Museum of the Occupation, Riga

If you are to really understand Riga, you have to experience its past filled both with happiness and sorrow. During this tour we will turn back the wheel of time. Only a few decades ago Riga looked, spoke and thought absolutely differently – in line with Soviet ideas. Even today, the city preserves the symbols of that time – the Monument of the Latvian Riflemen and the Occupation Museum, the Academy of Sciences and the restored Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which used to be the home of a planetarium.The guides of this tour will share their memories and private stories about living under the Communist regime.

Explore the history of Riga, walking down the narrow streets of Old Town and discover the main historical sites. Your unique tour starts from the Powder Tower with a walk around the City Wall. Along the way attendant will show you Riga Castle, The Swedish Gates and Three Brothers Building complex. You will enjoy magnificent Riga Cathedral and churches of Old Town. The attendant will walk through the most quite courtyards and most busy squares, so that you can see the city from different angles. The tour finishes at the Town Hall Square. You will hear detailed historical information about each site, stories about Riga and recommendations. During your tour you will explore more than 20 main sights of the Old Town. The starting point of the tour is a Powder Tower, where you will meet one of our attendants. You will get a receiver with headphones to avoid other tourist groups disturbing you. You can choose the language you would like to get your tour – English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, French or Finnish.

Explore the history of Riga, walking down the narrow streets of Old Town and discover the main historical sites. You can arrange meeting with an attendant at any place in the Old Town (Hotel/apartment/cafe/bus stop). Your unique tour will start from the Powder Tower with a walk around the City Wall. Along the way attendant will show you Riga Castle, The Swedish Gates and Three Brothers Building complex. You will enjoy magnificent Riga Cathedral and churches of Old Town. The attendant will walk through the most quite courtyards and most busy squares, so that you can see the city from different angles. The tour finishes at the Town Hall Square. You will hear detailed historical information about each site, stories about Riga and recommendations. During your tour you will explore more than 20 main sights of the Old Town. You will get a receiver with headphones to avoid other tourist groups disturbing you. You can choose the language you would like to get your tour – English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, French or Finnish.

See the sights of Riga at your own pace and according to your schedule on a self-guided walking tour. Download an audio guide onto your MP3 player and get a fully detailed map to help you explore. Explore Riga, the city that only recently gained independence from Russia in 1991. This blossoming city of culture is quickly becoming a popular spot for tourists and other Europeans and the world is taking notice, with Riga being named the "European Capital of Culture" in 2014. Its architectural buildings are definitely worth viewing when visiting the area, with the great Riga Castle and St. Peter’s Church being at the top of the list. You can walk down the flat streets and check out the interesting restaurants and cafes with unique drinks only served in Riga. On this audio tour you will also see the Town Hall Square, the House of Brotherhood and the Blackheads, the Museum of the Occupation, the National Opera House, the Freedom Monument, and the Swedish Gate. There is also an optional addition to see the Central Market.

Your guided adventure begins in the heart of Riga. Admire the Three Brothers, showcasing diverse architectural styles, and the House of the Blackheads, a former guildhall known for its intricate facade, Dome Cathedral, the largest church in Latvia, with its towering Gothic spires. Throughout, discover hidden courtyards, charming cafes, and quirky shops. After the guided walking tour you will be hosted into the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. The museum holds photographs, and personal stories. Witness the impact on various aspects of Latvian society. Learn about resistance movements, the fight for independence, and the restoration of Latvian sovereignty in 1991. To get deeper understanding the audio guide (available in multiple languages) is included.