Arrive in Riga and settle into your accommodation—if you're staying near the Old Town, drop off luggage and head straight for a wake-up coffee at Rocket Bean Roastery or MiiT Coffee to warm up from the November chill. From there, take a relaxed stroll through the cobbled streets of Vecrīga, admiring the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter’s Church tower (consider taking the elevator up for sweeping city views), and the ornate façades along Jauniela to get your bearings and soak in Riga’s medieval atmosphere.
For lunch, sample traditional Latvian dishes at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs or the contemporary comfort food at Rozengrāls, then continue exploring by visiting the Riga Cathedral and the small but atmospheric Museum of the Occupation of Latvia to add historical context to your visit. Pause for a sweet break at the nearby LIDO Panorama (or a cozy café in Kalku iela) before wandering along the Daugava riverfront and the Bastion Hill park for a gentle introduction to the city’s green spaces.
As dusk falls, enjoy an early dinner in the Old Town—try local specialties like grey peas with speck and rye bread at Vincents or the family-friendly Milda—then join a guided evening walk or take in live music at Kaņepe/Valdemārs Street pubs to feel Riga’s lively nightlife pulse. Finish the night with a nightcap at a rooftop bar such as Skyline Bar (for panoramic views) or retire to your hotel to rest up for tomorrow’s Art Nouveau and market discoveries.
Start the day with a hearty Latvian breakfast at Rocket Bean Roastery or Cafe Taka, then head to Alberta iela to admire Riga’s spectacular Art Nouveau façades and visit the Art Nouveau Museum (Māja Mārstaļu ielā) to step inside an authentic period apartment. Continue the architectural walk to the elegant Elizabetes and Strelnieku streets, pausing for photos of ornate details and the famed works by architect Mikhail Eisenstein.
Cross to the historic Central Market housed in converted Zeppelin hangars and dive into the bustling stalls—sample black bread, smoked fish and fresh berries, and chat with vendors to get a taste of local life. After lunch, spend a couple of hours at the Latvian National Museum of Art or the Museum of the Occupation (if you missed it yesterday) for deeper cultural context, or choose the more playful Riga Motor Museum if you prefer design and engines.
As evening falls, warm up with a traditional Latvian dinner at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs or the contemporary Vincents, then enjoy a relaxed riverside stroll along the Daugava to see the illuminated skyline and Akmens Bridge. Cap the night with live jazz at ALA Pagrabs or a craft-beer tasting at Labietis, keeping a comfortable pace after last night’s Old Town explorations and readying yourself for tomorrow’s seaside day trip to Jūrmala.
Catch an early train from Riga Central Station to Majori (about 30-40 minutes) and step into Jūrmala’s long wooden-villa streets—start with a brisk walk along the famous Majori beach promenade, breathing in the bracing Baltic air and admiring the ornate wooden architecture on Jomas iela. Warm up with a late-morning coffee and a pastry at Koki Café or Muusu Maiznīca, then pop into the Jurmala City Museum to learn about the town’s spa history and historic resort culture.
After lunch at the stylish Lielupe Hotel restaurant or the seaside Dzintari Terrace, head to the charming Dzintari Concert Hall and take a peaceful stroll through the pine-fringed Dzintari Park toward the old wooden villas of Bulduri and Melluži for photos and atmosphere. If you want a spa experience, book a short thermal or massage session at Spa Hotel Ezerine or the modern Kempinski spa to indulge in Baltic wellness traditions before returning to Riga.
Return to Riga in the early evening and savor a relaxed dinner near the Old Town—try freshly smoked fish or a seafood plate at Seaside Grill or Fish House—then enjoy a quiet riverside walk back through the city, reflecting on the contrast between Riga’s urban pulse and Jūrmala’s restorative seaside calm as you prepare for the next day’s transfer to Gauja National Park.
After a cozy Riga breakfast, take the scenic 1.5-2 hour drive or train to Cēsis, the charming gateway to Gauja National Park; drop your bags at a local guesthouse or the Hotel Cēsis and wander straight to the hilltop Cēsis Castle ruins and the medieval Old Town square to feel the town’s history. Warm up with a coffee and cinnamon pastry at the local café (Pils Kafejnīca) before strolling the quaint streets and visiting the Cēsis History and Art Museum for a quick local orientation.
Head into Gauja National Park for an easy nature walk along the meandering Gauja River—choose the scenic Amata or Cēsis Riverside trails to see limestone outcrops and frosted woodland; stop at the picturesque Vecpilsētas bridge and photograph the river valley. For a cultural detour, drive a short distance to the Prauliena or Līgatne area to visit the Līgatne Secret Soviet Bunker or the open-air ethnographic exhibits, then enjoy a hearty country lunch at a local farmstead or the historic Hotel Līgatne restaurant.
