English
Riga is a thriving passenger port, one of the most attractive destinations for a Baltic Sea cruise. The recreational and cultural offer of the city of Riga makes it one of the most popular waterfront cities, highly appreciated by tourists, while the excellent port infrastructure is appreciated by cruise companies
The 820-year-old city of Riga with its rich culture and unique architecture of various periods, high-quality services of the hospitality industry has always been a popular destination for tourists from all around the world, including cruise passengers. Moreover, due to the passenger port central location and the developed motor road network, the cruise passengers can easily reach the most significant tourist attractions elsewhere in Latvia from Riga within the cruise program.
Schedule of passenger ships
Infrastructure
The port of Riga boasts an excellent infrastructure, developed in compliance with the requirements of modern passenger transport and cruise industry. The safe arrival and quality of service is provided for passenger vessels calling the port, reducing their impact on the environment and the urban ecosystem.
The technical and navigation capabilities of the Freeport of Riga ensure safe and fast servicing of large cruise vessels. The largest cruise ship that has ever visited the Freeport of Riga is the “Celebrity Silhouette” with more than 2,700 cruise passengers. The length of the ship - 319 meters, width - 36.8 meters, maximum draught - 8.6 meters and GT - 122 thousand tons.
Riga Passenger Port
Riga Passenger Port, where most cruise vessels are usually berthed, is located in the center of Riga, a short walk from Riga's Old Town with its main tourist attractions.
The following services are available at the Riga Passenger Port:
- Parking directly at the terminal
EuroPark paid parking: You can find rates here - Taxi service at the terminal shall be booked in advance
- Free buss parking near the terminal - https://www.rdsd.lv/transports/autostavvietas
- There is no ATM in the terminal
Development plans
Within the framework of the Freeport of Riga development plans and the “Riga Port City” waterfront development project it is planned to build a new, modern berth and terminal infrastructure in the port area Eksportosta to accommodate large cruise vessels. New passeger terminal "Riga RoPax" will be located close to the city center, making the stay in Riga more comfortable for ship passengers, more profitable for operators, and more environment-friendly for the city residents reducing the environmental impact of large vessels.
As early as 2026, the Rail Baltica high-speed railway will connect Riga with the capitals of the Baltic States and the cities of Northern Europe. Due to the connection of Riga Central Railway Station with Riga Airport, which is to be implemented within the framework of Rail Baltica project, passengers from Riga Airport will be able to get to the port of Riga in 20 minutes. Thus in the future the Freeport of Riga might become a convenient Baltic Sea cruise “turnaround port”, or a port where cruise ships and passengers start and end their journey.
Membership in international associations
With the aim to promote the development of cruises in the Freeport of Riga, the Freeport of Riga Authority has joined the world's largest cruise industry association Cruise Lines International Association CLIA (www.cruising.org), the Cruise Europe - a business to business network of cruise ports and destinations in Northern & Atlantic Europe, which brings together more than 100 European ports to jointly promote cruise development in the region (www.cruiseeurope.com) as well as Cruise Baltic association.
