Riga Weather in January

January: cold and dim

Riga feels properly wintry in January. Days reach about -3°C, nights fall to -7°C, and the air is damp and cloudy. Rain is recorded on 15 days, so expect wet pavements, slush or icy patches rather than guaranteed snowfall. You'll get only a short stretch of daylight, with little sunshine.

That makes long outdoor sightseeing tiring. Keep Old Town walks short, and save the Art Nouveau streets around Alberta iela for a clear spell. The Latvian National Museum of Art and Riga Central Market offer welcome indoor stops. Skip a long day at the beach in Jūrmala; the cold, grey weather won't do it justice.

Quiet streets, holiday moments

New Year's Day is a public holiday, and Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 for Riga's Orthodox community. Don't expect the city-wide Christmas-market atmosphere to continue through the month. January is low season, so Old Town and the popular summer sights are much quieter than in June or September. Flights and rooms are often cheaper than in peak summer, though exact deals vary.

Budget travellers may like the quieter streets and lower-season rates, but check opening hours around the New Year holiday.

Make indoor stops count

With high humidity and frequent cloud, cold can feel raw as you cross the Daugava or wait for a tram. Use Riga's trams to cut down exposed walks, then warm up with a bowl of grey peas and bacon at a traditional restaurant near Old Town.

At Central Market, use the former Zeppelin hangars to browse produce, smoked fish and local snacks indoors. The market's separate pavilions make it easy to duck inside between short outdoor walks. Watch your footing on Old Town's cobbles when they're wet or icy.