Best time to visit · Riga · Latvia
The best time to visit Riga
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Riga is May to September, when days are long, café terraces fill the Old Town and the Jūrmala beaches are within easy reach. Late June has Midsummer (Jāņi), though many locals leave the city for it. December is a good second season for Christmas markets, while January to March is cold but quiet and inexpensive.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 23°C (73°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high -1°C (30°F))
- Rainiest month
- October (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–April and October–November
Seasons
Riga has cold, often snowy winters and warm, pleasant summers moderated by the Baltic. Rain is spread through the year, with July and August bringing the heaviest showers and November the greyest skies.
March–May
Spring
Slushy March gives way to fresh, bright May days; quiet streets and moderate prices.
June–August
Summer
White nights, Midsummer, beach days at Jūrmala and festivals; busiest and most expensive, with heavy summer showers.
September–November
Autumn
Mild September and golden early October, then grey skies, national-holiday candles and the light festival in November.
December–February
Winter
Snow, Christmas markets and concerts in December; very cold and quiet after New Year, with the lowest prices.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C | -6°C | 10 | 2°C | 7.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 0°C | -6°C | 8 | 1°C | 9.4 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 4°C | -3°C | 8 | 1°C | 11.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 11°C | 2°C | 7 | 4°C | 14.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 17°C | 7°C | 7 | 10°C | 16.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 21°C | 11°C | 9 | 16°C | 17.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 23°C | 13°C | 9 | 19°C | 17.2 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 22°C | 12°C | 10 | 19°C | 15.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | 15°C | 12.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 10°C | 4°C | 11 | 11°C | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 4°C | 0°C | 11 | 7°C | 8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 1°C | -3°C | 11 | 4°C | 6.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| May | Riga Marathon (usually mid-May); Museum Night — late openings across the city (usually mid-May) |
| June | Crafts fair at the Open-Air Museum (usually the first weekend of June); Riga Opera Festival (usually June); Līgo and Jāņi — Midsummer public holidays with bonfires and singing (23–24 June) |
| August | Riga City Festival — concerts and events across the centre (usually mid-to-late August) |
| November | Lāčplēsis Day — candles along the Riga Castle wall by the river (11 November); Staro Rīga light festival (usually mid-November); Proclamation Day — fireworks over the Daugava (18 November) |
| December | Christmas market on Dome Square (usually late November to early January) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–April and October–November, and the sights are quietest in February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Riga?
The best time to visit Riga is May to September, when days are long, café terraces fill the Old Town and the Jūrmala beaches are within easy reach. Late June has Midsummer (Jāņi), though many locals leave the city for it. December is a good second season for Christmas markets, while January to March is cold but quiet and inexpensive.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Riga?
Usually in January–April and October–November. Cold and dark, often with snow; quiet after the New Year, with low hotel prices and concerts in the cathedral and opera.
+What is the rainiest month in Riga?
October, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Riga get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 23°C (73°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F).