Riga: Old Town, Art Nouveau, Markets and the Daugava

• Riga is Latvia’s capital, on the Daugava near the Gulf of Riga.
• Alberta iela features Art Nouveau façades dating from 1901 to 1908.
• The Old Town, Art Nouveau district, parks and Central Market can all be linked on foot.
• Jūrmala makes for a Baltic Sea day trip; Sigulda is a gateway to the Gauja region.
• The Central Market is near the main railway station and opens daily, with a monthly closure for cleaning. For visiting the market and asking for directions, it helps to know a few place names and have your return route written down; language and communication are part of your personal preparations. You can combine a visit to the market with the journey back to the station.

The Art Nouveau district around Alberta iela is lined with grand façades from the early 20th century. From here, the walk crosses the green spaces of Esplanāde to the Freedom Monument, continues through Bastejkalns Park and enters the medieval Old Town. The Central Market, near the main railway station, makes a fitting final stop, bringing Art Nouveau architecture, parks, historic squares and market halls together in a route that is easy to follow.

The Old Town packs the cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the House of the Blackheads and narrow streets into a compact area. The façades of Alberta iela offer an architectural contrast: the street was built up between 1901 and 1908 and is part of the Art Nouveau district. Setting aside a separate block of time for the market halls and Daugava riverfront extends the walk without requiring repeated backtracking between districts. Culture and history come into view in the blend of the Old Town, Art Nouveau and river trade.

Jūrmala makes an easy coastal day trip from Riga. Trains from the main railway station reach Majori in around 30 to 33 minutes; the beach and central parts of the resort are within easy reach from there. The train journey and walk between the station and your destination make up the travel and transport arrangements for this trip. Leave time for the beach as well as the outward and return journeys to Jūrmala. The other nearby destination, Sigulda, offers a different landscape: the Gauja region combines castles and nature spots that merit a full day of their own.

A route through Latvia can combine Riga, Jūrmala and Sigulda for a mix of capital city, coast and Gauja scenery. Trains to Sigulda depart from the main railway station; departure times and connections are listed in the official operator timetable and vary by date. Visiting the Gauja region involves additional travel from the station. Your tickets, the length of your day trip and your return time all belong in your travel preparations. The Baltics links these regional destinations with neighboring countries; Estonia is the northern leg of the trip.

If you’re linking Riga with other cities, plan Tallinn, Vilnius and Kaunas as separate city stays. Tallinn adds a northern stop to your trip; Vilnius and Kaunas take you farther south. In the Baltics, Latvia forms one leg of a trip between Estonia and Lithuania. You can connect the three cities of Tallinn, Vilnius and Kaunas in whichever direction suits your plans; day trips to Jūrmala or Sigulda are separate journeys. This makes it easy to plan the Baltics as a succession of city and countryside days.

Staying near the Old Town or Art Nouveau district makes it easier to explore on foot. If you’re planning day trips by train, you may prefer to prioritize proximity to the main railway station. Choose among accommodation in Riga based on how you want to balance city walks and train journeys. If you stay in the center, the Old Town, Alberta iela and Bastejkalns can all be combined in one walk. Factor in the cost of tickets and planned visits to market halls or cafés when considering money and payments.

For onward travel to Tallinn, plan a separate train or bus journey; Vilnius and Kaunas are south of Riga and also require their own journey. These city stops are spread across three Baltic states; Riga and its regional day-trip destinations are in Latvia.

How many days should you plan for Riga?

Two full days give you time to explore the Old Town, Art Nouveau district, Central Market and Daugava riverfront. An extra day allows for a trip to Jūrmala or Sigulda without cutting your city walk short.

What’s the difference between the Old Town and the Art Nouveau district?

The Old Town is known for medieval streets, churches and squares, while the Art Nouveau district has wider streets and rows of buildings with early 20th-century façades. A stay also leaves time for green spaces and riverside paths; you can combine nature and scenery around Riga with its urban neighborhoods.

How can you plan train trips to Jūrmala and Sigulda?

The train from Riga to Majori in Jūrmala takes around 30 to 33 minutes. Departure times for Sigulda vary by date; check the current operator timetable for suitable connections. Jūrmala and Sigulda are separate day trips. Tickets, personal documents and your return time belong in your travel preparations. For money and payments, allow for daily travel and spending costs. For the market halls, buying tickets and asking for directions, language and communication are useful to consider when planning your trip.

When is the Central Market open?

As of October 24, 2026, the market pavilions are open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; they are closed for cleaning on the first Monday of each month. The market is near the main railway station and makes a good final stop on a walk from the Art Nouveau district through the Old Town.