Riga Central Market

Market Large Central European market housed in former zeppelin hangars

Housed in former Zeppelin hangars beside the Daugava, Riga Central Market sells smoked fish, dairy, vegetables and prepared foods. Visitors come to sample Latvian staples and observe daily market life.

Main image

Riga Central Market is the principal covered market in Latvia’s capital, located just west of the Old Town and adjacent to the central railway station. The market is set in several large pavilions that were adapted from zeppelin hangar structures in the interwar period.

Shoppers find a wide range of fresh produce, fish, meat, dairy and prepared foods across the pavilions and smaller stalls. The covered halls and adjacent outdoor stalls make it one of the largest and most active markets in the Baltic region.

The market complex dates from the late 1920s and early 1930s when the hangar structures were repurposed to create the large covered pavilions. It remains an everyday commercial centre as well as a point of interest for visitors exploring central Riga.

Situated on the banks of the small canal that separates the market area from the Old Town, the site is an easy walk from Riga’s historic centre and main transport hubs.

  • Historic structure: The market occupies a site adjacent to Riga Central Station and the Old Town and is notable for using large repurposed zeppelin hangar structures for its main pavilions.
  • Visiting time: Early morning is the best time to find the fullest range of fresh produce and fish; weekends are busiest for local shoppers.

What to See #

  • Market pavilions: Five large market pavilions repurposed from airship hangar structures provide covered halls for different categories of produce and goods.
Riga Central Market
Riga Central Market (Centrāltirgus), Centrāltirgus, Riga, Latvia (near Old Town)
56.9440, 24.1160
Daily 7:00am-6:00pm (varies by stall and day; some sections open later)
No general admission for market entry; individual vendor prices vary

How to Get to Riga Central Market #

The market is a 10-15 minute walk from Riga’s Old Town across the stone bridge; it’s also served by multiple tram and bus lines. The nearest major landmark is the Central Station, a short walk away.

Tips for Visiting Riga Central Market #

  • Visit the market early (7:00-9:00am) to see the full range of stalls and to avoid mid-day crowds.
  • Bring cash in Latvian lats/euros - many small vendors prefer cash for purchases of produce.
  • Explore the subterranean sections (former Zeppelin hangars) where cured meats and dairy have special vendors and distinctive smells.

Best Time to Visit Riga Central Market #

Morning visits in spring through autumn provide the fullest market activity and best selection of fresh produce.

Spring-autumn
April-October · 5-20°C
Markets are full of fresh produce and local fare; busiest tourist season.
Winter
November-March · -5-5°C
Cold-weather market days focus on preserved foods, smoked fish and winter provisions.

Weather & Climate near Riga Central Market #

Climate

Riga Central Market's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (658 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyMayJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-33°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° -1°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.4h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° -1°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
14.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
17.3h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 80 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 22°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.7h daylight

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