Rīga
is cobblestones and culture
Welcome to Rīga
The Gothic spires that dominate Rīga's cityscape might suggest austerity, but it is the flamboyant art nouveau that forms the flesh and the spirit of this vibrant cosmopolitan city, the largest of all three Baltic capitals. Like all northerners, it is quiet and reserved on the outside, but there is some powerful chemistry going on inside its hip bars, modern art centres and the kitchens of its cool experimental restaurants.
Top experiences in Rīga
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Rīga activities
Best of Riga Walking Tour
We will start our tour with the remarkable Art-Nouveau district - a real treasure for those who enjoy beauty of the architecture. Our lovely guide will explain you more about the meaning of symbols hidden behind the beautiful facades, and introduce you with some of the most remarkable Art-Nouveau masterpieces. The next we will set for the Old Riga where you will be able to hear interesting stories about famous Rigans, history and fate of the beautiful, centuries old buildings, and more about Latvian culture which is one of the oldest living cultures on the planet.We will finish the tour with walk and trying typical local food in Riga Central Market. You will be able to meet some of the local producers and do some shopping in the biggest marketplace in Riga.
Old Town Walking Tour of Riga
Riga is a city of good coffee, jazz, full of small delicious pastries and stylish cafes. You may not be able to get enough of Old Town’s architecture, which is quite legendary. You will walk past the splendid House of Blackheads located next to the Town Hall Square, and past the walls of fortresses and towers go into St. Peter’s Church and the Dome Cathedral. Then you will continue walking to the famous clock “LAIMA” and through a lovely opera park, you will head to the magnificent Riga Opera House.
Old Town and Art Nouveau Walking Tour of Riga
Old town Riga is a city of good coffee, jazz, full of small delicious pastries and stylish cafes. You may not be able to get enough of Old Town’s architecture, which is quite legendary. You will walk past the splendid House of Blackheads located next to the Town Hall Square, and past the walls of fortresses and towers go into St. Peter’s Church and the Dome Cathedral. Then you will continue walking to the famous clock “LAIMA” and through a lovely opera park, you will head to the magnificent Riga Opera House. Art NouveauIn order to preserve Old Riga, Riga’s wooden buildings and the art nouveau architecture, the historical centre of Riga has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Art nouveau (also known as Jugendstil in Germany, art nouveau in France, modernismo in Spain, Sezessionsstil in Austria, Stile Liberty or Stile Floreale in Italy) emerged in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century and continued its march of victory up until World War I.It is an ornamental style based on curved lines, asymmetrical composition and rhythms of irregular contours. Its main motifs are nature, references to antiquity and mythology. Architecturally, art nouveau is characterised by the functional structure and a richly decorated façade, achieved by deploying all the possible means of expression in building, from the shape of window and door openings, bay windows, to reliefs, sculptures, ornamental lines or areas and stained glass. However, the main building facade is not the only essential element in Art Nouveau, but rather its overall image, therefore, “art nouveau architecture” also refers to interior design, the shape of tableware and even the inhabitants’ wardrobe.Highlights:1.Old City Riga (Vecriga)2.Alberta Iela3.Art Nouveau Museum (Tickets are not included in price)4.Latvian National Opera5.Riga Town Hall Square6.House of Blackheads7.St. Mary's Dome Cathedral8.Jauniela9.St. Peter's Church
Riga to Jurmala, Kemeri Park: Private Baltic Coast Day Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Jurmala open-air museum, Jurmala, Riga RegionJūrmala Open Air Museum is an attractive way to discover the daily life of fishermen at the turn of the 20th century. Here, you can climb on the decks of two authentic fishing boats, try your skills at the rope-making workshop, and visit authentic houses of fishermen. Around noon on Thursdays in summer, the museum offers a pleasant surprise to gourmets, as it hosts fish-smoking events where local fishermen show and tell about the traditional ways to smoke fish, inviting the guests to try the product.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Jurmala Beach, Jurmala, Riga RegionJūrmala’s beach has always hosted a lively social life. In the 19th century ladies with parasols paraded along the promenades, while in the 1960s the white beaches became a colourful mosaic of bikinis and towels. Today, selfies in front of a magnificent sunset are common. But there have always been two sides to the social scene in Jūrmala, namely, that of the locals and that of the summer holidaymakers. Each group uses the beach very differently. The locals rarely lounge on the beach in the middle of the day; they’re more likely to head to the beach for a walk or healthy jog early in the morning or late in the evening. Holidaymakers, on the other hand, make full use of the beach from midday until sunset.Currently, Jūrmala has 11 developed swimming areas along its beach, of which five (Jaunķemeri, Dzintari, Bulduri, Majori and Dubulti) received Blue Flag certification in 2015, meaning that they meet stringent standards for environmental sustainability as well as water quality and beach management. The swimming areas also accommodate people with special needs.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Viewing Tower by Architect Bureau ARHIS, Jurmala, Riga RegionLatvian practice ARHIS Architects has completed the Observation Tower in Jurmala positioned within the Dzintaru park in Jurmala, Latvia. The 38-meter tall structure is enclosed with an open-air cage allowing screened views of the encompassing nature reserve.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Jomas Street, Jurmala, Riga RegionJomas street - one of the oldest and central streets of Jūrmala with restaurants, summer terraces, hotels and cafés with live music. The name of the street in Latvian means parallel lines in the sand of dunes. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Kemeri National Park, Jurmala, Riga RegionThe 3 km long, Ķemeri Moorland footbridge allows you to explore a raised moss marsh untouched by human activity at Ķemeri National Park. A maze of elongated small lakes makes the bog to be one of the most picturesque places in Latvia.Duration: 1 hour
Soviet Ghosts and Heritage Tour of Riga
Tour highlights: • Visit must-see places that are legacies of Riga’s Soviet past • Learn about life during the occupation • Enjoy beautiful panoramic views • Taste typical Soviet-era foodWhat was it like living in Riga during the Soviet occupation? How did people entertain themselves? How did they make a living? What did they eat? If you want to find out what life was like behind the Iron Curtain, join our fascinating walking tour!This tour takes you to some of the must-see places in Riga that are legacies of the city’s Soviet past. You’ll see typical Soviet-era buildings, hear about life during the occupation and enjoy great panoramic views.
Latvia Castles: Private Tour with Bauska Castle from Riga
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Mezotne Palace, Mezotne, Zemgale RegionVisit of place museum and surroundingsDuration: 45 minutesStop At: Bauska Castle, Bauska, Zemgale RegionVisit of castle museum and surroundingsDuration: 1 hourStop At: Rundale Palace Museum (Rundales Pils), Pilsrundale, Zemgale RegionVisit of place museum and gardensDuration: 3 hoursStop At: Jelgava Palace, Jelgava, Zemgale RegionVisit of place surroundingsDuration: 30 minutes