Solo Female Travel & Backpacking in Riga

Solo travel experience

My experience in Riga was wonderful - I didn't encounter any harassment and the locals were incredibly friendly and helpful. One of the highlights was walking along the bog boardwalk in Kemeri National Park. I thoroughly enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the Baltics, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and I would definitely love to return there someday.

Solo travel experience

During my first solo trip abroad, I spent about a week in Riga and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the city. As someone who had wanted to visit for a long time, I found it to be even better than expected. For those who are considering visiting, here are some of my experiences that may be helpful. One thing that stood out to me was the absence of street harassment, which was a welcome change from my home country. I felt safe walking around alone, even when going to the ATM at 1 am. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and helpful the locals were, despite the reputation for introversion that I had read about. I received assistance with directions from many people, which made navigating the city much easier. I also noticed that there were few homeless people or beggars, and I did not encounter any scams or indecent behavior during my stay. Compared to other cities I've visited, there was less graffiti in central Riga, and while there were not many non-white people, it didn't affect my experience in any way. Public transport and the Bolt app (similar to Uber) were both reasonably priced, making getting around the city and surrounding areas convenient and affordable. I particularly enjoyed exploring the Old Town and the outskirts, as well as taking a train to Jurmala for the beautiful scenery. However, I would caution against spending more than half a day in Jurmala during the off-season, as it got dark quite early. One downside to note was that food, both in restaurants and grocery stores, was more expensive than I had anticipated. However, with a budget of around 300 Euros for food, travel, and souvenirs, I found that I was able to manage my expenses comfortably. Overall, I would highly recommend Riga as a destination for solo female travelers who are looking for a peaceful, immersive experience in a new place. While it may not be the most adventurous destination, it offers a unique charm and a welcoming atmosphere that makes for a truly enjoyable trip.

Solo travel experience

I enjoyed the KGB building tour and the old town was definitely the best place in the city. I also took the train to Jurmala beach and did a couple of hikes around there. The town hall square also had some incredible scenery.

Solo travel experience

I went to Riga in August, loved it! Stayed for a week so had a chance to see a lot. Took a walk round the beautiful Art Deco district, the buildings were beautiful. Also did two free walking tours, Old Riga and alternative Riga. I also took a train to the coast and spent a day at the blue flag beach at Jurmala. Folkklubs Ala Palagrab was good for traditional cuisine and live music. Stayed in a really good hostel in centre of town called Naughty Squirrel backpackers.

Solo travel experience

I had a great time in Riga. The old town is just fabulous to walk around exploring, and I recommend the KGB museum just outside the old town, well worth a visit. Went to Ala Pagrabs Folk bar which was fabulous, underground caverns, good food, great beer and a really good live band on a evening.

Solo travel experience

Riga is one of my favorites cities. I had a great time there. Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs is like a Pub/ Restaurant and has a nice atmosphere. Great food, drinks and music. The free walking tour in Riga Old Town is a nice way to explore the place and learn a bit about its history.

The old town is quite small and cozy. Half day is enough to walk around and see the places. Comparing to other European cities, Riga is quite cheap. Buy the real amber bracelets/necklaces and try as many as local bakeries you can!

I really recommend taking a free walking tour. The museums in Riga are pretty expensive at like €10 a ticket, so choose the museums that interest you! Two free museums that I found very interesting were the Museum of the Latvian Popular Front and the Holocaust and Riga Ghetto Memorial Museum. Make sure to check out the canals and parks that go through the centre, just outside of the old town - at night you can even see beavers in the canal.

Accommodation: I stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn which was super central & affordable. Recommendations: Riga is incredible and doable in a day.

Solo travel experience

I went to Riga last summer and loved it! I stayed in the cinnamon Sally backpackers hostel. It was cheap, the staff were so friendly. Me and a few other guest actually ended up on a night out with the staff. I found it to be cheap but so charming. I also used bolt to get everywhere. It's like their version of uber. I recommend Riga to everyone now.