Vilnius and Riga are the two largest cities in the Baltic states. There are many sights to see in each city but both cities offer quite different experiences. Both cities have beautiful old towns and many incredible structures to see. If you are trying to decide whether you should visit Vilnius or Riga, this is the ultimate guide for you.
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Vilnius or Riga Overview
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in Lithuania, with 580,000 people living there. This also means that it is the second-largest city in the Baltic states, behind Riga and more than Tallinn. Prior to WW2, Vilnius was a major hub for Jewish people which is how it got its name “Jerusalem of the North.”
The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest surviving medieval cities in Northern Europe and is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Along with the abundance of historic buildings, Vilnius has modern architecture and high rises.
Riga
Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states with 633,000 people in the city and over 1 million in the metro area. It is the capital of Latvia and is home to 1/3 of the people in the country.
The center of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riga’s Central Market is one of the largest in Europe, made up of four giant zeppelin hangers from WW1. In 2014, it was named the European Capital of Culture. Being near the coast of the Gulf of Riga, there are also many beaches people can enjoy.
Places to See
Vilnius
Vilnius Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the old town, just off of Cathedral Square.
Gediminas Castle Tower is a tower where the Upper Vilnius Castle used to sit. It overlooks the city and has beautiful views.
The Neris River has a beautiful waterfront that is a must to explore when you are in Vilnius.
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a Renaissance-style palace. It was destroyed in the 1800s but rebuilt after Lithuania became independent from Russia.
St. Anne’s Cathedral is an ornate cathedral with Gothic architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Riga
House of Black Heads was originally a guild for unmarried merchants but was destroyed in WW2. Once it was rebuilt in 1999, it was turned into a museum.
St. Peter’s Church is a beautiful Lutheran church located in the heart of the Old Town.
Central Market is one of Europe’s largest markets. It is made up of four massive zeppelin hangars from WW1.
Riga Castle is now the official residence of the Latvian president.
Nativity of Christ Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Cathedral in the Baltics and was built by Russian Tsar Alexander II.
Food
Vilnius
Potatoes make are a staple in the diets of the people living in Lithuania. Pork is the most popular meat consumed by the Lithuanian people. Cepelinai is a dish of potato dumplings, often stuffed with meat. It is also considered to be the national dish. Potato pancakes are quite popular in Vilnius. As with most of the Baltics, rye bread is also extremely popular for Lithuanians. Potato sausages are sausages stuffed with potatoes or pork blood, making it very similar to the blood sausages found in Germany.
Riga
Rye bread is one of the staple cuisines in Riga. It is commonly served as a side to your main entrée. Pickled and smoked fish are also staples here. The most common fish in Riga is Salmon, cod, pollock, and trout. One of the traditional desserts here is the Alexandertorte which is named after Alexander I. It is a pastry consisting of jam sandwiched between sweet bread.
Getting Around
Vilnius
An extensive network of buses makes up public transportation in Vilnius. There is not a light rail or metro system in the city which, in some ways, makes the public transport easier to deal with. A 3-day pass for public transport is only 8 Euros. If you are exploring the old town, you will easily be able to see the sights on foot. Another great way to see the city is to use the city’s bicycle renting system found in the old town. Vilnius is also Uber friendly which is incredibly convenient if you don’t want to take public transportation.
Riga
With flat terrain and many parks covering the city, Riga is an excellent city to explore on foot. You use the public transportation system as well if you want to see some of the sights outside of the city center. If you do use public transportation, you might want to consider getting the Riga Card which gives visitors free use of the trolleys, buses, and trams.
Nightlife
Vilnius
Vilnius has a pretty lively nightlife. One of the best areas you can go to find the best nightlife in Vilnius is Vokieciu street district. The nightlife seems to be more lively during the summer months when there are also quite a few places to drink outdoors. There is no shortage of bars and pubs that you can explore throughout the city. The are also many nightclubs that you can go to as well. Some of the best nightclubs in the city are Opium, Kablys, SOHO, Salento, Anna Mesha, and Mojo. Be sure to do you’re research before you go to any of the clubs just to make sure it is a place you truly want to go.
Riga
There are many bars to explore in Riga. The Briana Iela nightlife district is one of the best places to explore Riga’s nightlife. Riga has been known for having an incredible nightlife in the past. In recent years there have been many scammers in the bars of Riga. Karaoke clubs have been the most notorious for scamming tourists with massively over-priced drinks. One of the most notorious ways they scam tourists is by having women sit down with you and order many over-priced drinks then leaving you with a large bill. This being said, there are still many bars you can go to that are honest and offer a good time, just be mindful of your surroundings.
Day Trips
Vilnius
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and only 100km away from Vilnius. It is known for its beautiful old town and its castle.
Trakai is a town and has a national park just outside of Vilnius. Trakai is also home to the Trakai Island Castle that was built in the 14th century.
Ninth Fort is a WW2 memorial site for the many people killed at its location. It is just 6km from Vilnius.
Riga
Rundale Palace is a large baroque palace to the south of Riga. It has beautiful gardens and often hosts foreign leaders when they are visiting Latvia.
Jelgava is a small town to the southwest of the Riga. You can explore the Old Town and go to the historic Jelgava Palace.
Jurmala is a beach city only sitting on the Gulf of Riga. It is only a half-hour for Riga making it the perfect destination for a day on the beach.
Tallinn is just to the north of Riga and would be a fantastic option to visit for a couple of days.
Overall
Vilnius and Riga are the two largest cities in the Baltic states, which means that they both have quite a bit to experience. Vilnius is known for its old town and its ever-growing modern skyline. Riga is a larger city and that becomes apparent when you get there. Both cities have incredible old towns and cathedrals to explore. You can see most of the sights in both cities in two full days but three days is recommended for both. If you are trying to decide between Vilnius or Riga, you need to decide which city has more landmarks, buildings, and which city has the best location for your travels.