Oman travel guides
In-depth guides to help you plan every aspect of your Oman adventure, from desert safaris to visa requirements
Food and drink (10)
Best Latvian foods to try in Riga: an honest guide
Essential Latvian foods in Riga: dark rye bread, smoked fish, pīrāgi, Black Balsam. Honest verdicts and where to find them.
Latvian rye bread, pelmeni and pīrāgi: what you need to know
Rupjmaize, pelmeni and pīrāgi: the three most iconic foods in Riga — what they are, where to find the best versions, and the cultural context.
Best food tours in Riga compared (2026): which one is worth booking?
Four food tours in Riga compared on price, route, tastings, and value. Which one is right for your visit in 2026?
Riga Black Balsam: everything you need to know before you try it
Everything you need to know about Riga Black Balsam: the herbal liqueur's history, how to drink it, where to buy the best bottles and honest tasting notes.
Riga cafes and bakeries by neighbourhood: the honest guide
Where to find good coffee and fresh bread in Riga, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. From Rocket Bean Roastery to the Central Market dairy pavilion.
Riga Central Market: the complete visiting guide
Riga Central Market visiting guide: the five zeppelin hangars, what to buy, best stalls for local produce and tips for navigating this UNESCO-listed market.
Riga coffee culture and best roasters: the honest guide
Riga specialty coffee guide: best roasters, top cafes by area, where to find quality coffee outside the Old Town centre.
Riga craft beer guide: bars, breweries and what to drink
Riga has a serious craft beer scene. This guide covers the best craft beer bars, Latvian breweries worth visiting, and which beers to try on a limited visit.
Riga restaurants where locals eat: neighbourhoods beyond Town Hall Square
Skip Town Hall Square and go where Riga residents actually eat. Miera iela, Bergs Bazaar, Kalnciema iela, and Āgenskalns are where the good food is.
Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Riga: the honest guide
Riga plant-based dining guide: best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in a traditionally meat-heavy cuisine.
Family travel (4)
Best kid-friendly attractions in Riga: what actually works
Best kid-friendly attractions in Riga: Ethnographic Museum, escape rooms, canal cruises, Mežaparks, Motor Museum. What children actually enjoy — honestly.
Escape rooms and mystery games in Riga: the family guide
Escape rooms and mystery games in Riga for families: €18–55 per room. Outdoor games, locked rooms, Soviet themes. Ages, prices, honest guide.
Riga with kids: the complete family travel guide for 2026
Riga with kids: best family activities, kid-friendly restaurants, day trips, Mežaparks, zoo. Honest guide.
Riga Zoo, Mežaparks and how to have a great family day in the north
Riga Zoo and Mežaparks family day guide. Honest: the zoo is modest. Mežaparks park and lake are excellent. How to combine both for a genuinely good family day.
Day trips and destinations (8)
Best day trips from Riga: ranked by a regular visitor
Best day trips from Riga ranked honestly: Sigulda, Jūrmala, Rundāle, Cēsis, Kuldīga, Tallinn. Train options, real prices, when tours are worth it.
Cēsis day trip from Riga: the medieval town most visitors skip
Day trip from Riga to Cēsis: €5 train in 2 hours, medieval castle with candle tours, cobblestone old town. Honest assessment.
Hill of Crosses day trip from Riga: the most powerful site in the Baltics
Hill of Crosses day trip from Riga: why it matters, tour options €89–295, usually combined with Rundāle Palace, 180 km south.
Jūrmala day trip from Riga: the honest €2 beach escape
Day trip from Riga to Jūrmala: take the €2 train in 25 minutes. Beaches, art nouveau villas, Ķemeri bog. What to see, what to skip, honest swimming truth.
Kuldīga and Courland day trip from Riga: Europe's widest waterfall
Kuldiga and Courland day trip guide from Riga: Ventas Rumba waterfall, brick bridge, UNESCO old town, driving route and honest tips.
Rundāle and Bauska day trip from Riga: the honest guide
Day trip from Riga to Rundāle Palace and Bauska Castle: getting there, what to expect, tour options €85–295 — no direct public transport, here's what works.
Sigulda and Gauja day trip from Riga: the complete guide
Day trip from Riga to Sigulda and Gauja National Park: train times, Turaida Castle, hiking trails, Gūtmaņala Cave, bobsleigh track. Train €3, tours from €85.
Tallinn day trip from Riga: honest guide to two countries in one day
Tallinn as day trip from Riga: 4-hour bus €15–25, guided tours €135–155. Honest guide to what you actually see in 4 hours.
Trip planning (10)
Best time to visit Riga: month-by-month, honest
When to visit Riga: best months for weather, lowest prices, no crowds. Month-by-month guide with real temperatures, daylight hours and travel tips.
Planning a trip to Riga step by step: your complete guide
Complete step-by-step guide to planning a Riga trip: when to go, flights, accommodation, what to book ahead, day trips, and realistic budget planning.
Riga language guide: useful Latvian phrases and tips
Do you need to speak Latvian in Riga? Essential phrases, pronunciation tips, and honest advice on English in Latvia for first-time visitors.
Riga money, budget and real prices (2026): honest breakdown
Real prices in Riga 2026: coffee, meals, transport, hotels. Daily budgets for backpackers, mid-range and premium travellers. No fluff, actual numbers.
Riga public holidays and events calendar: what's open and when
Riga public holidays and events calendar 2026: Janis, Song and Dance Festival, Christmas markets, Independence Day and how each affects your visit.
Riga safety and common scams: what tourists need to know
Honest Riga safety guide: common tourist scams, neighbourhoods to avoid after dark, taxi tricks and practical tips for staying safe in 2026.
Riga for solo travellers, couples, families, and friend groups
Is Riga good for solo travellers, couples, families or friend groups? Honest advice on what works, what to avoid, and tips for each travel style.
Tipping in Riga: when, how much, and what locals actually do
How much to tip in Riga? Honest guide to tipping culture in Latvia: restaurants, bars, taxis, hotels, tour guides, and when tipping is expected or optional.
Riga visa and entry requirements: everything you need to know
Do you need a visa to visit Riga? Latvia is EU and Schengen. Full entry requirements for UK, US, Canada, Australia, and more nationalities.
Riga weather month by month: temperatures, rain, and what to wear
Riga weather for every month: average temperatures, rain days, snowfall, and packing advice. Plan your trip with real Baltic climate data, not wishful averages.
Getting around (8)
Car rental in Riga: do you actually need one?
Honest guide to renting a car in Riga: when it makes sense, local rental options vs global chains, road rules, parking and the real costs.
Getting from Riga Airport (RIX) to the city: all options compared
How to get from Riga Airport (RIX) to the city. Bus 22: €1.50. Bolt: €10–15. Private transfer from €28. Full comparison with times and prices.
Riga public transport: tickets, routes, and how it actually works
Riga public transport guide 2026: how tickets work, where to buy them, fines for no validation and the smartest way to get around the city.
Riga to Jūrmala by train, bus and bike: the complete guide
How to get from Riga to Jūrmala by train (€2, 20 min), bus, car, or bike. Train schedule, which Jūrmala stop to use, beach vs. forest, and honest tips.
Riga to Sigulda by train: the day trip guide
How to get from Riga to Sigulda by train: €3 ticket, 1 hour journey, full day trip itinerary including castle ruins, Gauja valley, and Gūtmaņala cave.
Riga to Tallinn: bus, train, flight and private transfer compared
How to get from Riga to Tallinn: Lux Express bus (€15–25, 4 hours) vs train vs flying. Full comparison with ticket prices, booking tips and honest advice.
Riga to Vilnius by bus and train: the honest guide
How to get from Riga to Vilnius: Lux Express bus 4 hours (€15–25) is the best option. Full comparison of bus, train, and private transfer with booking tips.
Taxis and Bolt in Riga: how to get around without being scammed
Using taxis and Bolt in Riga: real prices, how the taxi scam works, where scammers wait, and why Bolt is the right choice for nearly every trip in the city.
Seasonal guides (5)
Riga Christmas markets: the honest guide for 2026
Riga Christmas markets: Doma laukums vs Vērmanes dārzs comparison. Opening dates, what to buy, real prices, honest tips.
Riga in spring and autumn: the honest case for shoulder season
Riga in spring and autumn: lower prices, fewer crowds, beautiful Gauja foliage. Honest guide to the best shoulder season.
Riga in summer: festivals, beaches and how to handle the crowds
Riga in summer (June–August): festivals, Jūrmala beach, Jāņi midsummer, long days. Honest guide to peak season in Riga — what's worth it, what to avoid.
Riga in winter: what to do when it is dark and cold
Riga in winter: Christmas market, sauna culture, Soviet history museums, ice bobsleigh. Honest guide to the dark season.
Jāņi and Līgo: Riga's midsummer festival, honestly explained
Guide to Riga's Janis Midsummer and Ligo festival: the midsummer traditions, where to celebrate, what to expect and practical tips for visitors.
Comparisons (6)
Baltic capitals 7-day trip: which order is best?
Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius in 7 days: which order works best, how to travel between them, and what to cut if your time is shorter. Practical and honest.
Old Town vs Art Nouveau district: which area to stay in Riga?
Old Town vs Art Nouveau district for accommodation in Riga: prices, noise, walkability, hotel types, and who each area suits. Honest 2026 guide.
Riga vs Tallinn: which Baltic capital is right for you?
Riga vs Tallinn compared: prices, architecture, food, day trips, crowds, and character. Verdict: when to pick each city and when to do both.
Riga vs Vilnius: which Baltic capital suits you better?
Riga vs Vilnius compared on architecture, prices, food, transport, and vibe. Clear verdict: which city to choose and when to combine both.
Self-guided vs guided tours in Riga: what's actually worth it?
Self-guided vs guided tours in Riga: an honest breakdown of when a guide adds value, when it doesn't and how to choose for your visit.
Sigulda vs Cēsis: which day trip from Riga should you choose?
Sigulda vs Cēsis compared as day trips from Riga: what each offers, how to get there, what it costs, and who should go where. Honest verdict.