Rainy days in Riga can turn out to be great motivation to explore some wet weather friendly options across the city. We have some great ideas and things to do in Riga, safe and dry and most importantly away from the rain!
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Luckily Riga has pretty terrible weather in autumn and winter and this creates a city that is used differently throughout the year. In summer time the parks are full of people with outside concerts and events but in the winter people can be seen visiting more exhibitions, performances and enjoying cafe / bar culture.
If you are stuck on what to do on a Rainy day in Riga then look below at some of the ideas we came up with to give you some inspiration. A lot of these you may already have thought about but we have often found people who are stuck in Riga during rainy times, complaining about a lack of indoor options. It simply is not the case, Riga has so many cool warm and dry environments for individuals, couples, friends and families. Have a peak at what we think are some good options for a rainy day in Riga.
Indoor Sports - Curling and Shooting
Did you know that Riga has some really unusual indoor sports that you can partake in on a rainy day. Sure you can find Darts, Go karting, Trampolines, Swimming pools and all the standards but what about Curling on Ice? Or how about Shooting live ammunition in a gun range?
Well lucky for you Riga has an amaizng Curling facility that you can book a lane and trainer and off you go! Time to learn Curling with your mates to escape the wet weather. You can also explore Shooting in Riga at one of the ranges that offers such services.
Go Karting & Laser tag
Throughout Riga there are a few places where you can jump in a go kart indoors and whizz around a track away from rain. Click the link HERE for an amazing spot in central Riga for some fun go karting action.
It seems like laser tag shooting games are something left from the 1990's but in Riga they are still big business and you can find THIS ONE located in the very centre of Riga waiting for you and your mates to zap each other to pieces.
Lunch menus
Riga has some amazing lunch offers Monday - Fridays that are a perfect way to stay dry and eat like a local. Even around the touristic centre, many restaurants offer a lunch menu that is a great way to fill yourself up on one of the daily offers.
Prices at the time of writing this in October 2023 start from around 4.50 for a main and can go up as the quality of restaurant increases. Currently around Old Riga some lunch offers are around 7,50 for a main. In short 10 - 15 euro a you can eat a full meal and have a drink. Nice and dry and you will be leaving with a full belly, what could be better?
If you want to at the most affordable and tasty food that Riga has to offer the lunch offers that run usually 12:00 - 15:00 are the great insider tip for Riga visitors. Soups, salads, mains and deserts. Each location will have its own take on lunch offers so its good to try a few.
Cozy cafe or restaurant
Riga is home to so many awesome cafes found throughout the city. These provide a perfect way to get dry, warm up and try some local tasty goodness. Our guiding team recently announced Crumble Cake Cafe in Old Riga as the best cafe in Riga. Mainly because of their amazing warmed up crumble topped cakes that are perfect on a wet day in Riga.
Up in Central Riga Istaba gallery and restaurant also is an amazing location to sit in the upstairs restaurant, looking down and out through the massive windows onto Barona street. With its trams and lights reflecting throughout the puddles, a glass of wine and a nice meal here is certainly suitable for such rainy weather.
The city of Riga is perfect for a cake and coffee in the rain. Cozy interiors and a good book are the perfect way to spend some time amongst the people of the city. There are too many good spots all across Riga, just explore and find your perfect one.
Latvian National library
Like books? Fond of modern architecture? Then look no further than the amazing Latvian National Library! This amazing example of how modern architecture can dominate a river bank is also home to a vast amount of indoor exhibitions, workshops, books and general wet weather safe things to do.
Why not head inside and become a member? Take some ID with you so you may make full access of the Library and enjoy it like a local. You can also apply as a visitor to just visit the building itself when you arrive at the desk. Time to chill and read some books in a warm, dry environment.
Climbing through the many floors of this immense glass building you will find yourself having plenty of time to discover whats on offer here. You will get nice views of the city also even as the rain runs downs the windows.
Museums
There are so many cool museums in Riga that if it is raining you now have a perfect excuse to visit them - well as long as the rain is not on Monday's as many museums close their doors on Monday's!
