The best time to visit Riga is June, July and August, when average highs sit in the comfortable low twenties and the days are long and bright. June is especially rewarding, with an average high of 21.8 °C, 12 rain days and 13.7 hours of sunshine a day, while July climbs to 22.7 °C. July and August are peak season, when school holidays fill the Old Town and prices rise, so June is the sweet spot for warmth without the biggest crowds. Winter is the quiet low season — dark, cold and near freezing, but atmospheric around Christmas.
Best months JuneJulyAugust
Riga month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.2 °C | -4.1 °C | 14 | 2.1 h |
| February | 1.4 °C | -3.4 °C | 11 | 4.2 h |
| March | 5.8 °C | -1.3 °C | 11 | 7.1 h |
| April | 11.1 °C | 2.6 °C | 11 | 10.1 h |
| May | 16.9 °C | 7.2 °C | 9 | 12.7 h |
| June | 21.8 °C | 12.8 °C | 12 | 13.7 h |
| July | 22.7 °C | 14.8 °C | 16 | 13 h |
| August | 22.1 °C | 14 °C | 15 | 11.2 h |
| September | 18 °C | 10.8 °C | 11 | 9.2 h |
| October | 11.2 °C | 5.7 °C | 15 | 5.4 h |
| November | 5.4 °C | 1.6 °C | 13 | 2.4 h |
| December | 2 °C | -1.7 °C | 15 | 1.6 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Great for early-season travellers who want mild days and space to breathe.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The best all-round window — pick June to dodge the peak-season crush.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September still feels pleasant; later autumn turns grey and wet.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For festive atmosphere and snow-dusted Old Town — not for warmth or daylight.
Notable events
- December
- Riga Christmas Market in the Old Town
- June
- Jāņi (Midsummer / Līgo festival)
- August
- Riga City Festival
- Summer (held periodically)
- Latvian Song and Dance Celebration
Frequently asked
Is August too hot in Riga?
No. August has an average high of 22.1 °C, comfortably in the warm-but-mild range, though it sees 15 rain days so pack a light layer and a rain jacket.
What is the rainiest month in Riga?
July records the most rain days at 16, closely followed by August and October at 15 each, so summer showers are common even in the best months.
Is winter worth visiting Riga?
Only for the atmosphere. January has an average high of 0.2 °C and just 2.1 hours of sunshine a day, so it's cold and dark — but the Christmas market in the Old Town makes December memorable.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Riga area guide →
Areas of Riga
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Riga — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.