Riga Old Town
Explore medieval streets, squares and church towers beside the Daugava.
Latvia · Baltic Sea
Riga Ferry & Destination Guide
Plan ferries to and from Riga in Latvia, with route choices, harbour guidance and ideas for the rest of your journey.
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Discover Riga
Riga is one of the Baltic region’s strongest city-break destinations, with a compact medieval core, exceptional Art Nouveau districts and a broad riverfront along the Daugava.
The Old Town brings together Riga Cathedral, St Peter’s Church, medieval lanes and the reconstructed House of the Black Heads around Town Hall Square.
Beyond the old centre, Alberta iela and the surrounding streets contain one of Europe’s richest concentrations of Art Nouveau architecture, while Riga Central Market occupies vast former Zeppelin hangars.
Riga’s port is active for cruise ships and commercial shipping in 2026, but there is no current regular international car-ferry service from the city comparable with the former Stockholm route.
For regular vehicle ferry travel from Latvia, Stena Line’s active passenger routes use Ventspils for Nynäshamn in Sweden and Liepāja for Travemünde in Germany.
Riga is well suited to a two- or three-day city break, with most central attractions walkable and a strong café, restaurant and cultural scene extending beyond the Old Town. The riverfront and canal parks add open space between the main historic districts.
The city also works as a base for wider Latvian travel. Jūrmala’s Baltic beaches are a short train ride away, while Sigulda and the Gauja National Park are popular inland excursions for travellers continuing beyond the capital.
City highlights
What to see while you are in Riga
Riga rewards a city break with medieval streets, decorative architecture, markets and a lively cultural scene.
House of the Black Heads
See one of Riga’s most recognisable restored historic façades on Town Hall Square.
Art Nouveau district
Walk Alberta iela and nearby streets for extraordinary early-20th-century architecture.
Central Market
Browse food halls inside huge converted Zeppelin hangars beside the old centre.
Daugava riverfront
Walk the broad river edge for skyline and bridge views.
Latvian National Opera
Add ballet, opera or a walk through the surrounding parkland to a city itinerary.
Tours & experiences
Things to Do in Riga
Browse Riga Old Town walks, food tours, Art Nouveau experiences and Latvia day trips during your stay.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Arriving or departing by ferry
Riga Ferry Terminal
If your journey combines Riga with a ferry, plan the overland connection to the relevant west-coast port and confirm the operator terminal before travel.
Latvia’s active regular passenger-ferry network instead uses Ventspils for Stena Line sailings to Nynäshamn and Liepāja for the Travemünde route.
Riga Passenger Port handles cruise traffic and other passenger vessels, but current 2026 port and operator information does not show a regular international car-ferry service from Riga.
Passenger portRiga Passenger Port, Riga, Latvia
DirectionsOpen Riga Ferry Terminal in Google Maps
Main connectionsNearest regular gateways: Ventspils–Nynäshamn and Liepāja–Travemünde
OperatorsRiga: cruise/passenger traffic; regular Latvia ferries operated by Stena Line from Ventspils and Liepāja
VehiclesNo current regular international car-ferry boarding from Riga
Check-inFor ferry travel, use the terminal instructions for Ventspils or Liepāja
Plan your stay
Getting around Riga
Riga is easy to explore on foot and by public transport, with strong bus and rail links for travel around Latvia.
Walk the centre
Old Riga, the Central Market and much of the Art Nouveau district are within a comfortable central walking area.
Use rail around Latvia
Riga Central Station is the country’s main rail hub for regional journeys. Find Riga rail tickets here...
Connect to ferry ports
Allow several hours overland for Ventspils or Liepāja when combining a Riga stay with an international ferry.
Stay in Riga
Find Riga Accommodation
Stay in Old Riga or the central Art Nouveau districts
Old Riga is ideal for first-time sightseeing, while the central boulevards and Art Nouveau area offer easy transport and a slightly quieter base.
Common planning questions
Riga ferry & destination FAQs
Is there a regular international ferry from Riga in 2026?
Current Riga port and operator information does not show a regular international car-ferry route from Riga. The port is active for cruise and commercial traffic.
Where should I go for a regular ferry from Latvia?
Stena Line currently serves Ventspils–Nynäshamn and Liepāja–Travemünde.
What happened to the Riga–Stockholm ferry?
The former regular Riga–Stockholm service is not part of Tallink’s current 2026 regular route network.
Can I take a car ferry from Riga?
Not on a current regular international route. Vehicle travellers should use Ventspils or Liepāja instead.
What are the best things to do in Riga?
Old Riga, the House of the Black Heads, Art Nouveau district, Central Market and Daugava riverfront are major highlights.
Is Riga easy to explore without a car?
Yes. The centre is walkable and trams, buses and trains cover the wider city and region.
How do I combine Riga with a ferry?
Travel overland to Ventspils for Sweden or Liepāja for Germany, then follow the Stena Line terminal instructions.
Should I still visit Riga on a Baltic ferry trip?
Yes. Riga is a strong city-break stop even though the regular international car-ferry gateways are elsewhere in Latvia.
Reaching the harbour and checking in
Pin the precise ferry terminal before travelling to Riga. Some towns have separate passenger quays, vehicle terminals and excursion-boat landings. The operator’s address on your confirmation is more useful than a town-centre map pin.
For a car journey, leave a margin for the final approach, queueing and check-in. Without a car, confirm the last part of the journey from the railway station or bus stop. A short map distance may involve port roads or areas closed to pedestrians; use a confirmed transfer or walking route.
Keep your booking reference and required documents accessible. If you need step-free boarding, help with luggage or space for a bicycle, arrange it before the day of travel. Small piers and large vehicle terminals can offer very different facilities.
Building Riga into a wider journey
Plan each sea leg as a separate part of the trip. Check the arrival port, transfer distance, vehicle restrictions and the time before the next sailing. A ticket sold by one company or booking provider does not automatically create a protected connection with another.
Check your arrival time against accommodation check-in and the next transport service. If this is an island stay, organise the return ferry before fixing a mainland flight or a long-distance train. The outward and return ports do not have to be the same, but separate tickets can have different conditions.
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