How to plan a Riga city break with kids, your partner, or friends? Ideas and prices
2026-04-01T11:37:01
Short city breaks are becoming increasingly popular—especially to destinations that are easy to reach, safe, and affordable for Estonians. Latvia’s capital Riga ticks all these boxes perfectly. But what should you plan to do there to make the most of your trip?
Getting to Riga is easy: you can travel by plane, bus, train, or car. Once transport is sorted, it’s worth thinking about accommodation. For a city break, staying in the center is the most convenient—restaurants, cafés, and main attractions are within walking distance, and getting around is easy.
Tallink Hotel Riga is a familiar and cozy choice for many Estonian travelers. It’s a comfortable four-star hotel with everything needed for a pleasant city trip. The hotel is located on the historic Elizabetes Street, just a few minutes from the bus and train stations. From there, it’s easy to reach both the Old Town and other districts.
Recommendations for families with children
Riga Zoo
If you’re traveling with kids, Riga Zoo is almost a must-visit. While Tallinn also has a great zoo, Riga offers animals you won’t see in Estonia. Mention giraffes, penguins, marmosets, camels, and pumas—this alone builds excitement before the visit.
The zoo is compact enough for smaller children to explore fully. In summer, bring a picnic basket and enjoy a break in nature.
Entrance: €14 adult;
€6 child;
€30 family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children)
CatchPixel interactive playground
CatchPixel is one of the most unique entertainment venues in Riga. It’s a 200 m² play area with a floor covered in interactive pixels. You can try dozens of games—some test logic, others physical movement. Fun for both kids and adults.
Visitor numbers are limited, so booking in advance is required.
Price: 1 hour – €45 (up to 3 players), extra player €10;
2 hours – €90 (up to 3 players), extra player €20;
game socks €1.50/person
Līvu Aquapark
Līvu Aquapark is a must-visit destination for any family trip to Latvia! Located in Jūrmala, just a stone’s throw from Riga, and covering 18,000 m², it is one of the largest water parks in Northern Europe. Open year-round, the park is divided into four zones: active entertainment on the slides, relaxed family recreation, a SPA complex, and a summer beach area. In total, the water park features over 20 different slides, 10 swimming pools, and many other attractions. On the entertainment grounds, there is Zambezy Bistro, where the whole family can enjoy a hearty meal, and the SPA complex also has a bar where guests can enjoy drinks right in the pool. In summer, an outdoor café with a spacious terrace on the riverbank opens its doors.
Tickets for Līvu Aquapark can be purchased on-site at the ticket office or online. Ticket prices depend on the duration of the visit and the age of the visitors.
Jump Space trampoline park
With energetic kids, Jump Space is a great stop. It features trampolines, climbing walls with soft landings, trick zones, a bouncing basketball court, and arcade games. There’s also a safe area for smaller children.
You can easily spend a whole day here.
Entrance: from €6/hour;
day pass from €10;
special socks €2/person.
Good to know: A Deluxe room at Tallink Hotel Riga suits a family of four. Prices start at around €103 for Club One members.
Recommendations for couples
Laima Chocolate Museum
When traveling as a couple, there’s no need for a strict schedule. A relaxed pace often makes the trip more enjoyable. Why not visit the Laima Chocolate Museum? Riga has many interesting museums, but this is definitely one of the sweetest—and likely to win over even those who aren’t museum fans.
You can also join a one-hour workshop to dive deeper into the world of chocolate. No private guide needed—audio guides are available, including in Estonian.
Entrance: €9 adult;
workshop €13/person;
audio guide €3
Romantic dinner
Riga has two Michelin-starred restaurants offering truly special dining experiences. There are also many Michelin Guide-listed places that are more affordable.
These restaurants offer excellent food, a pleasant atmosphere, and elegant interiors—perfect for a romantic dinner.
Good to know: Rooms at Tallink Hotel Riga start at around €61 per night. For special occasions, consider a suite—starting from €145 for Club One members.
Recommendations for friends
Shopping centers
When traveling with family, shopping time is often limited. With friends, it’s much easier to include it in your plans.
Origo shopping center, next to the central station, is one of the most convenient places to shop. Its central location makes it easy to combine errands and shopping without spending half a day. You’ll find essentials, cosmetics, clothing, and plenty of cafés.
For a classic department store experience, visit Stockmann. It offers a curated selection of quality brands—ideal for focused shopping without wandering endlessly.
For a true Riga vibe, head to Galerija Centrs in the historic center. It’s one of the most popular malls near Old Town, perfect for combining shopping with exploring the city.
Extra tip: Both Origo and Galerija Centrs have Drogas stores, kust leiab suure valiku kosmeetikat ja igapäevaseid ilutooteid väga sõbralike hindadega!
Akropole Riga, one of the largest shopping centres in Riga, is located a bit outside the city centre but is still easily accessible. It offers shops for every taste and budget. If you’re interested in good discounts, the best times for shopping are in January (from around 6 January until the end of the month), mid‑May (follow the dates of the campaign called Jamam), and in November (Jamam + Black Friday). Several city buses run from the centre to Akropole.
If you have more time, you can also take a trip to Via Jurmala Outlet Village, officially the only outlet village in the Baltics. As with such outlet centres in general, great finds aren’t guaranteed, but with a bit of luck you may come across some very attractive deals. It’s usually quiet and peaceful there, which is already a bonus when shopping.
Zuzeum Contemporary Art Museum
If your group of friends includes art lovers, a visit to the Zuzeum Contemporary Art Museum is definitely worth it. It is also highly regarded by international art experts.
The museum houses the world’s largest private collection of Latvian art, with around 30,000 works. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are also regularly changing temporary exhibitions.
Entrance: €12 adult
You can end the evening at one of Riga’s cozy cocktail bars. The city offers plenty of options—from stylish lounge bars to small, intimate cocktail spots. You can find an overview of bars here.
Good to know: Standard twin rooms at Tallink Hotel Riga start from around €61 for Club One members. If you’re traveling with a larger group of friends, it’s worth asking for connecting rooms—this makes spending time together much more enjoyable.
