3 Day Itinerary in Riga, Latvia – Independence Day
I’ve just returned from a trip to Riga and have created my very own itinerary for Independence Day and the Staro Riga – Festival of Light in Riga, Latvia. My itinerary is based around a two and a half day trip to the Latvian capital. The aim is to give you some ideas and inspiration if you are planning on visiting during the Independence Day celebrations and Staro Riga.
It’s a time of year where you’ll see fireworks, military parades, a torch-lit procession and remembrance. Independence Day also coincides with the Festival of Light Staro Riga, so you can explore the city whilst discovering light art objects all over the city. The objects can be found down narrow cobbled streets, projected onto walls of the old town as well as on major landmarks and buildings such as the iconic Freedom Monument.
Take a look at this article if you’re looking for a more detailed post on what to do in Riga.
How to use this itinerary
To view a place from the itinerary on the map, just click on the place name or click “View on the map”. You’ll also be able to see street view if it is available with the “street view button”.
Please note this is only a sample itinerary to give you an idea based on what I did whilst at The Festival of Light Staro Riga, Latvia. It’s meant to give you some inspiration rather than be followed exactly.
I’d also love to hear your own ideas or thoughts on the itinerary, so do leave me a comment!
Amount of time: Around 2 and a half days
Day 1 (half day)
Rocket Bean Roastery (Eat, Drink)
Where to start with Rocket Bean? The amazing specialist coffee? The great selection of interesting beers or the superb food?
This place should definitely be on your Riga itinerary even if you aren’t a coffee lover but if you are there’s plenty for you here. Rocket Bean has a great range of coffee beans and various different coffee brewing methods. The staff are really friendly and helpful, which sets it apart from many of the hipster specialist coffee joints in East London. You can sit at the coffee brew bar to watch the brewing process yourself.
Aside from the coffee, the food was really impressive too. If you have time, check out their local beers.
Where: Miera iela 29, Rīga, LV-1001, Latvia
Why: Great food and coffee
More: Rocket Bean Roastery Website
View on the Map
Labietis (Drink)
Just around the corner from Rocket Bean Roastery is Labietis, a bar serving a wide range of its own beer. If you’re into a variety of interesting tasting beers then Labietis is your kind of place. Even if you have no idea which beer to pick from the long list, well informed bar staff will supply you with plenty of samples to help make up your mind.
Just take it easy, some of the beers are pretty strong!
Tip: Labietis can be a little tricky to locate, head through the arch into a courtyard.
Where: Aristida Briāna iela 9A2, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1001, Latvia
Why: Great selection of own brewed beers
More: Labietis Facebook page
View on the map
More Beer Options
Valmiermuiža beer cafe
Piens
Day 2 – Latvian Independence Day
Latvian independence from the Russian Empire was proclaimed on the 18th November in 1918 and the date is commemorated every year (If the day falls on a weekend then the next Monday is the holiday). The celebrations include the laying of flowers at the Freedom Monument, a military parade, a speech by the Latvian president, songs by a choir, fireworks as well as the Festival of Light Staro Riga.
Freedom Monument (Laying of flowers – 10:30am)
Flowers are laid at the base of the Freedom Monument to remember those that lost their lives during the war of independence.
Mute (Eat, Drink)
For brunch I headed to Mute, an unassuming cafe/restaurant with really friendly staff. The décor is minimalist but still has that cosy cafe type vibe. With a connection to the Rocket Bean Roastery, Mute supplies a range of their coffee based on their beans and also has a decent selection of brewing methods on offer.
I was quite blown away by the quality of the food at Mute, their Eggs Benedict really took me by surprise.
Where: 63 Terbatas Street, Riga, Latvia
Why: Tasty, filling breakfast and lovely coffee selection from Rocket Bean
More: Mute Facebook page
View on the map
11. novembra krastmala (Military Parade – 1pm)
Down on the river huge crowds gather to watch members of the military in a parade to commemorate Independence Day.
Fontaine Delisnack (Deli Snack) (Eat – Fast Food)
Don’t be put off by the name, Deli Snack is a fast food joint that does really superb burgers and a menu with plenty of choice. Situated in the creative quarter just a stone’s throw from Labietis, Deli Snack offers a better quality of burger than your average fast food restaurant. It’s a great option if you’re in the area on a night out.
Tip: Go for the chilli cheese fries, they’re amazing!
Where: Aristida Briāna iela 9a, Rīga, LV-1001, Latvia
Why: Vast selection of proper burgers and fries
More: Fontaine Delisnack (Deli Snack) Website
View on the map
Freedom Monument (Official Independence Day Event – 7:30pm)
Crowds gather in and around the Freedom Monument for beautiful choir performances, the presidential speech, national anthem and fireworks to commemorate independence.
Keep you eyes out for the stunning torch-lit procession through the old town to the Freedom Monument where thousands walk through the streets carrying torches in memory of the fight for freedom from 1918 to 1920. You’ll also find lanterns and displays of candles scattered around parts of the old town and in the parks.
