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Riga, Latvia is a city of cobblestoned lanes, inviting squares and parks along with a history that dates to the 2nd century. Staying for one week, we filled our days with top activities along with a few lesser-known things to do in Riga.
We were fascinated by how the city incorporates a mix of architecture, honors its past and welcomes visitors with an array of Riga sights. We’ve compiled a list of Top Riga Things To Do for fellow travelers and first-time visitors who want to experience the best of the Baltic city!
Great Things To Do in Riga, Latvia
Most Riga attractions are located in the Old Town city center, which is easily walkable. Public transportation can be used to access a few of our recommended Riga things to do that are further afield.
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#1 See Riga From Above
Getting a bird’s eye view of a city is always high on our list. Fortunately for us (and hopefully for you), finding excellent elevated viewpoints is one of the top things to do in Riga!
St. Peter’s Church
Located in the heart of the Old Town is the unmissable St. Peter’s Church. The red brick structure features a steeple that soars 400 feet. Visitors can take an elevator to a 236 foot viewing platform for stunning views down on the red-tiled rooftops. The €9 combo-ticket is also good for entry into the church, which dates to 1209.
Latvian Academy of Sciences
The stark Latvian Academy of Sciences building was built in the 1950s when Latvia was under Russian occupation. The imposing structure, nicknamed Stalin’s Birthday Cake, stands at 354 feet and was once the tallest building in Riga. The 17th floor, open-air observation deck is accessible to visitors for a fee of €6.
Radisson Blue Skyline Bar
Northeast of the historic center, just past the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, is the high-rise Radisson Blu Hotel and the 26th floor Skyline Bar. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide excellent views, making it a great place to stop at sunset after a long day of Riga sightseeing.
National Library of Latvia
The National Library of Latvia sits on the left bank of the Daugava River, just across the Akmens Bridge. The modern building – both inside and out – has 13 floors and at a height of 223 feet provides nice views of Riga from a different vantage point.
#2 Marvel at Riga Architecture
While sightseeing it would be impossible not to notice the assortment of architectural styles. From Medieval to Art Nouveau to Socialist to Modern, the architecture in Riga is something to take note of.
Within the Old Town, simply wandering around will give a good taste of the different styles. Be sure to find the House of Blackheads, Latvian National Opera, Art Museum Riga Bourse and the Three Brothers.
Explore along Elizabetes and Alberta streets, where Art Nouveau reigns as the style of choice. If you prefer, let a guide lead you on Tour of the Old Town and nearby districts.
Beyond the Old Town are other Riga must-see treasures – we’ve already mentioned two: The Latvian Academy of Sciences and National Library buildings. However, there is much more to see, like the fine examples of the classic Latvian Wooden Homes.
Latvia’s traditional Wooden Homes, a style that dates to the 17th century, can be found in the Grizinkalns, Sarkandaugava, and Kipsala neighborhoods. These classic wooden structures throughout the city are found in varying states. In the Kalnciema Quarter, however, wooden homes have been renovated to pristine conditions.
#3 Shop at Riga Markets
Nearly every city in Europe has a marketplace, but the Riga Central Market is unique. Since 1930, the bustling retail bazaar has been housed in five repurposed German Zeppelin hangers.
The enormous structures, located just south of the Old Town, are one of the top things to see in Riga. It’s also one of the best place to go for fresh, local food. In addition to the massive square-footage of the indoor space (often claimed to be the biggest Europe), booths selling produce, clothing, home goods and fresh flowers spill into the surrounding area.
While at Central Market, eating at Cepelins is one of the local Riga, Latvia things to do. The classic cafeteria setting is no nonsense and a great value. Since it seemed appropriate, we ordered the house specialty, a Cepelin. Basically, a potato dumpling shaped like a zeppelin and stuffed with minced meat then doused in sauce!
If you’re visiting Riga over the weekend, head across the Daugava River to Kalnciema for their Saturday Street Market.
Filled with more locals than tourists, the Kalnciema Market is packed with vendors selling gourmet prepared cuisine and high-end handmade goods. Sampling the fare and eating lunch at the market is one of the fun things to do in Riga, Latvia!
