Things to do in

Riga

Meet the local guide at your Riga accommodation and head out on a walking tour to explore the city. You’ll be in good hands with a knowledgeable local who is eager to share all the tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your visit. Start by getting familiar with the neighborhood where you’re staying. Hear about the best places to eat and shop and learn the easiest ways to get around. On this customized tour you’ll see some of the top attractions and hear about more that you can visit on your own after the tour. By the end of the tour, you'll feel more comfortable navigating the city and confident you have all the information you need.

Wander through centuries in House of the Black Heads! Feel the magic atmosphere of luxurious halls of celebrations, decorated with brilliant chandeliers and a gallery of royal portraits. Explore the mysterious medieval cellars and elaborate historical rooms with a surprising silverware collection. For the past 700 hundred years, the House of the Black Heads has pleased and enraptured inhabitants and guests of Riga. This is one of the most magnificent buildings in Riga, preserving both the unique historic heritage of the legendary Brotherhood of Black Heads and the history of Riga. For centuries House of the Black Heads was the cultural epicenter of Riga, gathering the most respectable inhabitants of Riga and their guests, during celebrations organized by the Black Heads and their successors. This building, which is situated in the heart of Old Riga, is the symbol of Riga and among the central premises of representation of Riga – not for nothing also the President of Latvia has chosen House of the Black Heads as his temporary residence for almost four years!

Explore three of Riga’s most essential districts on a half-day combined food tasting and cultural walking tour. Hear stories from the history of the city, and see the world’s largest collection of art nouveau architecture. Begin your tour in charming Old Riga, where the beautiful, centuries-old buildings speak extensively about Latvian culture - one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Highlights of Old Riga (also known as “Vecrīga”) include a reconstruction of the medieval city wall, Riga Cathedral, and the House of the Blackheads. Next, go to the remarkable Art-Nouveau district, where a local guide will explain more about the meaning of symbols hidden behind the beautiful façades. See masterpieces of art nouveau architecture at banks, offices and apartment blocks on almost every street corner. End with a food tasting tour of some typical local food in Riga Central Market. Sample mouth-watering, ecologically-grown local produce in the beautiful art deco and neoclassical market, Europe’s largest market and bazaar.

Climb aboard an eco-friendly canal boat to see the sights of Riga from a different perspective as you cruise along the Daugava River. Escape the crowds of the city center as you set sail from the pier by the Freedom Monument at the 18th-century fortifications known as the Triangula Bastion (Bastejkalns). Glide gently under historic bridges and see landmark attractions such as the elegant home of the Latvian National Opera, Europe's largest market and bazaar at Riga Central Market and the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of the Spīķeri Quarter.  Get amazing views of the Vecrīga district (Old Riga) as you cruise towards the Riga Passenger Terminal and Yacht Club Andrejosta. Make your way back towards the departure point and get stunning views of Kronvalda Park and the Latvian National Theatre.

Be collected at your accommodation in Riga and be driven straight to the region of Bauska city. Visit several palaces from the 18th century and one crusader's castle from the 16th century. Rundāle Palace, formerly Ruhenthal then Ruhendahl, is one of two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland in what is now Latvia. The other is Jelgava Palace. Rundāle Palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768. It is situated at Pilsrundāle, 12 km west of Bauska.  Mežotne Palace is a manor house located in the Mežotne municipality in Bauska district, in the Semigallia region of Latvia. The palace is one of the most outstanding examples of Classicism architecture in Latvia. Bauska Castle is a complex consisting of the ruins of an earlier castle and a later palace on the outskirts of the Latvian city of Bauska. Jelgava Palace, also known as Mitava Palace, is the largest Baroque-style palace in the Baltic states. It was built in the 18th century based on the design of Bartolomeo Rastrelli as a residence for the Dukes of Courland in their capital Mitava, which is Jelgava today. The Dukes of Courland also had a summer palace by Rastrelli nearby called Rundāle Palace.  Either choose a restaurant for dinner or your driver can arrange a picnic if you prefer. After the visit to Jelgava castle, you will be returned to your accommodation. 

