Riften is the capital city of the Rift, located in the southeast corner of the hold. The city lies near the borders of both Morrowind and Cyrodiil, and is home to the Thieves Guild, who inhabit the sewers beneath Riften known as the Ratway. Honorhall Orphanage is located in the city, as well as Mistveil Keep, the jarl's residence.
When you come to Riften for the first time, the guards will tell you to head to the north gate, where you need to pay a tax before entering the city. You can choose to pay the tax (the amount depends on the level of your character), or try to persuade or intimidate the guards, convincing them to open the door for free. Another option is to commit a crime and be arrested. You will be taken to the city's jail inside the walls, and released outside the jail, or you can escape. Or you can enter from the Black-Briar Meadery's back door (near the western gate), or through the sewer grate next to the docks that leads into the jail. Alternately, with a good enough pickpocket level, one can steal the key off of the guard demanding pay.
The market at Riften Grand Plaza is made up of stalls run by a few of Riften's citizens: Madesi, an Argonian jeweler whom you can assist in finding materials for his jewelry; Grelka, a cranky armor merchant who offers expert Light Armor training; Brand-Shei, an Argonian-raised Dunmer who sells a little bit of everything, and Marise Aravel, who sells fresh meat and produce. Brynjolf, a merchant of ill-repute, can also be found here. Down on the lower decks near the canals is Elgrim's Elixirs, which is run by Elgrim and his wife Hafjorg. The forge is run by Balimund, who seems quite proud of his work, along with his apprentice Asbjorn Fire-Tamer. The Pawned Prawn is run by Bersi Honey-Hand and his wife, Drifa. Finally, there's the Black-Briar Meadery and the town inn, the Bee and Barb, which is run by Keerava and Talen-Jei.
Riften is also home to a powerful noble family, the Black-Briars. Maven, the head of the family, owns the Black-Briar Meadery, and has ties to the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood. According to Maul, "If she tells you to do something, you damn well better do exactly what she says", indicating that she is not someone to trifle with.
For more historical information on Riften, see the lore article.
Most of the Thieves Guild quests start here. For details, see its page.
Alessandra Hall of the Dead Pilgrimage: Help Alessandra make peace with her dead father.
Balimund The Scorched Hammer Stoking the Flames: Find 10 fire salts to restore Balimund's forge.
Bolli Riften Fishery Special Delivery: Deliver a purchase agreement to Kleppr in Markarth.
Brand-Shei Haelga's Bunkhouse Distant Memories: Help Brand-Shei uncover his past.
Dinya Balu Temple of Mara Spread the Love: Distribute religious literature to the citizens of Riften.
Hafjorg Elgrim's Elixirs Truth Ore Consequences: Retrieve an ore sample from Filnjar.
Harrald Mistveil Keep Bring It!: Deliver Harrald's sword.
Hofgrir Horse-Crusher Riften Stables Bloody Nose: Defeat Hofgrir Horse-Crusher in a brawl.
Ingun Black-Briar Elgrim's Elixirs Few and Far Between: Help Ingun restock Elgrim's rare ingredients.
Laila Law-Giver Mistveil Keep Supply and Demand: Clear Cragslane Cavern for the Jarl of Riften.
Madesi Riften Ringmaker: Help Madesi make jewelry.
Maramal Temple of Mara The Bonds of Matrimony: Find someone in Skyrim to marry.
Marise Aravel Marise Aravel's House Ice Cold: Find five ice wraith teeth for Marise Aravel.
Maven Black-Briar Mistveil Keep Supply and Demand: Clear Cragslane Cavern for the Jarl of Riften.
Mjoll the Lioness Aerin's House Grimsever's Return: Recover Mjoll's beloved sword, Grimsever, from Mzinchaleft.
Romlyn Dreth Black-Briar Meadery Under the Table: Deliver a smuggled Black-Briar Mead keg to the inn at Ivarstead.
Shadr Riften Stabilized: Help Shadr clear his debt with Sapphire.
Sibbi Black-Briar Riften Jail The Lover's Requital: Help Sibbi Black-Briar locate his former fiancee, so he can kill her.
Svana Far-Shield Haelga's Bunkhouse Caught Red Handed: Gather three marks of Dibella to help Svana Far-Shield against Haelga.
Talen-Jei The Bee and Barb Sealing the Deal: Find three flawless amethysts for Talen-Jei's engagement ring.
Wujeeta Haelga's Bunkhouse Helping Hand: Help Wujeeta cure her skooma addiction.
Wylandriah Mistveil Keep Hunt and Gather: Retrieve Wylandriah's spoon, ingot, and soul gem.
If the Rift is transferred to Imperial control during Season Unending, you may find Imperial soldiers fighting with one or more Riften guards.
After completing A Chance Arrangement, there is a 20% chance of encountering a thief inside one of the stores or houses.
There are many barrels in Riften containing raw meat or fish, in addition to numerous salt piles.
Riften also appears in Arena and ESO.
Attempting to persuade the guard to enter Riften always succeeds.
If the Empire takes Riften, you will routinely see the new Imperial guards fighting with Stormcloak guards who weren't disabled properly, similar to Sarethi Farm. You will receive a bounty if you try to intervene. ?