Latvia blends medieval charm with Art Nouveau splendor in the heart of the Baltics. From the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Riga to pristine beaches along the Baltic Sea, this compact country offers rich history, vibrant culture, and unspoiled nature.
Local currency: Euro (€).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Latvia.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- €12-20/night (dorm)
- Budget
- €35-60/night (budget hotel/guesthouse)
- Midrange
- €75-140/night (3-4 star hotel)
- Luxury
- €200-500+/night (5 star)
Food
- Street
- €2-5 (pīrāgi pastries, market snacks)
- Local
- €7-12 (lunch at local restaurant or market)
- Midrange
- €15-30 (sit-down dinner)
- Fine
- €60-150+ (tasting menu at top restaurants)
Transport
- Bus
- €1.50 single ticket (advance), €1.81 on board
- Taxi
- €5-15 (typical city ride)
- Airport
- €15-25 (taxi or Bolt to center)
- Daytrip
- €3-12 (train to Jurmala or Sigulda)
Activities
- Museum
- €3-8 (most Riga museums)
- Sites
- €5-10 (Turaida Castle, Occupation Museum is free)
- Tour
- €20-45 (guided walking tour)
- Excursion
- €45-80 (day tour to Sigulda or Rundale)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Latvia costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
€350-450/week (hostel, market food, public transport, free sights)
Midrange traveller
€900-1,200/week (3-star hotel, café meals, mix of sights, some day trips)
Luxury traveller
€2,500-4,000+/week (5-star hotel, fine dining, private tours, helicopter excursions)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Riga Card for unlimited public transport plus free or discounted entry to 40+ museums and attractions — available for 24h (€26), 48h (€36), or 72h (€42)
Eat lunch at the Riga Central Market or Lido buffet for €5-8 — the best value meals in the city
Use the Bolt app for all taxis — it's significantly cheaper than flagging down street taxis and shows the price upfront
The train to Jurmala beach is only €2 each way and the beach is free — no need for an expensive resort day trip
Most Riga museums are free or heavily discounted on certain days — the Latvian War Museum is always free
Stay in the Centrs or Miera iela districts rather than Old Town — accommodation is 20-40% cheaper with easy access to all sights
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Riga Old Town Walking
Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage medieval Old Town including Town Hall Square, the Three Brothers historic houses, and St. Peter's Church exterior is completely free.
Alberta iela Art Nouveau Architecture
Walking along Alberta iela and the surrounding Art Nouveau district to admire the world's finest collection of Art Nouveau facades costs nothing.
Freedom Monument
The 42-meter monument symbolizing Latvian independence with its famous Liberty sculpture is free to visit. The changing of the guard ceremony at 12:00 daily is worth watching.
Esplanade Park and City Canal
Riga's central park is free and beautiful in all seasons — particularly stunning in autumn. Walk the canal boulevard lined with roses in summer.
Latvian War Museum
Located in the historic Powder Tower (1330), this comprehensive military history museum is entirely free.
Riga Central Market Browsing
Entry to Europe's largest market in five historic zeppelin hangars is free — even if you only buy a coffee and watch the activity, it's one of the best free experiences in the Baltics.
Bastejkalns Hill Park
The canal park with its bridges and weeping willows is a popular free escape from the city. Visit at dawn to see ducks and coots on the canal.
Latvian National Library (Castle of Light)
The striking national library building by Gunnar Birkerts is free to enter and explore. The reading rooms with city views are open to visitors.
Miera iela Neighborhood Walk
Riga's trendiest street with its street art, independent shops, and café culture is a joy to wander for free. Best on a weekend afternoon.
Kemeri National Park Bog Trail
The famous 3.4km boardwalk through the Great Kemeri Bog is free to walk and one of the most otherworldly landscapes in Latvia.