Treat yourself to an authentic wine tasting experience in the heart of Riga. Try wines from all over the country and learn the tricks and secrets behind its production from monks. Step into a medieval wine cellar and be greeted by monks. Discover the centuries-old methods and secret ingredients used to create the perfect Latvian wine. Next, try 6 Latvian wines with a selection of local snacks. Learn about each wine before putting your knowledge to the test with fun games and challenges. Guess the ingredients and discover surprising facts and stories as you play.

Start your morning with a convenient, pick-up service from your accommodation in Riga. Here, your friendly driver and guide will be waiting to meet you. After a quick chat with one another, you'll be hopping aboard your vehicle and setting off for your destination of the day - the Kemeri National Park.  Attractions you will visit: Great Ķemeri Bog: Enjoy the benefits of a day beginning with physical activity and experience a picturesque hike on the famous Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk upon arrival at the National Park. · Unique Lagoon Lake Kaņieris: After the inspiring morning improv-hike in Kemeri boglands, you will visit the amazing Kanieris Lake and one of its bird watching towers. This big shallow lake is an amazing former lagoon of the prehistoric Littorina Sea. It is very close to the Gulf Of Riga. Kanieris Lake is an important stop-over place for migratory birds. During migration periods (April-May and August-October) it becomes a paradise for birdwatchers as it hosts more than 190-species of birds. It’s also an important breeding place for the local birds. Nature trails along the banks of this lake go through various unique protected ecosystems (habitats) and can be a great place for you to spot wildlife. · Ķemeri forests: Now it is time to have glimpse on the unique wet forests of Ķemeri National Park and their natural values including the famous Sulphur springs. · Sandy beach of the Gulf of Riga: Before heading back to Riga you will enjoy the fresh air of the stunning sandy seaside and costal pine forests of the Gulf of Riga · Soak up the energy of this unique pristine Latvian location before heading back to your accommodation in Riga for an evening of rest.

Go sightseeing in a completely different way on a beer or cider bike tour through the heart of Riga. Explore the beautiful streets of the city’s Old Town while pedaling, drinking, and chatting with friends.   Your English-speaking guide and driver will greet you at the meeting point and take you to the waiting beer bike. Once seated and ready to start, you will be served your choice of beer, cider or prosecco — and then the fun begins.   The bike holds up to 15 passengers and is easy enough for even 4 people to pedal. While riding around the Old Town with drinks in hand, you can listen to your favorite music and turn on LED lights for a party on wheels.   After an hour of taking in the sights, head to one of the restaurants near the finishing point for a nice meal.

Start the day by visiting Latvia's most popular and biggest seaside resort Jūrmala city. After a refreshing and energizing walk trough the town, parks and beach, your day will take you further north up the coast line. Different beaches, fishing villages, a nature park with wild horses and Latvia blue cows, coastal roads and beautiful pine tree forests await you on this journey. To see Latvia blue cows and wild horses, take a short hike on a trail leading near to a lake, a bog, through a beautiful pine tree forest where 22 of 32 orchid species in Latvia might be seen in summer time (May - July). Distance to be walked on this trail is 4 kilometers. Finish the day with a nice and easy bicycle ride (8 kilometers long) through a peaceful forest, a quiet town and a beach where you are also welcome to go for a refreshing swim in the Baltic sea. After your return from the bicycle ride and hitting the road to get back to Riga, shortly relax at a beautiful countryside home next to the sea where the local family lives and does blueberry farming. On the lunch break you will be introduced to local traditional snacks and a non alcoholic drink that is somewhat similar to a bear, but you will also be offered water if this is not your cup of tea.

Get an insider’s view of Riga's old town on a small-group walking tour through the city's scenic cobblestone streets. Marvel at Riga's famous sights, including St. Peter's Church, where you can climb its tower for amazing views of the city. Make your way inside the Dome Cathedral and learn about the Riga roosters, the Powder Tower, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, and more. Enjoy hearing about the city's past as a mighty seaport during the Middle Ages, and take in views of beautiful medieval landmarks, such as the Old Guild House and the House of the Blackheads. Continue on to Riga Central Market, one of the largest markets in Europe, and immerse yourself in local life. Learn about Latvian cuisine and the variety of local specialties, such as smoked meats, cheeses, herring, and hemp butter. Be sure to sample the favorite foods of the locals.