Riga

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Top attractions in Riga

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Top 9 Things to do in Riga

Riga, Latvia is so interesting for its combination of strong Latvian culture and influence from the countries that occupied it. The capital of the Baltic states is sometimes called the “Paris of the North,” for its old-time charm to a techno beat.

  • St. Peter's Church, Riga

    1. St. Peter's Church, Riga

    This majestic church has stood, in some form, along the Daugava river since 1209. Climb to the top of its tower for an unmatched aerial view of the city.

  • Freedom Monument

    2. Freedom Monument

    This stunning monument was built to honor those killed in the Latvian War of Independence and has come to represent freedom for all the Latvian people.

  • Nativity Cathedral, Riga

    3. Nativity Cathedral, Riga

    The stunning Nativity Cathedral has a fascinating history of conversion from Russian Orthodox to Lutheran during WWI, then back to Orthodox, only to be threatened by the Soviets.

  • Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum

    4. Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum

    It’s an absolute must, especially if you can’t make it to the Latvian countryside. Wander through the traditional Latvian houses and forest in this outdoor “living history” museum.

  • Vērmanes Garden

    5. Vērmanes Garden

    A local favorite, the Vērmanes Garden is the oldest park in Riga. It is the green lung in the center of the city, and it seems there's always an event for young and old alike.

  • 6. Riga Motor Museum

    The best antique vehicle museum of the Baltic countries is without a doubt the Riga Motor Museum. Be sure to check out the 1938 Auto Union racing car Type D.

  • Riga Zoo

    7. Riga Zoo

    For 6€ you can delight in creatures from the furthest ends of earth. From giraffes to tigers, there’s a critter for everyone.

  • Latvian Railway History Museum

    8. Latvian Railway History Museum

    This fascinating collection of USSR steam locomotives and diesel traction, signaling equipment, tools and instruments, uniforms and badges is one of the city’s hidden gems.

  • 9. St. Alexander Nevsky Church, Riga

    In the historic center of Riga stands this wooden rotunda church. Packed with Riga history, the building has become a symbol of unity across all denominations of faith.

Planning Your Visit

  • Explore Old Town by Foot

    This bustling district is a wonderland of winding streets that lead to quaint cafes and independent shops. Hit the bars for your first taste of the infamous Black Balsam.

  • Visit the Central Riga Market

    Great for people watching and stocking up on huckleberries, the Central Market is housed in a bunch of WWI Zeppelin hangars.

Good to know

  • Language
    Latvian
  • Currency
    Euro (€)
  • Time Zone
    UTC (+02:00)
  • Country Code
    +371
  • Best time to visit
    Summer is the best time to visit the city, which comes to life with the warm temperatures. There's always a chance of rain, though, so plan ahead!

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What people are saying about Riga

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 874 reviews

We really enjoyed this tour and it really matched our best expectations and needs. Līga took us on a varied and very interesting walk of Riga. Her English is excellent and she comes across very well. She managed to find a balanced level of narrative that suited us perfectly, with a good dash of humour and pride in her city, and was also very mindful of us as a group. Would definitely recommend this tour to those who wants to see the best of Riga and to feel the character of the city and are able and willing to walk for signficant distances, but are somewhat limited in time.

Riga: Culture and Food Tasting Tour Reviewed by Inga, 9/20/2020

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Really enjoyed the trip- our Guide was very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about Riga and its history. Would definitely recommend - our guide has recommended us food/places that otherwise we would have missed. When I was looking for a tour, I have came across those 2h long- after this trip- 4h long, I think the 2h one would not be sufficient.

Riga: Culture and Food Tasting Tour Reviewed by Kasia, 1/1/2020

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It was good to experience the outskirts of Riga and have a bit of history of the country. Our driver picked us up on the dot from our hotel and offered to give us a short ride around the city (since we arrived the night before and were not able to have a city tour yet prior to this out of the city tour) and we instantly agreed.

Riga: Private Tour with a Local Reviewed by Fatima, 3/4/2020

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Liga was a wonderful guide! We were a small party of 4, and it was both highly informative and personal. Especially her historical insights on the struggle for independence moved us a lot. This 4 hour tour gave us tue essence of this beautiful City. We appreciated it a lot. Highly recommened!

Riga: Culture and Food Tasting Tour Reviewed by Anonymous, 1/18/2020

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An excellent tour with more than just an overview of Riga. Old town is fascinating with some great stories and ideas for further exploring. Art Nouveau district is a gem! The real treat was the markets with a great introduction to this mammoth market. Highly recommend

Riga: Culture and Food Tasting Tour Reviewed by Dave, 2/16/2020

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