Riga and Rome both offer unique and enticing experiences, but which one should you choose for your city break or holiday?

We understand your dilemma. There is an abundance of travel guides for both cities, but few actually comparing them, and advising you which is the better for your trip.
This article will provide our unbiased and independent views of Rome and Riga, hopefully making your choice that little easier.

The article is structured into several sections, each of which can be directly accessed through the following links:
• Introduction to the cities
• Scores and ratings
• Which one should I, friends, or family visit?
• When to visit and weather
• Who is the city suited for?
• The perfect 48hours (with map)
• Tourism details (where to stay? airport details?)

No city can rival Rome’s historic and religious importance. The city is a living museum, with iconic landmarks and monuments, all intern-connected by grand avenues and charming side streets.

It maybe historical, but is far from a stagnant relic, Rome is a vivacious and chaotic city, led by emotions and the heart. Delicious food, late nights and socialising are the priorities for Rome, and keep the eternal city as one of Europe’s most popular cities.
There are flaws to Rome, often the result of political mismanagement, but gloss over these you will adore your time in Rome.

Riga is a cool and collected Baltic capital Bridging both sides of the Daugava River estuary, its laid-back districts effortlessly flit from elegant Art Nouveau to stoic northern cottages built from wood.
But it's the Old Town area that really draws the eye. That's a web of cobbled alleys and hidden squares. Onion domes and Gothic belfries loom overhead in those parts, and hearty Latvian taverns slosh with beers and burst with dumplings in cellars beneath the flagstones.

Be warned that Riga has developed a reputation for stag and hen do weekending. If you travel during the summer, you're likely to encounter at least one group of boozed-up Brits.
But that shouldn't put you off. There are enough craft beer joints, bohemian cafes, and restaurants to go around. What's more, the old guild houses and haunting churches can balance the experience out with a dollop of culture and history.

Riga castle stands along the Daugava River

The Trevi Fountain, Rome

Summary
Where would I journey for a personal escape?
Rome
Where would I send my parents for a memorable visit?
Rome
Where's the ideal destination for my adventurous 19-year-old cousin?
Rome
Where should my food-obsessed friend indulge their culinary passions?
Rome
Note: The above comparisons are weather-independent and are based on travel during the most opportune times of the year. Details about the ideal travel seasons are elaborated upon later in this article.

In the sections that follow, you'll find a comprehensive comparison between these two fascinating cities. This includes recommendations on the duration of stay, the best times to visit, and tailored 48-hour itineraries for each city.
The final segment delves into practicalities for your travels, such as the best airport to fly into, the optimal districts for your accommodation, and insider tips, for when you come to explore the city.
We hope that you find all of this information useful, in planning your next exciting trip!

Considering the sheer number of outstanding tourist attractions, Rome can be seen within two days. Three days allows for a more enjoyable visit to Rome, with time to absorb the culture. There can be long queues for the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum, so starting early in the day is essential for a two-day visit.

There are good day trips from Rome including the Roman ruins of Ostia Antica or the historic town Tivoli. Rome has excellent intercity trains, and it is possible to visit Florence or Naples, or even Pompeii (2 hours by train) as day trips.

Riga might be the largest of the three Baltic capitals, but it's still a relatively small city. You can get from end to end in less than 40 minutes in the car, while the districts that are of interest to travellers are all within walking distance of each other.
That helps if you're only planning a short weekend away. Fly-in, fly-out city breaks are totally doable. In fact, a couple of days is what the majority of travellers come for.

If you want to explore for longer, you might want to come during the summertime. Not only can the winters here get downright cold (more on that later), but Riga is close to the some of the most celebrated beach resorts on the whole Baltic coast.

The skyline of central Riga, with Riga cathedral at the centre

The Vatican is a city state within Rome

Most visitors head to Rome in the hot, humid and crowded summer months of July and August. Early spring or autumn are a much better time of year, and provides a much more agreeable climate, without the throngs of tourists.

To truly avoid the crowds, consider November to March, but there is always the slight chance of rain and it can be chilly. Even if it does rain, head indoors for a long lunch.

The Baltic summers are a tamer version of the warm season in the south of the continent. It's pleasant here when the temperature squeezes into the low 20s. Then, Riga goes al fresco in earnest.
The cafes on the main squares in the Riga Old Town buzz with life and chatter. There are students and backpackers sharing stories in the beer bar gardens at evening. Those, coupled with the enticing beaches of Jūrmala, are all reasons to plan to arrive sometime between June and September.

Winter in this corner of the continent can be cold. Really cold. It's not uncommon to see whole weeks go by without the thermometers passing single figures, or even positive numbers! Snow is normal, too, so it's wise to pack underlayers and good boots to hit the sightseeing trail anytime from November onwards.

Riga does well to distil rich Baltic history, a touch of hedonism, and authentic culture into a bitesize destination. With a population of under 650,000, you're not going to have to navigate a colossal megacity to get stuck into the action here.
You can spend most of your time walking from sight to sight, and enjoy relaxed dining and nightlife scenes to boot. It's one for the more chilled traveller.

The flip side of all that is that Riga isn't some bucket-list-busting capital. It's not got huge, world-famous sights. Instead, it's about enjoying the atmosphere, the regional food, and the intriguing merchant heritage of the place. You also might want to steer clear of the city if you hate the sight of stag and hen dos. They are rampant between June and August especially.

Rome’s appeal is ageless and timeless. It is no matter if you are going there for the perfect Instagram post of the Colosseum or on a religious pilgrim to the Vatican, the city will not disappoint.
Sadly, the years of austerity and political mismanagement are starting to wear through Rome, with an unkept and unloved mentality decaying around the edges of the city.

The Arco di Costantino, Rome

House of the Blackheads in Riga

Rome in 48 hours
Below is an interactive map for 48 hours in Rome; day 1 is highlighted in green and day 2 in yellow, with optional sights in grey.

Begin at the icon of Rome, the Colosseum, but also explore the Foro Romano with its many excellent Roman ruins. On the way to the historic centre of Rome passes the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, with its amazing viewpoint.

For the afternoon explore the charismatic centre of Rome, taking in the Piazza Navona, the Fontana di Trevi and Piazza Colonna and the Pantheon.

For the evening head to the Trastevere district on the western banks of the Tiber, for bars, late food and lively experience.

Start early on the second day to avoid the queues for the Sistine Chapel and Saint Paul’s Basilica. From the Vatican City, follow the River Tiber past the Castel Sant'Angelo, Mausoleo di Augusto to the Piazza del Popolo.

For the afternoon explore the Villa Borghese park, before heading down the Via del Babuino, past the Spanish steps and into the Trevi district for a delicious meal. Before finishing in Rome part take in the tradition of passeggiata, an evening stroll wearing your finest clothes.

Rome has to be visited at least once in your life and a city break is the ideal opportunity. Rome is served by two airports; Leonardo da Vinci (regular airlines) and Ciampino (low-cost airline), and there are regular train services from both to central Rome. There is plenty of flight capacity and reasonable prices can be found year-round.

Roman has numerous hotels, and accommodation options, but the common complaint is the relaxed approach to maintenance and upkeep. Rome is a destination to check all hotel/room reviews before booking.

For your first visit, you would want to be based in the tourist square, with Villa Borghese park in the north, Termini train station to the east, the Colosseum to the south and Vatican City to the west. Rome is an enjoyable and easy city to explore, and all of the main attractions are in this tourist square.

Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome