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Last year, we booked a last-minute trip to explore Riga’s Christmas market. Having done our fair share of European Christmas Markets over the years, we weren’t too sure what to expect from Latvia’s capital.
What we discovered, during our 4 day visit, was a small but perfectly formed, authentic market. Free from the crowds that can often be found in other popular European cities, Riga felt far more relaxed, traditional and, therefore enjoyable. In fact, we would say Riga is the best Christmas market in Europe for those looking to avoid the crowds and to enjoy a compact city break, with plenty of stops in cosy coffee shops.
What could get better than that for a festive escape?
If you need more persuading, here’s 10 reasons why we think Riga makes for the best Christmas market in Europe.
Did you know that Rigans claim they were the ones to invent the Christmas tree? The story goes that one night, some merchants of the Blackheads House, intoxicated and merry, brought a pine tree into the House, decorated it with flowers before setting it on fire at the end of the night. Thus, the annual, decorative Christmas tree was born.
Key Information About Riga and Christmas Markets
When are Riga’s Christmas Markets in 2025?
In 2025, Riga will be holding their Christmas Markets between early December through to early January. We visited during the second week of December, when Christmas was in full flow but the city was surprisingly quiet, (more on that below).
I think visiting a Christmas market after Christmas Day is a brilliant way to keep the festivities going during those strange limbo days and so I’d highly recommend visiting after the big day. We actually did this a few years ago with the Prague Christmas markets and loved the fact we could fill our Christmas leave with even more magic and festive jolliness.
Where are Riga’s Christmas Markets held?
1. Old Riga: Doma Square (everyday)
Riga’s largest Christmas Market is held in the enchanting Doma Square. Each year, this small square located in front of Riga Cathedral is transformed into a magical winter wonderland (with real snow if you’re lucky). The setting reminded me of a miniature, less crowded version of Prague, with the city’s Cathedral tower soaring behind a giant twinkling Christmas tree.
The location is easily walkable from, located in the Old Town, surrounded by restaurants, cafes and other shops to enjoy. In the market, we discovered a few pop-up bars, open fires, cosy places to sit as well as delicious food stalls, a miniature carousel for children, and plenty of glühwein stops.
2. Kalnciema Quarter Market (Weekends only)
The traditional farmer and artisan markets in the Kalnciema Quarter of Riga are held every weekend. Over Christmas, these markets also transform into festive offerings where you can pick up authentic, Latvian goods.
3. Āgenskalna Market (Christmas Markets: Fridays – Sundays)
Head over the river to the newly restored Āgenskalns Market to pick up some delicious treats and/or unique Christmas gifts. This once rundown warehouse was transformed over Covid and reopened in 2022. It is now the most popular indoor market in Riga and is bursting full of food, drink and other local merchants.
During the Christmas period, there is also an outdoor Christmas market on Friday – Sundays. Unfortunately, we visited Riga during the week and so we weren’t able to visit this particular market but we did visit the indoor market. It was, by far, one of my favourite spots in the city and we picked up some brilliant gifts (including some Christmas gifts from stalls inside), as well as enjoying a delicious lunch.
There are vendors offering a huge array of cuisines and we actually chose to enjoy a traditional Georgian lunch.
What’s the best hotel to stay in, in Riga?
During our visit to Riga, we wanted a hotel that offered both a central location and a luxury stay. We, therefore, opted for the romantically named Grant Poets by Semarah Hotel. Despite this being a 5* hotel, complete with luxury spa, our 3 night stay only cost us £390 (under £200 each).
This hotel was brilliant value for money offering a quiet, luxury stay with views out of the park, whilst being just 10-15 minute walk from most sites and attractions of the city. By far, our favourite aspect of the stay was the ability to return to the hotel after a long day of sightseeing to unwind in the Hedonic Spa.
The spa offers a pool, hot tub, cold and hot rooms as well as the option of booking beauty treatments and massages.
The hotel also offers a restaurant called Snob. On the first night, after a very early start and a long day of sight-seeing we opted to dine here and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. There is something lovely about dining in your hotel, knowing your bed is just the floor above you.
Book your stay at Grand Poets Hotel, Riga.
Getting around Riga
One of the reasons we wanted to visit Riga was the fact it’s so incredibly walkable. If you’re staying centrally, you will be able to explore the majority of Christmas markets and sights on-foot. The exception to this is if you want to head over the river to see the city’s iconic library and the Āgenskalna Market (as mentioned above) or into the outer neighbourhoods.
Below, therefore, are the transport options in Riga, all of which we used during our stay.
1. Trams
The tram system is really easy to use in Riga and we used it to visit the city’s library and Christmas markets on the other side of the river. There are 6 different tram lines that run throughout the city, easily getting you to most corners of Riga.
2. Bus and Trolleybuses
We used the number 22 bus to reach the city from the airport. It was a slow(ish) journey, taking around 35 minutes on a very hot and busy bus but the journey only cost us €1,81 for a 90-minute ticket. Although it was very cost-effective, we decided to get a taxi for our return journey (more on that below).
Airport transfers aside, we also used the bus while in the city centre, which is also covered by the travel card.
Costs of travel cards in Riga:
- a 24-hour ticket EUR 5,00,
- a three-day ticket EUR 8,00,
- a five-day ticket EUR 10,00,
- one-month ticket EUR 30,00
3. Taxis
If you’re planning on using taxis in Riga, make sure you download the Bolt app rather than using curb side taxis. We heard this tip from a lot of people before visiting Riga, as it seems taxis can vary hugely in price, with many taking advantage of tourists. The only time we used a taxi was for our return journey to the airport. We booked this through the Bolt app and the 20-minute journey cost us €25.00.
To buy or top up your travel card, head to a Narvessen convenience store. Alternatively, newew trams have vending machines onboard. All fares aboard the trams and buses are paid by e-talons when you get onboard.
10 Reasons Why Riga is the Best Christmas Market in Europe
1. Authentic Latvian Gifts
We’ve been to many European and UK Christmas markets that turn out disappointing in terms of the products on offer. It seems like a lot of the markets have become somewhat interchangeable, with the same gifts being found across many markets and locations. What we really appreciated about the Riga Christmas markets, therefore, was the fact that all of the products found in the markets were authentic, Latvian gifts.
From traditional Latvian food items to authentic crafts and woodwork, we discovered so many beautiful Christmas gifts during our time in Riga. In fact, if you’re visiting at Christmas, we advise against doing any present shopping before you visit, as there are so many gifts to pick up for loved ones.
2. Crowd-free
Admittedly, we hadn’t done a lot of research into the Riga Christmas markets before our visit. I assumed, therefore that the markets would be very busy, similar to other European markets. What we found however, was an oddly quiet, even suspiciously quiet Christmas market that was free from the squeeze of the crowds around the stalls.
Perhaps it’s because there’s a number of Christmas markets dotted throughout the city or maybe because of its smaller, more modest size but whatever the reason, it feels like Riga’s Christmas markets haven’t hit the masses, yet.
In fact, I would go as far as saying Riga’s Christmas markets felt relaxed; something I’ve not said about the festive season before.
3. Beautiful scenery and decorations
Another reason why Riga is the best Christmas market in Europe is that it’s an absolute dream to explore during the festive season; with tasteful, twinkling lights filling the city. Make sure you take the time to explore the city’s lights by night too, where every street is filled with beautiful lights.
As the sun doesn’t rise until nearer 9am and sets around 4pm in winter, the lights were a lovely lift to the dark, winter days.
There’s also a light trail to enjoy through the city’s 100+ parks during winter, which we really enjoyed one evening on our way to dinner through Opera Square, Bastejkalns, and Kronvalda parks.
4. Riga Christmas Markets Transform at Night
A somewhat unexpected twist to Riga’s Christmas markets is that they transform into a giant party over weekend nights. Again, sadly as we were visiting mid-week, we didn’t get to appreciate this DJ filled, festive party but rumour has it, it’s a brilliant night out.
Over the weekends, there are also many special day events too, including Latvian choirs and Santa Claus and Market elves for children.
5. Walkable City to Explore
As I mentioned in the opening of this blog, Riga is an incredibly walkable city. In fact, Riga has been voted the second most walkable city in the world, after Florence.
It’s a city that’s made for strolling around, letting yourself sit to sip coffee as you go. Far from other busy European cities, Riga feels like a relaxed, slow city where you can take your time to wander on foot. That said, if you do want to speed up the getting around, you can hire scooters through the Bolt app.
6. Riga has the Cosiest Cafes to Warm-up in
Hands down, our favourite thing about Riga was the seemingly endless cosy cafes to warm up in, after a few hours outside. This is a city that has nailed their cafe culture and we could have easily spent our entire time in these cafes, enjoying hot chocolates and warm Latvian cakes.
A few of our favourite cafes were Rasols, Mikla Bakery (for breakfast), Art Cafe Sienna, Mulberry (great for breakfast but expensive), Rigensis and Parunāsim kafe’teeka.
7. Plenty more authentic shops and markets to explore in Riga
For shopaholics, another reason why we think Riga is the best Christmas Market in Europe is that it’s the shopping destination of Latvia. As well as designer and high street stores, it also boasts a brilliant array of independent shops. If you’re looking to pick up some general gifts or keepsakes, make sure you take the time to explore some of these independent stores.
Some of our favourite stores were RIIJA shop, MūsMāja, Mazā Cilts (for kids clothes and toys) and Roberts Books for second hand books and cosy cafe.
8. Delicious Latvian Food
We didn’t know what to expect when it came to Latvian cuisine but we were pleasantly surprised. Typically baltic, Latvian staples include potato, pork, bread, soups and fish, due to its location near the sea. These were hearty, warming and well-priced meals that kept us full and content as we explored the wintery city.
One of our favourite restaurants was DOM, located in the old town. Despite its central location, this restaurant felt incredibly cosy and authentic, and we enjoyed a candle light dinner in a quiet corner of the restaurant.
We also found that the city offers a huge variety of other interesting cuisines, including Georgian and Uzbek As mentioned above, we enjoyed a traditional Georgian dish from one of the stalls at the Āgenskalna Market. Having visited Uzbekistan, we decided to refrain from indulging in more Plov, I think we’ve eaten enough of that to last a lifetime.
9. Cheap Flights to Riga at Christmas
Another reason why we think Riga is the best Christmas market in Europe is because of how budget friendly it is. Despite flying in early December, during one of the busiest times of the year, our flights were incredibly well priced.
We flew with British Airways (with baggage) and it cost us £200 each return. You can definitely find cheaper flights than this (or travel hand luggage only) but we wanted to treat ourselves after a long year of parenthood and juggling lots of plates.
Find cheap flights to Riga, Latvia
10. Excellent (modest) night-life to unwind
During our trip to Riga, we discovered the Latvians are a fairly reserved and modest bunch. Despite fears of loud stag parties and cheap bars overspilling with revellers, the city was unexpectedly quiet and calm at night. We did, however discover some great places to visit for an evening cocktail, all of which had a refined, relaxed feel.
Top of our list is Skyline Bar, which is located on the 26th floor of Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & SPA Hotel. The panoramic lift is an experience in itself, giving you amazing views of the city as you speed up to the 26th floor.
Tip: you must try the cocktail ‘Keys to Riga’ which contains the city’s signature poison: Rīga Black Balsam. Believe it or not, this black, thick like oil, bitter alcohol was originally created as a medicine in 1752. Since then, thankfully the recipe (although it remains top secret) has had hot blackcurrant juice added to it to sweeten it up. The Rīga Black Balsam cocktail was delicious (so much so, I had three) and comes highly recommended.
It would be wrong not to include the Gimlet Nordic Cocktail Bar in this blog, which has been given the title of one of the best bars in the world by World’s 50 Best. Here you can taste authentic, nordic flavours in a minimalist and relaxed setting.
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