There is a full list of all the museums in Riga listed on the LIVE RIGA website where you will be able to chose the museum theme that suits you best. Be it Art, History or Nature, Riga has it all when it comes to museum's! A particular pointer is the Anatomic museum in Riga which is certainly an amazing choice but not for the faint hearted.
Riga certainly likes its culture and many events are hosted throughout the year. Its really a good idea to keep an eye on the LIVE RIGA website for events that are taking place during your stay. There are museum nights and other such events taking place.
Riga Spa & Sauna
Riga has a number of really nice Spa's to jump into during bad weather. We usually opt for the classic at ESPA Riga, located in the Hotel Latvia. A visit to the pool and saunas costs just 32 EUR Monday - Friday and 39 EUR Weekends for adults.
Maybe you feel like going really fancy then why not try the Hotel Kempinski Spa complex. Monday - Thursday 45 EUR and Friday - Sunday 60 EUR per person.
I mean seriously. Sauna is a good thing, pools also. When its raining outside and there is the chance to cozy up in a Sauna and chill out, oblivious to the outside World. Riga is pretty cold at certain times of the year and the warming spa's of the city certainly have their role in the city.
Central Market
The Central Market of Riga is a crazy place to get lost during a wet and rainy day. Here you can find so much local food produce on offer, people watch, buy some souvenirs and generally get up close and personal with the many inhabitants of Riga who mingle through the large Zeppelin Pavilions of the market.
Lost of little cafes and places to eat here. Some cheap and cheerful, others a bit more pricey but with something for all. Not sure how to spend that last holiday cash? I see a tin of Caviar over there for 250 euro. Its a bargain!
There is loads to see here in the market and you will be amazed at how you can essentially sightsee, feast upon local foods and even begin your early day beer tasting adventure in a good few hours here in the market. Take cash and enjoy.
Agenskalns Market
If you want to stretch your legs and head a bit further you can try Agenskalns market. This up and coming shopping and dining space has indoor cover, nice tasty local treats and is often home to some events such as food festivals and flea markets.
Favoured among the Latvian younger middle classes, you can brush shoulders with the folk who reside on the more laid back side of Riga's pardaugava. Crossing Riga's stone bridge leads you in the direction of the market and the local inhabitants.
Slightly out the way from city centre and old town of Riga, Agenskalns is a nice a calm area with wooden houses, character and small town charm.
Visit Latvian Nature
The mad among us may certainly wish to hop on a train and go walking in the rain! Yes, I'm a sucker for loving long walks in the wet woodlands of Latvia. Out in Sigulda one can walk the forest trails taking shelter under the trees with the amazing aroma given off by the forest floor. It is easy to imagine that you are walking on some well trodden path in deep middle Earth. Yes, the region in question is called Middle Earth aka Vidzeme in Latvian,
Or maybe a wet and windy walk along the pier at Mangalsala or a wind swept stroll along Jurmala's extended beaches. For some, the wet will only add to the adventure. Take a hot thermos and a rain jacket and hop on the train out of Riga.
Dragging the whole family through the rain and trees of a Latvian forest has to be the best way to bond with your loved ones. Do not worry that you will probably end up with mild exposure, runny noses and sore feet. The kids will never forget this disaster in the woods and hills of Latvia. Make sure to charge the phones and locate yourself on GPS
Shopping malls, Cinemas & Taxis
Riga is home to a vast range of shopping malls. The cathedrals of capitalism work 7 days a week, have indoor iceskating in the Akropole centre and big cinemas in all most all of the malls, many of which can reached using public transport. But who needs public transport if taxis are so cheap on Riga?
Use one of the apps for Taxis like BOLT (Click to sign up). These will be perfect for you to fly around the city from indoor location to the next. The prices vary according to usage but 5-10 euro within reasonable range of the centre is normal. If you prefer public transport then 1.50 euro gets you a 90 minutes ticket.
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Whatever you find to do on one of Riga's many rainy days, make sure to have fun in your own special way. We sure will!
"A rainy day in Riga is not a wasted day, it's a day to take advantage of the great indoors!"
Just to make your trip a little more convenient we added the weather below for you ;)