Comparison · Riga vs Vilnius · Latvia / Lithuania
Riga vs Vilnius
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Riga for Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga and beaches; choose Vilnius for Baroque Old Town and Gediminas' Tower. Vilnius is generally less expensive, and the two are about 262 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 262 km
- Less expensive
- Vilnius
- Best time for Riga
- May–September
- Best time for Vilnius
- May–September
Side by side
| Riga | Vilnius | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Latvia | Lithuania |
| Known for | Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga and House of the Blackheads | Baroque Old Town, Gediminas' Tower and Užupis |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$190 | $100–$170 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 23°C (73°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, -1°C (30°F) | January, -2°C (28°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Jūrmala (Majori and Dzintari) | — |
| Airports | RIX | VNO, KUN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Riga for…
Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga and beaches. 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-…
Choose Vilnius for…
Baroque Old Town and Gediminas' Tower. Vilnius has one of the largest surviving old towns in Central and Eastern Europe, a UNESCO-listed maze of baroque churches, university courtyards and cobbled lanes running from Cathedral Square to the Gate of Dawn. The Neris and Vilnia rivers and wooded…
Top sights compared
| # | Riga | Vilnius |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Riga walk | Old Town walk: Pilies street to the Gate of Dawn |
| 2 | House of the Blackheads | Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square |
| 3 | St Peter's Church | Gediminas' Tower and Castle Hill |
| 4 | Riga Cathedral | Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania |
| 5 | Three Brothers | Gate of Dawn |
Food compared
| Riga | Vilnius |
|---|---|
| Dark rye bread | Potato dumplings |
| Grey peas with bacon | Cold pink soup |
| Riga Black Balsam | Kibinai |
| Sklandrausis | Fried rye bread |
Which is cheaper?
Vilnius is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$170 per person there, against $110–$190 in Riga (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Vilnius on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Riga and Vilnius are about 262 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Riga and 3 in Vilnius.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Riga or Vilnius cheaper?
Vilnius is usually less expensive: about $100–$170 a day mid-range against $110–$190 (estimates).
+Is Riga or Vilnius better for a first trip?
Pick Riga for Art Nouveau architecture, Old Riga and beaches, or Vilnius for Baroque Old Town and Gediminas' Tower.
+How far is Riga from Vilnius?
About 262 km in a straight line.