Return to Cēsis as daylight fades and warm up with a traditional Latvian dinner at Café 124 or the cosy Brūzis pub, sampling smoked meats, mushroom soup or hearty grey peas with speck. Finish the night with a quiet riverside stroll or a drink at your guesthouse while planning tomorrow’s Sigulda adventures—listen for the forest’s stillness and prepare for more castles and caves to come.
After breakfast in Cēsis, drive the short scenic route to Sigulda and begin at Turaida Museum Reserve—climb the red-brick Turaida Castle tower for sweeping views over the snow-dusted Gauja valley and explore the reconstructed medieval yard and church. From there, follow the riverside trail down toward the iconic Gutmanis Cave in the Gauja river cliffs, where you can read centuries-old inscriptions and feel the ancient, mossy atmosphere while photographing the dramatic limestone formations.
Have a warming lunch at a riverside café like Café 9 or Sigulda’s cozy MĀRTIŅŠ, then dive into Sigulda’s adventurous side: ride the Sigulda bobsleigh/luge track (tame summer/tourist runs are available) or take the aerial cable car across the Gauja valley to Krimulda Manor for panoramic views and a short woodland walk. If you prefer gentler thrills, visit the Gutmanis Cave area and nearby walking routes through the Gauja National Park or tour Krimulda Manor’s historic interiors and terraces.
Return to Sigulda town center as dusk falls and enjoy a hearty Latvian dinner at Restaurant «Villa» or the homely Bistro Kungu Rija, sampling seasonal game or mushroom dishes typical of the region. Cap the night with a relaxed stroll along the frozen Gauja riverside or a nightcap at your guesthouse, reflecting on the day’s castles and cliffs and preparing for tomorrow’s countryside drive toward Rundāle Palace.
After breakfast in Sigulda or Cēsis, set out on a scenic 1.5-2 hour drive south to Rundāle Palace and arrive for the morning opening when the gilt halls are quieter; take a guided tour through the grand Baroque state rooms, the intimate Duchess’ apartments, and the restored rococo chapel to appreciate the palace’s lavish interiors. Afterwards, stroll the formal French-style gardens (or their winter silhouettes) and visit the on-site exhibition at the Rundāle Palace Museum to learn about the Rastrelli-designed masterpiece and its 18th-century courtly life.
Continue the countryside drive toward Bauska, stopping en route at a roadside farm café for a warming bowl of mushroom soup and homemade rye bread, then explore Bauska Castle and its hilltop terraces overlooking the confluence of the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers. If time allows, visit the nearby House of Crafts to see local artisans at work or take a short walk to the medieval Jelgava-Bauska defensive ramparts to photograph the wintry lowlands and learn about the region’s frontier history.
Spend the evening in Bauska enjoying a hearty regional dinner at the atmospheric Bauska Manor restaurant or the cosy Ēdnīca pub, sampling local game, smoked fish or a warming potato kugelis with lingonberry. Finish with a relaxed after-dinner stroll through the softly lit town center or a nightcap at your guesthouse, reflecting on the palace grandeur and peaceful rural landscapes before returning to Riga tomorrow.
After breakfast, make the comfortable drive or train back to Riga, aiming to arrive mid-morning and drop luggage at your hotel or the station luggage room; if time allows, squeeze in a last relaxed stroll through the Central Market to pick up souvenirs like smoked fish, black bread and artisanal preserves. Warm up with a final coffee and pastry at Rocket Bean Roastery or Café MiiT, and if you haven’t yet climbed it, take a quick elevator ride up St. Peter’s Church tower for one last panoramic view of the city before checking out.
Spend the afternoon wrapping up any missed sights or shopping — revisit the Riga Cathedral or the Art Nouveau district on a short loop, or explore the small but poignant Latvian National Museum of Art for a calming cultural hour before lunch. Enjoy a leisurely farewell meal at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs or Vincents, sampling Latvian favourites one last time, then return to your accommodation to collect bags and allow ample time for transfer to Riga Airport or the train station.
