Riga Central Market

Rīgas Centrāltirgus

One of Europe's largest markets, housed in vast former Zeppelin hangars beside the old town. Visitors come for local produce, smoked fish, cheeses and a vivid taste of everyday Latvian life.

Things to do

• Explore the Zeppelin hangar pavilions — Wander through the five giant pavilions, each dedicated to a category like meat, fish, dairy and vegetables, housed in repurposed WWI-era German airship hangars.
• Sample smoked fish at the Fish Pavilion — Browse rows of freshly smoked and salted Baltic fish including herring, eel and lamprey in the dedicated fish hall.
• Taste cheeses and dairy in the Dairy Pavilion — Try Latvian farmer's cheeses and caraway-studded Jāņi cheese sold directly by producers.
• Buy fresh produce from local farmers — Pick up seasonal berries, wild mushrooms, honey and pickles from outdoor stalls ringing the pavilions.
• Eat at the Gastro Pavilion (Gastro Hall) — Head to the modern food-court style hall for prepared street food, craft beer and international bites alongside Latvian classics.
• Stroll the riverside and Spikeri quarter — Combine your visit with a walk along the nearby Daugava embankment and the restored red-brick Spīķeri warehouse district.
• Photograph the market against the old town skyline — Catch views of the hangar rooftops with St. Peter's Church spire and Riga's medieval center behind them.

Food to try

• Smoked Baltic herring and eel — Buy freshly smoked fish by weight from the Fish Pavilion for a quintessential local snack.
• Grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi) — Latvia's national dish of stewed grey peas fried with onion and fatty bacon, found at market food stalls.
• Rye bread (rupjmaize) — Sample dense, dark, slightly sweet Latvian sourdough rye bread sold by traditional bakers.
• Sklandrausis — A traditional Latgalian rye pastry tart filled with carrot and potato paste, sweetened with honey.
• Pickled vegetables and sauerkraut — Try tangy fermented cabbage, cucumbers and mushrooms scooped fresh from barrels by vendors.
• Black Balsam (Rīgas Melnais balzams) — Look for Riga's bitter herbal liqueur to buy as a warming local souvenir.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring cash and small change — Many individual stall vendors prefer cash, so carry euros in small denominations.
• Ask to taste before buying — Sellers of cheese, honey and pickles will often offer a sample if you ask politely.
• Come early for the best selection — Arrive in the morning when produce is freshest and the pavilions are less crowded.
• Watch your belongings — The market gets busy and the surrounding area near the bus and train stations warrants keeping valuables secure.

Nearby

• St. Peter's Church — 1 km
• Riga Old Town — 1 km
• Freedom Monument — 1 km
• National Library of Latvia — 1 km