A weekend in Riga 2026: what to see, eat and do

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Riga is only four hours by bus from Vilnius. Below you will find how to get there from Vilnius and Kaunas, what to visit, where to try local food and how much you will spend.

How to get to Riga from Vilnius and Kaunas

From Vilnius. FlixBus runs direct services from 8 times a day. The distance is 289 km, and the fastest service takes about 4 hours (FlixBus route page, checked on 2026-10-07).

Prices depend on the day and hour, so check them on FlixBus for your dates. A service fee is added to the order. In Vilnius the bus stops at several places: the Bus Station, Savanorių prospektas and the Studentų stops; the journey time depends on the stop.

You will find more about the bus in the guide Vilnius to Riga by bus (in Lithuanian).

Where to stay

For example, Hotel Edvards gives a double room at €85 a night in its price list for the low season (1 October–26 December), breakfast included, and parking costs €10 (hoteledvards.lv, checked on 2026-10-08). From 30 December to 7 January the hotel takes the first night’s payment in advance and does not refund it. Check the prices of other hotels on their websites for your dates.

What to see

The Riga Art Nouveau Museum (Alberta iela 12). The museum is open daily 10:00–18:00, and tickets are sold until 17:45 (checked on 2026-10-07). In the winter season (1 October–30 April) a ticket for the whole exhibition costs €5.00, and for pupils, students and pensioners €3.00 (checked on 2026-10-07).

What to eat

Riga Central Market. The market’s own website calls it one of the largest markets in Europe. The pavilions are open 7:30–18:00, the outdoor part 7:00–18:00, and the Farmers’ night market 17:00–7:30 (checked on 2026-10-07; check the hours before you go, because they change over the holidays). The market’s website also lists eating places: the traditional Latvian cuisine of Perons No.1, the craft brewery Labietis and the fish restaurant Siļķītes un dillītes.

Weekend plan

Friday. After work or in the morning set off for Riga, check in and walk round the old town.

Saturday. In the morning visit the Art Nouveau Museum, and later look into the Central Market for lunch.

Sunday. In the afternoon head back to Vilnius or Kaunas. You will find events in Riga in the October events article (in Lithuanian).

Accommodation: in a double room at Hotel Edvards a night costs €85 (checked on 2026-10-08), and the price changes with the season. Check the bus prices for your dates.

Ready-made trips by train

Don’t want to plan it yourself? From Vilnius, a weekend on 13–15 November by train (07:04–11:34, back on Sunday at 16:55): the Riga trip from Vilnius (in Lithuanian). From Klaipėda by bus: A weekend in Riga from Klaipėda (in Lithuanian).

You will find more trips from Vilnius in the list of weekend trips from Vilnius (in Lithuanian), and if you are travelling from Kaunas, in the list of trips from Kaunas (in Lithuanian).

Flying to Riga? We write about how to get from the airport to the centre in from Riga airport to the city.

Riga holds festivals in October; see the October events guide (in Lithuanian).

Frequently asked questions

Is a weekend enough for Riga?

Yes, if you arrive on Friday by the evening and leave on Sunday afternoon: it takes about four hours one way by bus.

Can the prices change?

Yes. Bus prices depend on the day and hour and rise when the cheapest seats are sold out.