6 Best Day Trips from Riga (All Doable by Public Transport)
Latvia packs a surprising amount into a small country. From Baltic beaches to medieval castles and bog boardwalks, these six day trips are all reachable from Riga — most by train for under €5.
At a Glance
| Destination | Travel Time | Cost (return) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jūrmala | 25 min | €3–5 | Beach, architecture |
| Sigulda | 1h 10m | €5.20 | Castles, hiking, nature |
| Rundāle Palace | 1.5h | €10 + entry | Baroque palace, gardens |
| Kemeri | 45 min | €4.60 | Bog walk, birdwatching |
| Cēsis | 1h 40m | €8.80 | Medieval town, beer |
| Kuldīga | 2.5h | €14 | Waterfall, old town |
1. Jūrmala
Latvia's premier beach resort stretches 32 km along the Baltic coast. White sand, wooden Art Nouveau villas, pine forests, and a pedestrianised main street (Jomas iela) lined with cafés. In summer the water is warm enough to swim; off-season it's a peaceful coastal walk.
Highlights:
- •Jomas Street pedestrian boulevard
- •Dzintari Concert Hall and forest park
- •Wooden Art Nouveau architecture
- •White-sand beach (swimmable June–August)
2. Sigulda & Gauja National Park
Known as 'Latvia's Switzerland' for its forested river valley and sandstone cliffs. Three castles (one medieval ruin, one 19th-century manor, one reconstructed), hiking trails through the Gauja Valley, and a cable car crossing the river 43 metres above the ground.
Highlights:
- •Turaida Castle and museum reserve
- •Gutmanis Cave (largest in the Baltics)
- •Cable car across Gauja Valley
- •Sigulda Medieval Castle ruins
3. Rundāle Palace
Latvia's Versailles — a Baroque palace designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli (who also designed the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg). Lavish interiors, a French formal garden, and far fewer tourists than comparable palaces in Western Europe.
Highlights:
- •Gold-gilded Throne Room
- •French formal gardens (best May–September)
- •Duchess's Boudoir with original 18th-century decor
- •Rose garden (blooms in June–July)
4. Kemeri National Park
A vast bog and wetland reserve with a famous boardwalk trail through the Great Ķemeri Bog. The raised wooden walkway loops through moss-covered marshland with an observation tower. Surreal landscape, especially in early morning mist.
Highlights:
- •Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk (3.4 km loop)
- •Observation tower with 360° views
- •Sulphur springs and forest trails
- •Birdwatching (200+ species recorded)
5. Cēsis
One of Latvia's oldest and most charming towns, with a well-preserved medieval castle, cobblestone streets, and craft breweries. Less touristy than Sigulda and with a more authentic small-town Latvian feel.
Highlights:
- •Cēsis Medieval Castle (explore with a lantern)
- •Cēsis New Castle and park
- •Local craft beer scene (Cēsu Alus brewery)
- •Charming Old Town streets
6. Kuldīga
A picturesque small town with the widest waterfall in Europe (Ventas Rumba, 249 metres across but only 2 metres high), a red-brick bridge, and timber-framed streets that feel frozen in time. A UNESCO World Heritage candidate.
Highlights:
- •Ventas Rumba — Europe's widest waterfall
- •Historic red-brick bridge
- •Old Town timber architecture
- •Swimming below the waterfall in summer
Prefer a Guided Day Trip?
If you'd rather not navigate public transport, guided day trips from Riga include pickup, transport, and a local guide. Particularly useful for Rundāle Palace and Kuldīga, which are harder to reach by bus.
Last updated: May 2026. Train prices from pasazieru.vl.lv. Bus prices from autoosta.lv. Verify timetables before travel.