Comparison · Helsinki vs Riga · Finland / Latvia
Helsinki vs Riga
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michal Pise, Michal.Pise, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose Helsinki for Suomenlinna and Saunas; choose Riga for Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Riga is generally less expensive, and the two are about 361 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 361 km
- Less expensive
- Riga
- Best time for Helsinki
- May–September
- Best time for Riga
- May–September
Side by side
| Helsinki | Riga | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Finland | Latvia |
| Known for | Suomenlinna, Saunas and Nordic design | Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga and House of the Blackheads |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$300 | $110–$190 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | February, -2°C (28°F) | January, -1°C (30°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Hietaniemi beach | Jūrmala (Majori and Dzintari) |
| Airports | HEL | RIX |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Helsinki for…
Suomenlinna and Saunas. Helsinki spreads across a peninsula and some 300 islands on the Gulf of Finland. The compact centre combines Carl Ludvig Engel's neoclassical Senate Square, Art Nouveau apartment blocks in Katajanokka and Eira, and new landmarks such as the Oodi library and…
.jpg){kind=link}
Choose Riga for…
Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states, set on the Daugava river a few kilometres from the Gulf of Riga. Its UNESCO-listed centre has two faces: the medieval Old Riga of church spires, guild houses and the rebuilt House of the Blackheads, and a 19th-…
Top sights compared
| # | Helsinki | Riga |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suomenlinna sea fortress | Old Riga walk |
| 2 | Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square | House of the Blackheads |
| 3 | Uspenski Cathedral | St Peter's Church |
| 4 | Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) | Riga Cathedral |
| 5 | Market Square and Old Market Hall | Three Brothers |
Food compared
| Helsinki | Riga |
|---|---|
| Salmon soup | Dark rye bread |
| Karelian pie | Grey peas with bacon |
| Cinnamon bun | Riga Black Balsam |
| Rye bread | Sklandrausis |
Which is cheaper?
Riga is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$190 per person there, against $180–$300 in Helsinki (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Riga on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Helsinki and Riga are about 361 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Helsinki and 3 in Riga.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Helsinki or Riga cheaper?
Riga is usually less expensive: about $110–$190 a day mid-range against $180–$300 (estimates).
+Is Helsinki or Riga better for a first trip?
Pick Helsinki for Suomenlinna and Saunas, or Riga for Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Helsinki from Riga?
About 361 km in a straight line.