Shopping · Riga · Latvia
Shopping in Riga
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Riga is good for linen, amber, knitwear, ceramics and food gifts, often sold directly by makers. Most shops open daily, including Sundays. Best souvenirs: Riga Black Balsam, Latvian linen and Amber jewellery.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Riga Black Balsam
Where to shop
Old Riga
Amber, linen, knitwear and handicraft shops on Kaļķu, Vaļņu and Smilšu streets.
City Centre
Department stores and shopping centres around Brīvības iela, Tērbatas iela and the Central Station.
Miera iela
Vintage shops, independent designers and the Laima chocolate shop.
Markets
Riga Central Market
Five hangar pavilions of food plus outdoor stalls of flowers, clothing and household goods.
Kalnciema Quarter Saturday market
Farm produce, street food and Latvian crafts among restored wooden houses.
Christmas market on Dome Square
Stalls of woollens, ceramics, gingerbread and mulled wine from late November into early January.
What to buy
Riga Black Balsam
The herbal liqueur in its traditional ceramic-look bottle, available in several flavours.
Latvian linen
Tablecloths, towels and clothing made from Latvian linen.
Amber jewellery
Baltic amber pieces from established shops in Old Riga; buy from reputable sellers.
Patterned woollen mittens
Hand-knitted mittens with traditional Latvian symbols, sold in craft shops and markets.
Laima chocolates
Boxes from Latvia's best-known chocolate maker, sold in supermarkets and the brand's shops.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · Quiet Centre
Alberta iela and the Art Nouveau district
Built in a burst of prosperity around 1900, the streets north of the Esplanāde are lined with Art Nouveau apartment blocks.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- Photo spot
Market · Moscow Suburb
Riga Central Market
Opened in 1930, Riga's Central Market occupies five enormous pavilions built from German zeppelin hangars of the First World War, each devoted to meat, fish, dairy, vegetables or gastronomy, with outdoor stalls of flowers, berries and mushrooms around them.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Market · Pārdaugava
Kalnciema Quarter
A cluster of restored 19th-century wooden houses on Kalnciema iela, across the river, hosts a Saturday market of farm produce, street food, local crafts and design, with concerts and events in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Dark rye bread, Riga Black Balsam, Sklandrausis and Bacon buns. Bakeries, the gastronomy pavilion at the Central Market and every restaurant bread basket. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet Centre (Klusais centrs) | $$$ | Embassy district of Art Nouveau apartment blocks around Alberta iela |
| City Centre | $$ | Boulevards, parks and shopping streets between the Freedom Monument and Vērmanes Garden |
| Moscow Suburb and Spīķeri | $ | Wooden houses, warehouses and Soviet landmarks behind the Central Market |
| Miera iela and Tallinas kvartāls | $ | Creative street of cafés, vintage shops and a chocolate museum north-east of the centre |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping around 10% for good table service in restaurants is customary but not compulsory; check whether a service charge has been added. In cafés and bars, rounding up is enough.
- Greet with 'Labdien' (good day) when entering shops and restaurants.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in February; the busiest months are July.
- June: Crafts fair at the Open-Air Museum (usually the first weekend of June)
- June: Riga Opera Festival (usually June)
- August: Riga City Festival — concerts and events across the centre (usually mid-to-late August)
- November: Staro Rīga light festival (usually mid-November)
- December: Christmas market on Dome Square (usually late November to early January)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and families
City Centre
Boulevards, parks and shopping streets between the Freedom Monument and Vērmanes Garden
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Riga?
Riga Black Balsam, Latvian linen, Amber jewellery and Patterned woollen mittens.
+Where is the best shopping in Riga?
Old Riga: Amber, linen, knitwear and handicraft shops on Kaļķu, Vaļņu and Smilšu streets.
+What are the best markets in Riga?
Riga Central Market, Kalnciema Quarter Saturday market and Christmas market on Dome Square.