Ey up! We’ve just got back from a cracking 4-day jaunt to Riga, Latvia’s capital, and let me tell you – it’s a gem. We’re not ones for flashy hotels or fancy meals – we like to keep things tight, proper Yorkshire style. If you’re after culture, cobbles, and a pint without needing a small loan, Riga might just be your cup of tea (or cheap local lager).
Day 1: Touchdown & First Impressions
Flew in from Manchester with Ryanair (cheap as chips), landed mid-morning in Riga. After a minor faff with the ticket machine, we hopped on the No. 22 bus into the city – €1.50 well spent.
⭐ Tight Win: Packed our own fruit salad, banana bread, and a cheese sarnie (smuggled past a suspicious “no cheese” sign at security).
Checked into our £12pp/night hotel, dropped bags, and headed off exploring. Enjoyed lunch with a view of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (we didn’t go up, but the views from the top are meant to be cracking).
Next stop: the National Library of Latvia – free to enter with a quick coat drop and a visitor pass. The “People’s Bookshelf” is a beaut, and the 8th-floor viewpoint (open Saturdays) is worth a look if you’re around then.
Finished the day at Town Hall Square, having only spent €1.50 all day. For tea, we found Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs, an underground spot that looked dodgy on the way in (think Wetherspoons toilet trek) but served up good grub and even better vibes.
Day 2: History, Views & Budget Brews
Started the day right with a free hotel buffet – filled our boots with cereal, pastries, knock-off Full English, cottage cheese and enough coffee to power the morning.
Armed with AirPods and a £3pp self-guided audio tour from Booking.com, we set off from Albert Square, winding through cobbled streets, ancient city walls, and a mash-up of architecture that screamed “Old Europe meets Wild West.” Quick pit stop for a cruffin (because obviously) and back to wandering.
Paid €9 each to go up St. Peter’s Church tower – worth it for the cracking views and a proper breather. The rest of the tour took us through all the big squares: Town Hall, Livu, and Dome. We ended at the Freedom Monument, just in time to catch the changing of the guard. Pure fluke, but we’ll take it.
We strolled through Bastejkalna Park (free toilets = big win), then called it a day after what felt like 10,000 steps. Tea was at OGLE, a no-nonsense spot serving Latvian-style pizza – cheap, cheerful, and just what we needed.
Day 3: Soviet Sights, Cheap Eats & Expensive Regrets
Our feet were killing, but we powered on (fuelled, once again, by a full free hotel breakfast). The city’s architectural identity crisis continued – one minute you’re looking at a majestic church, the next, what looks like a cowboy barn from a 70s western.
We headed for Kalnciema Quarter Market, only to realise it’s a Saturday-only affair. Rookie error. Luckily, a nearby café and a strong coffee with cake softened the blow.
After a few more churches (we lost count), we stopped for tea at Lido – a local canteen chain serving hearty Latvian fare. For under a tenner each including a drink, we got mountain-sized plates of meat, mash, and veg. Proper comfort food, war-time style but surprisingly lush.
Feeling adventurous (and momentarily rich), we decided to live a little… and head to the Radisson Blu Skyline Bar. Took the lift up 26 floors and enjoyed stunning sunset views over Riga. Could’ve stuck to soft drinks and saved a few quid, but no – we went for two rounds of cocktails. Big mistake for two tight travellers.
Still, it was less than a night out in Leeds. We walked back skint but well-fed, and spent the rest of the night sulking in the hotel room with our wallets slightly lighter and dignity slightly dented.
Day 4: Chilling & One Last Look Round
Kept it mellow on our last day with a quiet stroll to the Holocaust Monument, followed by a free visit to the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum – proper moving and well worth the time.
Lunch was at Domini Canes, right by St. Peter’s Church, where we enjoyed some people-watching with a view.
Heads turned back to the bus stop next. Pro tip: buy your return ticket from the little Narvesen corner shop to avoid any bus stop confusion. There was a bit of a language barrier, but flashing our tickets from the first ride eventually did the trick.
Final Thoughts: Riga on a Tight Budget
We went with hand luggage, walked near enough everywhere, and still managed to have a proper good time without breaking the bank. Riga’s spot on for tight travellers – plenty to see for free or cheap, loads of filling food, and a great mix of old history and newer buzz.
So if you’re after a city break that’s easy on the wallet but full of charm, get yourself to Riga. Just don’t forget your brolly – it’s a bit nippy, even in spring!
🧭 Quick Overview
Why We Went: Cheap Ryanair flights (of course) £46 return
When: March 2025
Budget: ~£28/ day per person
Trip Length: 4 days
Tight Travellers 