Day Trips from Riga

Bus 22 runs to the old town and stops at 11. novembra krastmala. Depending on the source it takes 15 to 35 minutes, and a ticket costs roughly €1.50 to €2. A taxi or Bolt ride takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. The airport is only 8 to 10 km from the centre, but taxi prices swing a lot, roughly €15 to €40, so check the price in the app first.

The Hill of Crosses is in Lithuania, near Šiauliai, not in Latvia. It is about 120 km and around two hours each way from Riga, so expect a long day: the tours listed take 7.5 to 9 hours. Most combine it with Rundāle Palace and Bauska or Jelgava. If you only have a few hours, choose something closer.

You can walk it. Vecrīga is a UNESCO World Heritage site and small enough to see on foot. A guide is worth it for the stories behind the buildings, which a map does not tell you, and Riga also has a large Art Nouveau collection that is easier to understand with explanations.

According to the listings, most take around 30 to 60 minutes, and a few run longer. Prices start at €7.20. Season and departure dates vary by operator and are shown on the booking page, so check them before you plan around a particular trip.

No. There is no swimming beach in the city itself. The Baltic coast beach is in Jūrmala, a resort town about 30 minutes from Riga by train, with trains roughly every half hour. Riga is about the old town, Art Nouveau, boats, food and day trips.

You can take the train: it runs hourly and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Turaida Castle is roughly 5 km from Sigulda station, so you need a bus or taxi for the last stretch. A tour takes care of that transfer and fits the stops into one day.

The old town walks and boat trips usually are, but age limits differ by operator and are shown on each booking page. Shooting and nightlife tours are not meant for children. Check the minimum age and any other requirements before you book.