#4 Explore Old Town Riga
Riga’s Old Town is a feast for the senses. The pleasant lanes and pastel-painted buildings are steeped in history. Wandering without purpose is one of the popular Riga things to do for visitors.
Joining a walking tour, however, will reveal hidden gems and fascinating stories about the city. You can book Riga guided tours in advance online. There is also a Riga Sightseeing Bus for those who would rather see the sights from the comfort of a coach.
#5 Drink Local Latvian Craft Beer
Riga has a reputation as a party town. There are countless pubs in the heart of the city, many of which cater to the Stag and Hen parties that roll into town each weekend. If you’re looking to partake in a fun evening of Riga nightlife, join fellow travelers on a Pub Crawl.
While the history of Latvian beer is a long one – and explained well at the Aldaris Beer Museum and Brewery – we were more interested in Riga Craft Beer. For a relatively small city, Riga has an excellent craft beer offering. For all our suggestions, read our dedicated guide to the top Craft Beer Bars in Riga.
Top Tip: While checking out Riga bars, make sure to get a taste of Black Balsam. The herbal liquor has been made in Latvia since the 18th century.
#6 Learn The History and Culture Of Latvia
The history of Latvia is complicated, but there are several Riga museums that provide a comprehensive timeline along with fascinating and poignant displays.
Two of the best museums in Riga for a history lesson are the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the Latvian War Museum. The later being located in a restored Powder Tower and is free to visit (it’s €5 for the Occupation Museum). Regardless of cost, visiting both of these museums is something we consider a must do in Riga.
Lovers of the arts aren’t left behind, either, with two excellent institutions for viewing creative works. The Art Museum Riga Bourse stands proudly on Dome Square. The beautifully renovated space covers five floors and is open from 10am to 6pm (closed on Mondays). Admission is €6.
The Latvian National Museum of Art is also one of the Riga top attractions. Featuring permanent displays of Latvian art from the 19th and 20th centuries, the gorgeous building stands out along the Riga Boulevard Circle. Also closed on Mondays, admission is €8.
#7 Visit Riga Monuments
While sightseeing Riga, you will surely see several monuments throughout the city center. None are quite as moving as the Freedom Monument.
The 138-foot-tall column was erected to honor the fallen soldiers who fought in the Latvian War of Independence in the early 1900s. The monument was also a point of convergence in 1987 when Latvia was under occupation by the USSR and a renewed independence movement was gaining momentum.
#8 Walk in Riga Parks and Green Spaces
Pleased to find so many green spaces in city, we quickly learned that spending time outdoors is one of the prime things to do in Riga.
Just to the east of the Old Town, both locals and tourists congregate at Bastejkalna Park. The pleasant area features a small love lock bridge, numerous statues and a pretty canal. To the south end lies the National Opera with the Riga Nymph Fountain standing across from the entrance.
Another one of the top places to see in Riga that incorporates nature, history and art is the Forest Cemetery. Paths wind through all 210 acres of the densely forested area to burial plots that are nestled between trees and decorated with ornate headstones. Many famous and notable Latvians are buried throughout the cemetery.
The Brethren Cemetery is one of the most impactful places to visit in Riga. Located within the Forest Cemetery, thousands of Latvian fighters have been laid to rest at Brother’s Cemetery, including more than 300 unknown soldiers.
#9 Check out Riga Churches
Even though we’ve already visited St Peter’s for the views, there are more must-see churches in Riga. Namely, the Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral and the Riga Lutheran Cathedral.
The unmissable golden dome and bell tower of the Orthodox Cathedral caps the stunning structure that was completed in 1883. As the largest Orthodox Cathedral in the Baltics, it’s interior is equally as impressive as the exterior. Completely restored after Latvian independence from Russia in 1991, the gilding was added in 2010. It’s also one of the top free sights to see in Riga!
Often referred to as the Dome Cathedral, the original building was completed in 1211. As the largest medieval church in the Baltics and home to the Archbishop of Riga, it often appears as a symbol of Latvia. There’s a cost of €5 to tour the church outside of scheduled religious services.