If your schedule allows a late departure, take a gentle final walk along the Daugava riverfront to watch the city lights come on and breathe in the crisp Baltic air, perhaps stopping for a warming mulled drink or craft beer at Labietis. Otherwise, head to the airport or station with plenty of time, carrying the memory of medieval streets, seaside calm and Gauja’s valleys as you depart Latvia.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rocket Bean Roastery | €3-7 (coffee & pastry) |
| MiiT Coffee | €3-7 (coffee & pastry) |
| Vecrīga (Old Town stroll; House of the Blackheads exterior) | Free (photos); House of the Blackheads museum entry €6-10 if visited) |
| St. Peter’s Church tower (elevator) | €6-10 (entry/elevator) |
| Jauniela and Old Town façades (photo walk) | Free |
| Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs (lunch/dinner) | €10-25 per person (meal & drink) |
| Rozengrāls (medieval restaurant) | €15-35 per person (meal & drink) |
| Riga Cathedral (visit) | €2-5 (entry; organ concerts extra) |
| Museum of the Occupation of Latvia | €3-6 |
| LIDO Panorama / café in Kalku iela (sweet break) | €5-12 |
| Daugava riverfront & Bastion Hill park | Free |
| Night/Evening guided walk | €10-25 per person (group) or €40-80 private |
| Skyline Bar (rooftop) | €6-15 per drink; small cover possible |
| Alberta iela / Art Nouveau façades walking | Free |
| Art Nouveau Museum (Māja Mārstaļu ielā) | €6-10 |
| Central Market (Riga) | Free to enter; €5-15 sampling/lunch |
| Latvian National Museum of Art | €5-8 |
| Riga Motor Museum | €6-10 |
| Labietis (craft-beer tasting) | €6-15 per tasting / drink |
| Train Riga → Majori (Jūrmala) | €1.50-3 (regional ticket) |
| Majori beach promenade & Jomas iela | Free |
| Koki Café / Muusu Maiznīca (coffee & pastry) | €3-7 |
| Jūrmala City Museum | €2-5 |
| Lielupe Hotel restaurant / Dzintari Terrace (lunch) | €10-25 per person |
| Dzintari Concert Hall & Dzintari Park | Free (concerts extra) |
| Spa Hotel Ezerine / Kempinski spa (short session) | €30-80 (thermal/massage basic session) |
| Drive/train Riga → Cēsis | Train €5-12; car fuel/toll/parking approx. €15-30 depending on vehicle |
| Hotel Cēsis / local guesthouse (per night estimate) | €50-120 per room/night (season & class dependent) |
| Cēsis Castle ruins & Old Town | €3-7 (castle museum/entry) |
| Pils Kafejnīca (coffee & pastry) | €3-6 |
| Amata or Cēsis Riverside trails (nature walk) | Free |
| Līgatne Secret Soviet Bunker / open-air exhibits | €5-12 (entry/tour) |
| Hotel Līgatne restaurant / farmstead lunch | €8-18 per person |
| Café 124 / Brūzis pub (dinner in Cēsis) | €8-20 per person |
| Drive Cēsis → Sigulda | €5-15 (fuel or short bus/train €2-6) |
| Turaida Museum Reserve & Turaida Castle tower | €5-8 (entry) |
| Gutmanis Cave (visit) | Free (small local parking/entry fees may apply €0-2) |
| Café 9 / MĀRTIŅŠ (lunch) | €8-18 per person |
| Sigulda bobsleigh/luge track (tourist runs) | €15-40 depending on activity |
| Aerial cable car across Gauja valley | €5-10 round trip |
| Krimulda Manor visit | €2-6 (entry / cafe extra) |
| Restaurant «Villa» / Bistro Kungu Rija (dinner) | €10-25 per person |
| Drive Sigulda → Rundāle Palace (via Riga) — full day transfer (estimate) | Fuel €15-35; public transport more complex €10-20 (multiple legs) |
| Rundāle Palace guided tour & gardens | €8-12 (entry & basic guided tour; garden free or small fee) |
| Roadside farm café (lunch) | €6-12 per person |
| Bauska Castle & terraces | €3-6 (entry) |
| House of Crafts (Bauska) | Free to €5 (workshop demos extra) |
| Bauska Manor restaurant / Ēdnīca pub (dinner) | €8-20 per person |
| Drive Bauska → Riga (return) | Fuel €5-15; bus/train €3-8 |
| Central Market (last-minute shopping) | Varies — €5-30 depending on purchases |
| Café MiiT / Rocket Bean Roastery (final coffee) | €3-7 |
| St. Peter’s Church tower (if not yet climbed) | €6-10 |
| Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs / Vincents (farewell meal) | €12-35 per person |
| Airport / train transfer (Riga) | Airport bus €2; taxi €15-30; train €2-3 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €650-1,650 per person (7 days) — range explained below |