A Latvia city break for less than £400? Here's all you need to know

Times

26-07-2025

The Med's big cities are still sweltering and crowded in early September but Latvia's pretty, compact capital makes a lovely short break. Temperatures are in the early 20s for sweat-free sightseeing — ideal for wandering the medieval old town, enjoying riverside walks and urban parks or even heading to beaches within easy reach of the city centre. Plus, there's a clutch of industrial warehouses turned contemporary galleries, plenty of traditional cafés in which to sample Latvian cuisine, and a thriving craft beer scene.
Three nights' room-only at the four-star Wellton Riverside Spa Hotel, including flights from Stansted with Ryanair, costs £324pp with Tui. An under-seat cabin bag is included, but you can add a 20kg suitcase for an extra £56 return. A taxi from the airport costs about £30, or you can take the No 22 bus to 11 Novembra Krastmala, about five minutes' walk from the hotel (£2; riga-airport.com).
• Read our full guide to Latvia
The hotel is in the Unesco-listed old town, with all its attractions and restaurants within walking distance. The central bus and train station are about a 15-minute stroll, allowing for easy day trips. The hotel has a smart, contemporary feel, with oatmeal rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, geometric carpets and all-white bathrooms. There's a cheerily decorated restaurant, a roof terrace overlooking the river, and the largest spa in the old town, which includes an indoor pool, a cedar steam bath and a beer ritual room for bathing in water infused with hops, malt and yeast.
Start by sightseeing from the water with a boat trip around the old town's canals (£10; rivercruises.lv). Then wander the cobbled squares and narrow alleyways, lined with gothic churches and pastel-coloured or art nouveau buildings, many of which were reconstructed after the fall of communism. St Peter's Church has a 57m-high observation deck for panoramic views over the red rooftops (£8; svpetera.lv), while the former cork factory, Zuzeum, houses the world's largest private collection of Latvian art (£10; zuzeum.com). Walk along the city walls to the 17th-century Swedish Gate, then discover the city's turbulent history at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (£7; okupacijasmuzejs.lv) and the KGB's former headquarters, the Corner House (£13; bezrindas.lv).
Stock up on picnic supplies at the riverside Riga Central Market — one of Europe's largest markets — originally used as a military airship hangar. Eat alongside locals at the central Bastejkalna Park, with its canal, sculptures and opera house, or hop on the No 11 tram to Mezaparks to enjoy the pine forest, walking trails and swimmable Lake Kisezers. Alternatively, the sandy Jurmala beach is half an hour away by train from Riga train station and has seafront restaurants, a wooden boardwalk and forested dunes (£2 each way; vivi.lv).
Spend your final evening in the city's Beer District, a 1.5-mile walking route linking ten craft breweries and gastropubs that offer more than 200 Latvian craft beers.
• The most affordable European city breaks
• Return Stansted-Riga flights, departing on September 7• Three nights' room-only at Wellton Riverside Spa Hotel (tui.co.uk)
Feeling flush? If you're inspired but you've got more cash to splash, you could try
Located in a beautifully restored 17th -century building on a cobbled street in the old town, the five-star Dome hotel has 15 stylish rooms decorated in warm oak and soft neutral tones, with white-tiled bathrooms. Top-floor rooms have river views. There's a small spa with a Finnish sauna, a cigar lounge and a rooftop terrace open until October, with sweeping views of the Dome Cathedral. The fine-dining restaurant is Michelin-listed and serves a five or seven-course tasting menu of French-inspired dishes. Central Market, St Peter's Church and the city's best museums are all less than 15 minutes' walk away. Details Three nights' B&B from £746pp, including flights and private car transfers (kirkerholidays.com)
• Great European getaways for 2025
There's plenty of space to spread out at the boutique Neiburgs, which has 55 apartment-rooms in an ornate art nouveau-era property on a street next to the Dome Cathedral. Two-storey apartments have a Scandi-chic feel, with exposed wooden beams and white brick walls, parquet flooring, a tasteful palette of pale blues, charcoal greys and cream, and original graphic art by Katrina Neiburga. There's a living room and small kitchenette on one floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the other. All have either cathedral or old-town views. Downstairs there's a light-flooded library, a spa with a sauna, and a Michelin-recommended restaurant serving Latvian specialities.Details Three nights' B&B from £1,430pp, including flights (britishairways.com)
• Best Baltic cruises