Riga: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Grand Tour with Audio Guide

Summary

Ride Riga’s red double-decker bus & discover the city’s stories

You’ll ride Riga’s classic red double-decker bus with headphones in your language, hopping off to explore sights like Town Hall Square or grab fresh bread along the way. With friendly drivers and flexible stops across neighborhoods old and new, this grand tour lets you see Riga at your own rhythm — and catch those small city moments you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that happened was the driver grinned at my attempt to say “paldies” — I’m pretty sure I got it wrong, but he just waved me up the stairs anyway. The top deck was open and the air smelled like rain on old stone, which I didn’t expect in July. We started near Triangula Bastion, right where the Daugava bends, and there were already a couple of locals chatting quietly in Latvian behind me. I fumbled with the headphones (they give you these at the start), finally found English, and settled in as we rolled past Riga Town Hall Square — Ratslaukums, our guide called it. The square looked almost too neat, like someone had just swept it for a festival.

I liked that you could hop off whenever something caught your eye — which for me was this bakery near one of the stops (the smell of rye bread is impossible to ignore). The driver waited while an older woman helped her grandson down with a stroller; nobody seemed rushed. Back on board, the windows fogged up a little from everyone’s breath when it started drizzling again. There was this moment where the audio mentioned how many times Riga has been rebuilt after fires and wars — I remember thinking how resilient everything felt here, even under gray skies.

We looped through neighborhoods I wouldn’t have found on my own. At one point, a couple from Germany asked if I’d tried kvass yet (I hadn’t), and we laughed about how every city claims theirs is best. The whole route took maybe an hour and a half if you stayed put, but honestly, time got blurry after a while — Riga’s like that. The grand tour covers all the main sights but also lets you drift a bit, which is probably why I still think about that view over the river when the sun finally broke through for five minutes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Riga Red Bus Grand Tour

• Hop on-Hop off bus tour
• Start at Triangula Bastion
• Visit Riga Town Hall Square
• Explore main and additional stops
• Use ticket valid for 24 hours

Top questions

How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

The ticket can be used for up to 24 hours from activation.

Where does the Riga sightseeing bus depart from?

Buses depart from Triangula Bastion (11.Novembra Krastmala 17) in Old Town.

Are there audio guides available in different languages?

Yes, audio guides are offered in 11 languages including English, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Latvian, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and Lithuanian.

Is this tour suitable for families with children or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the bus.

Does the bus operate year-round?

Yes; open-top buses run June–September and warm buses run October–May.

How often do buses depart during summer months?

Buses depart every 60 minutes between 9:45 and 15:45 from June to September.

What’s included

Your day includes unlimited hop-on hop-off access for 24 hours on Riga’s red double-decker buses with headphones for audio commentary in your chosen language and a handy map to help you find your way around each stop along the route.