Riga

Private Experiences

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.

Embark on a personal and immersive adventure on a private van tour from Riga to Sigulda and Turaida. Customize your itinerary to your preferences and visit sights such as Gauja National Park, Sigulda Manor and Castle, and Turaida Castle. Sit back and relax in the comfort of your private vehicle and watch the landscape change from city streets to lush greenery as you head out of Riga. Make your way to Sigulda, a town near the river Gauja that is also known as the Switzerland of Latvia by locals. Marvel at the Gauja valley with its dense forests, meandering river, and the Gauja National Park. Stop to stroll through the park before seeing the Sigulda Medieval Castle ruins, the new Sigulda Castle, the Turaida Castle museum with its watchtower peering above the trees, and Gutman's Cave, the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries. Cross the river on the optional cable car ride for a different perspective of the region or enjoy a glass of local wine made in the Cremon Winery at Krimulda Manor. See local craftsmen and women at work to gain an insight into local and cultural life before heading back to Riga. This half day tour is a must for those who have visited Riga and Jurmala before and is especially recommended for bloggers and social media fans.

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.

The driver will pick you up from your address in Riga and firstly will take you to Bauska, where Rundale Palace is located (around 1 hour drive). There you will meet the local guide, who will lead you through the Palace and tell you a lot of interesting stories of the place. After the tour you will have some time to marvel the beautiful French Gardens of Rundale Palace. After you will have another hour drive, which will take you to Lithuania and to one of countries main highlights - the Hill of crosses. The Hill of crosses is a place near Šiauliai city, with hundreds of thousands of crosses, brought by people from all over the world. There you will have time to walk, explore and hear the unforgettable sound of crosses, which are making the music if there is a little wind. Hill of crosses is one of the few highlights in Lithuania, included into the Unesco World heritage list. Back to Riga in the afternoon.

Take a full-day tour of the beautiful green area of Northern Latvia. Explore Cēsis (the ancient city of Livonia and Brothers of the Sword base) and the picturesque town of Sigulda. Enjoy a day of rich history with medieval monuments, as well as spectacular natural scenery. Trip Itinerary: Medieval castle ruins of Cēsis You experience the castle in a way the people did centuries ago — your guides will light up a candle in the lantern and you will be on our way. You will explore the dark stairs, medieval corridors, and rooms with the help of candlelight as there is no electricity in this 13th century castle. This complex of castle buildings, preserved for centuries, is regarded as a landmark of monumental architecture, which reflects artistic styles from the Livonian period. Cēsis St. John’s Church St. John’s Church is one of the oldest medieval architectural monuments in Latvia. The church was built in the beginning of the 13th century when Cēsis became one of the most important German power centers in the Baltics, from 1237 up to 1561. Medieval castle ruins of Sigulda The Order of the Brothers of the Sword began building Sigulda castle in 1207. Initially, it was a castellum-type fort. Following the defeat of the Brothers of the Sword in 1236, the Livonian Order modified it. Goodman's cave The Gūtmaņala (Goodman's Cave) grotto is the most popular and biggest cave in Latvia. It was formed over the course of 10,000 years by water gradually eroding sandstone. The grotto is a protected geological site and the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia. Museum reserve and medieval castle of Turaida Turaida Museum Reserve is a beautiful heritage site and former village that was named "garden of the gods" by the locals. Turaida is a wonderful place to get to know the Latvian way of life, culture, history, and spirit. The 42 hectares of grounds are replete with archaeological, architectural, historical and art monuments, all of which provide an account of the events from the eleventh century onwards.

Start the tour from your hotel in Riga with a private transfer by car or minivan. Take in the scenery as you drive through the Zemgale region of Latvia where you will pass Bauska and see the ruins of Bauska Castle built in the 15th – 18th century. Visit the Rundale Palace, built in the 18th century and considered to be the most beautiful baroque palace in the Baltics.  Admire this outstanding example of the early work of Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Explore the French gardens and enjoy looking at the tulips and roses which bloom in the Summer before your driver returns you to your accomodation in Riga.

Visit Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic states, on a half-day tour that departs from Riga. The city of Jurmala is known for its mild climate, healthy sea air, curative mud and mineral waters. Admire the city’s natural features, including the white sand beach that stretches for nearly 33 kilometers, the pine forest and the Lielupe River. The typical architectural style of Jurmala is seen in its private houses built of wood. Discover the charming wooden homes constructed in the early 20th century and note also the modern resort buildings.

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.

Tukums, located only 70 kilometers from Riga, is full of interesting tourist attractions. It was only announced as a town in 1795, but still had people living there well before. Strolling down the historical streets of old town you will feel like you are in the 19th century. On every house is information ergarding who lived there at that time, and the modern sculpture of Katrina of Tukums will impress anyone that encounters it.  You will visit Hunting Palace, built in the beginning of the 20th century for the Mayor of Riga of that time, before visiting Jaunpils Castle, built in the year 1301 still one of the few medieval castles with its original appearance preserved. Jaunpils Castle is a typical construction of the Livonian Order fortress and was built by master Gottfried von Horn. Up to the present day came many legends about the fearless, Matthias von der Recke, who was the owner of the castle in the 16th century. Jaunpils Castle and its surroundings have many legends and mysteries. Today you can visit the church built at the end of the 16th century next to a water mill with an age of 200 years, it is here that you can truly feel the aroma of the romantic era. On the way back, you will make a pit stop at the local winery “ Abavas vini”, which is worthy to both see and taste the produce of.

Enjoy a day by the Baltic sea, taking in Kurzeme's magical coastal scenery. Start your tour from Riga's city center and spend the whole day exploring the gulf of Riga. See the point where the Gulf and the Baltic Sea meet, and watch as the choppy, stormy waters blend into a placid and flat surface; the perfect spectacle for any nature lover. Our tour begins with a visit to the Beach of Ģipka and the white dune trail of the Pūrciems. These state-owned forests stretch between the road and the sea from around Kaltene to the border of Slītere National park. The most well-protected site in this region of the seashore is the 20 metre (65 feet) high White Dune of Pūrciems, about five hundred meters from the sea. This dune was formed 6,000 years ago, and is much older than the other dunes around it that have been shaped by the sea. From there we will head to the Ēvaži Steep nature trail. This well-kept nature trail leads to the Gulf of Riga coastline and the Ēvaži Steep. Stretching up to 15 metres (47 feet) high, its great vantage point offers the most scenic points of view of the entire gulf and the picturesque coastal forests. Finally, we will reach Kolka Horn, the Meeting Place of Two Seas. This is a meeting place created by nature, where two seas collide and people have met for centuries. This impressive natural site has attracted more and more visitors in recent years, and growing investment in the region has made sure that the site is well-kept and beautiful in the summer and winter months alike.