🇪🇪 Tallinn
🇱🇻 RigaTallinn vs Riga: Which Should You Visit?
Two Baltic capitals that are easy to mix up, and for good reason: both have Hanseatic old towns, brick Gothic churches and colourful merchant houses. Tallinn's walled old town is smaller and more complete. Riga is larger, with a famous Art Nouveau district and a huge central market.
Both are good value, compact and easy to see in two or three days.
Choose Tallinn if…
- You love medieval walls and towers
- You want to combine it with Helsinki by ferry
- You enjoy creative districts like Telliskivi
Choose Riga if…
- Art Nouveau architecture is on your list
- You want a lively market and food scene
- You want a beach day at Jūrmala
At a glance
| Tallinn | Riga | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 🇱🇻 Latvia |
| Population | 460,000 | 605,000 |
| Climate | Humid continental | Humid continental |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–September |
| Budget | €€ Moderate | €€ Moderate |
| Safety (our rating) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Known for | Medieval Old Town, City walls, Hanseatic history | Art Nouveau, Medieval old town, Central Market |
📅 Best months for both:May, June, July, August, September
Where to go in Tallinn
One of Europe's best-preserved medieval old towns, next to a creative, digital-first modern city.
- The Old Town. A UNESCO-listed walled town of towers and merchant houses.
- Toompea. The upper town, with viewpoints over the red roofs.
- Telliskivi Creative City. Converted factories with studios, shops and restaurants.
- Kalamaja. Wooden houses and the Seaplane Harbour maritime museum.
- Kadriorg. A baroque palace and park, home to the KUMU art museum.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Old Town: Atmospheric, but busy when cruise ships are in.
- Kalamaja: Local, near Telliskivi and the sea.
🍽️ What to eat
Rye bread, sprat sandwiches and New Nordic-style restaurants, plus the Balti Jaam market.
Where to go in Riga
The largest Baltic city, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and a lively old town.
- The Art Nouveau district. Ornate façades on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela.
- The Old Town. Hanseatic churches, the House of the Blackheads and cobbled squares.
- Central Market. One of Europe's largest markets, in former zeppelin hangars.
- The Latvian National Museum of Art. Latvian art in a grand restored building.
- Jūrmala. A long sandy beach with wooden villas, half an hour away by train.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Old Town: Central and walkable, but can be noisy at weekends.
- The Centre: Art Nouveau streets, cafés and better-value hotels.
🍽️ What to eat
Grey peas with bacon, rye bread, smoked fish and a shot of Riga Black Balsam.
Can you visit both?
Comfortable express buses connect the two capitals, and Vilnius is a natural third stop.
Journey times are approximate and vary by service. Check the operator before you book. Work out flying times with the flight calculator.
How we compare cities
The table uses the same data as our city guides: our budget and safety ratings, the climate and the months we recommend. The advice on what to see, where to stay and which city to choose is written by our editors. Prices, opening arrangements and timetables change, so check official sources for anything important. To compare any two cities of your choice side by side, use City vs City.