22 Best things to do in Riga
In June 2022 we made a 2-week road trip in the Baltic States. We started in Vilnius (Lithuania), rented a car, and explored as much as we could on the way to Tallinn (Estonia) while stopping by Latvia.
Riga was our 4th stop and was our first city and place in Latvia.
Riga is the capital of Latvia and set on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava. With 632 614 inhabitants, it is the biggest city in the country and is known for its wooden buildings, art nouveau architecture and medieval Old Town.
It is a cute capital slightly bigger than Vilnius where you can feel a bit more the communist era. But it is a truly nice place to stop. We only stayed a day and a half there, so we didn’t spend to much time in museums or attractions. But we strolled around a lot which we do prefer anyway.
If you too are planning a trip to the Baltic states and to Riga, then let ‘s dive in these Best things to do in Riga.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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Getting there
Getting to Riga is quite easy, you can simply fly directly to its international import. Most of the main European cities have direct connection to Riga. From the airport, you can either rent a car (which we strongly advise to explore the Baltic states) or take a bus 22 (for the timetable www.rigassatiksme.lv.)
If you are coming from a nearby countries, there are also direct buses to Riga. And if you come from Germany or Scandinavia, you can even consider taking a ferry to Riga and from there drive or take a bus to the city.
Moving Around
Once you are in the city center, everything can be reach by walking. It is not a big capital, so everything is quite close. Only one attraction which is the open-air museum need to take public transport or a car.
Also, Riga has a great network of trams and city buses, so it you want to cut a bit the walking it will be quite easy.
When to Visit
You can visit Riga all year round but be aware that temperature varies from the extreme 30°C in summer to freezing -25°C in winter. Also, the length of the day varies a lot from 4h in winter to almost 18h in summer.
The touristic season is mostly July and August and is made of local tourism. Generally, the Baltic states are not the most touristic countries in the world nor in EU.
The best time to visit it in term of weather are from May to September but we would without a doubt recommend June as the best month to visit it. Out of 16 days in the Baltic states, we only got 2 of them with rain. It wasn’t yet too hot and wasn’t too cold and really enjoyed it.
What to Eat
While we were in Riga, we actually tried some of the local food (out of our regular diet) :
- Province: located in the city center near the river. We tried the “Sprats” a local smoked fished, green peas soup in rye bread and herring fish.
- Lunch at Vērmane Garden: Cabbage and potatoes
- Coffee at Parunasim, the most romantic coffee shop in old town.
Best things to do in Riga
Vecrīga (Old town)
As we mentioned earlier, for us Riga was mostly strolling around the old city center. And to be honest, it was for us amazing. The old city center of Riga is amazing and within it you will find most of the following best things to do Riga
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter’s Church is a Lutheran church in the old city center. First built in 1029 than restored many times it is one of the top monuments in Riga. The amazing thing (but expensive) to do in to go on its bell tower. It cost 9€ per person but we highly recommend it. From there, you can get the best views of Riga.
House of the Black Heads
One of the most unique landmarks in the city center. The House of the Blackheads was originally erected in the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga. Today, it is museum,
Riga Cathedral
Riga Cathedral or The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary, is an Evangelical Lutheran cathedral. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Latvia, and is featured in or the subject of paintings, photographs and television travelogues
Three Brothers, Latvian Museum of Architecture
On your way around, stop by the Three Brothers, a building complex made of 3 houses. Together they form the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents various periods of development of dwelling house construction. If you wish, you can visit it as it is the Latvian Museum of Architecture.
Riga Castle
Not far, is the Riga castle. Erected in 1330 and is a small fortress with a quite modern architecture. Today, it is the seat of the Latvian government and is the official residence of the President of Latvia as well as home to several museums
The Swedish Gate
This small gate erected in 1698 was a part of the Riga fortification wall and used to provide access to barracks outside the city wall. This gate is the only remaining gates from the former eight and open on a super cute part of the old city center.
Cat House
Built in 1909 according to the blueprint of architect Friedrich Scheffel. The building is a mixed of medieval architecture with some elements of Art Nouveau. It is known for the 2 cat sculptures, with arched backs and raised tails, on its roof.
Latvian National Opera
The Latvian National Opera is a stunning building located between the old and modern city center of Riga. It is also within the Bastejkalna Park which is where we will be heading next. Performance can be seen during the season which lasts from mid-September to the end of May.
The Freedom Monument
The Freedom Monument is located in Bastejkalna Park. It honors soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence and is considered an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of Latvia
Bastejkalna Park
This cute little park is located on the top part of the old city center. For us, it was kind of the border between the old city center and the modern one.
Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
The Nativity of Christ Cathedral is a stunning Neo-Byzantine church built between 1876 and 1883 during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire. It is free to visit and truly is beautiful. Its golden domes make it quite easy to sight!
Vērmane Garden
The Vērmane Garden is the oldest public garden in the city of Riga and size around 5 hectares. The current name is a Latvian transliteration of the garden’s original German name. When we were there, there was some flea market and a nice stand making local dish for lunch.
Latvian National Museum of Art
The Latvian National Museum of Art has the richest collection of national art in Latvia. It houses more than 52,000 works of art reflecting the development of professional art in the Baltic area and in Latvia from the middle of the 18th century until the present time. It is also quite a beautiful building from the outside 😊
Albert Street
Albert Streets is the street to visit to see the Art Nouveau building of Riga. Built in 1901 and named after Bishop Albert, who founded Riga in 1201
Riga Central Market
If you are looking for a more local experience, the Riga central market is Europe’s largest market and bazaar. It is one of the most notable structures from 20th century in Latvia and has been included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list together with Old Riga in 1998. It was planned from 1922 and built from 1924 to 1930.
There you can get almost anything (fruits, veggies, medical stuff, meats, toys…)
Latvian Academy of Sciences
A bit further than the central market, the Latvian Academy of Sciences is a landmark you cannot miss. IT is the official science academy of Latvia and is an association of the country’s foremost scientists. If you wish to visit it you can and there even is a rooftop view.
National Library of Latvia
The National Library of Latvia is another unique landmark of Riga. Also known as Castle of Light, it is a national cultural institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture of Latvia. The National Library of Latvia was formed in 1919 after the independent Republic of Latvia was proclaimed in 1918.
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
Located outside of Riga, The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is an open air museum where you can learn about the way of living of the past. You can find complete villages where you can visit houses, barns, windmills… and see how it was in the past.
In each of them, someone is waiting for you to tell you about it or to answer question if you have to. Entrance is 4€ per person and it is totally worth it.
That was certainly one of the only museums we did in the Baltic states and it was super amazing.
More things to do in Riga and not do to
If you want more things to do in Riga, you can consider:
- Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
Not to do:
- Market Latgale: we went there, and it was closed. Just a few stalls were open but nothing to see.
- Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders: Closed/Destroyed
An amazing 1-day Riga Itinerary
- Pop by the House of the Black Heads
- Start with the best view from St. Peter’s Church
- Stroll around Vecrīga (Old town)
- Visit Riga Cathedral
- Pass by the Three Brothers, Latvian Museum of Architecture
- And then Riga Castle
- Walk under The Swedish Gate
- And try to see the cats on the Cat House
- Walk to the Latvian National Opera
- And admire The Freedom Monument
- Discover the Bastejkalna Park
- Pop by Latvian National Museum of Art
- Visit the Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
- Lunch at Vērmane Garden
- Stroll around Albert Street
- Go grocery at Riga Central Market
- If you feel like it, walk to the Latvian Academy of Sciences
- And then to the National Library of Latvia
- And finally the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders
Esmu ierobežots izdevums – I am unique, and you will never have another like me
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