#10 Explore Sigulda
City parks and cemeteries aside, to truly immerse yourself in nature, head to the forest covered hills of Sigulda. An hour and a half train ride will transport you far away from the ancient lanes of Riga into the natural beauty of Sigulda. Here, stoic castles sit upon the terrain and a thick forest covers the hills, split only by the River Gauja.
While, naturally, the tops sights are the area’s castles, a popular way to enhance the journey between them is by peaceful walking paths and the modern cable car. Prefer to visit the castles in Sigulda with a guide? Take a half-day tour that includes all the prime attractions in the region!
#11 Head for the Seaside in Jurmala
Jurmala is a popular summer holiday spot in Latvia, as it features a lovely stretch of beach on the Bay of Riga (part of the Baltic Sea). Even outside of summer, Jurmala is a great day trip from Riga.
The wide shoreline is lovely for long walks, as is the dense forest that is full of colorful foliage and wild mushrooms. Climbing the observation tower and strolling the main pedestrian lane round out a fun day in Jurmala.
We traveled from Riga to Jurmala in 30 minutes on the affordable local train. Alternatively, book a full-day Private Tour to Jurmala that include the beach, fisherman villages and nature trails.
Top Tip: Read more about both of these fun DIY adventures in our Top Riga Day Trips article!
#12 Eat at the Best Restaurants in Riga
After all our recommended activities, you’re bound to be hungry! We’re highlighting a few of the most popular places to eat in Riga.
Pētergailis Restaurant is housed in an 18th century building that was the site of one of the oldest cafes in Riga,. Since 1978, the establishment has proudly created scrumptious dishes with Latvian produced ingredients.
Equally famous for their cocktails as well as their cuisine, B Bārs Restorāns is a lively place for bunch, lunch or dinner. Their broad menu features snack plates for sharing along with various seafood and meat offerings.
Looking for something a bit more casual? Try Two More Beers for elevated pub grub, like their Deer in a Waffle Burger. Alternatively, Street Fries Kitchen offers a wide range of burgers as well as savory pancakes and, of course, fries topped with loads of sauce!
Top Tips For Your Trip to Riga, Latvia
Ready to travel to Latvia? Great! We have a few more suggestions and packing hacks for your Baltic trip. Grab your FREE Packing Checklist and let’s get started!
Where To Stay in Riga
During our visit to Riga, we booked an amazing apartment through Airbnb. For those who prefer staying in traditional accommodations, there are many Riga Hotels to choose from in the city center.
Check out these top-rated hotels for your upcoming trip: Relais Le Chevalier, Neiburgs Hotel and Grand Palace Hotel. Budget travelers can consider popular Riga Hostels – like Tree House and Green Cat Hostel – for their visit.
Getting to Riga
Unless already traveling in the Baltics, most visitors will arrive at the Riga International Airport (RIX). Read our tips on finding cheap plane tickets, then begin your search on Skyscanner. Tip: You can book your transfer from Riga Airport to the city in advance for an effortless arrival.
There are five regional train lines from Riga, but currently the only international train connection is with Estonia. Several bus routes connect Riga to other destinations in the region. We used Eurolines to get from Riga to Tallinn and had a flawless trip on a clean and comfortable bus.
Before You Go to Riga
- Riga is a walkable city, but only if you pack the right travel shoes! Don’t forget a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip. I (Sarah) have always traveled with these shoes by Columbia and Reef. Kris prefers wearing trail shoes by Merrell and casuals from Sanuk.
- We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of pictures while exploring the Baltics. Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We shoot with a Canon Rebel and a 18-135mm lens, a set-up which takes amazing pics. As a backup, we also carry a Canon PowerShot ELPH, which takes beautiful shots and is a slim and lightweight budget camera.
- Make sure to have a good guidebook and our completed Travel Planner before arriving in Riga!
- Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you’ll also want a great day bag to organize all your everyday travel items.
- If you haven’t already obtained insurance, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Latvia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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