when it tends to settle for weeks. December can just as easily be grey and damp at 2°C.
How many days do you need in Riga in winter?
Two full days covers the Old Town, the Art Nouveau district and the markets comfortably. Add a third if you want to ride the bobsleigh at Sigulda.
Is Riga expensive?
No. It’s one of the cheaper European capitals for food and drink, and winter room rates outside the Christmas market weeks are very good value.
So there you are, the best things to do in Riga in winter. Which activities are your favourite? Have you already done some of these in Riga before? Let me know in the comments below!
If you’re planning a Europe trip, then check out my Eastern Europe itinerary. This guide is packed full of all the best things to do.
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