Things to Do in Latvia in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Latvia
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring arrives properly in April - you'll see Riga's parks and boulevards transform from bare branches to full bloom, especially the magnolias along Alberta iela which typically peak mid-month. The city actually looks its best during this narrow window before summer tourist crowds arrive.
- Daylight extends rapidly from about 14 hours early April to nearly 16 hours by month's end, meaning you can fit in evening walks along the Daugava riverfront after dinner without rushing. Locals emerge from winter hibernation and outdoor café terraces start opening, particularly around Berga Bazārs and Vērmanes Garden.
- Shoulder season pricing means you'll pay 30-40% less for accommodations compared to summer peak rates, and major sites like the Art Nouveau district and Central Market are genuinely manageable without the July-August tour bus congestion. You can actually photograph those famous façades on Alberta iela without waiting for crowds to clear.
- The cultural calendar heats up significantly - Riga's theater season reaches its finale with best productions still running, while spring concert series begin at venues like Great Guild Hall and Latvian National Opera. You're catching the overlap of winter and summer programming, which doesn't happen any other time of year.
Considerations
- Weather remains genuinely unpredictable throughout April - you might get a gorgeous 15°C (59°F) afternoon followed by a morning that drops back to 2°C (36°F) with sleet. Pack for three seasons simultaneously because you'll likely experience all of them, sometimes in a single day. This makes planning beach trips to Jūrmala risky.
- Early April still feels like late winter honestly - trees are bare until mid-month, and the coastal areas stay quite raw and windy. If you're arriving the first week expecting spring flowers and outdoor swimming, you'll be disappointed. The Baltic Sea temperature hovers around 4°C (39°F), so forget any beach activities.
- Some rural attractions and coastal guesthouses don't fully reopen until May 1st, particularly outside Riga in places like Cēsis or Sigulda. While major sites stay open, you'll find limited restaurant hours and some hiking trails still muddy from snowmelt. The countryside tourism infrastructure isn't quite ready for visitors yet.
Best Activities in April
Riga Art Nouveau District Walking Tours
April offers ideal conditions for exploring Alberta iela and the surrounding streets - cool enough that walking 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) stays comfortable, but with enough sunshine to properly photograph those elaborate façades. The lower angle spring light actually enhances the architectural details better than harsh summer sun. Crowds are minimal compared to summer when tour groups clog the narrow sidewalks. The magnolia trees bloom mid-to-late April, adding an unexpected layer of beauty to the already ornate buildings. This is genuinely the best month for architecture photography in Riga.
Gauja National Park Hiking and Castle Exploration
Late April is when Gauja National Park transitions from dormant to alive - the forests start greening up, waterfalls run full from snowmelt, and trails dry out enough for comfortable hiking without the mud that plagues March. Temperatures around 8-12°C (46-54°F) are perfect for the moderate climbs around Turaida Castle and Gutmanis Cave. You'll have the trails largely to yourself since Latvian school holidays don't start until June. The Gauja River valley looks dramatic with bare cliffs contrasting against emerging spring foliage. Just avoid the first week of April when trails can still be quite soggy.
Riga Central Market and Food Tours
April brings the first spring produce to Central Market's five massive pavilions - you'll find early greenhouse vegetables, smoked fish that's been preserved through winter, and the tail end of root vegetable season. The market is entirely indoors, making it perfect for April's unpredictable weather. Locals shop here year-round, so you're seeing authentic Latvian food culture, not a tourist show. The cool temperatures mean you can comfortably spend 2-3 hours exploring without overheating in the crowded pavilions. This is when vendors are chattiest before summer tourist season exhausts their patience.
Jūrmala Beach Town Day Trips
While swimming is absolutely out of the question in April, Jūrmala's wooden architecture and empty beaches have a moody, atmospheric quality that summer crowds completely destroy. The 33 km (20.5 miles) of white sand beach stretches out empty except for locals walking dogs and the occasional hardy Nordic walker. Late April days around 12-15°C (54-59°F) are perfect for long beach walks and photographing the distinctive wooden summer cottages without tourist clutter. The spa hotels start their spring promotions, offering thermal treatments at 20-30% below summer rates. Just don't expect beach weather - this is about dramatic Baltic landscapes and architecture, not sunbathing.
Latvian National Opera and Concert Hall Performances
April catches the tail end of the main season before the summer break, meaning you'll see the best productions that have been refined over months of performances. The Latvian National Opera typically stages major works through late April, while the Great Guild Hall and other venues host spring concert series. Ticket prices are remarkably affordable compared to Western Europe - 15-50 EUR gets you excellent seats. The opera house itself, built in 1863, is an architectural gem worth seeing regardless of what's on stage. Locals dress up but not formally - smart casual works fine.
Rundāle Palace Day Trips
Latvia's most impressive baroque palace is 77 km (48 miles) south of Riga, and April is when the palace gardens start their transformation - while full bloom doesn't arrive until May, you'll see the gardens being prepared and early bulbs emerging. More importantly, you'll tour the palace's 138 rooms without the summer crowds that make photography nearly impossible. The cool April temperatures around 10-13°C (50-55°F) are comfortable for the 2-3 hours you'll spend exploring indoors. The palace was designed by the same architect who created the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, so the scale and opulence genuinely impresses.
April Events & Festivals
Easter Weekend Celebrations
Easter timing varies but often falls in April, and Latvians take the holiday seriously with traditional egg decorating, church services, and special foods like Easter bread and curd desserts. Riga's churches hold services with choral music worth attending even if you're not religious - St Peter's Church and Riga Cathedral both host special Easter concerts. The Open-Air Ethnographic Museum outside Riga sometimes holds traditional Easter craft workshops. Markets sell decorated eggs and traditional foods throughout the week leading up to Easter Sunday.