After the fireworks celebrating independence day it’s time to explore the city by night, seeking out the quirky, unusual and entertaining light art objects of the Festival of Light. You’ll find huge buildings being used as canvasses to project coloured lights and animations as well as more interactive experiences. One of my favourite light objects was a collection of colour changing cubes that you can stack anyway you want. It was fun to watch passers-by interacting with the piece in different ways.
The light festival is a fun way to discover Riga by night and a great event for budding photographers to capture the array of light art objects scattered around the city.
Day 3 – Staro Riga Festival of Light
Aldaris Alus | AS “Aldaris” (Brewery & Museum)
Beer lovers can take the no. 5 tram from the Old Town, north to Gaujienas iela to visit the Aldaris Brewery and Museum. Founded in 1865 it’s the oldest brewery in the Baltics that has remained on the same site and the largest brewery in Latvia, employing some 400 people.
Owned by the Carlsberg Group since 2008, the brewery has gone through some modernisation and as a result the beer from Aldaris has been changing. They’re now investing heavily in craft and premium beers. Due to these consumer trends there’s an interesting line-up of beer on offer in the tasting bar, including an American IPA inspired beer and a very tasty porter, Aldaris Porteris.
The museum itself offers visitors an insight into the history of Aldaris as well as an overall explanation of the brewing process and the ingredients that go in to creating different types of beer. There are also tasting sessions and master classes in the secrets of brewing for groups at the museum.
Although I was visiting in the morning/afternoon, the brewery was also hosting an event for the Festival of Light. With, as you’d expect, plenty of beer but also some live bands. If you are in Riga for the festival it maybe worth looking into the possibility of heading to the brewery for an evening depending on the event.
The Aldaris Brewery hosts events all year round, especially in the summer months so check their Facebook page for information on what’s happening during your visit.
Where: Tvaika iela 44, Rīga, LV-1005, Latvia
Why: Learn about brewing, Aldaris’s history, sampling beer and for events
More: Aldaris Website
View on the map
iBar (Eat & Drink)
If you’re looking for a expertly made cocktail you won’t go far wrong with a visit to iBar. Designed by Anna Butele, iBar is starkly white, minimalist and bright. Originally and slightly bizarely it was opened with an area resevered for Apple products. There was no sign of the tech on my visit, although the bar does look like a place you could sit and work from your laptop whilst sipping a fine cocktail.
Where: Blaumaņa iela 12A, Rīga, LV-1011, Latvia
Why: For cocktails, laptop and lunch
More: iBar Facebook Page
View on the map
Rīgas Centrāltirgus | Riga Central Market
If you want to take a peak into life in Riga then what better way than exploring its popular food market?
It’s hard to truly appreciated the sheer scale of Riga’s Central Market from street level but it’s the largest market in Europe and was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. The market is made up of four large pavilions separated into different goods, meat, fish, vegetable and dairy.
The site and the upper roof parts of the market were originally used as aircraft hangers for Kaiser’s German army during World War 1. The market is renowned for its architecture and striking pavilions that were built in the 1920’s and today it’s one of the city’s landmarks.
Like most markets, visiting in the morning is likely to be the most interesting time of day. In the meat pavilion market vendors hang fresh meat and expertly cut pieces into every shape and size before being placed on display. I was intrigued by seeing the gills of fish still moving until I realised that there are tanks of water to store the fish just beyond the fish counter, very fresh indeed.
MUUSU (Eat)
If you’re looking to take your other half to a fine dining restaurant with attentive waiting staff and top quality service then a visit to Muusu should be on your list. Down the cobbled streets of the old town, Muusu serves some innovative Latvian dishes in a minimalist Scandinavian style setting.
Where: Skārņu iela 6, Rīga LV-1050, Latvia
Why: For fine dining, romantic meal
More: Muusu Website
View on the map
After another day of discovering Riga you get the chance to seek out the light objects scattered around the city that you couldn’t find on the previous night! You’re likely to stumble across many light objects by accident as you wander. From grand old buildings drenched in animated lights and randomly coloured trees lit up, to walls of buildings used to project a two minute animated cartoon with fun, quirky music.
There’s plenty to explore at Staro Riga.
Disclosure – I travelled to Riga, Latvia as part of the #mustlovefestivals project with support from European Union Regional Development Fund and sponsorship from Expedia and Latvia Toursim. As always, TravMonkey maintains full editorial control of the content publish on the site.
Paul Dow
Hello! I'm Paul, an award winning travel blogger who focuses on solo adventure travel and has a passion for using new technology. I write, take photos and produce videos about travel, food, craft beer, coffee and adventure. I'm also the founder of Traverse, organiser of influencer conferences, campaigns and projects. I've also started findhotelsfor.com, to help people to find hotels near events they are attending.