Things to Do in Riga
Plan your days in Riga, your way
Riga suits the traveller who wants a bit of everything without needing a thesis.
One morning in the old town covers the famous spires, the Blackheads' house, and a coffee in a medieval square.
An hour on Alberta iela shows you the Art Nouveau streets everyone mentions, no expertise required.
Central Market is half sightseeing, half lunch — wander the hangars, eat whatever looks busy.
The canal parks offer a slow afternoon walk that requires nothing but mild curiosity.
Cross the river for the wide view back at the skyline, the one that finally makes the map click.
Try grey peas or a pork cutlet at a tavern with a translated menu and no performance about it.
If there's energy left, Miera iela's bars do a relaxed evening among locals.
Nothing is extreme, nothing is far, and nothing costs much.
Riga is the rare city where a casual plan turns out exactly right.
Top attractions and places to eat in Riga
Vecrīga
Charming maze of narrow, crooked cobblestone streets with a mixture of Nordic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and Jugendstil architecture.
neighborhood · 4.6 rating
St. Peter's Church
A historic medieval Lutheran church in Riga's Old Town, famous for its tall spire and observation platform offering panoramic city views. Travelers visit for the architecture and the elevated vistas.
church · 4.4 rating · €9
House of the Black Heads
An ornate reconstructed Gothic guildhall in Riga's Old Town, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Travelers visit for its striking facade and historic interiors.
attraction · 4.4 rating
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
A museum documenting Latvia's occupations under Soviet and Nazi regimes during the 20th century. A significant stop for travelers seeking to understand the country's modern history.
attraction · 4.2 rating · €8
Musee Art Nouveau
Museum showcasing Art Nouveau interior design with an ornate spiral staircase.
museum · 4.4 rating
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
A large open-air museum on the shores of Lake Jugla displaying historic Latvian farmsteads, churches, and buildings across a forested park. Travelers explore traditional rural architecture and folk culture.
attraction · 4.4 rating
Nativity of Christ Cathedral
Russian Orthodox church built around 1876, notable for its golden domes.
church · 4.5 rating
Riga Motormuseum
Largest and most diverse vintage motor vehicle collection in the Baltics.
museum · 4.7 rating · €12
Riga Ghetto and Holocaust in Latvia Museum
An outdoor museum documenting the Riga Ghetto and the Holocaust in Latvia, memorializing the Jewish community's persecution. Travelers visit for its historical and educational significance.
attraction
Latvian National Opera
The Latvian National Opera is a historic opera and ballet house in central Riga, home to Latvia's national opera and ballet companies. Travelers attend for classical performances in an elegant 19th-century building.
attraction
National Library of Latvia
A striking modern glass building known as the 'Castle of Light' on the Daugava riverbank. Travelers visit for its bold architecture, exhibitions, and city views.
attraction
Art Museum RIGA BOURSE
A fine art museum housed in a restored 19th-century stock exchange building in Riga's Old Town, displaying international art and decorative works. Appeals to travelers interested in art and architecture.
museum · €9
Riga Cathedral
A large medieval cathedral in Riga's Old Town, one of the city's most iconic religious landmarks, known for its architecture and pipe organ. Travelers visit for its history and concerts.
church
City Canal
A picturesque canal winding through central Riga's parks, once part of the old city moat. Visitors stroll its green banks or take boat rides along the water.
attraction
Great Guild
A historic medieval merchants' guild building in Old Riga, now home to the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. Travelers visit for its architecture and concerts.
attraction